It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) took hold of a branch and shook it, but no leaves fell from it. Then he shook it again, but still no leaves fell. Then he shook it, and its leaves fell. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said: Indeed, "Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar"—these words remove sins just as a tree sheds its leaves.