It is reported that Mālik disapproved of consistently adhering to this. If he meant consistently using “Glory be to my Lord, the Most High and the Magnificent,” his position has some justification. But if he meant consistently offering glorification as such, it has no justification. I believe he meant the former. Indeed, what is reported from him is only that he disapproved of consistently using “Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent,” lest it be thought obligatory. This implies that Mālik denied that this particular formula was obligatory—a strong and clear position. Glorification as such, however, is quite different: the Quran and Sunnah contain very numerous proofs that it is obligatory.

It is known that he (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) regularly offered glorification using varied expressions. His instruction, “Include this in your bowing and prostration,” indicates that these are the places for fulfilling this command; it does not mean that only this formula may be said, especially since it is established that he used other expressions.

Combining two formulas of glorification is hardly warranted, unlike combining glorification, praise, the declaration that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and supplication. These are distinct kinds of remembrance, whereas glorification is a single kind, so two of its formulas are not combined.

It is also established in an authentic report that he said:

“The best speech after the Quran