Why Do We Say 'Subhan Allah' and What is Its Bounty?

'Tasbeeh' is to say 'Subhan Allah' or any other word that gives the same meaning. It is intended to free Allah from all defects and it confirms His qualities of perfection, greatness, and oneness.

In the Quran, numerous Surahs are opened by Tasbeeh. Allah, at the beginning of Surah Al-Hadid says: "Whatever is in the heavens and earth exalts Allah, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise." (Quran 57:1), also Surah Al-Jumu'ah begins with: "Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth is exalting Allah, the Sovereign, the Pure, the Exalted in Might, the Wise."(Quran, 62:1)

Why Do We Say 'Subhan Allah'?

Pairing Tasbeeh with thanking Allah has been recorded in the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) on several occasions.

There are many Ahadith recorded in the Sunnah about Tasbeeh and forgiveness, some of which are listed below:

1. Abu Hurairah narrated that, The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "There are two statements that are light on the tongue, heavy on the Scale, and beloved to Ar-Raḥmān: "Glory is to Allah and the praise; Glory is to Allah, the Magnificent. (Subḥān Allāhi wa biḥamdih, Subḥān Allāhil-Aẓīm)". [Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3467]

2. Narrated by Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever says, 'Subhan Allahi wa bihamdihi,'سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ‏ one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea. [Sahih al-Bukhari 6405]

3. Although Tasbeeh can be done anytime, The Prophet (ﷺ) also specified times for azkaar that pairs Tasbeeh and Praise. Some of them we say after the prayers, and some before bedtime.

4. Samurah bin Jundub (RAA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The words dearer to Allah are four:

سُبْحَانَ اَللَّهِ, وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ, وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اَللَّهُ, وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

'How perfect Allah is and all praise is for Allah. None has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone and Allah is great, it does not matter which you say first." [Related by Muslim].

5. Making Tasbeeh is expiation for sings when finishing the Assemblies:

Abu Barzah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Towards the end of his life, Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would supplicate before leaving an assembly:

"Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, ash-hadu an la ilaha illa Anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilaika (O Allah, You are free from every imperfection; all praise is for You. I testify that there is no true god except You, I ask Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance)." A man once said to him: "O Messenger of Allah! You have spoken such words as you have never uttered before."He said, "It is an expiation of that which goes on in the assembly."

[Abu Dawud]

Tasbeeh's Bounty:

The importance of Tasbeeh has been manifested in many positions mentioned in the Quran and in the hadiths of the Prophet (ﷺ). Some virtues of Tasbeeh are:

1. Tasbeeh can repel the weakness of the soul resulting from worries and grievances.

2. Tasbeeh is a reason for bringing victory and being deserving of Allah's help if it is accompanied by asking Allah's forgiveness.

3. Tasbeeh is associated with the attainment of Allah's will and pride.

May Allah make us from among those who glorify and praise Him day and night.