The most beloved speech to Allah are four: subhān Allah (glory be Allah), al-hamdulillāh (praise be to Allah), la ilāha illa Allah (there is no god but Allah), and Allāhu akbar (Allah is the Most Great), and it does not matter which one of them you start with · Explained ḥadīths

عن سَمُرَة بن جندبٍ رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «أَحَبُّ الْكَلَامِ إِلَى اللهِ أَرْبَعٌ: سُبْحَانَ اللهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ، وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ، لَا يَضُرُّكَ بِأَيِّهِنَّ بَدَأْتَ».

Samurah ibn Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The most beloved speech to Allah are four: subhān Allah (glory be Allah), al-hamdulillāh (praise be to Allah), la ilāha illa Allah (there is no god but Allah), and Allāhu akbar (Allah is the Most Great), and it does not matter which one of them you start with."

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Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that the most beloved speech to Allah Almighty are four: Subhān Allah: It is exalting Allah Almighty far above any imperfection. Al-hamdulillāh: It is ascribing complete perfection to Allah, along with loving and extolling Him. La ilāha illa Allah: It means none is worthy of being worshiped except Allah. Allāhu akbar: It means He is more Sublime, Greater, and more Powerful than everything. For obtaining the merit and reward of these words, it is not required to utter them in order.

Benefits

The Hadīth shows the ease of the Shariah, as one may start with any of these words.

Reference

صحيح مسلم (3/ 1685) (2137)، (4/ 2093) (2731)، (4/ 2072) (2695). توضيح الأحكام من بلوغ المرام، للبسام (7/ 540). منحة العلام في شرح بلوغ المرام، لعبد الله الفوزان (10/ 411). فتح ذي الجلال والإكرام، لابن عثيمين (6/ 477). سبل السلام بشرح بلوغ المرام، للصنعاني (2/ 706).

This ḥadīth at HadeethEnc.com