In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
Light on the Tongue But Heavy on the Scales
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "There are two statements that are light for the tongue to remember, heavy in the Scales and are dear to the Merciful:
`Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil-Azim [Glory be to Allah and His is the praise, (and) Allah, the Greatest
is free from imperfection)'.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Riyad-ul-Saliheen Commentary:
This Hadith affirms that man's actions carry weight. On the Day of Judgement, his actions
will be cast into the Balance. At that time Allah will endow these actions with weight, or according to some scholars, those
records which register man's actions will be weighed. This is quite possible for the reason that Almighty Allah is Capable
of weighing things without even their physical form. This discussion apart, when actions will be cast into the Balance, the
formula mentioned in the Hadith, the utterance of which is very easy, will prove weighty. Every Muslim should make it a practice
to repeat them frequently.
Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with her) reported, the Mother of the Believers:
The Prophet (PBUH) came out from my apartment in the morning as I was busy in performing the dawn prayer. He came back in
the forenoon and found me sitting there. The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Are you still in the same position as I left you.'' I replied
in the affirmative. Thereupon the Prophet said, "I recited four words three times after I had left you. If these are to be
weighed against all you have recited since morning, these will be heavier. These are: Subhan-Allahi wa
bihamdihi, `adada khalqihi, wa rida nafsihi, wa zinatah `arshihi, wa midada kalimatihi [Allah is free from imperfection
and I begin with His praise, as many times as the number of His creatures, in accordance with His Good Pleasure, equal to
the weight of His Throne and equal to the ink that may be used in recording the words (for His Praise)].''[Sahih Muslim].
Commentary: The recitation of the words quoted in this Hadith is highly meritorious and rewarding because they are full of
Praise and Glorification of Allah.
Expression that is most loved by Allah
Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to me,
"Shall I tell you the expression that is most loved by Allah?'' It is `Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi'
(Allah is free from imperfection and His is the praise)'.''[Sahih Muslim].
Obliterating Sins of the extent of the foam of the ocean
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "And he who utters: `Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi (Allah is free from imperfection and His is the praise)' one
hundred times a day, his sins will be obliterated even if they are equal to the extent of the foam of the ocean.''[Al-Bukhari
and Muslim]. Commentary: Here sins mean minor sins and those which do not relate to the rights of people.
A Palm-tree will be planted in Jannah
Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "For
him who says: `Subhan-Allahi wa bi hamdihi (Allah is free from imperfection, and I begin with praising Him, and to Him),'
a palm-tree will be planted in Jannah.''[At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: Jannah is so vast that we cannot even imagine its vastness. The planting of trees
in return for the Praise and Glorification of Allah is, therefore, neither something difficult nor surprising. So, there should
not be any hesitation in accepting it as a fact. Some people take it is as a metaphor for a plentiful reward.
Meanings of "Al-`Adheem"
[Based on: The Qur'an,
Tafsir Ibn Kathir and "Tauheed of the Prophets and Messengers" (tapes) by Ali al-Timimi]
Al-`Adheem. This name has two meanings to it. The first is that all the meanings
of perfection and greatness belong to Allaah subhaanahu wa ta`aalaa and none else. His knowledge is perfect and all encompassing,
his power is perfect and all encompassing, nothing weakens Him and His wisdom is perfect. The second meaning is that nobody
should be therefore glorified or worshipped except for Allaah. And that any praise you give to the creation is because Allaah
has given that quality to the object praised. So praise is again really due to Allaah. Understanding this makes a person subdued
and makes him realize his need to worship the Creator of the universe and all that it contains.