Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took hold of a branch and shook it, but not all the leaves fell. Then he shook it again, but not all the leaves fell. Then he shook it, and all the leaves fell. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Indeed, «سبحان الله», «الحمد لله», «لا اله الا الله», and «الله اكبر» remove sins just as this tree (its branch) shed its leaves.”