Quranic theme
Exaltation
التسبيح
47 verses
The seven heavens, the earth, and everyone within them are engaged in a constant act of speech that human ears cannot decipher (17:44). The thunder itself sounds the praises of God, alongside angels who do so out of pure awe (13:13). In Quranic theology, exaltation (tasbih) is a cosmic baseline—a declaration that God is entirely free from imperfections in His essence and attributes, a concept that al-Alusi notes is foundational to all other forms of praise (Ruh al-Ma'ani, 1/74).
Morning, Evening, and Contentment
When human beings are commanded to exalt God, the text frequently binds the practice to the transitions of the sun. The Prophet Muhammad is instructed to celebrate the praise of his Lord before sunrise and sunset, during the night, and at the edges of the day, specifically as a means to find inward contentment in the face of his detractors' words (20:130). This exact rhythm of dawn and dusk appears in the life of Zachariah. After asking for a sign and being told he would lose the ability to communicate with people for three days except by gestures, his immediate instruction was to remember God often and celebrate His glory in the evening and at dawn (3:41). Emerging from the sanctuary, unable to speak, he resorted to physical signals to instruct his people to maintain this same morning and evening rhythm of praise (19:11).
A Tool for Prophetic Missions
Exaltation serves as a practical source of strength during severe trials. When Moses receives the monumental command to confront Pharaoh, he immediately asks God to augment his strength by appointing his brother Aaron as his helper. The stated purpose for sharing this heavy prophetic task is not merely logistical, but spiritual: "so that we can glorify You much" (20:32-33). It is the mechanism through which the prophets endure. The text issues a similar directive to the Prophet Muhammad when he faces opposition, telling him to celebrate his Lord's glory and be among those who bow down (15:98). This act of bowing and glorifying mirrors the highest unseen realities, where those who exist in the direct presence of the Lord are never too proud to worship Him; they continually glorify Him and bow down (7:206).
The Hidden Voices of Creation
The physical universe does not passively exist; it actively participates in exaltation. There is not a single thing in existence that fails to celebrate His praise, even though mankind cannot comprehend the nature of their voices (17:44). The rumble of a storm is characterized as the thunder sounding His praises, contrasting sharply with the human beings below who stubbornly dispute about God while He directs mighty plans and sends thunderbolts to strike whoever He wills (13:13). Classical grammarians understood this worldly participation to be literal and responsive. Discussing the mountains that were commanded to repeat praises alongside David, al-Zajjaj explains that the Arabic imperative awwibi means to return or echo the exaltation, creating a continuous loop of praise between the prophet and the earth (Ma'ani al-Quran, 4/243).
To engage in tasbih is to join a chorus that is already deafening across the seven heavens. It is an act of lowering oneself in recognition of divine perfection, commanded as the direct remedy for the anxieties of the waking world. Rather than reacting to the disputes of men, the instruction remains to be patient with what they say, to celebrate the praise of your Lord before the rising and setting of the sun, and to persist through the night so that you may find contentment (20:130).
Verses
All 47 verses, in mushaf order.
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱجْعَل لِّىٓ ءَايَةً ۖ قَالَ ءَايَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ ٱلنَّاسَ ثَلَـٰثَةَ أَيَّامٍ إِلَّا رَمْزًا ۗ وَٱذْكُر رَّبَّكَ كَثِيرًا وَسَبِّحْ بِٱلْعَشِىِّ وَٱلْإِبْكَـٰرِ
He said, ‘My Lord, give me a sign.’ ‘Your sign,’ [the angel] said, ‘is that you will not communicate with anyone for three days, except by gestures. Remember your Lord often; celebrate His glory in the evening and at dawn.’
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِۦ وَيُسَبِّحُونَهُۥ وَلَهُۥ يَسْجُدُونَ ۩
[even] those who live in the presence of your Lord are not too proud to worship Him: they glorify Him and bow down before Him.
وَيُسَبِّحُ ٱلرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِۦ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ مِنْ خِيفَتِهِۦ وَيُرْسِلُ ٱلصَّوَٰعِقَ فَيُصِيبُ بِهَا مَن يَشَآءُ وَهُمْ يُجَـٰدِلُونَ فِى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْمِحَالِ
the thunder sounds His praises, as do the angels in awe of Him; He sends thunderbolts to strike whoever He will. Yet still they dispute about God- He has mighty plans.
فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُن مِّنَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ
Celebrate the glory of your Lord and be among those who bow down to Him:
تُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ ٱلسَّبْعُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّ ۚ وَإِن مِّن شَىْءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَفْقَهُونَ تَسْبِيحَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا
The seven heavens and the earth and everyone in them glorify Him. There is not a single thing that does not celebrate His praise, though you do not understand their praise: He is most forbearing, most forgiving.
فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْمِحْرَابِ فَأَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِمْ أَن سَبِّحُوا۟ بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا
He went out of the sanctuary to his people and signalled to them to praise God morning and evening.
وَٱجْعَل لِّى وَزِيرًا مِّنْ أَهْلِى
and give me a helper from my family,
هَـٰرُونَ أَخِى
my brother Aaron-
ٱشْدُدْ بِهِۦٓ أَزْرِى
augment my strength through him.
وَأَشْرِكْهُ فِىٓ أَمْرِى
Let him share my task
كَىْ نُسَبِّحَكَ كَثِيرًا
so that we can glorify You much
فَٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ ٱلشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا ۖ وَمِنْ ءَانَآئِ ٱلَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْ وَأَطْرَافَ ٱلنَّهَارِ لَعَلَّكَ تَرْضَىٰ
so [Prophet] be patient with what they say- celebrate the praise of your Lord, before the rising and setting of the sun, celebrate His praise during the night, and at the beginning and end of the day, so that you may find contentment-
يُسَبِّحُونَ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ لَا يَفْتُرُونَ
they glorify Him tirelessly night and day.
فَفَهَّمْنَـٰهَا سُلَيْمَـٰنَ ۚ وَكُلًّا ءَاتَيْنَا حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا ۚ وَسَخَّرْنَا مَعَ دَاوُۥدَ ٱلْجِبَالَ يُسَبِّحْنَ وَٱلطَّيْرَ ۚ وَكُنَّا فَـٰعِلِينَ
and made Solomon understand the case [better], though We gave sound judgement and knowledge to both of them. We made the mountains and the birds celebrate Our praises with David- We did all these things-
فِى بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ ٱللَّهُ أَن تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا ٱسْمُهُۥ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ فِيهَا بِٱلْغُدُوِّ وَٱلْـَٔاصَالِ
shining out in houses of worship. God has ordained that they be raised high and that His name be remembered in them, with men in them celebrating His glory morning and evening:
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلطَّيْرُ صَـٰٓفَّـٰتٍ ۖ كُلٌّ قَدْ عَلِمَ صَلَاتَهُۥ وَتَسْبِيحَهُۥ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ
[Prophet], do you not see that all those who are in the heavens and earth praise God, as do the birds with wings outstretched? Each knows its [own way] of prayer and glorification: God has full knowledge of what they do.
وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱلْحَىِّ ٱلَّذِى لَا يَمُوتُ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِهِۦ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِهِۦ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرًا
Put your trust in the Living [God] who never dies, and celebrate His praise. He knows the sins of His servants well enough:
إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهَا خَرُّوا۟ سُجَّدًا وَسَبَّحُوا۟ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ۩
The only people who truly believe in Our messages are those who, when they are reminded of them, bow down in worship, cele-brate their Lord’s praises, and do not think themselves above this.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا
Believers, remember God often
وَسَبِّحُوهُ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا
and glorify Him morning and evening:
فَلَوْلَآ أَنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَبِّحِينَ
If he had not been one of those who glorified God,
لَلَبِثَ فِى بَطْنِهِۦٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ
he would have stayed in its belly until the Day when all are raised up,
وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ ٱلْمُسَبِّحُونَ
We glorify God.’
إِنَّا سَخَّرْنَا ٱلْجِبَالَ مَعَهُۥ يُسَبِّحْنَ بِٱلْعَشِىِّ وَٱلْإِشْرَاقِ
We made the mountains join him in glorifying Us at sunset and sunrise;
وَتَرَى ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةَ حَآفِّينَ مِنْ حَوْلِ ٱلْعَرْشِ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ وَقِيلَ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
You [Prophet] will see the angels surrounding the Throne, glorifying their Lord with praise. True judgement will have been passed between them, and it will be said, ‘Praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds.’
ٱلَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ ٱلْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُۥ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَٱغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
Those [angels] who carry the Throne and those who surround it celebrate the praise of their Lord and have faith in Him. They beg forgiveness for the believers: ‘Our Lord, You embrace all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who turn to You and follow Your path. Save them from the pains of Hell
فَٱصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنۢبِكَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْعَشِىِّ وَٱلْإِبْكَـٰرِ
So be patient, Prophet, for what God has promised is sure to come. Ask forgiveness for your sins; praise your Lord morning and evening.
فَإِنِ ٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فَٱلَّذِينَ عِندَ رَبِّكَ يُسَبِّحُونَ لَهُۥ بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْـَٔمُونَ ۩
If the disbelievers are too arrogant, [remember, Prophet, that] those who are with your Lord glorify Him tirelessly night and day.
تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِن فَوْقِهِنَّ ۚ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
The heavens are almost broken apart from above as the angels proclaim the praises of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth. God is indeed the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
لِّتُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَتُعَزِّرُوهُ وَتُوَقِّرُوهُ وَتُسَبِّحُوهُ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا
so that you[people] may believe in God and His Messenger, support Him, honour Him, and praise Him morning and evening.
فَٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ ٱلشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ ٱلْغُرُوبِ
So [Prophet], bear everything they say with patience; celebrate the praise of your Lord before the rising and setting of the sun;
وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْهُ وَأَدْبَـٰرَ ٱلسُّجُودِ
proclaim His praise in the night and at the end of every prayer;
وَٱصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ فَإِنَّكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا ۖ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ
Wait patiently [Prophet] for your Lord’s judgement: you are under Our watchful eye. Celebrate the praise of your Lord when you rise.
وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْهُ وَإِدْبَـٰرَ ٱلنُّجُومِ
Glorify Him at night and at the fading of the stars.
فَسَبِّحْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
so [Prophet] glorify the name of your Lord, the Supreme.
فَسَبِّحْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
[Prophet], glorify the name of your Lord the Supreme.
سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Everything in the heavens and earth glorifies God––He is the Almighty, the Wise.
سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Everything in the heavens and earth glorifies God; He is the Almighty, the Wise.
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخَـٰلِقُ ٱلْبَارِئُ ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ ۖ لَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
He is God: the Creator, the Originator, the Shaper. The best names belong to Him. Everything in the heavens and earth glorifies Him: He is the Almighty, the Wise.
سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Everything in the heavens and earth glorifies God––He is the Almighty, the Wise.
يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلْمَلِكِ ٱلْقُدُّوسِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
Everything in the heavens and earth glorifies God, the Controller, the Holy One, the Almighty, the Wise.
يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Everything that is in the heavens and earth glorifies God; all control and all praise belong to Him; He has power over everything.
قَالَ أَوْسَطُهُمْ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ لَوْلَا تُسَبِّحُونَ
The wisest of them said, ‘Did I not say to you, “Will you not glorify God?”’-
فَسَبِّحْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
So [Prophet] glorify the name of your Lord, the Almighty.
وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَٱسْجُدْ لَهُۥ وَسَبِّحْهُ لَيْلًا طَوِيلًا
bow down before Him, and glorify Him at length by night.
سَبِّحِ ٱسْمَ رَبِّكَ ٱلْأَعْلَى
[Prophet], glorify the name of your Lord the Most High,
فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْهُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ تَوَّابًۢا
celebrate the praise of your Lord and ask His forgiveness: He is always ready to accept repentance.