Authored by: Fadhilat al-Shaykh Hafiz Abdul Sattar Hammad (may Allah preserve him)
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 6405]
"Whoever says سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ one hundred times in a day, his sins will be forgiven even if they are as much as the foam of the sea."
② In some contexts, Tasbīḥ refers to the remembrance (dhikr) of Allah and optional prayers (nafl ṣalāh) as well. The reason behind the special prayer known as Ṣalāh al-Tasbīḥ is precisely this—because of the abundance of Tasbīḥ recited in it.
[Fatḥ al-Bārī, 11/247]
③ It should be noted that saying "سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ" results in the forgiveness of those sins which pertain to the rights of Allah and are not within the scope of shirk (polytheism) or bid‘ah (innovation).
④ The rights of fellow humans (ḥuqūq al-‘ibād) cannot be forgiven without the consent of the one whose right was violated. Likewise, the forgiveness of shirk and bid‘ah requires sincere repentance.
⑤ This dhikr can be recited at any time during the day. Whether one recites the full hundred times in a single sitting or spreads it throughout the day in separate intervals, the promised virtue remains the same. However, it is preferable to complete the count of one hundred at the beginning of the day.
"Which speech is the best?"
He replied:
"That which Allah has chosen for His angels: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ"
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, al-Dhikr wa al-Du‘ā’, 6921]
"O Allah! We glorify You with Your praise and declare Your purity."
[al-Baqarah: 30]
[Fatḥ al-Bārī, 11/248]
✦ Immense Forgiveness Through Dhikr ✦
مَنْ قَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ. فِي يَوْمٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ حُطَّتْ خَطَايَاهُ، وَإِنْ كَانَتْ مِثْلَ زَبَدِ الْبَحْرِ[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 6405]
"Whoever says سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ one hundred times in a day, his sins will be forgiven even if they are as much as the foam of the sea."
✦ Benefits ✦
① Declaring Allah as free from all imperfections unbefitting His Majesty is known as Tasbīḥ. This declaration also inherently negates attributing to Him any partners, spouse, or offspring.② In some contexts, Tasbīḥ refers to the remembrance (dhikr) of Allah and optional prayers (nafl ṣalāh) as well. The reason behind the special prayer known as Ṣalāh al-Tasbīḥ is precisely this—because of the abundance of Tasbīḥ recited in it.
[Fatḥ al-Bārī, 11/247]
③ It should be noted that saying "سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ" results in the forgiveness of those sins which pertain to the rights of Allah and are not within the scope of shirk (polytheism) or bid‘ah (innovation).
④ The rights of fellow humans (ḥuqūq al-‘ibād) cannot be forgiven without the consent of the one whose right was violated. Likewise, the forgiveness of shirk and bid‘ah requires sincere repentance.
⑤ This dhikr can be recited at any time during the day. Whether one recites the full hundred times in a single sitting or spreads it throughout the day in separate intervals, the promised virtue remains the same. However, it is preferable to complete the count of one hundred at the beginning of the day.
✦ The Most Beloved Words to Allah ✦
The excellence of these words has also been narrated in another form. The Prophet ﷺ was once asked:"Which speech is the best?"
He replied:
"That which Allah has chosen for His angels: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ"
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, al-Dhikr wa al-Du‘ā’, 6921]
✦ Explanation by Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar ✦
Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar comments that this refers to the statement of the angels:"O Allah! We glorify You with Your praise and declare Your purity."
[al-Baqarah: 30]
[Fatḥ al-Bārī, 11/248]
