Tasbeeh — the glorification of Allaah by declaring Him free from every imperfection — is one of the greatest forms of Dhikr (remembrance). It is not merely words uttered by the tongue, but a profound act of worship that revives the heart, elevates faith, and draws a believer closer to His Lord. Throughout the Qur’an and Sunnah, Tasbeeh holds a special status mentioned repeatedly as the expression of divine perfection and the constant worship of the Prophets and Angels.
There is nothing greater than Allaah, and no Dhikr (remembrance) is better than His Dhikr, Almighty. Therefore, His Dhikr is better than everything else. The example of the one who remembers His Lord and the one who does not remember Him is like the living and the dead. Rather, the status of those who remember the Lord is elevated; for Allaah mentions them in the presence of His Angels.
It is clear that Tasbeeh (Glorifying Allaah – i.e., saying Subhaan Allaah) is the best form of Dhikr. Tasbeeh is mentioned in the Noble Qur’an more than eighty times. Allaah commenced seven Surahs in His Book with Tasbeeh.
Allaah affirms Beautiful Names and Noble Attributes for Himself, and then joins them with Tasbeeh (glorifying Him). For example, Allaah (Ta’ala) says:
هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ ۚ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
“He is Allaah. None has the right to be worshipped but Him; the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Subhaan Allaah (Glorified is Allaah)! (He is High) above all that they associate as partners with Him.” [Surat Al-Hashr (59:23)]
Tasbeeh is declaring Allaah free from everything that does not suit His Perfection and Glory. Allaah is described with Perfection in His Names and Attributes, and He is declared free from all shortcomings and defects that do not suit His Glory because He is “Subboohun Quddoosun Rabbul-Malaa’ikati war-Rooh” (Glorified, Holy, Lord of the Angels and of the Rooh).
Allaah loves that the slaves praise Him. The Angels, despite the great tasks assigned to them:
يُسَبِّحُونَ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ لَا يَفْتُرُونَ
“They glorify His Praises night and day, (and) they never slacken (to do so).” [Surat Al-Anbiya’ (21:20)]
The Angels feel honored and boast in praising their Lord:
وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ الصَّافُّونَ
وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ الْمُسَبِّحُونَ
“Verily, we (Angels), we stand in rows for the prayers; Verily, we (Angels), we glorify (Allaah).” [Surat As-Saffaat (37:165-166)]
‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Abbaas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) reported: “…Allaah issues a Command when He decides to do a thing, then (the Angels) supporting the Throne make Tasbeeh for Him (glorify Allaah). Then the dwellers of heaven who are near them pronounce His Tasbeeh until this Tasbeeh reaches them who are in the heaven of this world…” – i.e., declaring Him free (of all defects) and glorifying His Command, humbly accepting, and obeying Him, the Almighty. [Saheeh Muslim (2229a)]
Tasbeeh was the Dhikr of Allaah’s Prophets and Messengers in times of appalling difficulties.
- Prophet Musa [Moses (‘Alayhis-salaam)] invoked His Lord to make his brother Haroon [Aaron (‘Alayhis-salaam)] his helper so that Haroon might help him in Tasbeeh. He said:
وَاجْعَلْ لِي وَزِيرًا مِنْ أَهْلِي، هَارُونَ أَخِي، اشْدُدْ بِهِ أَزْرِي، وَأَشْرِكْهُ فِي أَمْرِي، كَيْ نُسَبِّحَكَ كَثِيرًا، وَنَذْكُرَكَ كَثِيرًا
“Appoint for me a helper from my family, Haroon, my brother; Increase my strength with him. And let him share my task that we may glorify You much and remember You much.” [Surat Ta-Ha (20:29-34)]
2. The whole life of Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was Tasbeeh. Whenever he read the Qur’an and would pass through a verse that glorified Allaah, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would recite Tasbeeh. When he stood at night, he increased in Tasbeeh during his Rukoo’ and Sujood. When he rode an animal, he would say:
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا
“Glory is to Him, Who has provided this for us.”
When he descended a valley, he would utter Tasbeeh. When he saw something that surprised him, he would utter Tasbeeh. When he went to bed, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would mention Tasbeeh thirty-three times.
When the harms of the disbelievers intensified and the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) became anxious, and his heart was constricted, his Lord ordered him to increase in Tasbeeh in order to expand his chest, and for his worry and stress to dispel.
وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ يَضِيقُ صَدْرُكَ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ، فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُنْ مِنَ السَّاجِدِينَ
“Indeed, We know that your breast is straitened at what they say. So glorify the praises of your Lord, and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him).” [Surat Al-Hijr (15:97-98)]
Virtues of Tasbeeh
With Tasbeeh, hearts are reassured and widened, and (because of Tasbeeh) Allaah will reward one in this world and the next until one is satisfied.
Tasbeeh is a magnificent act of worship and a majestic form of obedience through which Allaah revives the hearts, one’s rewards are multiplied, and Allaah erases one’s mistakes. He (Ta’ala) forgives sins and transgressions (due to it).
Tasbeeh is Zaad (provision) for the Hereafter; they are the plants of Jannah. They are the best of statements/ phrases that are most beloved to Ar-Rahmaan (the Most Beneficent). They will weigh heavily in the Meezan (the Scale on the Day of Judgment).
Tasbeeh intercedes with Allaah on behalf of its doer, and it mentions him when matters become difficult for him. It is reported in Musnad Ahmad that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “What you mention of the Glory of Allaah i.e. His Tabseeh (Subhaan-Allaah), Tahleel (Laa ilaaha illa-Allaah) and Tahmeed (Al-Hamdu lillaah), it revolves around the Throne, buzzing like bees, reminding of the one who said it. Wouldn’t any one of you like to have or continue to have something that reminds of him (i.e., you will be remembered for) (in the presence of Allaah)?” [Saheeh At-Targheeb no. 1568 and Al-Albaani graded it Saheeh]
The Prophet of Allaah, Yunus [Jonah (‘Alayhis-salaam)] was in the darkness of night, darkness of the sea, darkness of the stomach of the whale:
وَذَا النُّونِ إِذْ ذَهَبَ مُغَاضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَنْ لَنْ نَقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَىٰ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
“And Jonah, when he stormed out in anger, thinking We had no power over him. But he cried through the darkness (saying): La ilaha illa Anta, Glorified (and Exalted) are You. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers.” [Surat Al-Anbiya’ (21:87)]
So Allaah saved him and said:
فَلَوْلَا أَنَّهُ كَانَ مِنَ الْمُسَبِّحِينَ، لَلَبِثَ فِي بَطْنِهِ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ
“Had he not been of them who glorify Allaah, He would have indeed remained inside its belly (the fish) till the Day of Resurrection.” [Surat As-Saffaat (37:143-144)]
Meaning of Tasbeeh Allaah (Glorifying Allaah)
Tanzeeh Allaah (Ta’ala) is of three kinds:
- Glorifying Allaah (Ta’ala), includes declaring Him free from that which does not suit Him of deficiencies and flaws, generally.
- Declaring Him free from everything that contradicts His Perfection and negates His Majesty such as slumber or sleep to overtake Him or having a father or son or having a peer in any aspect.
- Freeing Allaah from resemblance to any of His creation.
Tasbeeh includes praising Allaah for Attributes that suit Him. To Allaah belongs Perfect Attributes. He is attributed with Perfect Knowledge and Perfect Power, and He is free from that which contradicts His Perfection, like forgetfulness and heedlessness. Not even the weight of an atom (or a small ant) or less than or greater than that escapes His Knowledge in the heavens or in the earth. He is free from incapacity or fatigue. He is attributed with Perfect Life and Qayyoomiyah and free of death, sleep, or slumber. He is attributed with Perfect Justice and Richness, and free of oppression and needing anyone in any aspect. He is attributed with Perfect Wisdom and Mercy, and free of what contradicts that of play and foolishness. He is free of doing or legislating what negates Wisdom and Mercy, and so forth. All His Attributes are free of what contradicts or negates them.
Also, Allaah is free from resembling any of His creation or having a rival in any aspect. All creatures – no matter how great or noble they are even if they have reached the ultimate degree of magnificence that suits them; nothing of them can reach or resemble Allaah, the Originator. Rather, all their attributes diminish when compared to Allaah’s Attributes. Moreover, all that the creatures have of perfection and good attributes are given to them by Allaah. It is He (Ta’ala) Who granted them intellect, hearing, seeing, strength, and outward and inward power, and He (Ta’ala) Who taught them and inspired them, and He (Ta’ala) Who made them (the attributes) grow and He perfected them.
Allaah is free from all that contradicts His Attributes of Majesty, Grandeur, and Perfection, and He is free of having a peer, rival, co-equal, or anyone comparable to Him.
Tasbeeh of Allaah in the Qur’an
The Qur’an contains immense Tasbeeh of Allaah so that the tongue of the Qaree (the one who recites the Qur’an) gets used to the Tasbeeh of Allaah, and his heart and tongue are in harmony in glorifying Allaah and declaring His Majesty.
Tasbeeh of Allaah (Ta’ala) has been mentioned in the Qur’an in numerous instances in order to make the Qaree pay attention to those instances and ponder over them, to declare Allaah free (from that which does not suit Him) and glorify and praise Him for that what suits Him.
1. Tasbeeh of Allaah is mentioned in the Qur’an when affirming His Creation. There is no creator except Him, and this necessitates His Tasbeeh as gratitude for the blessings which Allaah has blessed His slaves with because everything that He created and subjected for His slaves is from Him Alone without any partners,
هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا
“He it is Who created for you, all that is on earth.”
[Surat Al-Baqarah (2:29)]
Hence, His creation and their subjection (helplessness) necessitate Tasbeeh of Allaah as an affirmation of His Grace, and praise for His Blessing.
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْأَزْوَاجَ كُلَّهَا مِمَّا تُنْبِتُ الْأَرْضُ وَمِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَمِمَّا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
“Glory be to Him, Who has created all the pairs of that which the earth produces, as well as of their own (human) kind (male and female), and of that which they know not.” [Surat Ya-Seen (36:36)]
ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا اسْتَوَيْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَتَقُولُوا سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ
“Remember the Favor of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say, ‘Glory to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts). And verily, to Our Lord, we indeed are to return!” [Surat Az-Zukhruf (43:13)]
When Allaah mentioned tillage (preparing the land for growing crops), and water and fire when affirming His Qudrah (Power) and His Blessing upon the slaves, He followed it with:
فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ
“Then make Tasbeeh (glorify with praises) the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.” [Surat Al-Waqi’ah (56:74)]
2. Tasbeeh of Allaah is mentioned in the Qur’an when affirming the Hikmah (Wisdom) of Allaah in His Actions and declaring Him free from frivolity (i.e., pointlessness and uselessness),
رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ
“Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You!” [Surat Aal-‘Imran (3:191)]
His Actions are not based on the demands of His slaves; therefore, we are commanded with Tasbeeh of Allaah in the following verse:
وَقَالُوا لَنْ نُؤْمِنَ لَكَ حَتَّىٰ تَفْجُرَ لَنَا مِنَ الْأَرْضِ يَنْبُوعًا، أَوْ تَكُونَ لَكَ جَنَّةٌ مِنْ نَخِيلٍ وَعِنَبٍ فَتُفَجِّرَ الْأَنْهَارَ خِلَالَهَا تَفْجِيرًا، أَوْ تُسْقِطَ السَّمَاءَ كَمَا زَعَمْتَ عَلَيْنَا كِسَفًا أَوْ تَأْتِيَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةِ قَبِيلًا، أَوْ يَكُونَ لَكَ بَيْتٌ مِنْ زُخْرُفٍ أَوْ تَرْقَىٰ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَلَنْ نُؤْمِنَ لِرُقِيِّكَ حَتَّىٰ تُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْنَا كِتَابًا نَقْرَؤُهُ ۗ قُلْ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّي هَلْ كُنْتُ إِلَّا بَشَرًا رَسُولًا
“They say: ‘We shall not believe in you [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)], until you cause a spring to gush forth from the earth for us; or you have a garden of date-palms and grapes, and cause rivers to gush forth in their midst abundantly; or you cause the heaven to fall upon us in pieces, as you have pretended, or you bring Allaah and the angels before (us) face to face; or you have a house of beautiful gilded materials (like silver and pure gold, etc.), or you ascend up into the sky, and even then we will put no faith in your ascension until you bring down for us a Book that we can read.’ Say (O Muhammad): ‘Glorified be my Lord (Allaah) above all that evil they associate with Him! Am I anything but a man, sent as a Messenger?'” [Surat Al-Israa’ (17:90-93)]
3- Tasbeeh of Allaah is mentioned in the Qur’an with regards to affirming the Qudrah (Power and Ability) of Allaah, denying inability (incapacity) for Him, and that His Qudrah is superior to all powers, and that no matter how great the intelligence, it cannot fathom (comprehend) His Qudrah or realize any of it except very little:
وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ وَالْأَرْضُ جَمِيعًا قَبْضَتُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَالسَّمَاوَاتُ مَطْوِيَّاتٌ بِيَمِينِهِ ۚ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
“They made not a just estimate of Allaah such as is due to Him. And on the Day of Resurrection, the whole of the earth will be grasped by His Hand and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified is He, and High is He above all that they associate as partners with Him!” [Surat Az-Zumar (39:67)]
فَسُبْحَانَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
“So Glorified is He and Exalted above all that they associate with Him, and in Whose Hands is the dominion of all things, and to Him you shall be returned.” [Surat Ya-Sin (36:83)]
It is from the Qudrah of Allaah that He took His Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) for al-Israa’ and ascended him to the Heavens all in one night. And (He showed His Messenger) what the minds could not have imagined unless Allaah told us and His Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) narrated to us. Therefore, the discussion about the incident of al-Israa’ began with Tasbeeh,
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ
“Glorified be He, Who took His slave for a journey by night from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) to the farthest mosque (Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem), the neighborhood whereof We have blessed in order that We might show him of Our Ayaat.” [Surat Al-Israa’ (17:1)]
4- Tasbeeh of Allaah is mentioned in the Qur’an in the context of affirming the Oneness of Allaah, and declaring Him free from the defamation of the Mushrikun like taking a wife, or a child or a partner – May Allaah be Glorified – and these are most of the instances when Tasbeeh of Allaah is mentioned in the noble Qur’an – because this is from the greatest misguidance, and the most heinous (grievous) of what Allaah is attributed with while He is free of it, and hence these instances necessitate declaring Him free and praising him,
وَقَالُوا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ وَلَدًا ۗ سُبْحَانَهُ
“They (Jews, Christians, and pagans) say, Allaah has begotten a son. Glory be to Him.” [Surat Al-Baqarah (2:116)]
إِنَّمَا اللَّهُ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ سُبْحَانَهُ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ ۘ
“For Allaah is (the only) One Ilah (God), Glory be to Him (Far Exalted is He) above having a son.” [Surat An-Nisaa’ (4:171)]
وَجَعَلُوا لِلَّهِ شُرَكَاءَ الْجِنَّ وَخَلَقَهُمْ ۖ وَخَرَقُوا لَهُ بَنِينَ وَبَنَاتٍ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۚ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
“Yet, they join the Jinn as partners in worship with Allaah, though He has created them (the Jinn), and they attribute falsely without knowledge, sons and daughters to Him. Be He Glorified and Exalted above (all) that they attribute to Him.” [Surat Al-An’aam (6:100)]
This is because Allaah is Self-Sufficient and in no need of His creation. He does not need a partner or a wife, or a son, and He is the Owner of Might, Honor, and Power.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ الْقَوِيُّ الْعَزِيزُ
“Verily, your Lord, He is the All-Strong, the All-Mighty.” [Surat Hud (11:66)]
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّكَ رَبِّ الْعِزَّةِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
“Glorified be your Lord, the Lord of Honor and Power! (He is free) from what they attribute unto Him!” [Surat As-Saffaat (37:180)]
5- Tasbeeh is mentioned in the Qur’an in the context of affirming His Justice and declaring Him free from injustice and from this is the saying of Yunus (‘Alayhis-salaam):
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
“La ilaha illa Anta, Glorified (and Exalted) are You. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers.” [Surat Al-Anbiya’ (21:87)]
These words include glorifying Allaah and declaring Him free (from all defects) and the state demands declaring Him free from doing injustice and punishing anyone without sin. Yunus (‘Alayhis-salaam) says: “You are Muqaddas (Holy i.e., purified) and free from being unjust and from punishing me without sin; rather I am unjust who has been unjust to myself.”
6- Tasbeeh of Allaah is mentioned in the Qur’an in the context of affirming Sidq (truthfulness) of Allaah in His Sayings and in His Promises, and in declaring Him free from lies and from breaking promises.
أَتَىٰ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ فَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلُوهُ ۚ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
“The Event (the Hour or the punishment of disbelievers and polytheists or the Islamic Laws or commandments) ordained by Allaah will come to pass, so seek not to hasten it. Glorified and Exalted be He above all that they associate as partners with Him.” [Surat An-Nahl (16:1)]
وَيَقُولُونَ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّنَا إِنْ كَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّنَا لَمَفْعُولًا
“They say: “Glory be to our Lord! Truly, the Promise of our Lord must be fulfilled.” [Surat Al-Israa’ (17:108)]
7- Tasbeeh of Allaah is mentioned in the Qur’an in the context of declaring Him free from attributing evil to Him and by attributing all good to Him:
وَلَوْلَا إِذْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ قُلْتُمْ مَا يَكُونُ لَنَا أَنْ نَتَكَلَّمَ بِهَٰذَا سُبْحَانَكَ هَٰذَا بُهْتَانٌ عَظِيمٌ
“Why did you not, when you heard it, say it is not right for us to speak of this? Glory be to You (O Allaah) this is a great lie.” [Surat An-Nur (24:16)]
– i.e., You are free from every evil, and from letting Your slaves be afflicted by awful matters.
8- Tasbeeh of Allaah is mentioned in the Qur’an in the context of the beginning of the day and the night because the sun, the moon and the night and day are indicative of His Greatness and His Power. The knowledge about these (creations) necessitates declaring Him free from defects and praising Him in every state and time:
فَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ حِينَ تُمْسُونَ وَحِينَ تُصْبِحُونَ
“So glorify Allaah when you come up to the evening and when you enter the morning.” [Surat Ar-Rum (30:17)]
The Angels (‘Alayhimus-salaam), “They glorify His Praises night and day, (and) they never slacken (to do so).” [Surat Al-Anbiya’ (21:20)]
In another verse, “The (i.e., Angels, who) glorify Him night and day, and never are they tired.” [Surat Fussilat (41:38)]
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّكَ رَبِّ الْعِزَّةِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ، وَسَلَامٌ عَلَى الْمُرْسَلِينَ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
“Glorified be your Lord, the Lord of Honor and Power! (He is free) from what they attribute unto Him! And peace be on the Messengers! And all the praise and thanks be to Allaah, Lord of the Alameen (mankind, Jinn and all that exists).” [Surat As-Saffaat (37:180-182)]
9- Tasbeeh of Allaah is mentioned in the Qur’an in the context of instructing the believers to bear the harm of the Mushrikun while facing them – for, when the heart is afflicted with hurt, it becomes hopeless, frustrated, fearful, and anxious – and Tasbeeh of Allaah will make it steadfast, strengthen its resolve, repel its frustration, anxiety, and fear.
In Tasbeeh is solace for the one who utters it. It is a reminder for them of Allaah’s Power over those who harm; for whatever position they attain, they are still a creation of Allaah and under His Might, and they cannot undermine the believers, all they can do is cause some harm – and the reward is for the patient and pious believers:
وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ يَضِيقُ صَدْرُكَ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ، فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُنْ مِنَ السَّاجِدِينَ
“Indeed, We know that your breast is straitened at what they say. So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him).” [Surat Al-Hijr: (15:97-98)]
فَاصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا ۖ وَمِنْ آنَاءِ اللَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْ وَأَطْرَافَ النَّهَارِ لَعَلَّكَ تَرْضَىٰ
“So bear patiently [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] what they say, and glorify the praises of your Lord before the rising of the sun, and before its setting, and during some of the hours of the night, and at the sides of the day (an indication for the five compulsory congregational prayers), that you may become pleased with the reward which Allaah shall give you.” [Surat Ta-Ha (20:130)]
وَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ فَإِنَّكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا ۖ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ، وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْهُ وَإِدْبَارَ النُّجُومِ
“So wait patiently [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] for the Decision of your Lord, for verily, you are under Our Eyes, and glorify the Praises of your Lord when you get up from sleep. And in the night-time, also glorify His Praises, and at the setting of the stars.” [Surat Tur (52:48-49)]
Whosoever knows that he is under the Help and Protection of Allaah and His Care, he increases in Tasbeeh of Allaah and in declaring Him free from defects and praising Him. As a result, fear and anxiety, hopelessness, and despair depart from him.
10- Tasbeeh of Allaah is mentioned in the Qur’an in the context of distinguishing between the slaves on the Day of Judgment, in order to emphasize the Hikmah (Wisdom) of Allaah in creating His Creation and to prove His Justice for the disbelievers amongst them, His Mercy with the believers – all of this necessitates His Glorification and Tasbeeh.
The end of Surat Az-Zumar mentions the segregation of the slaves and the fate of the disbelievers and the believers. The Surah then ends with the Saying of Allaah,
وَتَرَى الْمَلَائِكَةَ حَافِّينَ مِنْ حَوْلِ الْعَرْشِ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ بِالْحَقِّ وَقِيلَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
“You will see the angels surrounding the Throne (of Allaah) from all around, glorifying the praises of their Lord (Allaah). And they (all the creatures) will be judged with truth, and it will be said, ‘All the praises and thanks be to Allaah, the Lord of the Alameen.’” [Surat Az-Zumar (39:75)]
At the end of Surat Al-Waqi’ah, Allaah mentions the end of the Muqarrabeen (those brought near Allaah), people of the right Hand and those of the left Hand, and then it ends with:
إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ حَقُّ الْيَقِينِ، فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ
“Verily, this! This is an absolute Truth with certainty. So glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.” [Surat Al-Waqi’ah (56:95-96)]
Sources:
Friday Khutbah of the Haram by Shaikh Al-Mu’aiqli
Contexts of Tasbeeh in the Qur’an by Shaikh Ibraheem ibn Muhammad Al-Huqail [khutabaa.com]
Fiqhul-Asmaa by Shaikh ‘Abdur-Razzaq Al-Badr
