The Superiority of Tasbeeh

The Superiority of Tasbeeh 

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

The word SubhanAllah is a thikr that has a superior status compared of other supplications and remembrances. It represents that Allah is free from all imperfections. Imperfections like being blind, deaf, and dumb. In regards to Allah’s existence of self then it means that He is perfect in His actions. This is similar to the verse : “ And indeed We created the heavens and the earth and all between them in six Days and nothing of fatigue touched Us.”¹. Moreover, the Thikr of SubhanAllah means that Allah free from resembling His creation in any shape, form , or fashion.  

The word SubhanAllah  mentioned in the Quran has five meanings: 

1. Greatness : Allah said: Glorified is Allah! (He is Free) from what they attribute unto Him!” ² 

2. Prayer: Allah said: So bear patiently (O Muhammad ) what they say, and glorify the praises of your Lord before the rising of the sun, and before its setting, and during some of the hours of the night, and at the sides of the day (an indication for the five compulsory congregational prayers), that you may become pleased with the reward which Allah shall give you.³ 

3. Voluntary prayers:  

ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُصَلِّي سُبْحَتَهُ حَيْثُمَا تَوَجَّهَتْ بِهِ نَاقَتُهُ ‏. 

‏ Ibn ‘Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say Nafl prayer on (the back of) his camel in whatever direction it took him.⁴  

4. Thikr : Allah said: “while we glorify You with praises and thanks (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners) and sanctify You.” He (Allah) said: “I know that which you do not know.”⁵ 

5. General Worship of Allah : Allah said: Had he not been of them who glorify Allah,. He would have indeed remained inside its belly (the fish) till the Day of Resurrection.⁶ 

The word SubhanAllah is mention in the Quran various verb tenses. Among them is the past tense, command, and the  present continuous. Along with this there are some chapters in the Quran that open up iwht this Thikr. The previous Prophets and Messengers knew about the superiority of saying SubhanAllah. Nuh advised his son to say it. Musa said it to Allah . Dawud used it and Allah advised Zakiriyah to use it. Following this Yunus and Prophet Muhammed both used SubhanAllah as Dua. When used as a Dua then there are eight times when it should be said.  

1. At the beginning of the prayer 

2. In the voluntary prayer when the words “Subhanah” are read. I.e when verses 26-27 are read from Al-Anbiya.  

3. When a person isnt able to read the Quran during the prayer. 

4. To catch the Imam’s attention when he’s done a mistake in the prayer. Also, the women are allowed to say, “SubhanAllah” when they are praying alone in congregation not behind the men 

5. After the prayer. 

There are 3 ways a person can say the Tasbih after the prayer. It can be said 10 times, 33 times, and 25 times. This thikr has been mentioned to be said in Ruku and in Sujud in various ways. Some of those mentioned in the Sunnah are; 

1. SubhanAllah Rabil Atheem 

2. SubhanAllah Rabil Atheem was bi Hamdi 

3. Subuh Qadus Rabi Malaikah wa Ruh 

4. Subhanaka Allahuma Rabana wa bihamdika Allahuma Ighfirli 

Another sunnah that has been neglected is sayingSubhanAllah 3 times directly after completing the Witr prayer. This special thikr should be used whenever a person descends from a high place, upon hearing thunder, when one is amazed at learning something, or when something is said about Allah that contradicts the correct aqeedah. Additionally, when a person intends to sleep at night it should be said 33 times along the with the Tamheed, and the Takbir should be said 34 times. This is another sunnah that some people neglect.  

There are several other remembrances that have the Tasbih included in them that when said a great reward awaits the servant. For example after Wudu and when waking up in the middle of the night and before making Dua. The Propeht taught Um Sulaym to say the Tasbeeh 1o times, the Tamheed 10 times and the Takbir 10t times. Following this ask Allah for your needs, and He will reply its done.  

Lastly , there is a Salatul Tasbeeh. Although many scholars differ over the authenticity of it. There is strong evidence which support it as well. For further reading about it refer to the articles below. 

These are just some of the benefits I gathered from a research put togehter by Dr. Muhammad Al-Usaymi in his book Al-Mukhtasar fi Tasbeeh. May Allah reward him for this concise booklet and help us use this thikr.  

Translated and arranged by 

Abu Aaliyah Abdullah Battle 

8/1/1446