❀ Saying “Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā” After Reciting Sūrah al-Aʿlā – A Practice Proven from the Ṣaḥābah ❀
Based on: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitāb aṣ-Ṣalāh, Page 401
Is it Sunnah or legislated to say “Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā” after reciting the verse
“سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَىٰ” from Sūrah al-Aʿlā during prayer?
It is not authentically established from the Prophet ﷺ himself that he would say “Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā” specifically after reciting this verse.
Reference: Shahādat, Islamabad – Volume: Issue 12, Page 14, December 2000
While the Prophet ﷺ is not reported to have done so, several Companions of the Prophet did engage in this practice, and no one among the Ṣaḥābah is reported to have opposed it.
He used to repeat the verse itself:
“سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَىٰ”
Source: Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah, Vol. 2, Page 509
Chain: Ṣaḥīḥ
When he recited the verse during Jumuʿah prayer, he would say:
“سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ”
Source: Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah, Vol. 2, Page 598
Chain: Ṣaḥīḥ
This practice is also reported from:
◈ ʿAbdullāh ibn az-Zubayr رضي الله عنه
◈ ʿImrān ibn Ḥuṣayn رضي الله عنه
These reports collectively support the permissibility and validity of this utterance after the verse, especially in prayer.
In audible prayers (jahriyyah):
✔ It is obligatory for the follower to recite only Sūrah al-Fātiḥah.
✘ In the remaining recitation by the imām, the muqtadī must remain silent.
✔ It is correct and supported by multiple Ṣaḥābah to say:
“سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ”
after reciting the verse
“سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَىٰ” in Sūrah al-Aʿlā.
✔ Though not explicitly from the Prophet ﷺ, it remains a valid practice in light of sound athār from the Companions.
✔ Muqtadīs (followers) in congregational prayers should remain silent during the Imām’s recitation (other than al-Fātiḥah).
Published in Shahādat, October 2003
ھٰذا ما عندي، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
Based on: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitāb aṣ-Ṣalāh, Page 401
❖ Question:
Is it Sunnah or legislated to say “Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā” after reciting the verse
“سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَىٰ” from Sūrah al-Aʿlā during prayer?
✿ Ruling Based on the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
It is not authentically established from the Prophet ﷺ himself that he would say “Subḥāna Rabbiyal-Aʿlā” specifically after reciting this verse.
Reference: Shahādat, Islamabad – Volume: Issue 12, Page 14, December 2000✿ Practice of the Companions (Ṣaḥābah)
While the Prophet ﷺ is not reported to have done so, several Companions of the Prophet did engage in this practice, and no one among the Ṣaḥābah is reported to have opposed it.
✔ ➊ ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما
He used to repeat the verse itself:
“سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَىٰ”
Source: Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah, Vol. 2, Page 509Chain: Ṣaḥīḥ
✔ ➋ Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī رضي الله عنه
When he recited the verse during Jumuʿah prayer, he would say:
“سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ”
Source: Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah, Vol. 2, Page 598Chain: Ṣaḥīḥ
✔ ➌ Other Companions:
This practice is also reported from:
◈ ʿAbdullāh ibn az-Zubayr رضي الله عنه
◈ ʿImrān ibn Ḥuṣayn رضي الله عنه
These reports collectively support the permissibility and validity of this utterance after the verse, especially in prayer.
✦ Important Note Regarding the Congregant (Muqtadī)
In audible prayers (jahriyyah):
✔ It is obligatory for the follower to recite only Sūrah al-Fātiḥah.
✘ In the remaining recitation by the imām, the muqtadī must remain silent.
Final Conclusion:
✔ It is correct and supported by multiple Ṣaḥābah to say:
“سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَىٰ”
after reciting the verse
“سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَىٰ” in Sūrah al-Aʿlā.
✔ Though not explicitly from the Prophet ﷺ, it remains a valid practice in light of sound athār from the Companions.
✔ Muqtadīs (followers) in congregational prayers should remain silent during the Imām’s recitation (other than al-Fātiḥah).
Published in Shahādat, October 2003ھٰذا ما عندي، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
