Authored by: Fadhilat al-Shaykh Hafiz Abdul Sattar Hammad (may Allah preserve him)
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2137]
"The most beloved words to Allah are four: Subḥān Allāh, Alḥamdulillāh, Lā ilāha illā Allāh, and Allāhu Akbar."
❶ Subḥān Allāh – This represents the declaration of Allah’s absolute purity and freedom from any deficiency or imperfection.
❷ Alḥamdulillāh – This proclaims praise and gratitude, attributing all perfection and excellence to Allah alone.
❸ Lā ilāha illā Allāh – This affirms the oneness of Allah, acknowledging that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him.
❹ Allāhu Akbar – This expresses the greatness and majesty of Allah above all.
Despite their brevity, these four phrases encompass glorification, praise, affirmation of monotheism, and the proclamation of Allah's supreme greatness.
"Saying Subḥān Allāh, Alḥamdulillāh, Lā ilāha illā Allāh, and Allāhu Akbar once is more beloved to me than everything upon which the sun rises."
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, al-Dhikr wa al-Duʿāʾ, 6847]
"Subḥān Allāh, Alḥamdulillāh, Lā ilāha illā Allāh, and Allāhu Akbar shed the sins of a servant just as the leaves fall from that tree."
[Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, al-Daʿawāt, 3533]
✦ The Most Beloved Words to Allah ✦
أَحَبُّ الْكَلاَمِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَرْبَعٌ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2137]
"The most beloved words to Allah are four: Subḥān Allāh, Alḥamdulillāh, Lā ilāha illā Allāh, and Allāhu Akbar."
✦ Benefits ✦
The Prophet ﷺ instructed the Ummah with specific words of remembrance (dhikr), which fall into four meaningful categories:❶ Subḥān Allāh – This represents the declaration of Allah’s absolute purity and freedom from any deficiency or imperfection.
❷ Alḥamdulillāh – This proclaims praise and gratitude, attributing all perfection and excellence to Allah alone.
❸ Lā ilāha illā Allāh – This affirms the oneness of Allah, acknowledging that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him.
❹ Allāhu Akbar – This expresses the greatness and majesty of Allah above all.
Despite their brevity, these four phrases encompass glorification, praise, affirmation of monotheism, and the proclamation of Allah's supreme greatness.
✦ Their Value in the Sight of the Prophet ﷺ ✦
The Prophet ﷺ said:"Saying Subḥān Allāh, Alḥamdulillāh, Lā ilāha illā Allāh, and Allāhu Akbar once is more beloved to me than everything upon which the sun rises."
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, al-Dhikr wa al-Duʿāʾ, 6847]
✦ Forgiveness Through These Words ✦
Another Hadith highlights their power in expiating sins. The Prophet ﷺ once passed by a tree with withered leaves. He struck it with his staff, causing the dry leaves to fall. He then remarked:"Subḥān Allāh, Alḥamdulillāh, Lā ilāha illā Allāh, and Allāhu Akbar shed the sins of a servant just as the leaves fall from that tree."
[Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, al-Daʿawāt, 3533]
