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Scholars said that Tawhīd of the names and attributes of Allah rests upon two foundations, which are the core of monotheism:
1. Establishing perfection in the names, attributes, and actions of Allah Almighty.
2. Exalting Allah far above any deficiency or defect that contradicts His perfect essence, attributes, and actions.
Out of Allah’s mercy towards us, He taught us how to extol and glorify Him. He says: {And glorify Him in the morning and in the afternoon.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 42]
Glory be to the One Who is constantly glorified!
Glory be to the One Whose remembrance brings contentment!
Glory be to Him alone, and never to anyone else!
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to say during his bowing and prostration in prayer: “Subbūhun Quddūs, Rabbu al-malā’ikati wa ar-rūh (the All-Glorious, the Most Holy, Lord of the angels and of the Spirit).” [Narrated by Muslim]
When we glorify Allah Almighty, this means we declare Him free from any deficiency or defect.
Indeed, our Lord is exalted above any defect or evil. To Him belongs the ultimate perfection.
The entire universe is a place for worshiping Allah. Everything therein glorifies the Almighty Lord, and this is the greatest form of worship.
The angels, inhabitants of the heavens: {They said: “Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we exalt You with praise and declare Your perfection?” He said: “Indeed, I know what you do not know.”} [Surat al-Baqarah: 30]
There is nothing in the universe that does not glorify Allah Almighty, except the disbelievers among the jinn and humans.
Allah Almighty says: {The seven heavens and the earth and whatever is in them glorify Him. And there is not a thing except that it glorifies [Allah] by His praise, but you do not understand their [way of] glorifying. Indeed, He is All-Forbearing, All-Forgiving.} [Surat al-Isrā’: 44]
Allah Almighty is the One worthy of being glorified, given His perfect essence and attributes.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: ‘An ant had bitten a prophet; thereupon, he ordered that the colony of ants be burnt. Then Allah revealed to him: “You have burnt a community from amongst the communities that glorify Me because of an ant’s bite!’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri - this is his wording - and Muslim]
Mountains and birds also glorify Allah Almighty: {...And We subjected the mountains to glorify [Us], along with David and [also] the birds. And We were doing [that].} [Surat al-Anbiyā’: 79] So, it is even more appropriate for us to glorify the Almighty Lord.
One of the righteous predecessors said: “Would anyone of you not be ashamed that the animal he rides and the garment he wears mentions Allah more often than he does!”
As pious people learned about the reward of good deeds and that glorification of Allah is the dearest speech to Him, they vied with one another in glorifying their Lord in all their situations. Indeed, that is the easy booty. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Two words are light for the tongue to utter, heavy in the scales, and are dear to the Most Compassionate: ‘Subhānallāh wa bihamdih, subhānallāh Al-‘Azhīm (Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him, Glory be to Allah, the Magnificent).” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) is also authentically reported to have said: “Whoever says: ‘Subhānallāh wa bihamdih (Glory be to Allah, and praise be to Him)’ one hundred times a day, his sins will be erased even if they were as much as the foam of the sea.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
He (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Is anyone of you unable to earn a thousand good deeds during a day?” One of those present asked: “How can one of us earn a thousand good deeds?”
He said: “He glorifies Allah a hundred times, and thus a thousand good deeds will be recorded for him, or a thousand sins will be erased from him.” [Narrated by Muslim]
Glorification of Allah Almighty is one of the lasting good things.
Glorification of Allah comforts His obedient servants and provides refuge for the fearful among them, as they know that the One Whom they glorify and exalt above any imperfection or defect is their refuge at times of hardship, their companion in their loneliness, and their supporter when they are few and weak.
How could the supplications of those who glorify Allah a lot not be answered while they are the ones who know their Lord at times of ease?! How come He does not know them at times of hardship?!
Take Yūnus (Jonah) (peace be upon him) as an example. Allah Almighty says about him: {And had he not been of those who glorify Allah, He would have surely remained in its belly till the Day of Resurrection.} [Surat as-Sāffāt: 143-144]
Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) said: “Fish in the sea would at times stay still, but he would not take rest from glorification of Allah. Frogs would keep silent, but he would continue to mention Allah Almighty.”
Al-Hasan said: “Yūnus (Jonah) did not offer prayer in the belly of the whale, yet the good deeds he had performed at the time of ease were the reason Allah took care of him at the time of affliction.”
Al-Karaji said: “This indicates that glorification of Allah and proclaiming His Oneness remove anguish and save one from distress and afflictions.”
A reported citation reads: “A righteous person gets recognized in heaven.” This is because glorification of Allah is a righteous act and Allah Almighty says: {...To Him ascends good speech...} [Surat Fātir: 10]
With glorification, a person is given sustenance. In Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “...And ‘subhānallāh wa bihamdih (glory be to Allah and praise be to Him)’; that is the prayer of everything, and with it everything is given sustenance.” [Sahīh (authentic)]
Glory be to Allah as many as what He created in the heavens.
Glory be to Allah as many as what He created in the earth.
Glory be to Allah as many as the creation between them.
Glory be to Allah as many as what He creates.
Allah Almighty commands His servants to glorify Him a lot at the times of sunrise and sunset. He says: {So glorified is Allah when you reach the evening and when you reach the morning.} [Surat ar-Rūm: 17] He also says: {And glorify Him in the morning and in the evening.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 42]
Given the significance of glorification, Allah Almighty will inspire the dwellers of Paradise to glorify Him as naturally as breathing. {Their call therein will be, “Glory be to You, O Allah,” and their greeting therein will be: “Peace.” And the last of their call will be: “Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds!”} [Surat Yūnus: 10]
Ibn Rajab (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: “Every deed comes to an end, except for the remembrance of Allah, which does not come to a halt. All deeds cease when the world ceases to exist, and nothing of it will remain in the Hereafter, except for the remembrance of Allah. The believer lives, dies, and gets resurrected upon the remembrance of Allah.”
Glory be to the One Who is glorified by all creatures and all tongues.
Glory be to Him for the favors He bestows upon us.
Glory be to the One Who is glorified by those who knew that
glorification of Him is one of the best means of protection.
Glory be to the One Who disgraces the sinners or
forgives grave sins and minor ones if He so wills.
Glory be to the One from Whom we ask the forgiveness of a Mighty Lord
and seek refuge from severe retribution.
May Allah make us among those who glorify Him and extend praise to Him, and among the believers in His names and attributes who believe in His Oneness and extol Him; indeed, He is All-Hearing, Near.
{So glorified is Allah when you reach the evening and when you reach the morning. And to Him is all praise throughout the heavens and the earth. And [glorified is He] at night and when you are at noon.} [Surat ar-Rūm: 17-18]