are the greatest things a servant seeks and encompass all that serves his welfare. Guidance is greater than provision and victory, since the benefit of provision and victory may be confined to this world, whereas guidance certainly benefits one in the Hereafter. Guidance is also the purpose served by provision and victory. It was therefore singled out for an explicit proclamation of Allah’s greatness, because it is the greatest blessing bestowed by the True One. The other two are lesser, so greater latitude was allowed in their case through the general mention of Allah’s name.
In sum, proclaiming Allah’s greatness is prescribed in connection with everything momentous, whether a place, a time, a circumstance, or people. This makes clear that Allah is greater, so that His majesty may prevail in people’s hearts over the majesty of all else, and His eminence may surpass every other eminence.
He, exalted be He, said, as His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, narrated from Him:
“Greatness is My lower garment and majesty is My cloak. Whoever contends with Me for either of them, I will punish.”
When He, glorified be He, said:
“So that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim Allah’s greatness for having guided you, and that you may be grateful,”
He mentioned proclaiming His greatness and giving thanks, as in His words:
“So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not be ungrateful to Me.”
Gratitude may be expressed in words, which is praise, or through deeds, as He, exalted be He, said:
“Work, O family of David, in gratitude.”
Thus praise was joined to the proclamation of Allah’s greatness on the Eids, with the words:
“Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and all praise is due to Allah.”
This is because both proclaiming Allah’s greatness and giving thanks are called for on these occasions. Hence, it has been narrated in a report that one says:
“Allah is the Greatest for having guided us, and all praise is due to Allah for what He has bestowed upon us.”
This combines proclaiming Allah’s greatness with praise expressing gratitude, just as He combined