Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Salam (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Some of the companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) were sitting and discussing that if we knew which deed is most beloved to Allah Almighty, we would act upon it. Then Allah Almighty revealed these verses: «﴿سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ ......﴾» (As-Saff 1/61-3), meaning: "Whatever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. O you who believe! Why do you say what you do not do?" Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Salam (may Allah be pleased with him) said: This surah was recited to us from the beginning to the end. Abu Salamah said: Sayyiduna Ibn Salam (may Allah be pleased with him) recited it to us until he completed it.

Yahya said: Abu Salamah recited this surah to us, and Yahya recited it before us, and Awza'i also recited this surah to us, and Muhammad (ibn Kathir) recited this surah to us.