I say: This is an authentic chain of transmission meeting Muslim’s conditions. Muslim recorded it in his Sahih (8/86), as did Ahmad (5/161), through Shuʿbah, from al-Jariri, as a report attributed to the Prophet, with the wording: “Shall I not tell you the words most beloved to Allah?” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me the words most beloved to Allah.” He said: “Indeed, the words most beloved to Allah are: subhan Allah wa bi-hamdih (glory and praise be to Allah).”

Muslim also recorded it through Hibban ibn Hilal, who said: Wuhayb narrated to us from him; and he mentioned it like the report of ʿAffan. Ahmad also recorded it (5/176) through Yazid, who said: Al-Jariri informed us of it.

The hadith has a corroborating report from one of the Companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who said: “The best words are: subhan Allah (glory be to Allah), al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah), la ilaha illa Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and Allahu akbar (Allah is greatest).” Ahmad recorded it (4/36): Wakiʿ narrated to us; al-Aʿmash narrated to us from Abu Salih, from him.

I say: This is an authentic chain of transmission, its narrators being those of the two Shaykhs. The anonymity of the Companion does not impair it, as is well known. Al-Bukhari cited it in his Sahih (9/117) without a complete chain, with the wording: “The best words are four …”; and the remainder is exactly the same. Muslim (6/172) and others recorded it with a complete chain from the hadith of Samurah ibn Jundab, attributed to the Prophet, in the same wording.

1499 — “Shall I not tell you the best part of the Quran?” Then he recited to him: “Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.”

Al-Hakim recorded it (1/560) through ʿAli ibn ʿAbd al-Hamid al-Maʿni, who said: Sulayman ibn al-Mughirah narrated to us from Thabit, from Anas—may Allah be pleased with him—who said: “The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was on a journey and stopped, and a man stopped beside him. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, turned to him and said”—then he mentioned it. Al-Hakim recorded it (1/560) and said: “Authentic according to Muslim’s conditions.” Al-Dhahabi concurred with him.