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Fatwa CenterReciting ‘Subboohun Quddoosun Rabbul Malaa'ikati war-Rooh’ while bowing
Question
Can “Subbuhoon Quddosoon Rabbul Malaaikati warruh” be recited while bowing instead of “Subhaana Rabbiyal Azeem”?
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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
It is permissible, or rather an act of Sunnah, to make Tasbeeh (glorifying) while bowing and prostrating with any of the expressions of Tasbeeh reported in the Quran and Sunnah. Some of these expressions are mentioned in the following ahaadeeth:
- ‘Aa'ishah 
reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to recite in his bowing and prostrating, “Subboohun Quddoosun, Rabbul-Malaa'ikati war-Rooh (which means: You are the Most Glorious, The Most Holy, The Lord of the angels and of Jibreel).” [Muslim and others]
- ‘Aa'ishah reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, often, while bowing and prostrating, used to say, “Subhaanak-Allahumma wa bi-hamdika, Allahumma-ighfir li (which means: Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise; O Allah forgive me).” [Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and others]
- ‘Awf ibn Maalik 
narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, while prostrating used to recite, “Subhaana Thil-Jabarooti wal-Malakooti wal-Kibriyaa'i wal-‘Athamah (which means: Glory be to the Lord of the Might, the Dominion, the Majesty, and the Magnificence.)” [An-Nasaa'i and others - Al-Albaani graded it Saheeh (sound)]
Also, one may say, “Subhaana Rabbiyal-‘Atheem (which means: Glory be to my Lord, The Almighty).” [Ahmad, Abu Daawood, and others] He may settle for reciting one or more of these reported forms of Tasbeeh, and he may recite them all as well in his bowing and prostrating. This matter is flexible, Allah willing. It is better, though, to give priority to reciting “Subhaana Rabbiyal-‘Atheem”. An-Nawawi 
wrote:
“But it is better to recite all these reported Athkaar (expressions of remembrance of Allah) if possible without overburdening other people, and he should start with ‘Subhaana Rabbiyal-‘Atheem’. If he wishes to settle for reciting one Thikr (singular of Athkaar) only, it is recommended to recite ‘Subhaana Rabbiyal-‘Atheem’. The least perfect manner of reciting this Tasbeeh is to say it three times. If he said it only once, though, it is sufficient. If he wishes to recite some of them, it is recommended to recite some at times and others at other times so that he would be reciting all the reported Athkaar.” [Al-Athkaar, p. 86]
Allah knows best.
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