Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem is a powerful Islamic dhikr. It means “Glory be to Allah and praise Him, the Most Great.” Reciting it daily brings forgiveness, blessings, and spiritual peace. Understanding its meaning makes each repetition more heartfelt and rewarding.
Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem Meaning in English
The phrase Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem is a powerful dhikr in Islam. It praises Allah and reminds us of His greatness. Its full translation is: “Glory be to Allah and praise Him, the Most Great.”
Breaking it down part by part helps us understand its depth:
- Subhan (سُبْحَانَ) = Glory, free from any imperfection.
- Allah (اللَّهِ) = The One God, the Creator of everything.
- Wa (وَ) = And, connecting praise to Allah.
- Bihamdihi (بِحَمْدِهِ) = With His praise, showing gratitude.
- Al-Azeem (الْعَظِيمِ) = The Magnificent, the Most Great.
This short phrase carries immense spiritual weight. Saying it regularly purifies the heart, brings blessings, and increases reward in Islam. Even a few repetitions daily connect a person to Allah’s mercy and greatness.
Arabic Text and Transliteration
| Arabic Text | Transliteration |
| سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ العَظِيم | Subhanallahi wa bihamdihi, Subhanallahil Azeem |
- Sub-han-al-lah-hi → “Subhan Allah”
- Wa bi-ham-di-hi → “Wa bihamdihi”
- Sub-han-al-lah-il A-zeem → “Subhan Allahil Azeem”
This phrase means: “Glory be to Allah and praise Him, the Most Great.” It honors Allah, showing He is free from faults and is infinitely great.
It is commonly recited after Namaz (prayer). Saying it brings blessings, rewards, and spiritual peace.
Must Read:The Word “Mashallah” Meaning in Arabic With Examples
Linguistic Meaning and Root Words
| Full Word | Arabic | Root | Meaning of Root |
| Subhan | سُبْحَانَ | س-ب-ح (S-B-H) | Glory, free from imperfection |
| Bihamdihi | بِحَمْدِهِ | ح-م-د (H-M-D) | Praise, to commend or thank |
| Al-Azeem | الْعَظِيمِ | ع-ظ-م (A-Z-M) | Greatness, magnificence |
Al-Azeem
Meaning: The Magnificent One
Al-Azeem highlights Allah’s greatness and majesty. It reminds believers that Allah is beyond human limitations.
Quranic Reference: 4:24 – This name emphasizes Allah’s supreme authority and reverence in Islamic belief.
The phrase Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem uses three important Arabic roots. S-B-H refers to glorifying and recognizing Allah’s perfection. H-M-D focuses on praising and expressing gratitude to Allah. A-Z-M emphasizes greatness and might.
Arabic grammar here follows the nominative case (marfoo’). Words like Subhan and Al-Azeem are in their standard nominative form. This ensures proper meaning and pronunciation. Each root combines with specific patterns to form the full dhikr phrase naturally.
Using this name in dhikr strengthens faith, increases spiritual awareness, and encourages respect for Allah’s attributes. It is a central part of daily remembrance and worship in Islam.
Quran and Hadith References
. Surah Al-Ahzab (33:41)
“O you who believe! Remember Allah much.”
A reminder to engage in dhikr often and keep your heart connected to Allah.
Surah Al-Isra (17:44)
“The seven heavens and the earth glorify Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.”
Shows that glorifying Allah is the essence of creation itself.
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:152)
“So remember Me; I will remember you.”
Abu Hurairah reported that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: reciting “Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi, Subhanallahil Azeem” is light on the tongue but heavy on the scale.
This is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari (6406, 6682, 7563) and Sahih Muslim (2694).
Even saying it a few times daily increases reward greatly.
A hadith in Sahih Bukhari (6405) mentions that reciting this dhikr 100 times daily can erase sins, even if they are like the foam of the sea.
This shows how powerful and beneficial this simple phrase is for spiritual purification.
Jabir narrated that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that whoever recites this dhikr will have a reward likened to planting a palm tree in Jannah.
This is recorded in Sunan Tirmidhi (3464, 3465).
It highlights the continuous spiritual reward for those who remember Allah.
Abu Dharr narrated that reciting these words is among the actions most loved by Allah.
Mentioned in Sahih Muslim, this shows the special status of this dhikr in Islamic worship.
It is beloved because it praises Allah and glorifies Him sincerely.
Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith reported that saying the extended version, including “adada khalqihi”, is equal to worship from morning to noon.
This emphasizes the immense reward for consistent remembrance of Allah through this dhikr.
Spiritual Benefits of Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem
- Complete Forgiveness of Sins
Reciting “Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem” daily can erase sins.
Even major mistakes are forgiven when done consistently.
Regular remembrance purifies the heart and soul. - 1,000 Hasanat (Good Deeds)
Each recitation earns immense reward.
Mathematically, repeating it multiple times multiplies good deeds.
Hadiths in Bukhari and Muslim confirm this spiritual gain. - Protection from Shaytan
Dhikr weakens evil influence.
It acts as a spiritual shield against temptation.
Consistent recitation keeps the heart safe from Shaytan. - Peace & Tranquility
Reciting brings calmness to the mind.
It relieves anxiety and stress naturally.
Quran 13:28 emphasizes the peace in Allah’s remembrance. - Increased Rizq (Sustenance)
Dhikr invites barakah in wealth and provisions.
It encourages gratitude and blessings in everyday life.
Many apply it for better sustenance and opportunities. - Closeness to Allah
Strengthens faith and spiritual awareness.
Brings constant divine remembrance into daily life.
Creates a strong, personal connection with Allah. - Heavy Rewards on Judgment Day
Recitation carries weight on the Mizan (scale of deeds).
It contributes to Paradise entry.
Even small efforts are highly rewarded. - Purification of Heart
Removes negative thoughts and emotions.
Cleanses the soul and increases inner peace.
Encourages positivity and spiritual growth. - Easy to Memorize
Short and simple, light on the tongue.
Can be recited anytime, anywhere.
Perfect for beginners and regular practice. - Builds Jannah Gardens
Each recitation is like planting a palm tree in Jannah.
It provides long-term spiritual investment.
Rewards continue even after this life.
Best Time to Recite Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem
Recite it after Fajr prayer, before sunrise, to start the day with blessings.
Morning and evening remembrance, 100 times each, brings forgiveness and peace.
It can also be said before sleeping or between Sunnah and Fard prayers for extra reward.
Include this dhikr in Salah, after each rakah, to gain immense reward.
Say it while walking or driving to keep your heart connected to Allah.
It is also beneficial during work breaks, in times of distress, or when you see something beautiful.
The extended form, Subhanallahi wa bihamdihi adada khalqihi, can be recited with additional phrases.
This version is especially used for complete morning and evening adhkar.
It increases reward and deepens your spiritual connection with Allah.
Common Mistakes in Pronouncing or Using the Phrase
- Confusing Azeem with Atheem; the correct sound is Z.
- Ignoring proper Arabic accent marks changes the meaning.
- Rushing through words reduces the reward and impact.
- Many say only Subhanallah and miss the full dhikr.
- It is different from Alhamdulillah, which is praise alone.
- Reciting mechanically without understanding reduces spiritual benefit.
- Always focus on the meaning while reciting.
- Recitation should come from the heart, not just lips.
- Sincerity (ikhlas) is essential; Allah loves heartfelt dhikr.
- Even a few correct repetitions daily are better than many without understanding.
Learn the proper pronunciation slowly, understand the words, and repeat with focus. This strengthens faith and ensures maximum reward.
Comparison with Similar Dhikr
Many Islamic phrases are similar but have distinct meanings and rewards. Understanding these differences helps in proper dhikr and deepens faith.
| Phrase | Meaning | Key Difference |
| Subhanallah | Glory to Allah | Shorter phrase; focuses on glorification only |
| Alhamdulillah | All praise to Allah | Emphasizes praise and gratitude |
| Allahu Akbar | Allah is Greatest | Highlights Allah’s greatness and supremacy |
| Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem | Glory and praise to Allah, the Most Great | Full phrase combining glorification and praise; more complete dhikr |
Subhanallah is simple and powerful, but it only glorifies Allah. Alhamdulillah expresses gratitude and praise. Allahu Akbar shows the greatness of Allah. Each phrase has its own unique benefit.
The full dhikr, Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem, combines all these elements.
It glorifies Allah, praises Him, and acknowledges His greatness.
Reciting the full phrase daily brings greater reward and spiritual benefits.
Using these phrases in combination can strengthen your daily worship.
Even a few repetitions of each phrase improve mindfulness, sincerity, and connection with Allah.
It’s a practical way to include dhikr in every part of your day.
Modern Understanding of Dhikr
Recent studies show that reciting dhikr has stress-reducing effects.
Repeating phrases like Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem slows the heart rate and relaxes the mind.
Dhikr is similar to meditation.
Focusing on words, pronunciation, and meaning calms thoughts.
This practice helps train the brain for mindfulness and presence.
Neurologically, repeated dhikr activates areas of the brain linked to positive emotion and focus.
It enhances memory and strengthens neural pathways for concentration.
Mental health benefits include reduced anxiety and improved mood.
Even short daily sessions provide a sense of inner peace and emotional balance.
This makes dhikr an effective tool for spiritual and psychological well-being.
The practice connects the mind and heart to a higher purpose.
It encourages mindfulness in daily life, helping you stay centered amidst challenges.
Scientific research confirms that the combination of rhythm, repetition, and meaning in dhikr is calming and therapeutic.
By combining faith and science, dhikr supports both spiritual growth and mental health.
It shows that remembering Allah is not only rewarding spiritually but also beneficial psychologically.
How to Make It a Habit Practical Tips for Consistency
- Use your morning alarm to remind you after Fajr prayer.
- Set an evening notification for recitation before sleep.
- Use physical beads to count each recitation.
- Digital apps can also track your progress and repetitions.
- Seeing your progress motivates you to continue daily.
- Recite together with family to share blessings.
- Teach children this dhikr to build early habits.
- Having an accountability partner helps maintain consistency.
- Say it while commuting or walking.
- Recite before meals or after finishing tasks.
- Connecting dhikr to routine activities makes it easier to remember.
- Begin with 10 repetitions daily, then gradually increase.
- Focus on creating a steady habit, not the number of repetitions.
- Avoid overwhelming yourself; consistency is more important than quantity.
By following these practical tips, reciting Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem daily becomes easier and naturally part of your routine.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the meaning of Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem?
It means: “Glory be to Allah and praise Him, the Most Great.” It praises Allah and shows His perfection.
How should I pronounce Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem correctly?
Focus on correct sounds: Sub-han-al-lah-hi wa bi-ham-di-hi, Sub-han-al-lah-il A-zeem. Avoid rushing or mispronouncing “Azeem.”
When is the best time to recite this dhikr daily?
Recite after Fajr, morning and evening, before sleep, during Salah, and linked to daily activities like meals or walking.
What are the spiritual benefits of reciting this dhikr?
It brings forgiveness, peace, protection from Shaytan, closeness to Allah, heavy rewards, and purification of the heart.
How does this dhikr compare to Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar?
This full phrase combines glorification and praise, making it more complete than shorter, single-purpose phrases.
Which Hadiths mention the rewards of reciting Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem?
Hadiths from Bukhari, Muslim, and Tirmidhi highlight forgiveness, heavy scales of reward, and planting palm trees in Jannah.
How can I make daily recitation of this dhikr a consistent habit?
Use phone reminders, tasbih counters, family practice, link to daily activities, and start with small repetitions gradually increasing.
Conclusion
Reciting Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem daily brings forgiveness, peace, protection, and countless rewards. Its simplicity makes it easy, yet the spiritual benefits are immense. Even a few repetitions consistently can transform your heart and strengthen your connection with Allah. Start today and make it part of your routine after prayers, during daily activities, or before sleep. May Allah grant you sincerity, consistency, and abundant reward. O Allah, help us remember You often, with full understanding and heartfelt devotion, ameen.
Emma is a researcher and writer with 4 years of experience studying Arabic names and meanings. At MeaningOfArabic.com, she curates insightful content that connects language, culture, and identity through the timeless beauty of Arabic names.