Surah al-Naml (The Ants)

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

[Surah al-Naml (27): verse 59]
“Say, ‘Praise be to Allah, and peace be upon His servants whom He has chosen.’ Is Allah better, or those they associate with Him?” (59)

These are those of the highest and noblest rank of all: the messengers.

The most honored of creation in Allah’s sight, and those granted the greatest nearness to Him, are His messengers. They are His chosen servants, upon whom He pronounced peace among all peoples, as He, Most High, said:

27: 181 “And peace be upon the messengers.”

He, Most High, also said:

37: 79 “Peace be upon Noah among all peoples.”

And He said:

37: 108, 109 “Peace be upon Abraham. Thus do We reward those who do good.”

And He said:

37: 130 “Peace be upon Ilyāsīn.”

He also said in Badā'i' al-fawā'id:

Is the salutation of peace from Allah—in which case the command is to say, “Praise be to Allah,” with a complete stop there—or is it included in what one is commanded to say, so that the command applies to both?

The answer is that the wording admits both interpretations, and there are considerations favoring each.