praise extolling Him with the proclamation of His greatness in His words:

“And say, ‘All praise is due to Allah, who has not taken a son, who has no partner in His dominion, and who needs no protector out of weakness.’ And proclaim His greatness abundantly.”

Thus He commanded that He be praised and His greatness proclaimed. It is well known that the finest speech after the Quran consists of four statements:

“Glory be to Allah; all praise is due to Allah; there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah; and Allah is the Greatest.”

They form two pairs: glorification is paired with praise. Hence the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Two statements are light on the tongue, heavy in the balance, and beloved to the Most Merciful: ‘Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him; glory be to Allah, the Magnificent.’”

Al-Bukhārī and Muslim both recorded this in their Sahīh collections on the authority of Abū Hurayrah. He, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, also said, as Muslim narrated on the authority of Abū Dharr:

“The finest speech is what Allah has chosen for His angels: ‘Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him.’”

And in the Quran:

“We glorify You with praise.”

“So glorify your Lord with praise and seek His forgiveness. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance.”

“The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would therefore say while bowing, ‘Glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise be to You. O Allah, forgive me,’ putting the Quran into practice.”

This is how it is reported in the authentic hadith collections on the authority of Ā’ishah. Thus his words, “Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You,” were an enactment of the command, “So glorify your Lord with praise.” He, exalted be He, also said:

“So be patient; indeed, Allah’s promise is true. Seek forgiveness for your sin, and glorify your Lord with praise in the evening and the morning.”