Glory Be to Allah, Praise Be to Him
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, has conveyed the affection of Allah for those who glorify Him. The Prophet stated: “Two phrases are light on the tongue, heavy on the scale, and beloved by the Most Merciful: SubhanAllah al-Azim (Glory be to Allah the Great) and SubhanAllah wa bi-Hamdi-H (Glory be to Allah and praise Him).” This reflects gratitude towards Allah for all His blessings upon humanity while emphasizing His sanctity and exalted attributes.
The Importance of Saying “La Ilaha Illa Allah”
It has been noted that the phrase “La Ilaha Illa Allah” (There is no god but Allah) is one of the finest forms of remembrance for a Muslim. Jaber ibn Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “The best remembrance is ‘La Ilaha Illa Allah’.” This particular phrase is recognized for its ability to multiply one’s good deeds, equating its value to the freeing of a slave and providing protection from the accursed Satan.
The Virtue of Saying “La Hawla Wa La Quwwata Illa Billah”
The phrase “La Hawla Wa La Quwwata Illa Billah” (There is no power and no strength except with Allah) is highly esteemed, as the Prophet, peace be upon him, remarked: “Shall I not guide you to a statement from under the Throne, from the treasures of Paradise? Say: ‘La Hawla Wa La Quwwata Illa Billah,’ and Allah will say: ‘My servant has submitted and surrendered.'” This statement signifies the acknowledgment of one’s inability to avoid sin and engage in good deeds without Allah’s grace and strength.
Saying Prayers for the Prophet
The significance of sending blessings upon the Prophet is emphasized in a narration by Jaber ibn Samurah, may Allah be pleased with him, where the Prophet, peace be upon him, stated: “Whoever I am mentioned in their presence and they do not send blessings upon me, then they will be distanced from Allah if they die.” The benefits for a Muslim who mentions prayers for the Prophet include:
- Elevation of one’s rank, forgiveness of sins, and an increase in good deeds.
- Proximity to the status of the Prophet in Paradise.
- Prayers on the Prophet relieve a Muslim from their worries.
The Importance of Seeking Forgiveness
Concerning the virtue of seeking forgiveness, Allah says in the Quran: “And ask forgiveness of your Lord, then repent to Him. He will give you good provision for a specified term.” Seeking forgiveness is a means of expanding one’s sustenance and securing Allah’s protection.
The Significance of Saying “Allahu Akbar”
Numerous texts highlight the importance and merit of saying “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest). Allah mentions: “Say: Praise be to Allah who has not taken a son and has no partner in the kingdom and has no protector out of weakness. And proclaim His greatness.” Due to the significance of this declaration, Allah has made it a prerequisite for initiating prayers and a vital part of the Eid celebrations, making it one of the finest phrases after the Quran.
The Praise of Allah
The value of praising Allah is underscored by the fact that the Quran begins with His praise. Several chapters of the Quran also commence with praise to Him. Furthermore, creation itself commenced with praise to Allah, concluding with appreciation on the Day of Judgment as people face their destinies in Paradise or Hellfire. Allah states: “And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne, glorifying the praise of their Lord, and it will be judged among them in truth, and it will be said: Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.”