The phrase "SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar" — said 33 times each after every prayer — is one of the most rewarding acts of dhikr in Islam. This simple yet profound practice takes about 3 minutes per prayer, costs nothing, and carries immense spiritual benefits according to multiple authentic hadith. A SubhanAllah Alhamdulillah counter makes this daily practice effortless and trackable.
The Deep Meanings Behind Each Phrase
SubhanAllah (سبحان الله) — Glory Be to Allah
Tasbeeh (SubhanAllah) declares that Allah is free from any imperfection, deficiency, or anything that does not befit His Majesty. When you say SubhanAllah, you affirm that the Creator is beyond all limitations of human understanding. It is an acknowledgment of His perfect nature.
Alhamdulillah (الحمد لله) — All Praise Is Due to Allah
Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah) is an expression of gratitude and praise for all of Allah's blessings — both the ones you recognize and the countless ones you do not. Unlike shukr (thankfulness for specific blessings), hamd is a comprehensive praise that covers everything.
Allahu Akbar (الله أكبر) — Allah Is the Greatest
Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) affirms that Allah is greater than everything — greater than any worry, any challenge, any distraction. It resets your perspective and reminds you that whatever you face in this world is insignificant compared to the Greatness of Allah.
Hadith Evidence for the 33-33-33 Formula
مَنْ سَبَّحَ اللَّهَ فِي دُبُرِ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ ثَلَاثًا وَثَلَاثِينَ وَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ ثَلَاثًا وَثَلَاثِينَ وَكَبَّرَ اللَّهَ ثَلَاثًا وَثَلَاثِينَ فَتِلْكَ تِسْعَةٌ وَتِسْعُونَ وَقَالَ تَمَامَ الْمِائَةِ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
“Whoever glorifies Allah 33 times, praises Allah 33 times, and magnifies Allah 33 times after every prayer — that is 99 — then completes the hundred by saying La ilaha illallah...”
Sahih Muslim 597
The completion to 100 with La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah carries an additional tremendous reward: sins forgiven even if they were like the foam of the sea. This is a daily practice — five times a day, every day. Over a year, that is over 180,000 individual dhikr with guaranteed reward.
Spiritual Benefits of Consistent Tasbeeh
- ◆Forgiveness of sins: The hadith explicitly promises forgiveness for sins, even if extensive
- ◆Filling the scales: SubhanAllah and Alhamdulillah fill the scales on the Day of Judgment
- ◆Planting in Paradise: Each SubhanAllah plants a tree for you in Jannah
- ◆Light on the tongue, heavy on the scales: Simple to say yet immensely rewarded
- ◆Protection and barakah: Regular dhikr brings divine protection and blessing into your life
- ◆Tranquility of heart: The Quran explicitly links dhikr to inner peace
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How to Count: Fingers, Beads, or Digital Counter
There are three common methods for counting your 33-33-33 tasbeeh. Counting on fingers is the Sunnah method and perfectly valid. Physical tasbeeh beads add a tactile element. A digital counter app offers automatic round tracking and daily statistics. Each has its place.
The advantage of a digital counter becomes clear when you want to track consistency over time. Tasbeeh Counter automatically logs each session, counts your rounds, and contributes to your daily dhikr streak. You can see that you completed 33-33-33 after Fajr, Dhuhr, and Asr, and you still have Maghrib and Isha remaining.
Practical Tips for Better Tasbeeh
- ◆Understand what you are saying: Reflect on the meaning of each phrase
- ◆Maintain wudu: Stay in your prayer state during post-salah dhikr
- ◆Do not rush: Quality over speed — a mindful 33 is better than a hurried 100
- ◆Stay seated: Remain on your prayer mat for the full tasbeeh
- ◆Use volume buttons: Count hands-free while keeping your hands in dua position
- ◆Complete all five prayers: The reward multiplies with consistency across all salah
For the complete post-prayer routine including additional duas and Ayat al-Kursi, see our comprehensive dhikr after prayer guide. During Ramadan, multiply your reward by joining the Ramadan Dhikr Challenge.
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ
“Glory be to Allah and His is the praise. Glory be to Allah, the Magnificent.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 6406 — Two words light on the tongue, heavy on the scales