the servant offers praise on his own initiative, without being prompted by some new blessing, his reward is increased.

8 — Another of their virtues is that they shield those who utter them from the Fire. On the Day of Resurrection, they will come as deliverers and forerunners for those who uttered them. Al-Hākim narrated in al-Mustadrak, as did al-Nasā'ī in Practices of the Day and Night and others, from Abū Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Take up your shield.” We asked, “Messenger of Allah, is there an enemy at hand?” He replied: “No. Rather, your shield against the Fire is to say: ‘Glory be to Allah,’ ‘All praise belongs to Allah,’ ‘There is no deity but Allah,’ and ‘Allah is the Greatest.’ They will come on the Day of Resurrection as deliverers and forerunners, and they are the enduring righteous deeds.” Al-Hākim said: “This hadith is sound according to Muslim’s criteria, although neither al-Bukhārī nor Muslim narrated it.” Al-Dhahabī concurred with him, and the eminent scholar al-Albānī—may Allah preserve him—also declared it sound.1

In addition to what has already been mentioned, this hadith describes these phrases as the enduring righteous deeds. Allah Most High says: “But the enduring righteous deeds are better with your Lord in reward and better as a source of hope.”2 They are called enduring because their reward remains and their recompense lasts. This is the finest hope a servant can cherish and the best reward.

9 — Another of their virtues is that they circle the Throne of the Most Merciful, making a sound like the buzzing of bees and mentioning the one who uttered them. In Imam Ahmad’s Musnad, the Sunan of Ibn Mājah, and al-Hākim’s Mustadrak, it is narrated from al-Nu'mān ibn Bashīr, may Allah be pleased with him, who reported that