SubhanAllah Meaning In Islam: When & Why Do Muslims Say It?

SubhaAllah meaning in Islam: Subhan Allah meaning in Islam is ‘Glory to God’. It’s an expression that Allah SWT is free from any defect. It’s a confirmation that Allah SWT is perfect and great. So when we look at any creation of Allah SWT, for example, a waterfall, we abruptly say Subhan Allah (as a replacement of wow) as only Allah SWT, the Magnificient, has the power to create such wonders of the world.

Benefits of Saying SubhanAllah

Subhan in Arabic has the connotation of swimming. Hence, Subhan Allah’s meaning can be derived from Allah SWT’s similitude to a vast ocean and how we humans depend on Him. Subhan Allah is an expression used by many Muslims frequently. Here we will discuss why Muslims say Subhan Allah while reflecting on its virtues.

Difference Between Subhan Allah and Mashallah?

Often others are confused about when to say Subhan Allah and Masha Allah and wonder if they can be used interchangeably. Masha Allah is used when we are to praise someone’s possession or achievement by attributing it to Allah SWT.

For example, when commenting on another person’s beauty, or clothes, we say: Masha Allah, you are beautiful (meaning we are attributing that beauty to Allah SWT as He created that person beautiful).

However, we say Subhan Allah when we are awestruck by Allah SWT’s bounty and glory. For example, with mesmerizing view of the green forest and serene sky, we will automatically say Subhan Allah. Hence, we are praising Allah SWT for His creation.

Prophet Muhammad PBUH advised saying Subhan Allah in addition to other words of praise to Allah SWT (Tasbeeh) 33 times after each prayer. Thus, we should say Subhan Allah (God is perfect) 33 times, Alhamdulilah (All praise is due to Allah) 33 times, and Allahu Akbar (Allah is greatest)33 times.

It is further supported by the Hadith below:

Why Do Muslims Say ‘Subhan Allah’?

It is the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet PBUH. He often said Subhan Allah, Alhamdulilah and Allahu Akbar tasbeeh together on many occasions. Following Hadith tells the significance of Subhan Allah and other tasbeehat.

4 – To Praise Allah

When Muslims are in awe of Allah SWT’s creation, so it’s a way of praising the Almighty.

3 – Get Closer to Allah

When a Muslim holds much love, respect, and Taqwa for Allah SWT in his/her heart, these words come out with a flow. Many times without any reminder as an expression. It is a way by which Muslims feel nearness to Allah.
The following Hadith states how saying Subhan Allah is heavy of one’s weight of good deeds. Here are some more tips on How to Get Closer to Allah

Reciting Subhan Allah a way of bringing your heart at peace when one is under stress or merely when one is seeking solace. It is a means of seeking forgiveness as, in our everyday lives, we tend to commit sins. With the hope of being forgiven, it keeps us on track.

Prophet Muhammad PBUH also recommended saying its tasbeeh after the end of every prayer and before bedtime. Muslims say it other times too as there is no restriction on the frequency and occasion of saying it.

2 – Expiation of Sins

It’s a way of expiation for sins at the end of the gathering. This is assessed by the Hadith below. That’s why we observe that to date at the end of every sermon it is recited in case there have been any shortcomings.

1 – The Rewards of Saying SubhanAllah

No matter how busy they are, Muslims should always be reminded to say Subhan Allah whenever they can when alone and keep their tongue moist with its zikr. This will prevent idle and satanic thoughts and immense contentment can be felt. It’s not necessary to be in a state of wudu when reciting it. The following are among the many rewards of reciting Subhan Allah:

A Date Palm Tree will be planted in Paradise

Prophet Mohammad PBUH said that a person who recites Subhanallah wa bihamdihi, a date palm, will be planted for that person in Paradise. (At-Tirmidhi)

Means of Allah’s Forgiveness

Allah’s Messenger Muhammad PBUH said that a person who recites Subḥānallāhi wa biḥamdihi a hundred times in a day, that person will have sins forgiven even if those sins are like the foam of the sea. This is evident from the Hadith below:

Opportunity to Get a Reward Equal to 1000 Hasnaa

According to Hadith narrated by Muslim, Prophet Muhammad PBUH said that when we glorify Allah SWT a hundred times, 1000 Hasanah will be written for us, or a thousand sins will be wiped away.

Concluding Remarks:

Hence we can conclude that Subhan Allah is en used on many occasions. Just a mean of Tasbeeh when praising Allah SWT or expressing our awe for His creation and bounties. May Allah SWT give us ample opportunity to recite this Tasbeeh so as to gain His pleasure and as a means to increase of weight of good deeds. Ameen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why do Muslims say Subhan Allah?

Muslims say Subhan Allah as a means to praise Allah SWT. Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH taught us to do zikr and say Subhan Allah as it was amongst his practice. When a Muslim says Subhan Allah in zikr it draws him/her closer to the Almighty and repels worries and grievances, among many other benefits.

Q. When do you say Subhan Allah?

A Muslim can say Subhan Allah as many times as he/she wishes. But, it’s more often said when one is amazed and is overjoyed. There are no restricted times and occasions for saying, Subhan Allah. In Hadith (Hadith reference 1:804) Prophet PBUH advised to say SubhanAllah 33 times along with Alhamdulilah and Allahu Akbar.

Q. Why do Muslims keep saying Alhamdulillah?

Alhamdulillah means all praise and thank to Allah SWT. Therefore, a pious Muslim will not only say Alhamdulilah in times of gratitude or sheer joy but also in times of trials because he/she knows that Allah SWT has created the situation and Allah SWT has the power to create a solution. When a Muslim feels the need to express gratitude to Allah SWT, he/she says Alhamdulilah.

Q. What is the meaning of Subhan Allah Walhamdulillah?

Subhan Allah means “Glory to Allah”. Alhamdulillah means “Praise be to Allah”. So Subhan Alah Walhamdulillah means Glory to Allah SWT and Praise to Allah SWT. Muslims say this Tasbeeh as Prophet Muhammad PBUH told us it’s a mean of adding rewards.

Q. What do Muslims say after saying Allah's name?

When writing the name of God, that is Allah SWT, Muslims often use the abbreviation “SWT,” like the one used in this article. It means “Subhanahu wa ta’ala.” This is because Muslims use the word Allah SWT to glorify Allah when mentioning his name. Therefore, the Almighty deserves the best of praise as He is our Creator and Provider. It means that Allah SWT is free from any defect and is worthy of all praise.