Prioritize the beloved of Allah over your own desires, even if it is an act of obedience

We often engage in acts of worship because we "enjoy them" or "find pleasure in them," neglecting more important obligations. Meanwhile, one of the beauties of "Islam" is to submit your own desires to the beloved of Allah, the Almighty. Here are three striking examples: acts of great worship, yet their doers had to prioritize something more important, as it was more beloved to Allah: 1. In a hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim, Jareej the worshipper was called by his mother while praying. He said, "O Allah, my mother or my prayer?" He chose his prayer... and this happened three times. His mother then cursed him, saying, "May you not die until you see the faces of prostitutes," and it happened. He was falsely accused of adultery, his hermitage was demolished, and he was beaten, but Allah vindicated him. The question is: Did Jareej sin by praying? No, but he erred by prioritizing voluntary prayer over the more important duty of responding to his mother. 2. In a sound hadith, Mu'awiyah al-Salami came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, "O Messenger of Allah, I wanted to fight jihad with you seeking thereby the face of Allah and the Hereafter." The Prophet said, "Woe to you! Is your mother alive?" He said, "Yes." The Prophet said, "Return and serve her," and he came from another side, and the Prophet repeated the same words. Then he came from the front, and the Prophet said in the end of the hadith, "Woe to you! Stay with her, for Paradise is under her feet." Isn't jihad by seeking knowledge, which is a collective duty, one of the most beloved acts to Allah? Especially when it is with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)? Yes, but what was more beloved to Allah in this case was serving the mother. 3. Awais al-Qarni, the leader of the followers in his time, was not a Companion, though he lived during the Prophet's (peace be upon him) era. He was prevented from the honor of migrating to the Prophet and accompanying him due to his mother, as Abu Nu'aym mentioned in "Hilyat al-Awliya." Yet, the Prophet urged the Companions to seek his supplication! Among what was said about him: "He has a mother whom he is dutiful to. If he swears by Allah, he fulfills it. If you can have him seek forgiveness for you, then do so" - narrated by Muslim from Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), who asked Awais to seek forgiveness for him. There is no doubt that Awais' soul yearned to migrate to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), see him, and hear from him. However, he prioritized his duty to his mother—who apparently needed his service—over his own desires, thus earning a great honor: that the Prophet urged the Companions—who are they!—to seek his supplication for them. Voluntary prayer, jihad by seeking knowledge, and migration... all are among the best deeds. Yet, what is common in these three stories? What was more beloved to Allah the Almighty? Serving the mother. Remember this, O "devout" youth, before you excel in acts of worship, build relationships with your brothers in faith, and attend their gatherings while being negligent toward your mother and "tired" of fulfilling your duty. Prioritize the beloved of Allah over your own desires.