Fourth, this is done only by someone intent on multiplying letters and words, even though doing so may diminish or alter the meaning. If he reflected on what he was saying, he would realize that each transmitted wording achieves the intended purpose, although some achieve it more fully. For when he says, “much wrongdoing,” whatever is much is also great in meaning, and whatever is great is also much in meaning.

When he says:

“O Allah, bestow blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad,”

or:

“O Allah, bestow blessings upon Muhammad, his wives and his offspring,”

his wives and offspring are undoubtedly included in his family—or they constitute his family. Thus, if he combines the two and says, “upon the family of Muhammad and upon his wives and offspring,” he has not reflected on the prescribed wording.

In short, if one formula of remembrance agrees with the other in its essential meaning, they are like two Quranic readings with the same meaning. If their meanings differ, they are like two Quranic readings with differing meanings. In either case, combining them on a single occasion is not prescribed. As for combining two forms of the prayer in times of fear, the testimony recited while seated in prayer, the call to commence prayer, or similar practices, this is prohibited by the consensus of the Muslims.

Since these verbal or physical acts of worship must be performed in one of their forms, just as the Quran must be recited according to one of its readings, it does not follow that everyone who adopts a particular form does so only because he considers it the best, or there may not be