The beauty of Islam is that there are multiple ways to worship in order to increase good deeds and to seek blessings from Allah (SWT). One of those best ways is to recite Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar. These words are very short but have immense rewards & benefits.
We all wish to weigh our scales with good deeds that would help us at the time of day of judgment, isn’t it? Well, this form of Dhikr could really be one of the best opportunities to increase good deeds, and also sins being forgiven even if they are as abundant as the foam of the sea.
Meaning of Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, & Allahu Akbar in English
SubhanAllah
When we see scenery or a beautiful creation by Allah, the first word we say is SubhanAllah, right? But what does it really mean?
The short meaning of this word is Allah is free from imperfection.
Also, read – Meaning of Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi
Alhamdulillah
Alhamdulillah is an Arabic word that means all praise and gratitude belongs to Allah (SWT).
Showing gratitude to Allah by saying Alhamdulillah frequently will increase the favors Allah has given you. A reference from the Qur’an has given below:
“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you (in favor)” – [Quran 14:7]
We must always thank Allah for everything we have today. This will strengthen your faith and relationship with Allah. Negligence, being ungrateful, and arrogance will be subjected to His punishment.
Allahu Akbar
The meaning of this word is Allah is the Greatest. There is nothing else greater or superior to Him.
Reciting Subhanallah Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar is the best way to remember Allah very often, every day!
In the light of Hadith…
‘Abdullah bin Busr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
One of the Companions said, “O Messenger of Allah. There are many injunctions of Islam for me. So tell me something to which I may hold fast.” He said, “Keep your tongue wet with the remembrance of Allah.” [At-Tirmidhi].
Benefits of Reciting These Words
The person who recites Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar, and then recites la ilaha illallahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa ala kulli shai’in Qadir, his sins will be forgiven even if they are as abundant as the foam of the sea.
This can be seen in an authentic Hadith mentioned below.
Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA) Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever glorifies Allah (by saying Subhan-Allah) after every Salat (prayer) thirty-three times, and praises Allah (by saying Alhamdu-lillah) thirty-three times, and exalts Allah (by saying Allahu Akbar) thirty-three times, those are ninety-nine in all, and says to complete a hundred: La ilaha ill-Allahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahulhamdu, wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadir (There is nothing which deserves to be worshipped except Allah Alone Who has no partner; to Him belongs the kingdom, to Him praise is due, and He has power over everything), his sins will be forgiven, even if they are as abundant as the foam of the sea.” [Reported by Muslim]
English translation: Book 2, Hadith 322
Ibn Mas’ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “I met Ibrahim on the Night of Ascension (Al-Asra), and he said to me: ‘O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your Ummah, and tell them that Jannah has a vast plain of pure soil and sweet water. It is a plain levelled land. The plants grow there by uttering: Subhan-Allah, Al-hamdu lillah, La ilaha illallah and Allahu Akbar (Allah is free from imperfection; praise be to Allah; there is no true god except Allah; and Allah is Greatest).” [At- Tirmidhi].
Another Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari 3113 is mentioned in the below image [source].
When Can You Recite SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar?
The following are some of the ways to keep your tongue wet by reciting these words frequently.
- Recite these words before sleeping.
- Follow the Sunnah, recite it after your Salah.
- Recite it when you’re traveling.
- When you’re alone, doing nothing during that specific time.
- Sometimes people get free time during work. This could be the best opportunity as well.
- When you’re chilling at home.
Recite these powerful words as much as you can to declare the greatness of Allah (SWT) whenever you find yourself free!
Allah (SWT) has bestowed us with plenty of blessings with food, water, wealth, good health, property, status, transport, and a lot more… shouldn’t we honor Him with remembrance and thank Him for everything we have?
