The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said "The dearest phrases to Allah are four: Subhan Allah (Hallowed be Allah), Al-Hamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), La ilaha illa-Allah (There is no deity but Allah), Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greater). There is no harm for you in which of them begin with (while remembering Allah). And do not give these names to your servants: Yasar and Rabah and Najih and Aflah.
The Excellence of the Four Phrases
The Prophet (ﷺ) highlights four specific phrases most beloved to Allah: Tasbih (Subhan Allah), Tahmid (Al-Hamdulillah), Tahlil (La ilaha illa-Allah), and Takbir (Allahu Akbar). These encompass Allah's transcendence, gratitude, monotheism, and greatness - forming the foundation of Islamic remembrance.
Flexibility in Sequence
The phrase "There is no harm for you in which of them begin with" indicates the permissibility of starting with any of these four phrases during dhikr. Scholars like Imam Nawawi explain this demonstrates the flexibility in worship and that all these phrases are equally virtuous and rewarding.
Prohibition of Certain Names
The prohibition against naming servants Yasar (ease), Rabah (profit), Najih (successful), and Aflah (prosperous) stems from potential negative implications. As explained by classical scholars, if one calls "O Yasar!" while the person is absent, it might imply constant ease, which could be untrue and lead to false expectations or misunderstandings about divine decree.
Scholarly Commentary
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that these four phrases contain the purest forms of praise and glorification. Al-Qurtubi adds that the prohibition of specific names teaches us to avoid names that might carry inappropriate meanings or lead to false assumptions about reality, protecting both the named individual and the caller from potential spiritual harm.