Some words in Islam carry enormous weight despite their brevity. Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem Astaghfirullah is one such phrase a short yet immensely powerful dhikr (remembrance of Allah) that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ loved and recommended deeply.
This dhikr combines two of the most beloved phrases to Allah glorification (tasbih), praise (tahmid), and seeking forgiveness (istighfar) all in one beautiful expression. It is light on the tongue, heavy on the scales of deeds, and deeply beloved in the sight of Allah.
Whether you are sitting after Salah, resting at home, or going about your daily work, this dhikr can be recited at any moment to cleanse the heart, elevate your rank, and draw you closer to Allah.
Dua in Arabic
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ
Transliteration
Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem Astaghfirullah
(Pronounced: Sub-haa-nal-laa-hi wa bi-ham-di-hi, sub-haa-nal-laa-hil a-zeem, as-tagh-fi-rul-laah)
Meaning in English
“Glory be to Allah and all praise is for Him. Glory be to Allah, the Most Great. I seek forgiveness from Allah.”
Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem Astaghfirullah Meaning in Urdu
“اللہ پاک ہے اور تمام تعریفیں اسی کے لیے ہیں۔ اللہ پاک ہے جو بہت عظیم ہے۔ میں اللہ سے مغفرت مانگتا ہوں۔”
Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem Astaghfirullah Meaning in Hindi
“अल्लाह पवित्र है और सारी तारीफें उसी के लिए हैं। अल्लाह पवित्र है जो बहुत महान है। मैं अल्लाह से माफी माँगता हूँ।”
Explanation
This dhikr holds a remarkable place in Islamic tradition. It is not simply a combination of praise and glorification it is a complete act of worship within a few words.
Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi means to declare that Allah is free from all imperfections and that all praise belongs only to Him. This part fulfills the obligation of glorifying Allah with full acknowledgment of His greatness.
Subhanallahil Azeem adds another layer recognizing that Allah is not just free from faults but is the Most Great, beyond all human comprehension. The word Azeem (العَظِيم) points to Allah’s supreme and unmatched majesty.
Astaghfirullah completes the dhikr by seeking Allah’s forgiveness. After glorifying and praising Allah, the servant immediately turns in repentance, recognizing their own shortcomings before the Most Perfect Lord.
This combination of glorification, praise, and repentance makes Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem Astaghfirullah a truly complete act of remembrance. It fulfills three essential pillars of a Muslim’s relationship with Allah: honoring His glory, acknowledging His praise, and seeking His mercy.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is written for educational and informational purposes only. All Islamic content, Arabic text, transliterations, translations, and hadith references have been compiled with sincerity and care from reliable Islamic sources.
Hadith Reference – The Authenticity of This Dhikr
This dhikr is confirmed through authentic hadiths from Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
Imam Al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim both recorded that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Two phrases are light on the tongue, heavy on the Scale (of deeds on the Day of Judgment), and beloved to the Most Merciful: Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi, Subhanallahil Azeem.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari: 6682, Sahih Muslim: 2694)
Scholars explain that the addition of Astaghfirullah further enriches this dhikr, combining it with istighfar (seeking forgiveness), making the full phrase one of the most complete forms of dhikr a Muslim can recite.
Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem Astaghfirullah in English
For those who are new to Arabic pronunciation, here is the full dhikr written simply in English:
“Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil Azeem, Astaghfirullah”
It means: “Glory and praise be to Allah. Glory be to Allah, the Most Great. I seek forgiveness from Allah.”
Reading this dhikr in its original Arabic form is most virtuous. However, understanding its meaning in English helps the heart connect more deeply with every word.
When to Read This Dua
One of the great virtues of Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem Astaghfirullah is that it can be recited at any time and in any situation. There is no restriction on when this dhikr may be read.
Recommended Times to Recite This Dhikr:
- After every Fard (obligatory) Salah — Making this dhikr part of your post-prayer routine is highly recommended.
- Before sleeping (at night) — The Prophet ﷺ advised reciting tasbih and seeking forgiveness before sleeping.
- During morning and evening adhkar — Scholars recommend including this dhikr in daily morning and evening remembrance routines.
- During free moments — While waiting, walking, or resting, this dhikr keeps the tongue and heart engaged in worship.
- After committing a sin — Immediately following Astaghfirullah with this full dhikr is an act of sincere repentance.
- During Ramadan — In the blessed month, increasing all forms of dhikr and istighfar is especially encouraged.
Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem Astaghfirullah Benefits
The benefits of this dhikr are both spiritual and practical. They are rooted in authentic hadiths and the teachings of Islamic scholars.
1. It is Beloved to Allah
The Prophet ﷺ described Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi as the words most beloved to Allah. Adding Azeem and Astaghfirullah only deepens this virtue, making the full dhikr an act that draws immense divine pleasure.
2. Heavy on the Scales of Deeds
On the Day of Judgment, the scale (Mizan) will weigh every action. The Prophet ﷺ specifically said these words are heavy on the Scale meaning their reward is enormous despite how short they are to recite.
3. Expiation of Sins
Astaghfirullah is a direct appeal for forgiveness. When joined with glorification and praise of Allah, the sincerity of repentance is elevated. Reciting this dhikr regularly helps in the continuous cleansing of minor sins.
4. Plants a Tree in Jannah
It is reported in an authentic hadith that reciting Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi one hundred times a day wipes away sins even if they are as much as the foam of the sea (Sahih Bukhari: 6405). The full dhikr with Azeem and Astaghfirullah carries this same powerful intention.
5. Light on the Tongue, Massive in Reward
This dhikr takes only a few seconds to say. Yet its weight in the sight of Allah is immeasurable. It is one of the most practical and rewarding acts a Muslim can perform daily without any physical effort.
6. Purification of the Heart
Regular recitation of glorification, praise, and repentance cleanses the spiritual heart from negligence (ghaflah), pride, and forgetfulness of Allah. It keeps the heart humble, aware, and connected to its Creator.
7. A Means of Earning Continuous Reward
Scholars note that dhikr like this can be done silently even in situations where verbal worship is difficult such as during work, travel, or rest making it a source of continuous reward throughout the day.
Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem Astaghfirullah Ka Wazifa
Many Muslims incorporate this dhikr as a regular wazifa (a devotional practice recited a set number of times with consistency and intention).
How to Perform This Wazifa:
- After Fajr Salah: Recite Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem Astaghfirullah 100 times.
- After Asr Salah: Recite it 33 times.
- Before sleeping: Recite it 33 times.
This wazifa is not based on a specific superstitious practice. Rather, it is grounded in the general Islamic teaching to recite this dhikr abundantly, especially after Salah and at the beginning and end of the day.
Using a tasbih (prayer beads) or a digital counter can help maintain consistency when reciting this dhikr as a wazifa.
Important Note: There is no magical or fabricated wazifa associated with this dhikr. The authentic teaching is simply to recite it with sincerity, consistency, and a heart turned toward Allah. Its spiritual power lies in the meaning of its words and the sincerity of the one reciting it.
Read Also: Rabbana Zalamna Anfusana Dua
Conclusion
Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem Astaghfirullah is among the most powerful, authentic, and rewarding phrases a Muslim can recite. In just a few words, it captures the essence of Islamic worship glorifying Allah, praising Him, and humbly seeking His forgiveness.
Its authenticity is beyond doubt, rooted firmly in the hadith of the Prophet ﷺ recorded in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Its reward is immense, its recitation is easy, and its benefits in this world and the Hereafter are real.
Make this dhikr a part of your daily life. Recite it after Salah, before sleeping, and throughout your day. Let it be the phrase that keeps your heart connected to Allah, your tongue moist with His remembrance, and your scales heavy with good deeds on the Day of Judgment.
May Allah accept our dhikr, forgive our sins, and fill our hearts with His remembrance. Ameen.
? FAQs
Q1: What is the meaning of Subhanallahi Wa Bihamdihi Subhanallahil Azeem Astaghfirullah?
It means: “Glory be to Allah and all praise is for Him. Glory be to Allah, the Most Great. I seek forgiveness from Allah.”
Q2: Is this dhikr mentioned in any hadith?
Yes. It is recorded in Sahih Al-Bukhari (6682) and Sahih Muslim (2694). The Prophet ﷺ called it light on the tongue and heavy on the scales of deeds.
Q3: How many times should I recite this dhikr?
There is no fixed number. Reciting it 33 or 100 times daily especially after Salah is a common and rewarding practice.
Q4: What is the meaning in Hindi?
“अल्लाह पवित्र है, सारी तारीफें उसी के लिए हैं, वह बहुत महान है, मैं अल्लाह से माफी माँगता हूँ।”
Q5: Can this dhikr be recited at any time?
Yes. It can be recited anytime morning, evening, after Salah, or before sleeping. There is no restriction.
Q6: What does adding Astaghfirullah do?
It adds repentance to glorification and praise, making this a complete act of worship honoring Allah and seeking His forgiveness together.
Q7: Is there a specific wazifa for this dhikr?
No fixed wazifa with worldly guarantees exists. Simply recite it sincerely and consistently 33 or 100 times daily is a good practice based on general Islamic teaching.
Written by: Ahmad Raza
Credentials: Islamic Studies Content Writer
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