of the jurists. However, no one has reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, began any sermon with anything other than praise—whether an Eid sermon, a sermon for seeking rain, or any other sermon. He said:

“Every important matter that is not begun with praise is incomplete.”

He delivered sermons during Hajj, as well as occasional sermons on other occasions, yet no one has reported that he began any sermon with anything other than praise. What is indispensable in a sermon, therefore, is praise of Allah and the testimony of faith. Praise is followed by glorification, and the testimony of faith is followed by proclaiming Allah’s greatness. These are the enduring good deeds. Allah Most High says:

“So call upon Him, sincere in your devotion to Him. All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds.”

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Once this principle is clear, the best opening invocations for prayer are those consisting entirely of praise, such as:

“Glory and praise be to You, O Allah. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god but You.”

And:

“Allah is truly the greatest; all praise is for Allah in abundance; and glory be to Allah morning and evening.”

The former, however, contains praise that the latter does not. It includes the expressions known as the “enduring good deeds,” which are the best words after the Quran, as well as the words, “Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty,” both of which also occur in the Quran. This is why most of the early generations used it to begin their prayers, and why ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb would recite it aloud to teach it to the people.