What does "SubhanAllah" mean and when do I say it?
Yes, it has a clear meaning: "SubhanAllah" means "Glory be to Allah", declaring that Allah is free from every flaw or imperfection. Muslims say it in dhikr, in prayer, after each prayer, and spontaneously when they see something amazing or hear something surprising. It is one of the easiest and most rewarded phrases you can learn.
What it means
"Subhan" comes from an Arabic root that carries the idea of being far above and removed from something. So SubhanAllah means Allah is far above anything that doesn't befit Him: weakness, mistakes, needing a partner or a child, or anything people wrongly attribute to Him. The Sahih Muslim translators render it as "Exalted is Allah (He is free from imperfection)".
When Muslims say it
- When amazed: a sunset, a newborn baby, a stunning view. It replaces "Wow" or "Oh my God". See Can I still say "Oh my God"?
- When surprised or correcting a misunderstanding: when Abu Huraira avoided the Prophet ﷺ because he needed a ritual bath, the Prophet ﷺ said: "Subhan Allah! A believer never becomes impure" (Sahih al-Bukhari 283).
- Going downhill: the Companions said "Subhan Allah" whenever they went down a place, and "Allahu Akbar" going up (Sahih al-Bukhari 2993).
- In prayer: in ruku the Prophet ﷺ said "Glory be to my mighty Lord" (Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim) and in sujood "Glory be to my most high Lord" (Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la) (Sunan Abi Dawud 871).
- To alert the imam: if the imam makes a mistake, "The saying 'Sub Han Allah' is for men and clapping is for women" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1203).
- After each prayer: 33 times, together with Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar (Sahih Muslim 597). See What should I say after every prayer?
Its reward
- 1,000 good deeds a day: the Prophet ﷺ said that saying it a hundred times means "one thousand virtues are recorded (to your credit) and one thousand vices are blotted out" (Sahih Muslim 2698).
- Heavy on the scale: SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi and SubhanAllahil-Azim are "light on the tongue, but heavy in scale, dear to the Compassionate One" (Sahih Muslim 2694).
- Filling the space between heaven and earth: "Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah) and al-Hamdu Lillah fill up what is between the heavens and the earth" (Sahih Muslim 223).
How to pronounce it
Say it as "Sub-haa-nal-laah", with a soft breathy "h" (not a hard "k" sound). Don't worry if your Arabic accent isn't perfect at first. Allah knows what you mean, and your pronunciation will improve as you listen to others. Listening to a recording of the after-prayer dhikr a few times is an easy way to get it right.
- SubhanAllah means "Glory be to Allah", free from every imperfection.
- Say it when amazed, surprised, going downhill and in dhikr.
- It is part of ruku, sujood and the after-prayer dhikr.
- 100 times a day earns 1,000 good deeds.
People also ask
What dua do I say when entering the bathroom?
Yes, say "Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-khubuthi wal-khaba'ith" before you go in, and "Ghufranak" when you come out again.
Read the full answer →Can I do dhikr in the bathroom?
No, not out loud while using the toilet; it's disliked. Silent dhikr in your heart is fine, and the entering and leaving duas are said at the door.
Read the full answer →What should I say after every prayer?
Yes, there's a short routine: Astaghfirullah 3 times, Allahumma antas-salam, then SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar 33 times each.
Read the full answer →Is it okay to keep making the same dua for years?
Yes, it's encouraged. Don't give up: every sincere dua is answered, turned into protection from harm, or saved as reward for you.
Read the full answer →Why isn't Allah answering my dua?
No dua is ignored. Allah gives what you asked or keeps a harm away. Impatience and haram income can hold dua back, so keep asking.
Read the full answer →