He—may Allah have mercy on him—was also asked about certain hadiths: whether they were authentic and whether any recognized authorities had transmitted them with an authentic chain of transmission, and so forth. He replied:

Section

As for the hadith concerning the Opening of the Book, it is established in the Sahīh that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah Most High says: ‘I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves: half is for Me and half is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.

‘When the servant says, “All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds,” Allah says, “My servant has praised Me.” When he says, “The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,” Allah says, “My servant has extolled Me.” When he says, “Master of the Day of Judgment,” Allah says, “My servant has glorified Me.”

‘When he says, “You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help,” He says, “This verse is between Myself and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.”

‘When he says, “Guide us to the straight path—the path of those You have blessed, not those who have incurred Your anger, nor those who have gone astray,” He says, “These verses are for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.”’”