It was narrated from Umm Humayd, the wife of Abu Humayd al-Sa’idi, that she came to the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I love to pray with you.” He replied, “I know that you love to pray with me. However, your prayer in your storage room is better than your prayer in your bedroom; your prayer in your bedroom is better than your prayer in your courtyard; your prayer in your courtyard is better than your prayer in the mosque of your people; and your prayer in the mosque of your people is better than your prayer in my mosque.” [The sub-narrator] said, “She requested that a prayer area be built for her in the deepest and darkest part of her house, and she prayed therein until she met Allah Most High.” Ahmad transmitted it in hisMusnad(6:371) and Ibn Hajar inal-Isabahattributed it to Ibn Abi Khaythamah through this route, and this is an authentic chain. Al-Shawkani transmitted inNayl al-Awtar(3:161) from Ibn Hajar that he said, “Its chain is sound (hasan).” Al-Mundhiri mentioned it inal-Targhib(1:135) and said, “Ahmad narrated it, as did Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibban in theirSahihs”.