The phrase and its pronunciation
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِSubḥān Allāh
Glory be to God
Meaning
Declaring God exempt from anything unfitting and affirming the perfection of His attributes.
When to say it
- In awe at God’s creation.
- In the 33 tasbih after prayer.
- In bowing and prostration.
How to reply
No special reply; it is said in remembrance, often with “wa bihamdih.”
The evidence
كَلِمَتَانِ خَفِيفَتَانِ عَلَى اللِّسَانِ، ثَقِيلَتَانِ فِي الْمِيزَانِ، حَبِيبَتَانِ إِلَى الرَّحْمَنِ: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِTwo words light on the tongue, heavy in the scale, beloved to the Most Merciful: Glory be to God and praise Him; Glory be to God the Magnificent.
Frequently asked questions
Texts and translations are under scholarly review.