Nasai

1312. Commentary: These words are very fitting after the testimony (tashahhud) in the sermon of admonition, because they serve as an introduction to the admonition. However, after the testimony (tashahhud) in the prayer, the appropriateness of these words is not apparent. Imam Nasa’i rahimahullah’s inference from this hadith regarding the recitation of this remembrance after the testimony (tashahhud) in prayer is questionable. What is meant here is the testimony (shahadatayn) of the sermon, as is explicitly stated in the narration of Musnad Ahmad: «کان یقول في خطبته بعد التشھد : إنَّ أحْسَنَ الحَديثِ كِتابُ اللَّهِ ، وأَحْسَنَ الهَدْيِ هَدْيُ مُحَمَّدٍ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ………» “The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam used to recite these words: «إنَّ أحسن الحديثِ………» after the shahadatayn in his sermon.” [مسند أحمد : 319/3] Furthermore, here “as-salat” refers to the sermon, as is evident from the aforementioned hadith. The sermon is called “salat” because it is among its introductions and preliminaries, just as the Friday sermon is. And Allah knows best. For further details, see: [ذخیرة العقبیٰ شرح النسائي : 264/15]