The Excellence of Remembering Allah

257. Allah’s Messenger(SAW) said: For me to say:

سبحا ن الله و الحمد لله و لا ا له الله و الله اكبر

Subhaanallahi, walhamdu lillaahi, wa laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu, wallaahu ‘Akbar.

Glory is to Allah, and praise is to Allah, and there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and Allah is the Most Great

is dearer to me than all that the sun rises upon (i.e. the whole world). [Muslim 4/2072]

261. Allah’s Messenger(SAW) said: The most beloved word to Allah are four:

سبحا ن الله

Subhaanallaah

Glorified is Allah, and

والحمد لله

Walhamdu lillaah

The Praise is for Allah, and

و لا اله الا الله

Wa laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaah.

There is none worthy of worship but Allah, and

والله اكبر

Wallaahu ‘Akbar.

Allah is the Most Great.

It does not matter which one you start by. [Muslim 3/1685]

262. A desert Arab came to Allah’s Messenger(SAW) and said, “Teach me a word that I can say.” The Prophet (SAW) told him to say:

لا اله اللع وحده لا شريك له الله اكبر كبيرا والحمد لله كثيرا سبحان الله رب العالمين لا حوم و لا قوة الا با لله العزيز الحكيم

Laa ‘illaaha wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, Allaahu ‘Akbar, walhamdu lillaahi katheeran, Subhaanallaahi Rabbil’aalameen, laa hawla wa laa quwwata ‘illaa billaahil-’Azeezil-Hakeem.

There is none worthy of worship but Allah, Who has no partner, Allah is the Great, the Most Great, and praise is to Allah in abundance, glory is to Allah, Lord of the worlds. There is no power no might but by Allah the Mighty, the Wise.

He said, “That is for my Lord, but what about me?” The Prophet(SAW) told him to say:

اللهم اغفر لي وارحمني واهدني وارزقني

Allaahummaghfir lee, warhamnee, wahdinee.

Oh Allah forgive me, and have mercy on me, and guide me, provide for me. [ Muslim 4/2072, Abu Dawud reports the same Hadith with the addition: and when the Arab left, the Prophet(SAW) said: "He has filled his hands with goodness." 1/220 ]

Parts taken from chapter 130.The Excellence of Remembering Allah from, Fortress of the Muslim: Invocations from the Qur’an and Sunnah, Compiled by Darussalam Research Division.