Question

Kindly inform if the following -regarding the third kalimah- are from the Hadith, and provide their references:

1) The words Subhanallahi wal Hamdulillah… is such a great medicine that it cures every disease and the most minor disease it cures is sorrow.

2) Allah Ta’ala loves the words Subhanallahi wal Hamdulillah…

Answer

1) Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Saying La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah is a cure for ninety nine sicknesses, the most minor being sorrow/depression.”

(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1, pg. 542. See the authenticity of this narration here.)

Note: The above narration explains the virtue of reciting La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah and not Subhanallahi wal Hamdulillah as posed in your question. However La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah is part of the third kalimah.

2) The second Hadith in question is recorded in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Sayyiduna Samurah ibn Jundub (radiyallahu ‘anhu) who reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The most beloved words in the sight of Allah Ta’ala are four: Subhanallah wal hamdulillah wa la ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar, and you may begin with any of these words…”

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 5566)

Note: the third kalimah is a combination of both of the above.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar