Saying 'Subhanallah' during storm
Fatwa No: 85852

Question

What is the ruling on saying Subhanallah when thundering or lightning?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Saying Subhana Allah when seeing the lightning or hearing the thunder is a supererogatory act. Abu Dawood reported in his book of 'Maraseel' from Ubaidullah Ibn Abi J'afar that the Prophet said: “If you hear the thunder say ‘Subhana Allah’ but do not say ‘Allahu Akbar’”. Ibn Jarir also reported from Abu Hurairah that he said: “The Prophet  used to say when hearing the thunder: “سبحان من يسبح الرعد بحمده” (Glorified is He Whom the thunder glorifies and praises)”. It is also reported that Caliph Ali Ibn Abu Talibused to say when hearing the thunder: سبحان من سبّحت" بحمده" (Glorified is He Whom the thunder glorifies and praises)”. This was also reported from Abdullah Ibn Zbair and others. Al-Tirmithi, Ahmad and Al-Bukhari in his book ‘Adab al-Mufrad’ reported that “The Prophet used to say when hearing the thunder or the thunderbolt: “O Allah do not kill us with Your Anger and do not destroy us with Your Punishment and give us Your Peace before that all”.

Allah knows best.

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