سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، تَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. Blessed is Your name, and exalted is Your majesty. There is no god but You.
Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, tabarakasmuka, wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruk.
When to Read
This is the *iftitah* (opening) supplication that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would recite immediately after saying the *takbir* (Allahu Akbar) to begin the prayer, before reciting Surah Al-Fatihah. It’s a beautiful way to prepare the heart and mind for connecting with Allah in Salah.
How to Read
Recite this supplication softly after your initial *takbir* (saying Allahu Akbar) to enter into the prayer. It's a private moment between you and Allah, so it's not recited aloud, but with sincere humility and focus. Take a moment to reflect on the meaning of each phrase as you say it.
Virtues & Benefits
This supplication is a profound declaration of Allah's absolute perfection and glory. By starting our prayer with 'Subhanaka Allahumma', we are acknowledging His transcendence, praising Him for His countless blessings, and affirming our sole reliance on Him. The Prophet's ﷺ practice of reciting this highlights its importance in sanctifying our prayer from the very beginning. It sets a tone of awe and reverence, reminding us who we are addressing. It also serves as a form of purification for any shortcomings in our intention or focus as we begin to stand before our Creator.
Source & Authentication
The narrator, Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), reported: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commenced the prayer, he would remain silent for a while. I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, may my parents be sacrificed for you! You remain silent for a while between the *takbir* and the recitation.' He said: 'I say: 'Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. Blessed is Your name, and exalted is Your majesty. There is no god but You.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 775, graded Hasan by Al-Albani). Another narration by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) states the Prophet (ﷺ) would say: 'Glory be to Allah! Great is Your praise! Blessed be Your name, and high is Your praise! There is no god but You!' (Sahih Muslim 497). The wording in Sunan Abi Dawud is widely understood as the primary opening dua taught and practiced by the Prophet ﷺ.