❖ Sharʿi Ruling on Saying “Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā” After Reciting Sūrah al-Aʿlā in Jumuʿah Prayer
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Page 451
❀ Question
Is it permissible for the Imam and the follower (muqtadī) to say “Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā” after reciting the verse “SABBIḤ ISMA RABBIKAL-AʿLĀ” during the Friday prayer (Ṣalāt al-Jumuʿah)?
(Questioner: Anonymous)
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
✔ Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
A narration found in Sunan Abī Dāwūd (Book of Ṣalāh, Chapter: Supplication in Prayer) states:
“Indeed, the Prophet ﷺ, when he recited: ‘SABBIḤ ISMA RABBIKAL-AʿLĀ’, would say: **‘Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā.’”
This narration is also recorded in:
◈ Musnad Aḥmad (Vol. 1, p. 232)
◈ Al-Mustadrak by al-Ḥākim (Vol. 1, pp. 263–264)
◈ Declared Ṣaḥīḥ by al-Ḥākim, al-Dhahabī, and ʿAllāmah al-ʿAzīzī
⚠ Investigation of the Chain
This narration includes Abū Isḥāq al-Sabīʿī, who narrates through ‘ʿan’ (ʿanʿanah).
Since Abū Isḥāq is a known mudallis (a narrator who may omit the intermediary), this narration is therefore considered ḍaʿīf (weak).
His practice of tadlīs is documented in books of narrator criticism (kutub al-mudallisīn).
✔ Reports from the Companions (Āthār al-Ṣaḥābah)
➊ Sayyidunā Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنه
In Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah (Vol. 2, p. 509) under the narration of Shuʿbah, a mawqūf report states:
He used to say “Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā” after reciting “SABBIḤ ISMA RABBIKAL-AʿLĀ”.
This narration has a ṣaḥīḥ chain.
➋ Practice of the Prophet ﷺ in Other Prayers
In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim and other collections, it is reported that:
◈ The Prophet ﷺ used to make duʿāʾ of mercy at verses of mercy,
◈ And seek refuge at verses of punishment — all during night prayers.
➌ Sayyidunā Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī رضي الله عنه
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah (Vol. 2, p. 507) records that he recited “SABBIḤ ISMA RABBIKAL-AʿLĀ” in Friday prayer, and then said “Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā”.
The narration is authentic.
➍ Other Companions
Imām Ibn Abī Shaybah also reported with authentic chains that:
◈ ʿAbdullāh ibn al-Zubayr رضي الله عنه
◈ ʿImrān ibn Ḥuṣayn رضي الله عنه
both used to say “Subḥāna Rabbiyal-AʿLā” after reciting the mentioned verse.
Similar reports exist from other early scholars (Salaf) as well.
✅ Conclusion & Ruling
To the best of our knowledge, no companion is reported to have opposed this practice.
Hence, it is established that:
◈ If the Imam says “Subḥāna Rabbiyal-AʿLā” during the recitation of Sūrah al-Aʿlā, it is perfectly valid and permissible.
❖ Ruling for the Muqtadī (Follower)
◈ The muqtadī is required to recite only Sūrat al-Fātiḥah.
◈ In audible prayers (like Jumuʿah), reciting anything beyond that is impermissible.
Therefore, the follower should remain silent and listen attentively during the Imam’s recitation.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
