Subhanallah (سبحان الله) is one of the most beloved phrases to Allah and one of the most frequently said words by Muslims worldwide. It is a declaration of Allah's absolute perfection — a way of glorifying Him and declaring Him free from every fault, partner, and imperfection.
What Does Subhanallah Really Mean?
The word Subhan comes from the Arabic root s-b-h, which means to declare something free from any defect or deficiency. So Subhanallah is not just "glory to Allah" — it is a powerful statement that Allah is perfect, flawless, and far above anything unbefitting of His majesty. When you see something amazing, or something goes wrong that you cannot explain, saying Subhanallah affirms that Allah is perfect in all He does.
When to Say Subhanallah
- In awe and amazement — when you see something beautiful or astonishing in creation.
- After every prayer — recited 33 times as part of the Sunnah tasbeeh (Subhanallah 33x, Alhamdulillah 33x, Allahu Akbar 34x).
- In shock or disbelief — instead of negative expressions, Muslims say Subhanallah.
- As daily dhikr — to earn continuous reward throughout the day.
- To glorify Allah when hearing of something inappropriate attributed to Him.
The Immense Reward of Subhanallah
He ﷺ also said: "Whoever says 'Subhanallahi wa bihamdih' one hundred times a day will have his sins forgiven even if they are like the foam of the sea." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6405). This makes Subhanallah one of the easiest yet most rewarding acts of worship.
Subhanallah vs Alhamdulillah — The Difference
These two phrases are often confused. Subhanallah (glory be to Allah) declares Allah's perfection — said in awe and to glorify Him. Alhamdulillah (all praise to Allah) expresses gratitude — said to thank Allah for blessings. One glorifies; the other thanks. Both are among the four most beloved words to Allah, along with Allahu Akbar and La ilaha illallah.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Subhanallah mean in English? +
Subhanallah (سبحان الله) means "Glory be to Allah" or "Allah is free from all imperfection." It declares that Allah is perfect, flawless, and far above any defect, partner or weakness. Muslims say it in awe, wonder, prayer and as daily remembrance.
When should you say Subhanallah? +
Say Subhanallah: when you see something amazing or beautiful in Allah's creation, in moments of shock or disbelief, 33 times after each of the five daily prayers as Sunnah tasbeeh, and as general daily dhikr to earn reward and glorify Allah.
What is the reward for saying Subhanallah? +
The Prophet ﷺ said whoever says "Subhanallahi wa bihamdih" 100 times a day will have their sins forgiven even if they are like the foam of the sea (Bukhari 6405). He also described it as light on the tongue but heavy on the scale of good deeds (Bukhari 6682).
What is the difference between Subhanallah and Alhamdulillah? +
Subhanallah (glory be to Allah) declares Allah's perfection and is said in awe. Alhamdulillah (all praise to Allah) expresses gratitude and is said to thank Allah for blessings. One glorifies Allah; the other thanks Him. Both are among the four most beloved phrases to Allah.
How many times should you say Subhanallah after prayer? +
The Sunnah is to say Subhanallah 33 times after each obligatory prayer, followed by Alhamdulillah 33 times and Allahu Akbar 34 times — totaling 100. The Prophet ﷺ said whoever does this will have their sins forgiven even if they are like the foam of the sea (Sahih Muslim 597).
Learn to Recite & Understand the Quran
Deepen your connection with Allah — learn Quran and Arabic with a certified tutor. Free 30-minute trial, no credit card.
Book a Free Trial Class →