The Most Beloved and Preferred Adhkar of the Prophet ﷺ
By: Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi – Based on PDF source❖ Introduction
Among the remembrances (Adhkar) found in the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, certain phrases are described as the most beloved and preferred by Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. These include:
❀ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ
❀ اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ
❀ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ
❀ اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ
❀ لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ
❖ Importance and Virtue of These Phrases
Narrated by Samurah ibn Jundub (RA), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:"The most beloved words to Allah are four: Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, and Allahu Akbar."
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2137)
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:"To say Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, and Allahu Akbar is more beloved to me than all that the sun rises upon."
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2695)
In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said:"Shall I not teach you a word from beneath the Throne, from the treasures of Paradise? Say: 'La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah', and Allah responds: 'My servant has submitted and surrendered to Me.'"
(Mustadrak al-Hakim, Hadith 622 – authenticated by al-Hakim)
These phrases are spiritual foundations that build and strengthen a believer’s relationship with Allah, nurturing the heart with love, humility, and trust.
✿ Detailed Explanation and Reflections on Each Dhikr
① سُبْحَانَ اللهِ (Subhan Allah)
This phrase is the greatest declaration of divine perfection. It means:
"O Allah, I firmly believe that You are free from all imperfections, deficiencies, and weaknesses."
Qur’anic Evidence:
- "سُبْحَانَ رَبِّكَ رَبِّ الْعِزَّةِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ"
(Surah al-Saffat: 180) - "سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ عُلُوًّا كَبِيرًا"
(Surah al-Isra: 43)
It affirms that:
◈ Allah is above all false descriptions.
◈ He is free of any partner in the creation or governance of the universe.
◈ Everything He created has a purpose and is far from vanity.
◈ Every divine decree is just, and His laws are free of error or injustice.
◈ The entire universe glorifies Him, as in:
"يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ..."
(Surah al-Jumu‘ah: 1)
② اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ (Alhamdulillah)
This phrase is the essence of gratitude and tawhid of Lordship.
"O Allah, I firmly believe that all praise and thanks are solely due to You."
Qur’anic Evidence:
- "الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ"
(Surah al-Fatiha: 1) - "وَمَا بِكُم مِّن نِّعْمَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ..."
(Surah al-Nahl: 53)
It reminds the believer that:
◈ Every blessing — physical, emotional, or spiritual — is from Allah alone.
◈ True gratitude is not merely verbal, but is expressed through obedience, not disobedience.
Prophetic Example:
Before sleeping, the Prophet ﷺ would say:
"Alhamdulillah, who sufficed me, sheltered me, fed me, and quenched my thirst..."
(Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith 5058 – Authenticated by al-Albani)
③ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ (La ilaha illallah)
This is the core of Islamic belief and the gateway to Islam.
"O Allah, I affirm with certainty that there is no deity worthy of worship except You."
Qur’anic Evidence:
- "إِنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدُونِ"
(Surah al-Anbiya: 25) - "اتَّبِعْ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۖ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ"
(Surah al-An‘am: 106) - "أَمَّن يُجِيبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ..."
(Surah al-Naml: 62)
It affirms that:
◈ Worship, obedience, and seeking help are exclusively for Allah.
◈ All false deities and intermediaries are rejected.
Prophetic Tradition:
The Prophet ﷺ said to Musa (عليه السلام):
"Say: La ilaha illallah. If the heavens and the earth were placed on one side of a scale and this phrase on the other, it would outweigh them all."
(Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadith 6158)
④ اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allahu Akbar)
This phrase builds a believer’s awareness of Allah’s majesty and supremacy.
"O Allah, I believe with certainty that You are the Greatest in every respect."
Qur’anic Evidence:
- "وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْكَبِيرُ"
(Surah al-Hajj: 62) - "وَكَبِّرْهُ تَكْبِيرًا"
(Surah al-Isra: 111)
It emphasizes that:
◈ Allah is greater than everything — creation, power, needs, or dependency.
◈ All creation is insignificant compared to His grandeur.
⑤ لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ (La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah)
This dhikr is from the treasures beneath the Throne, affirming that:
"O Allah, I have firm faith that I cannot attain any good nor avoid any evil without Your help and permission."
Qur’anic and Hadith References:
- It acknowledges absolute reliance upon Allah.
- The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah responds by saying:
"My servant has surrendered and submitted to Me."
(Mustadrak al-Hakim, Hadith 622 – Authenticated)
⑥ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ (Ma sha’ Allah, la quwwata illa billah)
This phrase is a supplication of praise when admiring blessings.
"O Allah, I acknowledge that all these blessings are from You. Without Your will, I could never possess them."
Qur’anic Reference:
- "وَلَوْلَا إِذْ دَخَلْتَ جَنَّتَكَ قُلْتَ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ..."
(Surah al-Kahf: 39)
❖ Final Reflections
These beloved phrases are not to be uttered heedlessly. One must understand their meanings, reflect on their depth, and recite them with devotion and sincerity, as if conversing with Allah Himself.
✔ Strengthen your Tawheed (monotheism)
✔ Elevate your gratitude and humility
✔ Cultivate your connection with Allah through daily remembrance
