Meaning and Concept of Subhan Allah:
Subhan is a mudaf (possessive) and the word Allah is the mudaf ilayh (possessed). Subhan, being a masdar (verbal noun), is in the accusative case and its verb is omitted, meaning اسبح. According to scholars, with the omitted verb, the phrase becomes اسبح سبحان الله (I declare Allah to be pure). Subhan Allah is a comprehensive phrase that encapsulates the attributes of Allah Almighty. One meaning of Subhan Allah is that Allah is pure, meaning Allah is free from every defect and flaw. He is free from the needs of eating and drinking, free from offspring, wives, and children, free from every kind of disease, fear, and anxiety. He neither sleeps nor dozes; He is free from every kind of dependency. All creatures are dependent on Him, and He alone is the King. There is no defect or deficiency in Him. In other words, every defect that can be called a defect is absent from Allah Almighty. Due to this comprehensiveness, this phrase summarizes almost half of the attributes of Allah Almighty.
The meter of Subhan Allah:
The phrase “Subhan Allah” is beloved to Allah Almighty and holds great weight in the scale of deeds. It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
كلمتان حبيبتان إلى الرحمن خفيفتان على اللسان ثقيلتان فى الميزان سبحان الله و بحمده ، سبحان الله العظيم
“There are two phrases that are very beloved to Allah, light on the tongue but heavy on the scale of deeds on the Day of Judgment, (these blessed words are) سبحان الله و بحمده ، سبحان الله العظيم .
The space between the earth and the heavens:
Subhan Allah and Alhamdulillah are two phrases that fill the space between the earth and the heavens with reward for the one who utters them. Sayyiduna Abu Malik Al-Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
الظهور شطر الإيمان ، والحمد لله تملأ الميزان وسبحان الله والحمد لله تملان أو تملأ ما بين السماوات والأرض والصلاة نور . والصدقة برهان ، والصبر ضياء ، والقرآن حجة لك أو عليك كل الناس يعدو فبائع نفسه فمعتقها أو مو بقها ۔
Purity is equal to half of faith. And “Alhamdulillah” will fill the scale (meaning its reward is so great that it will fill the scale used to weigh deeds), and both Subhan Allah and Alhamdulillah will fill the space between the heavens and the earth. Prayer is light, charity is proof, patience is illumination, and the Qur’an is either a proof in your favor or against you. Every person (whether good or bad) who wakes up in the morning either frees himself (by doing good deeds) from Allah’s punishment or destroys himself (by doing bad deeds).
The weight of Subhan Allah can also be estimated from this narration in Sahih Muslim, narrated from Sayyida Juwayriyah bint Al-Harith (may Allah be pleased with her).
أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم خرج من عندها بكرة حين صلى الصبح ، وهى فى مسجديها ، ثم رجع بعد أن أضحى ، وهى جالسة ، فقال : ما زلت على الحال التى فارقتك عليها؟ قالت : نعم ، قال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : ”لقد قلت بعدك أربع كلمات ثلاث مرات لو وزنت بما قلت منذ اليوم لوزنعهن : سبحان الله و بحمده ، عدد خلقه ورضانفسه وزنة عرشه ومداد كلماته
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) passed by her early in the morning after he had performed the morning prayer; she was at her place of prayer. Then he returned at midday and saw that she was still sitting there. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Are you still in the same state since I left you?” Sayyida Juwayriyah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: Yes. He said: I have said after you four phrases three times; if they were weighed against the phrases you have said so far, those would be heavier. Those phrases are سبحان الله و بحمده عدد خلقه ورضانفسه وزنة عرشه ومداد كلماته meaning: I declare Allah’s purity with His praise equal to the number of His creations, equal to His pleasure and satisfaction, equal to the weight of His Throne, and equal to the ink of His words.
Effects of Saying Subhan Allah on Sins:
The phrase Subhan Allah holds the status of an elixir in erasing sins. It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
من قال : سبحان الله و بحمده فى يوم مائة مرة حظت خطاياه . وإن كانت مثل زبد البحر
“Whoever says سبحان الله و بحمده one hundred times in a day, his sins will be forgiven even if they are like the foam of the sea.”
Planting Trees in Paradise:
Saying SubhanAllah is like planting trees in Paradise.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم مر به وهو يغرس غرسا . فقال : ”يا أبا هريرة, ما الذى تغرس ”قلت : غراسالي قال : ألا أدلك على غراس خير لك من هذا ؟ ”. قال : بلى يا رسول الله, قال : ”قل : سبحان الله والحمد لله, ولا إله إلا الله, والله أكبر يغرس لك بكل واحدة فجرة فى الجنة .
“One day he was planting a tree when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) passed by and said: ‘Abu Hurairah! What are you planting?’ I replied, ‘I am planting a tree.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Shall I tell you about a better tree than this?’ He said, ‘Why not? Please do tell, O Messenger of Allah!’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: تم سبحان الله والحمد لله, ولا إله إلا الله والله أكبر Say it, and for every word you say, a tree will be planted for you in Paradise.”
The Best Speech:
The phrases containing “Subhan Allah” have been declared by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the best words. Sayyiduna Samurah bin Jundub (peace be upon him) narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
أربع أفضل الكلام لا يضرك بأيهن بدأت : سبحان الله ، والحمد لله, ولا إله إلا الله والله أكبر
“Four phrases are better than all other words, and whichever you begin with, you will not be harmed. They are سبحان الله الحمد لله, لا إله إلا الله الله أكبر Allah, the Pure Essence; all praise is for Allah; there is no deity except Allah; and Allah is the Greatest.”
Role in the Acceptance of Supplication:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ubada bin As-Samit (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
من تعار من الليل, فقال حين يستيقظ : لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ، له الملك وله الحمد ، وهو على كل شيء قدير . سبحان الله والحمد لله, ولا إله إلا الله, والله أكبر, ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلي العظيم ثم دعا رب اغفر لي, غفر له ، قال الوليد : أو قال : دعا استجيب له, فإن قام فتوضأ ثم صلى قبلت صلاته .
“Whoever wakes up at night and immediately upon opening his eyes recites this supplication: لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له, له الملك, وله الحمد, وهو على كل شيء قدير, سبحان الله, والحمد لله, ولا إله إلا الله, والله أكبر ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلي العظيم “ There is no deity except Allah, He is One, He has no partner, His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is over all things competent. I declare Allah pure; all praise is due to Allah alone; there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah; Allah is the Greatest; power and strength are only by Allah, the Most High, the Most Great. Then he recites this supplication: رب اغفرلي O Lord, forgive me, then he will be forgiven. Walid says: Or it was said: If he makes this supplication, his supplication will be accepted, and if he then gets up, performs ablution, and prays, his prayer will be accepted.”
A thousand good deeds:
Sayyiduna Saad bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
كنا عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فقال : ”أيعجر أحدكم أن يكسب كل يوم ألف حسنة ”. فسأله سائل من جلسانه كيف يكسب أحدنا ألف حسنة ، قال : ”يسبح مائة تسبيحة فيكتب له ألف حسنة أو يحط عنه ألف خطيئة۔
“We were with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and he said: ‘Is there anyone among you who is unable to do a thousand good deeds every day?’ One of those sitting with the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked: How can anyone of us do a thousand good deeds? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If he says ‘SubhanAllah’ one hundred times, then a thousand good deeds will be recorded for him and a thousand sins will be erased from him.”
Important status of morning and evening remembrances:
The phrase Subhan Allah holds an important place in the morning and evening remembrances, and the one who recites this phrase will be distinguished on the Day of Judgment in terms of reward. It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
من قال حين يصبح وحين يمسى سبحان الله و بحمده مائة مرة لم يأت أحد يوم القيامة بأفضل ما جاء به إلا أحد قال مثل ما قال أوزاد عليه
“Whoever says سبحان الله و بحمده one hundred times in the morning and evening, no deed will be brought on the Day of Resurrection better than his except one who says as much or more than that.”
The chosen phrase for humans and angels:
The phrase Subhan Allah holds the status that Allah Almighty has specially chosen this phrase for humans and angels. It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه:
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : سئل أى الكلام أفضل قال : ”ما اصطفى الله لملائكته أو لعباده سبحان الله و بحمده.
The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was asked: Which words are the best? He صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: “The ones that Allah Almighty has chosen for His angels or His servants, that is سبحان الله و بحمده.”
The Word Most Loved by Allah:
Sayyiduna Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه says that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
ألا أخبرك بأحت الكلام إلى الله ، قلت : يارسول الله أخبرني باحت الكلام إلى الله فقال : ”إن أحب الكلام إلى الله سبحان الله و بحمدة۔
“Shall I not tell you the words most beloved to Allah?” I said: O Messenger of Allah! Tell us the words most beloved to Allah. He صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
The words most beloved to Allah Almighty are سبحان الله و بحمده.
Equivalent to Reciting the Quran:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abi Awfa, may Allah be pleased with him:
جاء رجل إلى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فقال : ”إنى لا أستطيع أن اخذ من القرآن شيئا فعلمني ما يجزئني منه؟ قال : قل : سبحان الله والحمد لله ولا إله إلا الله ، والله أكبر ، ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلي العظيم
A person came to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and said: I cannot read anything from the Quran, so please teach me something that will suffice me in its place. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ” تم سبحان الله والحمد لله ولا إله إلا الله والله أكبر ، ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلي العظيم ” say this.
If a person does not know how to recite the Quran, then in light of this hadith, if he recites SubhanAllah and the other mentioned phrases, they will suffice him in place of the Quranic recitation.
Your routine at night, peace be upon him:
Sayyiduna Rabiah bin Ka’b Aslami (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
كنت أبيت عند حجرة النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فكنت أسمعه إذا قام من الليل, يقول : ”سبحان الله رب العالمين الهوى ”ثم يقول : ”سبحان الله و حمده الهوى.
I used to spend the night near the room of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and I would hear him when he would wake up at night, saying سبحان الله رب العالمين for a long time, then سبحان الله و بحمده for a long time.
Hazrat Shariq Al-Hawzani (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates that he went to Umm al-Mu’minin Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) and asked her what was the first action of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) when he woke up from sleep at night? She said:
لقد سألتني عن شيء ماسألني عنه أحد قبلك, كان إذا هب من الليل كبر عشرا وحمد عشرا ، وقال : سبحان الله وبحمده عشرا ، وقال : سبحان الملك القلوس عشرا واستغفر عشرا . وهلل عشرا ، ثم قال : اللهم إني أعوذ بك من ضيق الدنيا . وضيق يوم القيامة عشرا ، ثم يفتتح الصلاة
“You asked me something that no one asked before you. When he woke up from sleep at night, he would say الله اكبر ten times, الحمد لله ten times, سبحان الله وبحمده ten times, سبحان الملك القدوس ten times, استغفر الله ten times, and لا إله إلا الله ten times, then ten times اللهم إني أعوذ بك من ضيق الدنيا ، وضيق يوم القيامة. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the distress of this world and the distress of the Day of Resurrection, then he would start the prayer.”
It is understood that the phrase SubhanAllah was part of the daily routine of the Prophet (peace be upon him) both day and night. During the day, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would recite it abundantly, and at night, as soon as his eyes opened, SubhanAllah would be on his lips and tongue.
The Will of Ali and Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with them):
Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه narrates:
أن فاطمة عليهما السلام أتت النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم تشكو إليه ما تلقى فى يدها من الرحى وبلغها أنه جاءه رقيق فلم تصادفه ، فذكرت ذلك لعائشة ، فلما جاء أخبرته عائشة . قال : فجاءنا وقد أخذنا مضاجعنا ، فذهبنا نقوم ، فقال : على مكانكما ، فجاء فقعد بيني وبينها حتى وجلت برد قدميه على بطني ، فقال : ألا أدلكما على خير مماسألها إذا أخذتما مضاجعكما أو أويما إلى فراشكما فسبحا ثلاثا وثلاثين . واحمدا ثلاثا وثلاثين ، وكبرا أربعا وثلاثين ، فهو خير لكما من خادم.
Sayyida Fatimah رضي الله عنها came to the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم to inform him about the pain in her hands caused by grinding at the mill. She had learned that some slaves had come to the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, but he was unable to meet them. Therefore, she mentioned this to Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها. When the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم arrived, Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها told him about it. Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه said that then the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم came to our place (at night). We were already lying on our beds. We wanted to get up, but the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, “Stay as you are.” Then the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم sat between me and Fatimah. I felt the coolness of his feet on my stomach. The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, “The thing you both have asked from me, shall I not tell you something better than that? When you lie down on your bed at night, recite SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, and Allahu Akbar 34 times. This is better for you than a slave girl.”
If the phrase SubhanAllah is recited along with Allahu Akbar and Alhamdulillah in the mentioned numbers before sleeping at night, Allah places such blessings in the sleep that the fatigue of the whole day is removed, and one becomes independent of servants and helpers.
They will not surpass you:
A narration from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه states:
جاء الفقراء إلى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فقالوا : ذهب أهل الدثور من الأموال بالدرجات العلا والنعيم المقيم . يصلون كمانصلي ويصومون كمانصوم ، ولهم فضل من أموال يحجون بها ويعتمرون ويجاهدون ويتصدقون ، قال : ”ألا أحددكم بأمر إن أخذتم به أدركتم من سبقكم ولم يدرككم أحد بعد كم وكنتم خير من أنتم بين ظهرانيه ، إلا من عمل مثله تسبحون وتحمدون وتكبرون خلف كل صلاة ثلاثا وثلاثين ، فاختلفنا بيننا فقال : بعضنا نسبح ثلاثا وثلاثين وأحمد ثلاثا وثلاثين ونكبر أربعا وثلاثين ، فرجعت إليه . فقال : تقول سبحان الله والحمد لله والله أكبر حتى يكون منهن كلهن ثلائا وثلاثين ۔
Poor people came to the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and said that the wealthy and leaders have attained high ranks and eternal Paradise, although they pray as we do and fast as we do, but due to their wealth, they have superiority over us because they perform Hajj, Umrah, Jihad, and give charity, while we cannot do these due to poverty. The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, “I will tell you an action that if you adhere to it, you will surpass those who have gone ahead of you, and no one will reach your rank, and you will become the best of all, except those who also start this action.” After every prayer, say thirty-three times SubhanAllah سبحان الله, thirty-three times Alhamdulillah الحمد الله, and thirty-four times Allahu Akbar الله أكبر. Then there was a disagreement among us; some said we will say SubhanAllah سبحان الله thirty-three times, Alhamdulillah الحمد لله thirty-three times, and Allahu Akbar الله أكبر thirty-four times. I asked the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم again, and he said, “”سبحان الله الحمد الله اور الله أكبر until each is said thirty-three times.”
If the phrase SubhanAllah is recited along with Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar in the mentioned numbers after prayers and a person makes it a habit, then he attains the status of those who spend wealth in the way of Allah without actually spending wealth.
Even if sins are as much as the foam of the sea:
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
من سبح الله فى دبر كل صلاة ثلاثا وثلاثين ، وحمد الله ثلاثا وثلاثين ، وكبر الله ثلاثا وثلاثين ، فتلك تسعة وتسعون ، وقال تمام المائة : لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ، له الملك وله الحمده وهو على كل شيء قدير ، غفرت خطاياه وإن كانت مثل زبد البحر
Whoever says after every prayer SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, and Allahu Akbar 33 times, these will be ninety-three words, and to complete the count to one hundred, he should say once لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير, meaning (There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone; He has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is over all things competent), then his sins will be forgiven even if they are as much as the foam of the sea.
How exalted is the status of SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar that through them Allah removes the darkness of sins like camphor.
We never refrained from sins,
But You never hurt our hearts.
We made many plans to go to Hell,
But You never hurt our hearts.
Places to Say Subhan Allah
Below are mentioned the places where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) commanded to say Subhan Allah, or where he himself said Subhan Allah: Similarly, the places where the Companions of the Prophet said Subhan Allah will also be mentioned.
To inform about something during prayer:
Syed Nasahil bin Saad رضي الله عنه narrates:
The news reached the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم that a dispute had occurred among the tribe of Banu Amr bin Awf in Quba. Therefore, you صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم took several companions with you and went to reconcile them. There, you صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم stayed among the people to bring about peace and reconciliation. When the time for prayer arrived, Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله عنه said to Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه, “The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم has not come, and the time for prayer has arrived. Will you lead the people in prayer?” He replied, “Yes, if you want, I will lead.” Accordingly, Hazrat Bilal رضي الله عنه said the Takbir, and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه stepped forward. At that moment, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم also arrived, passed through the rows, and stood in the first row. The people began clapping their hands. Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه did not pay attention to this during the prayer. But when the people clapped loudly, he saw that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was standing. The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم signaled to Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه to lead the prayer. Upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه raised his hands in gratitude to Allah Almighty, then stepped back and stood in the row, and the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم stepped forward and led the prayer.
After finishing the prayer, you turned towards the people and said:
يا أيها الناس ما لكم حين تابكم شيء فى الصلاة أخذتم بالتصفيح إنما التصفيح للنساء من تابه شيء فى صلاته فليقل سبحان الله . ثم التفت إلى أبى بكر رضى الله عنه فقال : يا أبا بكر ما منعك أن تصلي للناس حين أثرت إليك, قال أبو بكر : ما كان ينبغي لا بن أبى فحافة أن يصلي بين يدى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم “O people! What is this that when something happens during the prayer, you start clapping? This action is for women. If something occurs during the prayer, say سبحان الله.” Then you صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم turned towards Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه and said, “Abu Bakr! Despite my instruction, why did you not lead the prayer?” Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه replied, “It does not befit the son of Abu Quhafa to lead the prayer in the presence of the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم.”
It is understood that men will say “SubhanAllah” during the prayer to inform the Imam of something. An example of this is found in Sunan Abi Dawood. Sayyiduna Ziyad bin Alaqah رحمه الله narrates:
صلى بنا المغيرة بن شعبة فنهض فى الركعتين ، قلنا : سبحان الله قال : سبحان الله ومضى فلها أتم صلاته وسلم ”سجد سجدتي السهو ”فلما انصرف قال : رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصنع كما صنعت۔
Sayyiduna Mughira bin Shu’bah رضي الله عنه led us in prayer. After two Rak’ahs, he stood up. We said سبحان الله, he also said سبحان الله, and continued praying. When he completed his prayer and said the Salam, he performed two prostrations of forgetfulness. Then, after finishing the prayer, he said, “I have seen the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم do the same.”
Thus, if the Imam makes a mistake, it will be informed by saying “SubhanAllah.”
In response to any heavy kalima:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Hanzalah ibn Abi Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said:
لقيني أبوبكر ، فقال : كيف أنت يا حنظلة قال : قلت : نافق حنظلة ، قال : سبحان الله ما تقول . قال : قلت : نكون عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يذكرنا بالنار والجنة حتى كأنا رأى عين فإذا خرجنا من عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عافسنا الأزواج والأولاد والضيعات ، فنسينا كثيرا ، قال أبوبكر : فوالله إنا لنلقى مثل هذا ، فانطلقت أنا وأبوبكر حتى دخلنا على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم . قلت : نافق حنظلة يا رسول الله ، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ”وما ذاك ”. قلت : يا رسول الله نكون عندك تذكرنا بالنار والجنة حتى كأنا رأى عين فإذا خرجنا من عندك عافسنا الأزواج والأولاد والضيعات نسينا كثيرا . فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ”والذي نفسي بيده إن لو تدومون على ما تكونون عندي . وفي الذكر لصافحتكم الملائكة على فرشكم وفي طرقكم ، ولكن يا حنظلة ساعة وساعة ثلاث مرات۔
“He met Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and asked: O Hanzalah! How are you? I said: Hanzalah has become a hypocrite. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: SubhanAllah! What are you saying? I said: When we are with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), he reminds us of Hell and Paradise as if both are right before our eyes. Then when we leave him and become busy with our wives, children, and business, we forget many things. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: By Allah, we are in the same condition. Then both of us went until we reached the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). I said: O Messenger of Allah! Hanzalah has become a hypocrite. He (peace and blessings be upon him) asked: What do you mean? I said: O Messenger of Allah! When we are with you, you remind us of Hell and Paradise as if both are right before our eyes. Then when we leave you and become busy with our wives, children, and other matters, we forget many things. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, if you remain in this state continuously as you are when you are with me and remain in the remembrance of Allah, the angels will shake hands with you on your beds and on your paths. But O Hanzalah, sometimes you are in one state and sometimes in another. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said this three times.”
When Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) heard from Sayyiduna Hanzalah (may Allah be pleased with him) that Hanzalah had become a hypocrite, he was surprised because this was a very serious statement. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) often sought refuge from hypocrisy from Allah, so immediately from the mouth of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) came سبحان الله ماتقول ؟ (SubhanAllah! Hanzalah, what are you saying?). When the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) heard any word conflicting with religion and belief, they would immediately say SubhanAllah. This meant that Allah is Pure and Exalted and may He protect you from this evil deed. A similar example is found in a hadith of Tirmidhi. Sayyiduna Abu Waqid Al-Laysi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لما خرج إلى خيبر ، مر بشجرة للمشركين . يقال لها : ذات أنواط يعلقون عليها أسلحتهم فقالوا : يا رسول الله اجعل لنا ذات أنواط كما لهم ذات أنواط ، فقال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : ”سبحان الله هذا كما قال قوم موسى: اجعل لنا إلها كما لهم آلهة والذي نفسي بيده لتركبن سنة من كان قبلكم
“When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) set out for Hunayn, he passed by a tree of the polytheists called Dhatu Anwat. The polytheists used to hang their weapons on this tree. The Companions said: O Messenger of Allah! Appoint for us a Dhatu Anwat like the polytheists have. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: SubhanAllah! This is exactly what the people of Musa (peace be upon him) said when they said: Make for us a god like their gods. By Him in Whose Hand is my soul! You will follow the footsteps of previous nations completely.”
The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) who accompanied the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) expressed a desire to designate a tree as sacred for themselves like the polytheists upon seeing the polytheists, which was a polytheistic behavior resembling the polytheists. Therefore, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) immediately said: SubhanAllah! This is exactly what the people of Musa (peace be upon him) said. Saying SubhanAllah here meant that Allah is Pure and Exalted and may He protect you from this polytheistic behavior.
In response to a meaningless question:
The answer to any meaningless question can also be given with SubhanAllah. Hazrat Hameed (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates that when Hazrat Hasan Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) came to Makkah, the jurists of Makkah said to me: Request him to spare some time for a religious gathering and deliver a sermon for us. Hazrat Hasan Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) agreed, people gathered, and he began to address them. I have never seen a greater orator. A person asked him a question: O Abu Saeed! Who created Satan? He replied: سبحان الله هل من خالق غير الله : خلق الله الشيطان وخلق الخير وخلق الشر
“SubhanAllah! Is there any creator other than Allah? Allah created Satan, and He created good, and He created evil.”
Hazrat Hasan Basri’s (may Allah have mercy on him) saying SubhanAllah meant: Allah is pure and He protect me from such corrupt thoughts and questions.
Upon seeing the abundance of something:
Umm al-Mu’minin Sayyida Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
استيقظ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ليلة فزعا ، يقول : سبحان الله ماذا أنزل الله من الخزائن وماذا أنزل من الفتن . من يوقظ صواحب الحجرات ، يريد أزواجه لكي يصلين ، رب كاسية فى الدنيا عارية فى الآخرة
One night the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) woke up distressed and said, “Subhan Allah, how many treasures Allah has sent down and how many trials He has brought down. Someone should wake up those with chambers.” He meant the pure wives so that they would pray. Many women who wear clothes in this world will be naked in the Hereafter.
Upon seeing the abundance of the treasures revealed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said Subhan Allah and expressed the desire for the pure wives that if they were awake, they would perform Tahajjud and gather these treasures through crying and supplication. This also indicates that performing Tahajjud helps in accessing Allah’s treasures and is a means of protection from trials.
On the occasion of amazement:
The phrase SubhanAllah can be said upon witnessing something astonishing. Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) once led us in the morning prayer and then addressed the people, saying:
بينا رجل يسوق بقرة إذ ركبها فضربها ، فقالت : إنا لم تخلق لهذا إنما خلقنا للحرث ، فقال : الناس سبحان الله بقرة تكلم . فقال : فإني أومن بهذا أنا وأبو بكر وعمر وما هما ثم وبينما رجل فى غنمه إذ عدا الذئب فذهب منها بشاة فطلب حتى كأنه استنقذھا منه فقال له : الذئب هذا استنقذتها منى فمن لها يوم السبع يوم لا راعي لها غيرى فقال : الناس سبحان الله ذنب يتكلم قال : فإني أومن بهذا أنا وأبو بكر وعمر من وما هما ثم
A man (from Bani Israel) was going to herd his cow when he mounted it and then struck it. The cow (by the power of Allah) said that we animals were not created for riding. We were created for farming. The people said: SubhanAllah! The cow speaks. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “I believe in this, and so do Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them),” although both of them were not present there. Similarly, a man was stealing goats when a wolf came and took one goat from the herd. The herder ran and rescued the goat from the wolf. The wolf (by the power of Allah) said, “Today you have saved it from me, but on the Day of Judgment, who will save it when there will be no shepherd except me?” The people said: SubhanAllah! The wolf speaks. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “I believe in this, and so do Abu Bakr and Umar,” although both were not present at that time.
In Sahih Muslim, the reason for the people saying SubhanAllah is explained in these words:
فقال الناس : سبحان الله تعجبا وفزعا أبقرة تكلم ، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : فإلى أو من به وأبو بكر وعمر
“The people said SubhanAllah in astonishment and fear, and said: Does the cow speak? The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: I believe in this, and Abu Bakr and Umar also believed.”
It is understood that the phrase SubhanAllah can be said both in moments of astonishment and in moments of fear.
To Inform About Ignorance:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه:
لقینى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وأنا جنب ، فأخذ بيدى فمشيت معه حتى قعد، فانسللت فأتيت الرحل فاغتسلت ثم جئت وهو قاعد ، فقال : أين كنت يا أبا هرا فقلت له فقال : سبحان الله يا أباهر إن المؤمن لا ينجس
I met the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم while I was in a state of major impurity (junub). He صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم took my hand and I walked with him. Eventually, he صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم sat down somewhere, and I quietly went home, performed ghusl (ritual bath), and then came back. The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was still sitting, and he asked, “O Abu Hurairah! Where did you go?” I narrated the incident, and he صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, “SubhanAllah! A believer is not impure.”
The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم informed Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه of his ignorance by saying, “SubhanAllah, a believer is not impure,” meaning that a believer remains pure in belief.
Expression of Astonishment at Wrong Conduct:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Imran bin Husain (may Allah be pleased with him) that the people of the tribe of Thaqif committed looting, as a result of which a she-camel named Udhba went into their possession, and they also took some people captive. Among the captives was a woman from the Ansar. One night, the woman found an opportunity and escaped, coming to the camels. Whenever she approached a camel, it would make a sound, so she would leave it, until she came to Udhba. She sat on its back and scolded it, and it started moving slowly. Meanwhile, the disbelievers noticed and started following her, but Udhba tired them out with its pace. During the journey, the woman made a vow that if Udhba saved her, she would sacrifice it. When the woman arrived in Madinah and people saw her, they said: This is the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) camel Udhba. The woman said: I have vowed that if Allah grants me salvation on Udhba’s back, I will sacrifice it. Upon hearing this, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and mentioned this incident. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said with astonishment:
سبحان الله بئسما جزتها نذرت لله إن نجاها الله عليها لتنحرنها لا وفاء لنذر فى معصية ، ولا فيما لا يملك العبد
“SubhanAllah! What a bad reward this woman has given to Udhba (meaning Udhba saved her life, and she wants to take Udhba’s life). She vowed that if Allah saved her on Udhba’s back, she would sacrifice Udhba. A vow made for sin should neither be fulfilled nor a vow over what a person does not own.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) expressed amazement at the woman’s wrong conduct by saying “SubhanAllah” because the she-camel that saved her from the enemy’s clutches, instead of being patted, she decided to take its life. Moreover, that she-camel was not even her property but belonged to the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: What a terrible reward this is, that the she-camel has done a favor to her, and she wants to kill the benefactor in return.
For mercy:
Out of mercy and compassion, one can also say SubhanAllah. Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عاد رجلا من المسلمين قد خفت فصار مثل الفرخ فقال له رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ”هل كنت تدعو بشيء أو تسأله إياه : ”قال : نعم . كنت أقول اللهم ما كنت معاقبي به فى الآخرة فعجله لي فى الدنيا ، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ”سبحان الله لا تطيقه أولا تستطيعه ، أفلا قلت : اللهم آتنا فى الدنيا حسنة وفي الآخرة حسنة وقنا عذاب النار ”. قال : فدعا الله له فشفاه
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) visited a Muslim who had become as weak as a chick due to illness (meaning very weak and frail). He (peace be upon him) asked him: “Did you ever make any supplication or ask Allah for anything?” He said: Yes, I used to say: O Allah! The punishment You will give me in the Hereafter, give it to me in this world. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “SubhanAllah! Where do you have the strength to bear Allah’s punishment in this world? Why did you not say: اللهم آتنا فى الدنيا حسنة وفي الآخرة حسنة ، وقنا عذاب النار ‘O Allah! Grant me goodness in this world and goodness in the Hereafter and save me from the punishment of the Hellfire.’ Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed for him, and Allah granted him healing.
The Prophet (peace be upon him), considering the weak condition of this man and the simplicity of the words he spoke, out of compassion said: SubhanAllah, you do not have the strength to endure the punishment of the Hereafter in this world. This also indicates that a servant should pray for goodness and success in both this world and the Hereafter. He should pray for endurance of punishment and calamities. This lesson is given in ربنا اتنا فى الدنيا حسنة وفي الآخرة حسنة.
And it also became clear that saying SubhanAllah out of compassion is correct. In this regard, consider a few other narrations.
Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
خرجنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يعني فى غزوة ذات الرقاع فأصاب رجل امرأة رجل من المشركين فحلف أن لا أنتهى حتى أهريق دما فى أصحاب محمد فخرج يتبع أثر النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فنزل النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم منزلا . فقال : من رجل يكلونا فانتدب رجل من المهاجرين ورجل من الأنصار ، فقال : كونا بفم الشعب ، قال : فلما خرج الرجلان إلى فم الشعب اضطجع المهاجرى وقام الأنصاري يصل وأتى الرجل فلما رأى شخصه عرف أنه ربيقة للقوم . فرماه بسهم فوضعه فيه فنزعه حتى رماه بثلاثة أسهم ثم ركع وسجده ثم انتبة صاحبه فلما عرف أنهم قد نذروا به هرب ولما رأى المهاجرى ما بالأنصاري من الدم ، قال : سبحان الله ألا أنبهتنى أول ما رمى قال : كنت فى سورة أقرؤها فلم أحب أن أقطعها
We went out with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in the Battle of Dhat al-Riqa’. A Muslim killed a woman of the polytheists. That polytheist swore that he would not stop until he shed the blood of one of the companions of Muhammad (peace be upon him). So he went out searching and followed the footsteps of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Prophet (peace be upon him) stopped at a place and said: “Who will protect us?” Then a Muhajir and an Ansari volunteered for this mission. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to them: “You both stay at the edge of the valley.” When they reached the edge of the valley, they decided to take turns guarding. The Muhajir lay down, and the Ansari stood and began to pray (while also keeping watch). Suddenly, the polytheist came. When he saw the Ansari’s body from a distance, he recognized him as the protector and guardian of the group. That disbeliever shot an arrow which hit him. They removed it and continued praying. He shot three arrows in total. Then they bowed and prostrated, then woke their Muhajir companion. When he realized that they had become alert and vigilant, he fled. When the Muhajir saw the blood of the Ansari, he said: SubhanAllah! Why did you not wake me up with the first arrow? The Ansari said: I was reciting a Surah of the Qur’an in prayer, and I did not like to stop it.
Seeing the blood flowing from the Ansari’s body and his condition, the Muhajir said out of compassion and mercy: SubhanAllah, you could have informed me.
Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
لبينا بالحج حتى إذا كنا بسرف حضت فدخل على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وأنا أبكي فقال : ”ما يبكيك يا عائشة ”فقلت : حضت ليتني لم أكن حججت ، فقال : ”سبحان الله ! إنما ذلك شى كتبه الله على بنات آدم ”. فقال : ”انسكي المناسك كلها غير أن لا تطوفي بالبيت
“We recited the Talbiyah of Hajj until we reached the place of Sarf, and I got my menses. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came to me while I was crying. He asked: ‘Aisha! Why are you crying?’ I said: I got my menses; I wish I had not intended to perform Hajj this year. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: سبحان الله! This is just something Allah has decreed for the daughters of Adam.” Then he said: “You perform all the rites of Hajj except you do not circumambulate the Kaaba.”
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used the words “SubhanAllah” out of mercy for Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), meaning: This matter has been decreed for the daughters of Adam. So do not be distressed. This is a matter in which you are not alone; all daughters of Adam are afflicted.
On Unexpected Behavior:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him):
أن أخت الربيع أم حارثة جرحت إنسانا فاختصموا إلى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : القصاص القصاص ، فقالت أم الربيع : يا رسول الله أيقتض من فلانة والله لا يقتص منها ، فقال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : سبحان الله يا أم الربيع القصاص كتاب الله قالت : لا والله لا يقتض منها أبدا ، قال : فما زالت حتى قبلوا الدية . فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إن من عباد الله من لو أقسم على الله لأبره
Maidah Umm Harithah (may Allah be pleased with her), the sister of Rabi’ (who was Sayyiduna Anas’s paternal aunt), injured a man (she broke his tooth). Then they brought the dispute to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). He (peace be upon him) said: “Qisas (retribution) will be taken. Qisas will be taken.” Umm Rabi’ said: O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)! Will qisas be taken from so-and-so? (meaning from Umm Harithah) By Allah! Qisas will not be taken from her. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “SubhanAllah! O Umm Rabi’! The Book of Allah commands qisas.” Umm Rabi’ said: No, by Allah! Qisas will never be taken from her. Then Umm Rabi’ kept insisting on this until the one whose tooth was broken agreed to accept diyah (blood money). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Some servants of Allah are such that if you swear by their trustworthiness, Allah fulfills it for them.”
The Book of Allah has commanded qisas, and when the Prophet (peace be upon him), after examining the nature of the dispute and all its aspects, ordered qisas, Umm Rabi’s reaction was extremely unexpected. Because after a judicial ruling has been issued, to swear that this ruling will not be enforced is a surprising behavior. Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: SubhanAllah, Umm Rabi’, the Book of Allah has commanded qisas.
Upon Completion of the Mission:
When in Surah An-Nasr you were given the glad tidings of the completion of your mission, the command from Allah Almighty was revealed to you to frequently glorify and praise Allah. Accordingly, Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يكثر أن يقول قبل أن يموت : ”سبحانك وبحمدك أستغفرك وأتو ب إليك ، قالت : قلت : يا رسول الله ، ما هذه الكلمات التى أراك أحدثتها . تقولها ، قال : جعلت لي علامة فى أمتي إذا رأيتها قلتها إذا جاء نصر الله والفتح سورة النصر إلى آخر السورة
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to often say before his passing: سبحانك وبحمدك أستغفرك وأتوب إليك “I asked: O Messenger of Allah! What are these words that you repeat most often? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Allah had appointed a sign for me among my Ummah, and when I see it, I say these words: إذا جاء نصر الله والفتح until the end of the Surah.”
Upon the completion of any religious or worldly objective, Allah Almighty has commanded to say SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah), so that the servant glorifies and praises Allah upon the completion of the task, bows his head before Him, and expresses gratitude.
On One’s Ignorance:
It is mentioned in Sahih Muslim:
جاء أبو موسى إلى عمر بن الخطاب فقال : السلام عليكم هذا عبد الله بن قيس فلم يأذن له ، فقال : السلام عليكم ، هذا أبو موسى السلام عليكم هذا الأشعري ثم انصرف فقال : ردوا على ركوا على فجاء ، فقال يا أبا موسى : ما ردك كنا فى شغل قال سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، يقول : الاستعذان ثلاث ، فإن أذن لك وإلا فارجع ”. قال : لتأتیتي على هذا ببينة وإلا فعلت وفعلت ، فذهب أبو موسى ، قال عمر : إن وجد بينة تجدوه عند المنبر عشية ، وإن لم يجد بينة ، فلم تجدوه فلما أن جاء بالعشي وجدوه ، قال يا أبا موسى : ما تقول أقد وجدت ، قال : نعم أبى بن كعب ، قال : عدل ، قال يا أبا الطفيل : ما يقول هذا قال سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول ذلك يا ابن الخطاب فلا تكونن عذابا على أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، قال : سبحان الله إنماسمعت شيئا فأحببت أن أتثبت.
Sayyiduna Abu Musa Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) came to Sayyiduna Umar ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) and said: As-Salamu Alaikum, it is Abdullah bin Qais. He did not allow him to enter. Then he said: As-Salamu Alaikum, Abu Musa is here, As-Salamu Alaikum, Ash’ari is here. (First he mentioned the name, then the kunya, then the lineage so that Sayyiduna Umar (RA) would have no doubt.) Finally, he left. Then Sayyiduna Umar (RA) said: Why did you leave? We were busy with work. He said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: “Permission is to be asked three times, then if permission is granted it is better, otherwise return.” Sayyiduna Umar (RA) said: Bring a witness for this hadith, otherwise I will do so and surely will do so (meaning I will punish). Sayyiduna Abu Musa left after hearing this. Sayyiduna Umar (RA) said: If Abu Musa finds a witness, you will meet him by the pulpit in the evening. When Sayyiduna Umar (RA) came to the pulpit in the evening, Abu Musa was present. Sayyiduna Umar (RA) said: O Abu Musa! What do you say? Did you find a witness? He said: Yes, Abi bin Ka’b is present. Sayyiduna Umar (RA) said: Indeed, he is trustworthy. Sayyiduna Umar (RA) said: O Abu Tufail (this is the kunya of Abi bin Ka’b), what does Abu Musa say? Abi bin Ka’b (RA) said: I heard from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), he used to say: O son of Khattab! Do not be harsh on the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) (meaning do not trouble them). Sayyiduna Umar (RA) said: SubhanAllah! I heard a hadith and thought it good to verify it, and my intention was never to, God forbid, trouble the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), nor did it mean that Sayyiduna Abu Musa (RA) was lying.”
Sayyiduna Umar ibn Khattab (RA) was very strict regarding hadith. If he heard a hadith that he had not heard before, he would ask for evidence to verify it, as mentioned in the above hadith, and he said “SubhanAllah” upon his ignorance. In a narration in Sahih Bukhari, he expressed regret over his ignorance, saying that the affairs of the markets had kept him heedless of such hadiths. It is mentioned in Bukhari’s narration:
فقال عمر : أخفي هذا على من أمر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، ألهاني الصفق بالأسواق يعني الخروج إلى تجارة
“Sayyiduna Umar (RA) said that a command of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) remained hidden from me. Alas, the buying and selling in the markets kept me busy.” He meant trade.
In the Holy Quran, the angels also expressed their ignorance by saying:
سبحنك لا علم لنا إلا ما علمتنا إنك أنت العليم الحكيم
O Allah! You are pure; we only know what You have taught us. You are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
For expressing humility and modesty:
Hazrat Qais bin Ibad (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates: I was in Madinah among some people, including some companions (may Allah be pleased with them). A person came whose face showed the effect of the fear of Allah. Some people said: He is one of the people of Paradise. He prayed two rak’ahs and then left. I also followed him; he entered his house, and I went inside with him and talked to him. When we became somewhat familiar, I said to him: When you came to the mosque, a person said: You are one of the people of Paradise. He said:
سبحان الله ما ينبغي لأحد أن يقول ما لا يعلم ، وسأحدثك لم ذاك رأيت رؤيا على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم . فقصصتها عليه ، رأيتني فى روضة ذكر سعتها ، وعشبها ، وخضرتها ، ووسط الروضة عمود من حديد أسفله فى الأرض وأعلاه فى السماء فى أعلاه عروة فقيل لي : ارقه فقلت له : لا أستطيع ، فجاءني منصف قال ابن عون : والمنصف الخادم فقال : بثيابي من خلفي وصف أنه رفعه من خلفه بيده فرقيت حتى کنت فى أعلى العمود فأخذت بالعروة ، فقيل لي : استمسك فلقد استيقظت وإنها لفي يدى ، فقصصتها على النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فقال : تلك الروضة الإسلام . وذلك العمود عمود الإسلام . وتلك العروة عروة الوثقى . وأنت على الإسلام حتى تموت قال : والرجل عبد الله بن سلام
“SubhanAllah! No one should say something they do not know, and I will tell you why people say this. I had a dream during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). I narrated that dream to the Prophet (peace be upon him). I saw that I was in a garden, and in the middle of that garden was an iron pillar. It was embedded in the ground below and extended up to the sky. At its height was a ring. I was told: Climb it. I said: I cannot climb. Then a servant came, lifted my clothes from behind, and explained that he lifted me from behind with his hand. I climbed until I reached the height of that pillar and held the ring. I was told to hold it firmly. Then I woke up, and the ring was still in my hand. I narrated this dream to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). He said: ‘That garden is Islam, and this pillar is the pillar of Islam, and that ring is the strong ring of the religion, and you will remain steadfast on Islam until your death.'”
Qais said: That person was Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Salam (may Allah be pleased with him).
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Salam (may Allah be pleased with him) had already heard the glad tidings of Paradise from the blessed tongue of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about himself. But when he heard people saying that a person is among the people of Paradise, he humbly said: SubhanAllah.
For expressing shame and regret:
It is narrated from Sayyida Aisha Siddiqah (may Allah be pleased with her): “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) liked halwa (i.e., sweet things) and honey, and after finishing the Asr prayer, he would seek permission from his wives (to enter the chamber of any one of them) and then go to them. Once, he went to the house of Sayyida Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with her) and stayed there longer than his usual time. I asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about this, and he said that a woman from her tribe had gifted her a bottle of honey, and she had given the Prophet (peace be upon him) its syrup to drink. I thought to myself that I would play a trick on the Prophet (peace be upon him). So, I mentioned it to Sayyida Suda (may Allah be pleased with her) and said: When the Prophet (peace be upon him) comes to your place, he will also come near you. At that time, you should say to him, ‘O Messenger of Allah, have you eaten maghafir?’ He will reply, ‘No.’ Then you say, ‘Then what is this smell?’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) disliked very much that any part of his body would emit an odor. So, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would answer that Hafsa had given him honey syrup. Then you say, ‘The bees of the honey must have sucked the juice of maghafir.’ I will also say this to the Prophet (peace be upon him), and Safiyyah, you also say this to the Prophet (peace be upon him).’ So, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) went to Sayyida Suda’s house, she said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, have you eaten maghafir?’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘No.’ She said, ‘Then what is this smell?’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘Hafsa gave me honey syrup.’ She said, ‘The bees of this honey must have sucked the juice of maghafir.’ And when the Prophet (peace be upon him) went to Sayyida Safiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her), she also said the same. After that, when he went to Sayyida Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with her), she said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, shall I give you honey again?’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘There is no need for that.’ Then Sayyida Suda (may Allah be pleased with her) said:
سبحان الله لقد حرمناه قالت : قلت لها : اسكتي
‘SubhanAllah, what have we done? It is as if we have made honey forbidden for you.’ I said, ‘Be silent.'”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) loved honey very much, but the pure wives stopped him from it by a trick. So, when he forbade honey for himself, Sayyida Suda (may Allah be pleased with her) expressed regret and sorrow involuntarily, saying: “SubhanAllah! We have made honey forbidden for you.”
Upon seeing courage and bravery:
Hazrat Aslam Abu Imran Al-Tajabi, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates:
We were in the city of Rome, and a large group of Romans came out to attack us, but the Muslims came out in even greater numbers to confront them. Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Amir, may Allah be pleased with him, was the governor of Egypt, and Sayyiduna Fadalah bin Ubaid, may Allah be pleased with him, was the commander of the army. A Muslim attacked the Roman ranks and launched such a fierce attack that he penetrated deep into them. People cried out, saying:
سبحان الله يلقي بيديه إلى التهلكة ، فقام أبو أيوب الأنصاري فقال : يا أيها الناس إنكم تتأولون هذه الآية هذا التأويل وإنما أنزلت هذه الآية فينا معشر الأنصار لما أعز الله الإسلام وكثر ناصروه فقال : بعضنا لبعض سرا دون رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إن أموالنا قد ضاعت وإن الله قد أعز الإسلام وكثر ناصروه فلو أقمنا فى أموالنا فأصلحنا ما ضاع منها فأنزل الله على نبيه صلى الله عليه وسلم يرد علينا ما قلنا : وأنفقوا فى سبيل الله ولا تلقوا بأيديكم إلى التهلكة فكانت التهلكة الإقامة على الأموال وإصلاحها وتركنا العزوفتا زال أبو أيوب شاحصا فى سبيل الله حتى دفن بأرض الروم
“SubhanAllah! He has thrown himself into destruction.” (Upon hearing this) Hazrat Abu Ayyub Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him, stood up and said: People! You are interpreting this verse in this way, but this verse was revealed about us, the Ansar, when Allah gave strength to Islam and its helpers increased. Some of us secretly said among ourselves, hiding it from the Messenger of Allah, that our wealth has been ruined (meaning our fields have been destroyed). Allah had given strength and power to Islam, and its helpers increased. Now, if we turn to our business and agriculture, we could make up for the loss that has occurred. In response to those who said this among us, Allah revealed this verse to His Prophet. Allah said: وأنفقوا فى سبيل الله ولا تلقوا بأيديكم إلى الأتهلكة “Spend in the way of Allah and do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands” (Al-Baqarah: 195). The destruction meant here was to engage in efforts to improve financial conditions and abandon jihad. (This was the reason that) Abu Ayyub Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him, became a symbol and target of jihad in the way of Allah until he was buried in the land of Rome.
When the people saw the bravery, courage, and determination of the one who attacked the Roman ranks, they involuntarily uttered the word SubhanAllah.
As a defense:
Sayyiduna Samak bin Harb, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates:
دخلت على عكرمة فى يوم قد أشكل من رمضان هو أم من شعبان ، وهو يأكل خبرا وبقلا ولبنا ، فقال لي : هلم ، فقلت : إني صائم, قال : وحلف بالله لتفطرن ، قلت : سبحان الله مرتين فلما رأيته يحلف لا يستثني تقدمت قلت : هات الآن ما عندك, قال : سمعت ابن عباس يقول : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ”صوموا لرؤيته ، وأفطر وا لرؤيته ، فإن حال بينكم وبينه سحابة أو ظلمة ، فأكملوا العدة عدة شعبان ، ولا تستقبلوا الشهر استقبالا ، ولا تصلوا رمضان بيوم من شعبان
“I came to Ikramah on a day about which there was doubt whether it was a day of Ramadan or Sha’ban. They were eating bread and vegetables. They said to me: ‘Come, eat.’ I said: ‘I am fasting.’ They said: ‘By Allah! You will definitely break your fast.’ I said SubhanAllah twice. When I saw that they were swearing by oaths and not saying InshaAllah, I proceeded and said: ‘Now bring what you have.’ They said: I heard Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, say that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: ‘Fast when you see the moon and break your fast when you see the moon. And if there is any cloud or darkness between you and the moon, then complete the count of Sha’ban as thirty days. Do not start fasting a day before Ramadan, nor join Ramadan with any day of Sha’ban.'”
When Sayyiduna Samak bin Harb, may Allah have mercy on him, was told by Ikramah, may Allah have mercy on him, to break his fast and eat by swearing an oath, Sayyiduna Samak bin Harb, may Allah have mercy on him, could not immediately respond, so he said SubhanAllah twice as a form of defense.
For the purpose of explanation:
Sayyiduna Abdul Rahman bin Mut’im, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates:
باع شريك لي دراهم فى السوق نسيئة ، فقلت : سبحان الله أيصلح هذا ، فقال : سبحان الله والله لقد بعتها فى السوق فما عابه أحد ، فسألت البراء بن عازب ، فقال : قدم النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم ونحن نتبايع هذا البيع ، فقال : ”ما كان يدا بيد فليس به بأس, وما كان نسيئة فلا يصلح
“One of my partners sold some dirhams on credit in the market. I said to him: SubhanAllah! Is this permissible? He said: SubhanAllah, by Allah! I sold it in the market and no one found it objectionable. I asked Bara bin Azib, may Allah be pleased with him, about it. He explained that when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, migrated, he used to trade in this manner. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said that if the transaction is hand to hand (cash), then there is no harm, but if it is on credit, then this form is not permissible.”
Sayyiduna Abdul Rahman bin Mut’im, may Allah have mercy on him, said SubhanAllah to his partner to make him think and reflect: Is this correct? Thus, for the purpose of explanation and to strengthen his argument, the phrase SubhanAllah can be used.
To respond to:
Arab people used to begin their response to any matter with the phrase “Subhan Allah.” Consider a few ahadith.
Sayyiduna Aswad, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates:
“We were sitting in the study circle of Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masood, may Allah be pleased with him, when Sayyiduna Hudhaifa, may Allah be pleased with him, came and stood near us and greeted us. Then he said: ‘The group that was better than you has fallen into hypocrisy.'”
Aswad then said:
سبحان الله ، إن الله يقول : إن المنافقين فى الدرك الأسفل من النار فتبسم عبدالله وجلس حذيفه فى ناحية المسجده فقام عبد الله فتفرق أصحابه فرماني بالحصا فأتيته فقال حذيفة : ”عجبت من ضحكه ، وقد عرف ما قلت لقد أنزل النفاق على قوم كانوا خيرا منكم ، ثم تابوا فتاب الله عليهم
“Subhan Allah, Allah Almighty says إن المنافقين فى الدرك الأسفل من النار that the hypocrites will be in the lowest level of Hell.” Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masood, may Allah be pleased with him, smiled, and Sayyiduna Hudhaifa, may Allah be pleased with him, went and sat in the corner of the mosque. After that, Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masood, may Allah be pleased with him, stood up and his students also dispersed. Then Hudhaifa, may Allah be pleased with him, threw a pebble at me (meaning he called me). I came forward and he said that he was surprised at the demeanor of Abdullah bin Masood, may Allah be pleased with him, although he understood well what I had said. Indeed, a group was afflicted with hypocrisy who were better than you, then they repented and Allah accepted their repentance.”
Hazrat Aswad, may Allah have mercy on him, began his reply with “Subhan Allah.”
Sayyiduna Abu Musa Ash’ari, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
الميت يعذب ببكاء الحى إذا قالوا : واعضداه ، والكاسياه وانا صراه واجبلاه ، ونحو هذا يتعتع ، ويقال : أنت كذلك أنت كذلك ”قال أسيد : فقلت : سبحان الله ۖ إن الله يقول : ولا تزر وازرة وزر أخرى قال : ويحك ، أحدثك أن أبا موسى حدثني عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فترى أن أبا موسى كذب على النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم أو ترى أني كذبت على أبى موسى.
The dead are punished because of the crying of the living. When people say: ”واعضداه ، واكاسيده واناصراه واجبلاه“ “Oh my arms, oh my clothes wearer, oh my helper, oh strong and powerful like a mountain,” and other such words, he is rebuked and told: “Was that really you? Was that really you?” Asad says that I said: Subhan Allah, Allah Almighty says: ولا تزر وازرة وزر أخرى “No bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another.” Then he said: “I pity you. I am telling you that Abu Musa Ash’ari, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated this hadith of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, to me. Do you think that Abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him, lied about the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him? Or do you think that I lied about Abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him?”
The hadith mentions that Hazrat Asad, may Allah be pleased with him, began his reply with “Subhan Allah.” On the Day of Judgment, when Sayyiduna Isa (Jesus), peace be upon him, will begin to answer a question, he will start with this pure phrase. The Holy Quran mentions:
وإذ قال الله يا عيسى ابن مريم أأنت قلت للناس اتخذوني وأمى إلهين من دون الله قال سبحانك ما يكون لي أن أقول ما ليس لي يحق إن كنت قلته فقد علمته تعلم ما فى نفسي ولا أعلم ما فى نفسك إنك أنت علام الغيوب
And also noteworthy is when Allah will say: “O Isa son of Maryam! Did you say to the people, ‘Take me and my mother as gods besides Allah’?” Isa, peace be upon him, will say: “Glory be to You! It is not for me to say what I have no right to say. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is in my heart, and I do not know what is in Your self. Indeed, You are the Knower of the unseen.”
In expressing humility and helplessness:
Allah Almighty says:
ولما جاء موسى لميقاتنا وكلمه ربه قال رب أرني انظر إليك قال لن تزينى ولكن انظر إلى الجبل فإن استقر مكانه فسوف ترینى ، فلما تجلى ربه للجبل جعله دكا وخر موسى صعقا فلما آفاق قال سخنك تبت إليك وأنا أول المؤمنين
And when Musa (Moses) came at the appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said, “O my Lord, show me Yourself so that I may look at You.” He said, “You cannot see Me, but look at the mountain; if it remains firm in its place, then you will see Me.” So when his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain, He made it crumble, and Musa (peace be upon him) fell unconscious. Then when he recovered, he said, “Glory be to You! I repent to You, and I am the first of the believers.”
“When our master Musa (peace be upon him) could not bear the manifestation of Allah and lost consciousness, upon regaining consciousness he expressed his helplessness with these words: O Allah, You are pure, I turn to You in repentance.”
To negate something by oneself:
Umm al-Mu’minin Sayyida Safiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
أنها جاءت إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم تزوره فى اعتكافه فى المسجد فى العشر الأواخر من رمضان فتحدثت عنده ساعة ، ثم قامت تنقلب ، فقام النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم معها يقلبها ، حتى إذا بلغت باب المسجد عند باب أم سلمة مر رجلان من الأنصار . فسلما على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فقال لهما النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : على رسلكما إنما هي صفية بنت حتي ، فقالا : سبحان الله يا رسول الله وكبر عليهما ، فقال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : إن الشيطان يبلغ من الإنسان مبلغ الله ، وإني خشيت أن يقذف فى قلوبكما شيئا ”.
In the last ten days of Ramadan, when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was observing I’tikaf, she came to meet him in the mosque. They talked for a while, then she stood up to leave. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also stood up to see her off. When she reached the mosque door near Umm Salamah’s (may Allah be pleased with her) door, two Ansari men passed by and greeted the Prophet (peace be upon him). He said, “Wait a moment! This is my wife Safiyyah bint Huyayy (may Allah be pleased with her).” They said, “SubhanAllah! O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)!” Your statement was very difficult for them to accept. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that Satan runs through the human body like blood. I feared that he might plant some suspicion in your hearts.
The Ansari youths said “SubhanAllah” themselves to negate the idea that they could even think such a thought about your greeting.
Before Refusing:
When the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was being written, one of its conditions was that if a person from Mecca became Muslim and went to Medina, he would be returned. This condition was unpleasant for the Muslims, so many Muslims refused this condition and said:
سبحان الله كيف يرد إلى المشركين وقد جاء مسلماء
“Subhan Allah! (How can a person who has become Muslim be handed over to the polytheists?)”
But the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) accepted this condition for the sake of peace to save people from conflict and strife, so all the Muslims bowed their heads in acceptance and satisfaction. And it is clear from the hadith that they said the phrase Subhan Allah while refusing this condition.
The Incident of Ifk and Subhan Allah:
The phrase “Subhan Allah” was spoken at various places during the incident of Ifk. By reading the complete hadith, one can determine its nature. Observe this incident narrated by Sayyida Aisha Siddiqah (may Allah be pleased with her). She says:
When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) intended to travel, the purified wives (may Allah be pleased with them) would draw lots among themselves, and whoever’s name came up, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would take her along on the journey. Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that on the occasion of a battle, when the lot was drawn, my name came up, and I set out with the Prophet (peace be upon him). This incident occurred after the command of purdah was revealed. So, I was lifted along with the howdah and mounted, and similarly dismounted with it. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) completed this battle and returned, on the way back, when we were near Medina (and had camped at a place), the Prophet (peace be upon him) announced the departure at night. After this announcement, I stood up and walked a little ahead beyond the limits of the army. Then, after relieving myself, I returned to my mount. Upon reaching there, when I touched my chest, my necklace made of Dhafar beads was missing. I then returned and started searching for my necklace. This search took some time. They narrated that those who used to lift me came and lifted my howdah and placed it on my camel, on which I used to ride. They thought I was inside the howdah. At that time, women were very light; their bodies had little flesh because they had very little food. So, when those who lifted me did so, they did not notice any difference due to the lightness of the howdah. Also, I was a young girl then. In short, they lifted the camel and left. When the army passed, I found my necklace. When I came to the camp, no one was there, nor was there anyone to respond to my calls. So, I came to the place where my original camp was, confident that soon they would realize my absence and return to get me. Sitting there, I fell asleep. Sayyiduna Safwan bin Mu’tal Salmi (may Allah be pleased with him) was following the army (to pick up anything lost). He saw the shadow of a sleeping person and, upon coming closer, recognized me. He had seen me before the purdah rules were revealed. When he recognized me, he began to say “Inna Lillahi” (Indeed, to Allah we belong), and his voice woke me up. Immediately, I covered my face with my veil. By Allah! I did not say a word to him, nor did I hear any word from him except “Inna Lillahi.” He dismounted from the mount, placed it down, and bent its front leg so that the Mother of the Believers could mount without assistance. I got up and mounted it. Now, he held the mount from the front and started walking. When we reached near the army, it was exactly noon. The army was encamped. The Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that then whoever was destined to be killed was killed. Actually, the slander was spread by Abdullah bin Ubayy ibn Salul (a hypocrite). He used to discuss this slander and mention it in his gatherings. He would confirm it, listen carefully, and try hard to spread it. Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that then we reached Medina, and upon arrival, I fell ill and remained sick for a month. During this period, rumors spread among people, but I was unaware. However, during my illness, I had a strong suspicion that the love of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not feel as affectionate as it used to whenever I was ill. He would come to me, greet, inquire about my health, and then leave after just asking that. His behavior made me suspicious. But I was unaware of the evil that had spread. When I recovered, I went with Umm Musṭaḥ to the place for relieving ourselves outside Medina called Manāṣiʿ. We used to go there only at night. This was before the latrines were built near our homes. The Mother of the Believers narrated that we still followed the old Arab custom and went to the fields for relieving ourselves, and we disliked the latrines being built near our homes. She narrated that in short, Umm Musṭaḥ and I went to relieve ourselves. Then, after finishing, we were returning home when Umm Musṭaḥ got entangled in her veil and said, “Musṭaḥ is disgraced.” I said, “You spoke ill of a person who participated in the Battle of Badr.” She replied, “Why didn’t you hear what Musṭaḥ said?” The Mother of the Believers narrated that I asked, “What did she say?” She told me the slanderous words. Hearing these words worsened my illness. When I returned home, the Prophet (peace be upon him) came to me, greeted, and asked about my health. I asked him for permission to visit my parents’ home to confirm the rumors. He granted permission. I asked my mother at home about the rumors among people. She said, “Daughter! Do not worry. By Allah! It is rare that a beautiful woman with a loving husband and her servants is not slandered or criticized.” The Mother of the Believers narrated that I said to her:
سبحان الله أولقد تحدث الناس بهذا؟
“Subhan Allah (What relation does it have with my servants?) It is a common talk among people.”
Then I started crying and kept crying all night until morning, with my tears neither stopping nor could I sleep. Meanwhile, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) called Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) and Usama bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) to consult about separation from his wife because no revelation had yet come to him regarding this matter. Usama (may Allah be pleased with him) advised the Prophet (peace be upon him) according to what he knew about the purity of his wife and the Prophet’s love for her. He said that he knew nothing but good about your wife. However, Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “O Messenger of Allah! Allah has not placed any hardship on you, and there are many women besides her. You should also ask your slave (Barirah, may Allah be pleased with her); she will tell the truth.” So, the Prophet (peace be upon him) called Barirah and asked if she had seen anything that made her doubt Aisha. Sayyida Barirah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “By the One Who sent you with the truth, I have seen nothing bad in her. It is true that she is a young girl who kneads dough and sleeps, and a goat comes and eats it.” She narrated that that day the Prophet (peace be upon him) addressed the Companions and spoke about Abdullah bin Ubayy (the hypocrite) from the pulpit. He said: “O Muslim community! Who will help me with the person whose harm has now reached my wife? By Allah, I have seen nothing but good in my wife.” Saad bin Muadh (may Allah be pleased with him) stood up and said: “O Messenger of Allah! I will help you. If that person belongs to the tribe of Aws, I will cut off his neck, and if he belongs to our tribe, we will carry out whatever command you give.” Then a Companion from the tribe of Khazraj stood up. Hassaan’s mother was his paternal cousin, i.e., Saad bin Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him) was the chief of the Khazraj tribe and was among the most righteous and sincere before, but now tribal pride had overcome him. He addressed Saadi (may Allah be pleased with him) and said: “By Allah! You are a liar; you cannot kill him, nor do you have the strength. If he belonged to your tribe, you would not even mention killing him.” Then Asid bin Hazir (may Allah be pleased with him), a cousin of Saad bin Ubadah, stood up and addressed Saad bin Ubadah: “By Allah! You are a liar; we will surely kill him. Now there is no doubt that you are also a hypocrite defending the hypocrites.” At this, the tribes of Aws and Khazraj flared up, and it seemed they would fight each other. Until then, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was still on the pulpit. Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) began to silence everyone. All became quiet, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) also became silent. Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that I cried all day that day. My tears neither stopped nor could I sleep. At dawn, my parents came to me. Two nights and one day passed with me crying. During this entire period, my tears did not stop, nor did I sleep. It seemed my heart would burst from crying. While my parents were sitting with me and I was crying, a woman from the Ansar tribe asked permission to enter. I allowed her, and she sat with me and cried. We were still in this state when the Prophet (peace be upon him) came. He greeted and sat down. Since the slander was cast upon me, the Prophet (peace be upon him) had not sat near me. A month had passed, and no revelation had come to him about me. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Amma ba’d (after this), O Aisha! I have heard such news about you. If you are truly pure in this matter, Allah will declare your purity Himself. But if you intended any sin, seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him, for when a servant admits his sins and repents before Allah, Allah accepts his repentance.” Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) finished his speech, my tears dried up so completely that not a single drop remained. I first told my father to respond to the Prophet (peace be upon him) on my behalf. He said: “By Allah! I do not know what to say to the Prophet (peace be upon him).” Then I told my mother to respond to what the Prophet (peace be upon him) said. She also said: “By Allah! I do not know what to say to the Prophet (peace be upon him).” Then I myself replied, although I was a young girl and had not read much of the Quran. By Allah! I realized that you people had listened to such rumors, and it had settled in your hearts, and you confirmed it. Now, if I say that I am free from this slander, you will not believe me. And if I admit this sin, and Allah knows well that I am free from it, you will start confirming it. So, by Allah! The example of me and you is like that of the father of Yusuf (Joseph, peace be upon him) when he said:
فصبر جميل والله المستعان على ما تصفون
“So patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help concerning that which you describe.” Then I turned away and lay down on my bed. Allah knew well that I was completely pure in this matter, but by Allah! I did not even imagine that Allah would clear my case through revelation in the Quran because I considered myself too insignificant for Allah to speak about my matter Himself. I only hoped that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would see a dream through which Allah would clear me of this accusation. But by Allah! The Prophet (peace be upon him) had not even left the gathering nor had anyone else left when revelation began to descend upon him, and he experienced the state that comes with the intensity of revelation. Drops like pearls began to flow from his face, although it was cold weather. This was due to the revelation descending upon him. Then, when this state ended, he swore. The first phrase that came from his blessed tongue was: “O Aisha! Allah has declared your purity.” She narrated that upon this, my mother said: “Stand before the Prophet (peace be upon him).” I said: “No, by Allah! I will not stand before you. I will praise none but Allah (Who has revealed my acquittal).” Allah Almighty revealed verses regarding this matter. Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) also consulted Umm al-Mu’minin Sayyida Zainab bint Jahsh about me. He asked her what information she had about me or what she had seen in me. She said: “O Messenger of Allah! I guard my eyes and ears. By Allah! I know nothing but good about her.” Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that Sayyida Zainab was the only one among the purified wives who was my rival, but Allah protected her due to her piety and chastity. However, her sister Hamna took the wrong path and perished along with those who were killed. By Allah! The Companion against whom this slander was cast used to say:
سبحان الله فوالذي نفسي بيده ما كشفت من كنف أنثى قط ، قالت : ثم قتل بعد ذلك فى سبيل الله
“Subhan Allah! By the One in Whose hand is my life, I have never unveiled any woman.”
Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that after this incident, he was martyred in the path of Allah.
Sayyida Aisha Siddiqah (may Allah be pleased with her) recited the phrase “Subhan Allah” while responding to her mother:
It is understood that this phrase can be spoken at the beginning of a conversation to respond.
At the end of the hadith, Sayyiduna Safwan bin Mu’tal (may Allah be pleased with him) spoke, giving his testimony and purification by saying the phrase “Subhan Allah.” Thus, the phrase “Subhan Allah” can be spoken at the time of purification and testimony. Allah Almighty mentioned this very incident in Surah An-Nur using the phrase “Subhan” and said:
ولولا إذ سمعتموه قلتم ما يكون لنا أن نتكلم بهذا سبحنك هذا يهتان عظيم
“Why did you not, when you heard it, say, ‘It is not for us to speak of this. Exalted are You, [O Allah]; this is a great slander’?”
Upon witnessing the state of torment:
Even upon witnessing the state of torment, one can say the phrase Subhan Allah. Here, it means that Allah is pure and free from defects such as oppression and injustice, which are the faults that a person undergoing any torment or punishment experiences as a result of their sins and crimes. Allah does not oppress or wrong any individual or human being. It should be noted here that saying Subhan Allah also changes the human condition. Upon hearing about Paradise and its blessings and witnessing Allah’s favors and bounties, a person says Subhan Allah in a state of happiness and joy, with feelings of gratitude in their heart. Whereas upon witnessing the state of torment, one says Subhan Allah with a trembling heart, acknowledging that Allah is free from oppression and injustice. The evidence for saying Subhan Allah upon witnessing the state of torment is this authentic hadith from Sahih Bukhari.
Sayyiduna Samurah bin Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) often asked the companions if any of them had seen a dream. Whoever wished would narrate their dream to the Prophet (peace be upon him). One morning, he said that two people came to him at night and took him along. He followed them. Then they came to a person lying down, near whom another person was standing with stones. The standing person would throw stones at the head of the lying person, causing his head to burst open and then roll away. The standing person would go after the head, pick it up, and before reaching the lying person, the head would be restored to its original state. The standing person would then throw stones at it again in the same manner.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that he asked them:
سبحان الله ما هذان؟
“Subhan Allah, who are these two?”
They said, “Move forward, move forward.” So we moved forward and came to another person lying on his back, near whom another person was standing with an iron hook. He would come to one side of the face and tear the jaw down to the chest, the nose down to the chest, and the eye down to the chest. Then he would go to the other side and tear it in the same way as the first side. Before he finished the second side, the first side would return to its normal state. Then he would repeat the same process as before. I said:
سبحان الله ما هذان؟
“Subhan Allah! Who are these two?”
They said, “Move forward.” So we moved forward and came to something like an oven. There was noise and commotion inside. When we looked inside, there were some naked men and women, and flames of fire were coming from beneath them. When the fire enveloped them, they would scream. (The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that he asked them: Who are these people? They said: Move forward, move forward.) We moved forward and came to a river. It was red like blood. A person was swimming in the river, and on the bank was another person who had gathered many stones. When the swimmer reached the person with the stones, he would open his mouth, and the person on the bank would put stones into his mouth. Then he would swim again and return to the person, opening his mouth each time to receive stones. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that he asked: Who are these? They said: Move forward, move forward. Then we moved forward and came to a very ugly man, the ugliest you could ever see. There was fire burning near him, and he was fanning it, running around it. (The Prophet (peace be upon him) said) I asked them: What is this? They said: Move forward, move forward. We moved forward and came to a garden that was lush and green, with all the flowers of spring. In the middle of the garden was a very tall person, so tall that it was difficult for me to see his head; he was speaking to the sky. Around this person were many children. (The Prophet (peace be upon him) said) I asked: Who is this and who are these children? They said: Move forward, move forward. Then we moved forward and reached a magnificent garden. I had never seen such a large and beautiful garden. They said: Climb it. When we climbed it, we saw a city built such that one brick was gold and another was silver. We came to the city gate, which was opened for us, and we entered. We met people whose bodies were half very beautiful and half very ugly. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that the two then told these people to go and jump into a river flowing nearby. The water was very white. The people went and jumped in, and when they returned to us, their first defect was gone, and they had become very beautiful. (The Prophet (peace be upon him) said) Then the two said: This is Paradise (Jannat al-Adn), and this is your destination. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that when he looked up, he saw a palace like a white cloud above. They said: This is your destination. I said: May Allah bless you. Let me enter it. They said: You cannot enter it now, but you will surely enter it. I said: Last night I saw strange things. What were these things that I saw? They said: We will tell you. The first person whose head was being crushed by stones was someone who had learned the Qur’an but then abandoned it and neglected the obligatory prayers, sleeping instead. The person whose jaw, nose, and eye were being torn was someone who went out in the morning and spread false news that spread throughout the world. The naked men and women in the oven were adulterous men and women. The person swimming in the river and having stones put into his mouth was a usurer. The ugly man fanning the fire and running around it was the guardian of Hell named Malik. The tall person in the garden was Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), and the children around him were those who died in childhood naturally. Some Muslims asked: O Messenger of Allah! Are the children of polytheists also among them? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Yes, the children of polytheists are also among them. As for the people whose bodies were half beautiful and half ugly, they were those who did both good and bad deeds, and Allah forgave their sins.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said in this hadith that he said Subhan Allah twice upon seeing people afflicted with torment. This indicates that upon witnessing states of torment or hearing such events, one can say the phrase Subhan Allah. However, this phrase should be said at such times with a trembling heart and as an expression of Allah’s awe and greatness. Whereas upon hearing verses about torment without understanding their meanings, saying Subhan Allah in a state of happiness and joy and expressing that joy by swaying is not appropriate. (And Allah knows best)
While Descending from a Height:
When descending stairs or any high place, say Subhan Allah. Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنه says:
”كنا إذا صعدنا كبرنا ، وإذ انزلنا سحنا ”.
“When we would climb (to a height), we would say Allahu Akbar, and when we would descend (to a low place), we would say Subhan Allah.”
Summary:
The aforementioned places are evidence that the phrase Subhan Allah has been frequently used in the Arabic language, and during conversations, Arabs have often used it according to the occasion and context. Therefore, this phrase can be spoken anywhere according to the situation and place. However, it should be kept in mind that it should be appropriate to the speech, and not even a bit of dignity of this phrase should be harmed. The state in which this phrase is uttered should also have its effects prevailing on the speaker. For example, if one says Subhan Allah after hearing about Paradise and its conditions or after witnessing Allah’s blessings and favors, then feelings of gratitude should be present in the servant’s heart. If one says Subhan Allah after hearing about the Day of Judgment and its conditions or verses about punishment, then it should be said with a trembling heart out of fear of Allah’s majesty and grandeur. If one says Subhan Allah out of humility and meekness, then the state of humility and helplessness should prevail while saying this phrase. Accordingly, whatever tone or state one uses to say Subhan Allah, that tone and state should be present in the servant.
Also, there should be love for the phrase Subhan Allah. This is because the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the righteous companions (may Allah be pleased with them) loved this phrase, which is why it was included in their remembrances and was also a part of their daily conversations. Those individuals whose speech includes curses and whose habitual speech is full of foul language should remove this filth from their speech and include the fragrant scent of Subhan Allah in their conversations. When the color and light of Subhan Allah spread in our speech, then the grievances and bitterness of hearts will be removed. Hatred increases with curses and feelings get hurt, whereas good deeds increase with Subhan Allah and hearts draw closer. This is because Subhan Allah contains the color of Allah, and Allah Almighty says:
صبغة الله ومن أحسن من الله صبغة ونحن له عبدون الله
Adopt the color of Allah, and who has a better color than Allah? We worship Him.
