What Does Subhanallah Mean?

Subhanallah (Arabic: سبحان الله) is pronounced sub-HAA-nal-lah.

Meaning

The phrase comes from a root that carries the idea of being far removed and above. To say subhanallah is to declare that God is perfect and far above anything unworthy of Him — any weakness, need, partner or flaw. In English it is often rendered “glory be to God” or “exalted is God”.

How Muslims use it

Muslims say subhanallah when they see something beautiful or astonishing — a sunset, a newborn baby, a sudden act of kindness — as a way of turning wonder into praise of the One who made it. It is also said quietly in the daily prayer (salah), where Muslims glorify God while bowing and prostrating, and it is repeated in moments of remembrance after prayer.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged this simple phrase in a well-known saying:

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "There are two expressions which are very easy for the tongue to say, but they are very heavy in the balance and are very dear to The Beneficent (Allah), and they are, 'Subhan Allah Al- `Azim and 'Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi

Because it is short, anyone can say it — a new Muslim on their first day just as much as a scholar.

Example

“Look at those mountains — subhanallah!”

To learn more about the God Muslims glorify, read Who Is Allah?, and see its companion phrase Alhamdulillah.