The most beloved speech to Allah are four: subhān Allah (glory be Allah), al-hamdulillāh (praise be to Allah), la ilāha illa Allah (there is no god but Allah), and Allāhu akbar (Allah is the Most Great), and it does not matter which one of them you start with
Narrator in the source: Samurah ibn Jundub reported: The Messenger of Allah
Samurah ibn Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The most beloved speech to Allah are four: subhān Allah (glory be Allah), al-hamdulillāh (praise be to Allah), la ilāha illa Allah (there is no god but Allah), and Allāhu akbar (Allah is the Most Great), and it does not matter which one of them you start with."- Grade in the source
- Authentic
- Reported by
- Narrated by Muslim
- Source entry
- HadeethEnc · 5475 ↗
Original Arabic wording
عن سَمُرَة بن جندبٍ رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «أَحَبُّ الْكَلَامِ إِلَى اللهِ أَرْبَعٌ: سُبْحَانَ اللهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ، وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ، لَا يَضُرُّكَ بِأَيِّهِنَّ بَدَأْتَ».Understand this hadith
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that the most beloved speech to Allah Almighty are four: Subhān Allah: It is exalting Allah Almighty far above any imperfection. Al-hamdulillāh: It is ascribing complete perfection to Allah, along with loving and extolling Him. La ilāha illa Allah: It means none is worthy of being worshiped except Allah. Allāhu akbar: It means He is more Sublime, Greater, and more Powerful than everything. For obtaining the merit and reward of these words, it is not required to utter them in order.
Lessons from the hadith
- The Hadīth shows the ease of the Shariah, as one may start with any of these words.
References (original Arabic)
صحيح مسلم (3/ 1685) (2137)، (4/ 2093) (2731)، (4/ 2072) (2695). توضيح الأحكام من بلوغ المرام، للبسام (7/ 540). منحة العلام في شرح بلوغ المرام، لعبد الله الفوزان (10/ 411). فتح ذي الجلال والإكرام، لابن عثيمين (6/ 477). سبل السلام بشرح بلوغ المرام، للصنعاني (2/ 706).