It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Salam (may Allah be pleased with him): We gathered and discussed which of us would go to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and ask him: "Which deed is most beloved to Allah Almighty?" Then we dispersed, and each of us became afraid to go to him (peace and blessings be upon him) (out of awe). Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) himself sent for us and gathered us, and we began pointing to one another. Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) recited this surah to us: "Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorifies Allah, and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise" [Surah al-Saff: 1] (to the end of the surah). Abu Salamah said: Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Salam (may Allah be pleased with him) recited this surah to us to its end. Yahya bin Abi Kathir said: Abu Salamah recited it to us from beginning to end. Al-Awza'i said: Yahya recited it to us from beginning to end. Abu Ishaq said: Al-Awza'i recited it to us from beginning to end. And Mahbub said: Abu Ishaq recited this whole surah, that is, Surah al-Saff, to us from beginning to end.