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