—and so on to the end of the hadith.1 Muslim narrated in his Sahīh from Abd Allāh ibn Umar, who said: While we were praying with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), a man said, “Allah is supremely great; abundant praise belongs to Allah; and glory be to Allah morning and evening.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked, “Who said such-and-such?” A man among those present replied, “I said it, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “I marvelled at those words: the gates of heaven were opened for them.” Ibn Umar said, “I have never ceased saying them since I heard the Messenger of Allah say them.”2
Among the occasions on which praising Allah is especially emphasized is at the beginning of sermons and lessons, and at the beginning of written works and the like. The compilers of the Sunan collections narrated from Abd Allāh ibn Masūd (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us the sermon of need: “All praise is due to Allah. We seek His help and forgiveness, and we seek refuge in Allah from the evils within ourselves and from our wicked deeds. Whomever Allah guides, none can lead astray; and whomever He leads astray, none can guide.”3 It is recommended to begin by praising Allah when teaching people and when delivering sermons, whether a marriage sermon, a Friday sermon, or any other kind.
It is likewise recommended to praise Allah upon receiving a blessing or being spared something harmful, whether this occurs to the one offering praise himself, to a relative or companion of his, or to the Muslims. Muslim narrated in his Sahīh from Abū Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was presented