We (Muslims) recite Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem and Subhana Rabbi Al Azeem in Ruku and Sajda while offering Salah. This is the mandatory part of Salah and was practiced by the Holy Propeht (PBUH).
This blog will highlight the significance of recite these Arabic phrases with their meaning and benefits. We will also discuss Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem & Subhana Rabbi Al Azeem in Arabic, English transliteration and translation.
Dua for Ruku —Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem in Arabic
Muslims recite Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem when bowing down in Salah. Here is the Arabic text of Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem in Englsih transliteration
Here is the English transliteration of Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem.
Subhaana Rabbiyal ‘Azeem
How to pronounce Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem?
Here is the easiest way to pronounce Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem.
- Su-Bhaan-Na
- Raab-Bi-Yal-Azeem
Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem in English translation
The Arabic Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem means Glory is to my Lord, the Most Great.
Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem meaning
By saying Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem, we praise Allah. We say Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem in every Raa’kat of every Salah, before Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah and Rabbana Lakal Hamd, showing Allah that he is the greatest and only God to be worshiped.
The meaning of Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem is showing a gesture of submission to Allah by bowing down in front of him and saying glory is with Allah, who is the greatest of all. After it we go down in Sajdaa and say Subhan Rabi al Azeem which is the dua for Sajdaa and discussed below.
Dua for Sajdaa — Subhana Rabbi al ala in Arabic
Muslims recite Subhana Rabbi al ala, which is prostrating in Salah to show submission to Allah. It is the dua for Sajdaa and is prescribed and practiced by the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Here is Subhana Rabbi al ala in Arabic.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى
Subhana Rabbi al ala in English transliteration
Here is the English transliteration of Subhana Rabbi al ala for those of you who can’t read Aracbi.
Subhaana Rabbiyal A’laa
How to pronounce Subhana Rabbi al ala?
Here is the easiest way of pronouncing Subhana Rabbi al ala.
- Su-Bhaan-Na
- Raab-Bi-Yal-Aa-Laa
Subhana Rabbi al ala in Arabic in English translation
Subhana Rabbi al ala is the best way to show gratitude and submission towards Allah. This exact meaning of Subhana Rabbi al ala is Glory is to my Lord, the Most High.
Subhana Rabbi al ala in Arabic meaning
Saying Subhana Rabbi al ala while prostrating in Salah is the best gesture of showing submission and gratitude to Allah. You are submitting your soul and body to Allah and are willing to do whatever it takes to thank Allah for everything.
Going in the prostrate position, with your forehead touching the ground, is the best way of showing submission. In that position, we are saying that glory is to my Lord, the Most High.
Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem and Subhana Rabbi al ala in Hadith
There are various Hadiths transmitting the Propeht (PBUH), said Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem and Subhana Rabbi al ala while performing Ruku and Sajda in Salah. Here are a few of them.
Hadith: It was narrated that Hudhaifah said: “I prayed with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) one night. He started reciting Surat Al-Baqarah and he recited one hundred verses, then did not bow, rather he continued. I thought: ‘He will complete it in two rak’ahs, but he continued.’ I thought: ‘He will complete it and then bow,’ but he continued until he recited Surat An-Nisa’, then Al Imran.
Then he bowed for almost as long as he had stood, saying while bowing: ‘Subhan Rabbial-azim, Subhan Rabbial-azim, Subhan Rabbial-azim ( Glory be to my Lord Almighty, Glory be to my Lord Almighty, Glory be to my Lord Almighty).’ Then he raised his head and said: ‘Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears the one who praises Him). Then he prostrated and made his prostration lengthy, saying: “Subhan Rabbial-A’la, Subhan Rabbial-A’la, Subhan Rabbial-A’la (Glory be to my Lord Most High, Glory be to my Lord Most High, Glory be to my Lord Most High). And he did not come to any verse that spoke of fear or glorifying Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, but he said something appropriate.” —Sunan an-Nasa’i 1133
Another Hadiht teaches us about offering Salah and what the Holy Propeht (PBUH) recited while offering Salah.
Hadith: Narrated Hudhayfah: Hudhayfah saw the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) praying at night. He said: Allah is most great” three times, “Possessor of kingdom, grandeur, greatness and majesty.”
He then began (his prayer) and recited Surah al-Baqarah; then he bowed and he paused in bowing as long as he stood up; he said while bowing, “Glory be to my mighty Lord,” “Glory be to my mighty Lord” ; then he raised his head, after bowing: then he stood up and he paused as long as he paused in bowing and said, “Praise be to my Lord” ; then he prostrated and paused in prostration as long as he paused in the standing position; he said while prostrating: “Glory be to my most high Lord”; then he raised his head after prostration, and sat as long as he prostrated, and said while sitting: “O my Lord forgive me.”
He offered four rak’ahs of prayer and recited in them Surah al-Baqarah, Aal Imran, an-Nisa, al-Ma’idah, or al-An’am. The narrator Shu’bah doubted. —Sunan Abi Dawud 874
Hadith: It was narrated that Hudhaifah said: “I prayed with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and he bowed and said when bowing: ‘Subhana Rabbial-azim (Glory be to my Lord Almighty).’ And when prostrating: ‘Subhana Rabbial-‘Ala (Glory be to my Lord Most High).'” —Sunan an-Nasa’i 1046
Explanation: After reading these Hadihts, we can conclude that the Holy Propeht (PBUH) recited Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem while bowing (Ruku) and Subhana Rabbi al ala while performing prostration (Sajda).
The message of saying these Arabic words has been clearly mentioned in several Hadiths, some of which are mentioned above. We should say these words in Salah and follow the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (PBUH).
What are the benefits of saying Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem and Subhana Rabbi al ala?
Hadith: Ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, when a servant stands to pray, his sins are placed on top of his head and shoulders. Every time he bows or prostrates, they fall away from him.” —Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān 1734
Reciting Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem and Subhana Rabbi al ala when bowing and prostrating is a Sunnah. Here are a few benefits associated with reciting these Arabic terms in Salah.
1. Expressing Humility and Reverence
Both phrases are expressions of reverence and humility before Allah. In ruku’ and sujood, Muslims acknowledge the greatness and high status of Allah compared to their own limitations.
Bowing and prostrating while praising Allah serves as a reminder of our dependence on Him, fostering a sense of humility.
2. Following the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH)
These phrases were specifically taught by Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to be recited in ruku’ and sujood, respectively. Following his Sunnah in this way brings blessings and increases one’s reward for prayer.
Observing these practices strengthens the connection to prophetic teachings, enhancing the authenticity and beauty of one’s prayer. You should also offer the dua after Salah to invoke Allah’s blessings.
3. Enhancing Focus and Mindfulness
Saying these phrases helps create mindfulness (khushu’) in prayer, as it encourages focusing on Allah’s greatness.
Concentrating on the meaning of these words during prayer helps minimize distractions, allowing one to achieve a more spiritually fulfilling experience.
4. Seeking Forgiveness and Purification of the Heart
Regularly reciting phrases of glorification and humility purifies the heart by acknowledging Allah’s greatness and one’s own need for His mercy and guidance.
In Islamic teachings, glorification acts as a means of erasing minor sins and cleansing one’s soul. Here is the best dua for forgivness and dua for success in everything.
5. Reinforcing Faith and Gratitude
Both phrases remind believers of Allah’s supreme qualities – His greatness (Al-‘Azeem) and His exaltedness (Al-A’laa).
Reciting these in prayer reinforces faith in Allah’s power and wisdom.
6. Encouraging Submission and Trust in Allah
Saying these phrases in acts of physical submission (bowing and prostrating) helps cultivate a sense of surrender to Allah’s will. Submission and believe in a single God is the first piller of Islam and the message is potrayed in the 2nd and 3rd Kamla.
By recognizing Allah’s elevated status, believers are reminded to place their trust in Him and His wisdom.
7. Increasing Reward in the Hereafter
Prayer with sincerity and focus is a means of attaining high reward in the Hereafter. The Prophet (PBUH) mentioned that prayer is one of the first actions judged on the Day of Judgment, and proper ruku’ and sujood can greatly benefit the believer.
Wrap Up
We have discussed the meaning and benefits of Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem and Subhana Rabbi al ala from Hadiths and providede relevant links for your refirence. We believe we have provided all the necessary information on the topic and you would share it with other Muslims.
FAQs
What does Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem means?
It means Glory is to my Lord, the Most High. It is one of the best ways of showing Allah our submission to him and his message.
What does Subhana Rabbi al ala means?
It measns Glory is to my Lord, the Most High. We reite this Arabic phrase when prostrating in Salah which is showing the highest from of submission to the creator.
How many times Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem in Salah?
It depends on the number of Raa’kat you are offering. A Muslim should repeat ‘Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem’ atleast three times in a Raa’kat. This makes repeatation six times for a two Raa’at Salah and twelve times for a four Raa’kat Salah.
How many times Subhana Rabbi al ala means in Salah?
Subhana Rabbi al ala means should be recited atleast three times while prostrating during Salah. Every Raa’kat has two Sajda which makes the recitation of Subhana Rabbi al ala means six times in every Raa’kat.
Is it Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem or Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem?
You can say either. In Arabic the ‘z’ is pronounced ‘d’. This is why Ramazan is writeen and pronounced as Ramadan or Ramadhan. We would recomend pronouncing it as Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem with a Z.
When to say Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem?
You should recite Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem when going in the Ruku —bowing position in Salah. However the phrase can be recite anytime and anywhere becasue by reciting this phrase you are gloryfying Allah.
What to do if you forget Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem or Subhana Rabbiyal A’la?
The Salah is incomplete without Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem. The remedey varies from case to case.
Case 1: If you pray behind an Imam (All Raa’kats) and forgets Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem in one of more Raa’kat then you can say Salam with the Imam and your Salah is complete.
Case 2: If you joined late behind the Imama, you have to offer the Raa’kats in which you have forgotten saying ‘Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem’. Offer Raa’kats by offering the prostration of forgetgullness.
Case 3: You have to repeate the Raa’kat you prayed without reciting Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem in the Ruku. Say one Salam and do the prostration of forgetfullness and complete the Raa’kats.
Can you say Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem more than 3 times?
Yes you can but keep the count in odd numbers. The Holy Propeht (PBUH) recite this Arabic verse to praise Allah more than 3 times but kept it in odd numbers.
What else should you know?
Here is a list of a few powerful Islamic terms you should know.
