and I have mentioned its chains of transmission in "al-Irwāʾ" (2028). I only included it here through the narration of al-Ṭabarānī with this wording due to its rarity and the infrequency of its presence in the commonly circulated books of the sunnah. Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned it with this wording in "Zād al-Maʿād" without attributing it to anyone, as is often his habit. The ḥadīth provides evidence that the sunnah in saying the name over food is simply "In the name of Allāh" only. Similarly, there is the ḥadīth of ʿĀʾishah, reported as: "When one of you eats food, let him say: In the name of Allāh. If he forgets at the beginning, let him say: In the name of Allāh at its beginning and end." It was narrated by al-Tirmidhī and he authenticated it. There is a supporting narration from Ibn Masʿūd, previously mentioned with its chain under number (196). The ḥadīth of ʿĀʾishah was strengthened by al-Ḥāfiẓ in "al-Fatḥ" (9/455) where he said: "It is the clearest of what has been narrated regarding the manner of saying the name." He said: "As for al-Nawawī's statement in the etiquettes of eating from 'al-Adhkār': 'The manner of saying the name is one of the most important things to know, and it is better to say: In the name of Allāh, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. If he says: In the name of Allāh, it suffices and the sunnah is fulfilled.'" I did not find any specific evidence for his claim of superiority." And I say: There is nothing better than his sunnah (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam), "and the best guidance is the guidance of Muḥammad (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam)." So if nothing is established in saying the name over food except "In the name of Allāh," then it is not permissible to add to it, let alone claim that the addition is better than it! Because saying so contradicts what we have indicated from the ḥadīth: "and the best guidance is the guidance of Muḥammad (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam)."