What Does Tasbih Mean?
Tasbih means God is announcing that devoid of what polytheists attribute to Him.
Seven Surahs of the Quran start with Tasbih, including As-Saff, Al-Ala, Al-Hadid, Al-Jumu'ah, At-Taghabun, Al-Hashr, and Al-Isra. The word Tasbih and its derivations have been used 90 times in the Quran while the word “Subhan” is the most-cited one. Most of these words mean glorifying and sanctifying Allah.
Tasbih is sometimes mentioned along with praise (Hamd) for Allah. Some interpreters believe that this means man is not able to say Tasbih by himself but he says so upon the mercy of Allah.
According to the Holy Quran, whatever is inside the universe is exalting God: “The seven heavens, the earth, and whosoever in them, exalt Him. There is nothing that does not exalt with His praise, but you do not understand their exaltation. Surely, He is Clement, Forgiving.” (Surah Al-Isra, verse 44)
The clearest manifestation of Tasbih is the expression “subḥāna -llāhi” [Glorified is God] as it is also part of phrases used in daily prayers: “subḥāna rabbiya l-ʿaẓīmi wa-bi-ḥamdih” [Glorified is my Lord, the Great, and by His praise] and “subḥāna rabbiya l-ʾaʿlā wa-bi-ḥamdih” [Glorified is my Lord, the Most High, and by His praise].
Tasbih mainly refers to the phrase “subḥāna -llāh” but in a broader definition, it also encompasses other Dhikrs such as “allāhu ʾakbar” [God is Greater than everything], “al-ḥamdu lillāh” [All praise is due to God], and “lā ʾilāha ʾillā –llāh” [There is no deity but God]. These phrases constitute Al-Tasbihat al-Arba'a which is recited in daily prayers.
The Holy Quran advises believers to say Tasbih at various times as there has been an emphasis on saying it at sunrise and sunset. “Therefore, be patient with what they say, and exalt with the praise of your Lord before sunrise and before sunset. And in the watches of the night and at the edges of the day, exalt Him, so that you will be pleasing.” (Surah Taha, verse 130)
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