the Quran, or declaring Allah’s oneness and greatness. Likewise, reciting the tashahhud at the end of prayer and supplicating afterward are better than reciting the Quran. Superiority therefore varies according to circumstances. When the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—was asked, “Which words are best?” and replied, “Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him,” his answer was given to a particular questioner; the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—may have known that the questioner was in a particular situation.

In any event, superiority varies according to circumstances, even though declaring Allah’s oneness is superior in absolute terms. Circumstances are of three kinds: a situation in which keeping one’s voice low is recommended and raising it is disliked, because it is a low position, as in bowing and prostration—in this case, glorifying Allah is better than declaring His oneness and greatness; the same applies in valley bottoms; a situation in which raising one’s voice and making an open proclamation are recommended, as when ascending high ground and in the call to prayer—in this case, declaring Allah’s oneness and greatness is better than glorifying Him; and a situation in which both are prescribed.1

We ask Allah, the Most Generous, to grant us and all Muslims success in every good that He loves and is pleased with. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and Companions.