I say: Ismāʿīl is Ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn Abī Uways. Although he is among the narrators relied upon by the two Shaykhs, he has been subject to considerable criticism. At most, his hadith may be considered sound; as for being authentic, no. Al-Ḥāfiẓ said of him: “Truthful, but he erred in some hadiths.” Nevertheless, this particular hadith of his is authentic in light of the preceding evidence. And Allah knows best.

2045 — “Words for relief from distress: ‘There is no god worthy of worship but Allah, the Most Forbearing, the Most Generous. There is no god worthy of worship but Allah, the Most High, the Magnificent. There is no god worthy of worship but Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Magnificent Throne.’”

Ibn Abī al-Dunyā recorded it in Relief after Hardship (pp. 13 and 14), and al-Kharāʾiṭī in Noble Character (p. 88), through Yazīd ibn Hārūn, from Saʿīd ibn Abī ʿArūbah, from Qatādah, from Abū al-ʿĀliyah, from Ibn ʿAbbās, from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who said it.

Aḥmad also recorded it (1/339) through this chain as an account of the Prophet’s practice, with the wording: “When in distress, he would say …,” and then cited it. I say: This is an authentic chain of transmission according to the criteria of the two Shaykhs. They both recorded it through several routes from Ibn Abī ʿArūbah and others, with the same wording as Aḥmad’s narration. Aḥmad likewise recorded it in al-Musnad (1/228, 254, 339, 356). Muslim recorded it (8/85) through Yūsuf ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Ḥārith, from Abū al-ʿĀliyah, with the wording: “Whenever a matter distressed him, he would say: …,” then cited similar wording, adding: “There is no god worthy of worship but Allah, Lord of the Generous Throne.” This is also a narration of Aḥmad (1/268, 280), and in one of his two narrations he added: