Awza’i (RA) said that Walid ibn Hisham al-Mu’ayti reported to him that Ma’dan ibn Talhah al-Ya’muri narrated to him that he met Sayyidina Thawban (RA) (the freedman of Allah’s Messenger (SAW)) He asked him, “Guide me to a deed that should benefit me in the sight of Allah and he may admit me to Paradise.” He thought over a moment, then turning to him
said. “You should make (plenty of) prostrations for. I have heard Allah’s Messenger (SAW) say, “No slave of Allah prostrates before Allah but he raises him a degree and erases from him a sin.”Ma’dan said that he then met Abu Darda (RA) and put the same question to him as he had put to Thawban. He said, “It is upon you to make prostrations, for, I have.heard Allah’s Messenger say, Hardly does a slave of Allah prostrate to Allah that he raises him in a rank and erases from him a sin.”