The Meaning Of Tasbih Fatimah ('A)

It is narrated in Bukhari, Muslim, and in reliable Shi'a sources that Sayyida Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet, peace be upon him, went to ask her father for a maidservant to help her with certain duties. The Prophet, in return, told her he would gift her something that is better than a servant. "Say 'Allahu Akbar' 34 times. Say 'Al-hamdulil-Lah' 33 times. Say 'Subhana Allah' 33 times". Instead of insisting on a helper, she quickly and happily accepted this gift. This is known as Tasbih Sayyida Fatimah 'alayha as-salam.

This is such a powerful and rewarding gift that it has been narrated that Imam Al-Sadiq 'alayhi as-salam, said: "that whoever says Tasbih of Lady Fatimah before changing their posture after prayer, Allah will forgive them". The Imam also said, "to recite Tasbih Fatimah every day after prayer is better to me than saying 1,000 rak'ahs of recommended prayers every day".

For us to understand the value of this Tasbih, we need to study the actual meanings of these specific words mentioned. The first part of the Tasbih starts with Allahu Akbar. It is commonly translated "Allah is the greatest". Perhaps a more accurate translation is, "Allah is Greater". But the phrase, "Allah is Greater", is an incomplete sentence. It begs the question: Greater than what? What is Allah greater than?

In a narration, a person uttered Allahu Akbar, next to Imam al-Sadiq. The Imam asked him, "Allah is Greater than what?" He answered, "than everything". Then the Imam said, "you have defined and limited Him". Then he asked, "What should I say?" Imam said, "Allah is Greater than any description". So in other words, it is wrong to compare anything with Allah. We cannot say "a person is great, but Allah is Greater".

Do we really possess any sort of greatness, knowledge, power, wealth, wisdom? Or did we acquire it? So in that case, how can we compare our knowledge with Allah's knowledge, when we really do not own any knowledge? If Allah owns all knowledge, power, wealth, etc. Are we saying Allah is Greater in knowledge than His own knowledge? That is why the Imam has said "you have limited him". Therefore, say, "He is greater than that which you describe".

Hence, there is nothing we can compare with Allah. All these comparisons are on our level of creation. We cannot attempt to describe Allah. We should visualize the reality that every element of our body and soul is totally dependent upon Allah's Will.

Hence, there is no reason to think of ourselves as possessing any degree of greatness whatsoever. Instead, we should express humility and submissiveness in front of Allah. When we say, Allahu Akbar, during the Tasbih, we say, "Allah is Greater in the knowledge that I describe. Allah is Greater in the power that I describe. Allah is Greater in the forgiveness that I describe", and so on.

As for Al-hamdulil-Lah, it usually translates as, 'all praise belongs to Allah'. The word 'hamd' has the meaning of praise, but it also implies meanings of gratitude and appreciation along with praise. In English, I may praise someone for achieving something great. However, it does not mean that I am grateful to them for their achievement. Likewise, I can be grateful to someone for helping me, but it does not mean that I am praising them for their assistance. The Arabic term 'hamd', however, encompasses both praise and gratitude. And so the correct meaning of 'Al-hamdulil-Lah' becomes, 'all praise and gratitude belongs to Allah'.

In other words, Allah is free from the need of praise and gratitude. Allah is worthy of praise and gratitude, regardless if we show it or not. So when we say Al-hamdulil-Lah during the Tasbih, we say "Al-hamdulil-Lah for letting me recognize You. Al-hamdulil-Lah for my health. Al-hamdulil-Lah for my eyesight", and so on.

As for 'Subhana Allah', it is commonly translated as 'glory be to Allah'. This translation falls short in conveying a proper meaning of the Tasbih. A correct translation would mean that 'Allah is forever clear from wrongdoing, deficiency, imperfection, and limitations', but there is a more technical meaning. There are four things that are applied to the Tasbih.

One, is to affirm the positive and befitting attributes of Allah, when you say Subhana Allah. Two, is to negate any negative and unbefitting descriptions attributed to Allah. Three, is to show surprise and shock when an unbefitting description is ascribed to Allah. Four, is to glorify Allah with a majestic praise, meaning a praise with great admiration and respect.

As an example, the Holy Quran says, "They say God has taken a son. Subhanahu - He is clear from any limitations" (2:116). So, here we affirm that He is clear from any limitation. We negate any unbefitting description of Allah having a son. Because of His high, exalted nature, we show surprise and shock as to how can someone like Allah ever have a limitation or a son? And because we know Allah has no limitation and is Perfect, we glorify Him with a majestic praise, with great admiration and respect.

Or another example. "And they have said that there is a relationship between Allah and Jinn" (6:100). The verse continues, "Glory be to Allah. He is clear from any limitations or what they describe" (6:100). Here we affirm that He is clear from any limitations. We negate any unbefitting description of Allah having a relationship with the Jinn. Because of His high exalted nature, we show surprise and shock as to how can someone like Allah ever have a relationship with a Jinn? And because we know Allah has no limitation and He is perfect, we glorify Him with a majestic praise, with great admiration and respect.

So when we say 'Subhana Allah' during the Tasbih, we say, "Subhana Allah, for such a wonderful creation because only Someone clear from any faults could have created it" and so on.

This Tasbih is a medicine for our spiritual illnesses. It is not merely just reading the names. It is focusing on their deeper meanings so that we may refine our faith and purity towards Allah. In that way, we will refine the concepts in our hearts and in our minds to truly glorify Allah the best we can.