In the vast tapestry of world religions, Islam stands out for its belief in one absolute God: Allah. For Muslims, Allah represents the all-powerful and all-merciful creator, the source and sustainer of all existence. To show respect and reverence to Allah, Muslims worldwide write Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala after Allah. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is written in Arabic as:
'اللهُ سبحانه وتعالى'
The literal meaning of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is 'Allah, is: all glory to Him, the Exalted.' These words are used to glorify Allah and show subjection towards Him. In simple words, all the praise belongs to Him alone. Allah, the Exalted, the one who created humans, birds, animals, plants, and everything visible and hidden, is worthy of all praise and appreciation. Everything in the world, even the birds and animals, glorify Him. As a creation of the Mighty Allah, praising Allah is an obligation, and saying Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is one way of doing it.
Let's first take a look at the phonetic pronunciation of Allah Subanahu Wa Ta'ala. The correct way to pronounce Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is 'aa-luh soob-haa-na-hoo wa taa-luh.'
For a better understanding, let's break it down.
1. Allah: Pronounced as 'aa-luh'
Sounds as 'aa as in hat' and 'luh with a special emphasis on 'l'
2. Subhanahu:
Sub: Pronounced as 'soob' with 'oo' in the middle
Sounds like 'soob' just like the rhyme of 'soup'
Ha: Pronounced as ‘ha’ just like in ‘halal’
Sounds like 'haa'
Na: Pronounced as 'na' just like in 'naive'
Sounds like 'naa'
Hu: Pronounced as 'hoo' with emphasis on 'oo'
Sounds like 'hoo'
3. Wa: Pronounced as 'wa' as in 'war’
Sounds like 'wa'
4. Ta'ala: Pronounced as 'taa' for the first part and 'luh' for the last part
Sounds like 'Taa-luh' with a little break after taa
Combining these small parts all together will give us the pronunciation as 'aa-luh soob-haa-na-hoo wa taa-luh.'
Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is translated to 'Allah, all glory to Him, the Exalted.' Muslims say Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala in conversation, but in the written form, instead of using the whole phrase, most people put SWT as an abbreviation. In this way, they show respect to the omnipotent God. It is a fairly common way to address Allah. Whether it is a real-life conversation or a piece of literature on the glory of Allah, Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is used after saying or writing Allah. This short phrase holds barakah and Allah's blessings. Calling Allah in this way can open the door to many divine sanctions. It's a beautiful way to honor Allah's superiority.
There are many instances where the word 'Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala' is mentioned. In Hadith and Quran, Allah has glorified and honored Himself by repeatedly mentioning Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.
In the Quran, the phrase Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala has been mentioned six times on different occasions and in different ways. Let's go through them all. In Surah Al Anam, verse 100, Allah says,
"Yet they ascribe to jinns a partnership with God, although He created them; and they ascribe to Him sons and daughters, without possessing any knowledge. All praise be to Him. He is much too exalted for things they associate (with Him)."
Similarly, in Surah Yunus, Allah describes His Majesty and omnipotence by declaring that none has the right to be worshipped except Him. He says,
"They worship those besides God who cannot do them harm or bring them gain, and say: "These are our intercessors with God." Say: "Do you want to inform God of things in the heavens and the earth He does not know?" Glorious is He, and too exalted for what they associate with Him!"
Allah has repeatedly mentioned in the Quran that there is no one worthy enough to be associated with Him. He is high above all of it, the superior, and the one and only Allah. In the first ayah of Surah An-Nahal, Allay says,
"The decree of God will surely come; so, do not try to hasten it: Too glorious and high is He for what they associate with Him."
Similarly, Allah says, "Too glorious and high is He, too exalted for what they say!" (Surah Al Isra: 43)
In Surah Ar-Roum, Allah beautifully explains His power and excellence by saying,
"It is God who created you, then gave you sustenance, then He will make you die, and bring you back to life. Is there one among those you associate with Him who can do the least of these things? Too high and exalted is He for what they associate with Him!"
Just like the Quran, there are many references in Hadith where the phrase 'Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala' is used or the importance of glorifying Allah is explained. Fadalah bin 'Ubaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard someone supplicating after his prayer without praising Allah and without supplicating Allah for the Prophet (ﷺ). With regard to him, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "This man rushed." Then he called him and said, "When any one of you has performed Salat (prayer) and wants to supplicate, let him praise Allah first, then glorify Him in the beginning, and then he should supplicate Allah for me. Then he may supplicate for whatever he likes." (Riyad as-Salihin)
Abdullah b. Mas'ud reported in Sahih Muslim that a Jewish scholar came to Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) and said:
Muhammad (ﷺ) said, verily, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, would carry the Heavens on the Day of Judgment upon one finger and earth upon one finger and the mountains and trees upon one finger and the ocean and moist earth upon one finger, and in fact the whole of the creation upon one finger, and then He would stir them and say: I am your Lord, I am your Lord. Thereupon, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) smiled, testifying what that scholar had said. He then recited this verse: " And they honor not Allah with the honor due to Him, and the whole earth will be in His grip on the Day of Resurrection, and the heaven rolled up in His right hand. Glory be to Him I and highly Exalted is He above what they associate (with Him)" (Az-Zumar:67).
These references show the importance of saying the praise of Allah as many times as possible throughout the day.
Understanding the meaning and significance of the honorific' Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala' deepens the connection with Islam. It is a prime way to acknowledge the greatness of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala and show respect towards Him. Muslims must include the praise of Allah in their daily routine. Reciting the tasbih of Adhkar that glorifies Allah is a sure way to lead us to the path towards Jannah.
Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is pretty easy to pronounce. You can pronounce it as 'aa-lah soob-haa-na-hoo wa taa-luh.'
The meaning of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is 'Allah, all glory to Him, the Exalted.'
No, it is not necessary. It is an honorific that is most commonly used; however, there is no obligation to use it every time.
You can write Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala in Arabic as 'اللهُ سبحانه وتعالى.'
Yes, it is a personal choice of every individual to say it or not. Many other honorifics, such as Allah Azzawajal, can be recited, too.
