Meaning

What is intended by the angels' tasbīḥ in the expression "nusabbiḥu bi ḥamdika" in this verse?

Answer

Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597/1201) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr" as follows:

It refers to prayer (ṣalāh). [Ibn Masʿūd, Ibn ʿAbbās]
It means to say "subḥān Allāh" (Glory be to Allah). [Qatādah]
it has the meaning of exaltation (taʿẓīm) and praise (ḥamd). [Abū Ṣāliḥ]
It has the meaning of submission and humility. [Muḥammad ibn al-Qāsim al-Anbārī]

Verses cited

2:30 Al-Baqarah وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّى جَاعِلٌ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً ۖ قَالُوٓا۟ أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ [Prophet], when your Lord told the angels, ‘I am putting a successor on earth,’ they said, ‘How can You put someone there who will cause damage and bloodshed, when we celebrate Your praise and proclaim Your holiness?’ but He said, ‘I know things you do not.’

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