3 hadiths on dhikr and remembrance of Allah
Understanding dhikr, learning two short formulas and recognising the value of praise: three authentic hadiths explained.
Dhikr means remembrance of Allah. Subhan Allah expresses His glorification, al-hamdu lillah His praise and Allahu akbar His greatness. Understanding these words helps accompany their recitation with attention to meaning.
The following three hadiths explain the value of remembrance and present accessible formulas to learn. They concern general dhikr, which the quoted passages do not reserve for a particular time.
Article contents
The one who remembers their Lord and the one who does not
The context of the narration
Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari reports this comparison spoken by the Prophet ﷺ.“The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not remember Him is that of the living and the dead.”
Read the Arabic text
مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَذْكُرُ رَبَّهُ وَالَّذِي لاَ يَذْكُرُ مَثَلُ الْحَىِّ وَالْمَيِّتِ
Understanding this hadith
The Prophet ﷺ compares the person who remembers his Lord to someone living, and the person who does not to someone dead. The comparison concerns remembering Allah, such as praising or glorifying Him; it does not describe these people’s physical condition.
We can recite a phrase while thinking about something else. Read its translation to understand what you are saying: glorifying Allah or praising Him. Muting a video during remembrance may help you pay attention to the words.
Two formulas light on the tongue
The context of the narration
Abu Hurayrah transmits a saying of the Prophet ﷺ connecting the ease of two formulas with their weight in the balance and the love of the Most Merciful.كَلِمَتَانِ خَفِيفَتَانِ عَلَى اللِّسَانِ، ثَقِيلَتَانِ فِي الْمِيزَانِ، حَبِيبَتَانِ إِلَى الرَّحْمَنِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ
“Two expressions are light on the tongue, heavy in the balance and beloved to the Most Merciful: “Glory be to Allah, the Magnificent; glory be to Allah and praise be to Him.””
Understanding this hadith
The two expressions are subhan Allahi l-‘azim and subhan Allahi wa bihamdih. This pronunciation aid is approximate; the Arabic text gives the words transmitted in this version. The order here is that of al-Bukhari 6406.
Subhan Allah expresses that Allah is free of every imperfection. Al-‘azim evokes His greatness; wa bihamdih joins praise to glorification. The hadith thus draws attention to very short words whose value is not measured by the time needed to say them.
The merit announced concerns the balance and the love of the Most Merciful. The text specifies no number of repetitions here. You can begin by correctly learning both expressions, then reread their meaning before repeating them.
Also read: the wording and meaning of sending blessings upon the Prophet.
Glorifying Allah, praising Him and affirming His oneness
The context of the narration
Abu Hurayrah reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ expressed his attachment to four expressions by comparing them with everything upon which the sun rises.لأَنْ أَقُولَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ أَحَبُّ إِلَىَّ مِمَّا طَلَعَتْ عَلَيْهِ الشَّمْسُ
“Saying, “Glory be to Allah, praise be to Allah, there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest,” is dearer to me than everything upon which the sun rises.”
Understanding this hadith
The four phrases mean glorifying Allah, praising Him, affirming His oneness in worship and declaring His greatness. We can remember Allah by praising Him without asking Him for something.
The Prophet ﷺ says these words are dearer to him than everything the sun rises over. They can also be recited by someone who has no money to give.
To learn them, connect each Arabic expression with its English meaning. When you say al-hamdu lillah, think about what praising Allah means rather than treating the formula as mere punctuation. Giving thanks after a meal is precisely an everyday application developed in another hadith.
Also read: thanking Allah after eating or drinking.
In practice
- You know the sounds but not the meaningConnect each formula with its translation and reread it before reciting.Understand the four expressions
- You would like to learn a short formulaLearn the two Arabic expressions and have their pronunciation checked.Find the two formulas
- Your attention is scatteredRemove a distraction during the time you devote to remembrance.Reread the comparison of the living and the dead
Sources
- Sahih al-Bukhari · 6407The one who remembers their Lord and the one who does not
- Sahih al-Bukhari · 6406Two formulas light on the tongue
- Sahih Muslim · 2695Glorifying Allah, praising Him and affirming His oneness