Three phrases—Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar—are among the most meritorious forms of dhikr (remembrance of Allah), carrying abundant rewards that will elevate one’s rank in the Hereafter.
It was narrated that a man said to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): “O Messenger of Allah, indeed the legislated acts of Islam have become too much for me; inform me of something I can cling to.” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: “Let not your tongue cease to be moist with the remembrance of Allah.”
In Surah Ahzab, Ayah 41, Allah commands: “O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance.”
This dhikr is powerful—it is said to be light on the tongue yet heavy in the scales of good deeds.
Meaning and Benefits of Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar
Authentic hadith teaches that all the sins of a person—even if they were to cover the surface of the sea—will be forgiven for those who recite Subhanallah thirty-three times, Alhamdulillah thirty-three times, Allahu Akbar thirty-three times, and then recite “La ilaha illallahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa ala kulli shai’in Qadir” once, totaling one hundred dhikr.
The Prophet (ﷺ) also said: “Shall I tell you something better than what you have asked for? When you go to your beds, say ‘Allahu Akbar’ thirty-four times, ‘Alhamdulillah’ thirty-three times, and ‘Subhanallah’ thirty-three times. This is better for you than what you have requested.”
Hadith on the Virtue of These Dhikr
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever recites after every prayer: Subhan-Allah (Allah is free from imperfection) thirty-three times; Al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah) thirty-three times; Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest) thirty-three times; and completes the hundred with: La ilaha illallahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadir (there is no true god except Allah. He is One and has no partner with Him. His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Omnipotent), will have all his sins pardoned even if they may be as large as the foam on the surface of the sea.”
For non-native Arabic-speaking Muslims, it is crucial to understand the meaning of what we recite. Without understanding, dhikr can feel tedious, like an obligatory chore. But when we truly comprehend and feel passionate about these words, we can be emotionally moved and find joy in recitation—no longer seeing it as a dreaded task.
We may get distracted in life by pursuing career advancements, jobs, or businesses, but we must remember that it is Allah’s will that enables these things. Allah says: “I am just as My slave thinks I am (i.e., I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him), and I am with him if he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in his heart, I too remember him in Mine; if he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a gathering better than theirs; if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.”
Meaning of the Dhikr Phrases
These are the meanings of the key dhikr phrases:
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Subhan Allah (Arabic: سبحان الله) – “Allah is free from imperfection”
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Al-hamdu lillah (Arabic: الحمد لله) – “All praise is due to Allah”
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Allahu Akbar (Arabic: الله أكبر) – “Allah is Greatest”
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La ilaha illallah (Arabic: لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ) – “There is no deity but Allah”
Utter these words mindfully, and inshallah Allah will be by your side.
Allah says in the Quran: “Allah will not call you to account for that which is unintentional in your oaths, but He will call you to account for that which your hearts have earned. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Forbearing.” (2:225)
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