Bismillah.
سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
Whatever there is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah and He is the All-mighty, the All-wise.
(Surat Al-Hadid No.57, Āyat 1)
Sūrat Al-Hadīd, along with six other sūrahs of the Holy Quran, are known as Al-Musabbihāt—the glorifiers. The other six chapters included in this category are: Al-Isrā’ (17), Al-Hashr (59), al-Jumu‘ah (62), al-Saff (61), al-Taghābun (64) and Al-A‘lā (87). The Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa-ālihi wasallam used to recite Al-Musabbihāt before going to bed. Some scholars limit this to five sūrahs, not including sūrahs 17 & 87.
There is a narration from Imam Muhammad al-Bāqir ‘alayhis-salām stating: Whoever recites the chapters that begin with the praises of God, Al-Musabbihāt, shall not die until he meets Imam Mahdi (may God Almighty hasten his reappearance). However, if he passes away before his blessed arrival, he shall be the neighbor of Allah’s Messenger (s) (Majma‘ al-Bayān).
These sūrahs are known as Al-Musabbihāt because they begin with phrases such as Subhāna (Glory be to), Sabbaha (He glorified), Yusabbihu (He glorifies), or Sabbih (Glorify!). The central theme of these chapters is the glorification of Allah ‘azza wajall. The phrase Subhānallāh (Glory be to God – Who is free of any imperfection) is frequently used in daily life as well as in prayers (salāt). It is recited in the rukū‘, sajdah, and during the tasbīhāt both within and after the prayer.
The frequent articulation of Subhānallāh expresses our belief that Almighty Allah is completely free from any deficiencies, imperfections, or limitations. The style of the Quran in refuting the flaws or defects that some may wrongly attribute to Allah is to declare in many verses: Subhānallāh ‘ammā yasifūn – Glorified is Allah, far above what they ascribe to Him.
The Quran presents the story of Prophet Yūnus ‘alayhis-salām as an example of humility and devotion. After he left his community in a state of anger, he found himself in a dark and unfamiliar place – in the belly of the whale. Despite his circumstances Prophet Yūnus (a) held himself accountable when he fell short of perfection. His heartfelt supplication at that time was:
لاَ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
There is no god except You! You are immaculate! I have indeed been among the wrongdoers! (Q 21:87)
Glorification of Allah is not limited to animate beings. All of creation, including inanimate objects, is engaged in His praise. This is reflected in the Quranic usage of “mā” in the verse in context indicating that everything is alive, conscious of Allah, and constantly engaged in tasbīh. When Prophet Dāwūd ‘alayhis-salām praised Allah, the mountains and trees would join him in glorification. Though these creations are always engaged in tasbīh, they would harmonize with his praise in a unique way. The Quran affirms this:
وَسَخَّرْنَا ٱلْجِبَالَ مَعَهُۥ يُسَبِّحْنَ بِٱلْعَشِىِّ وَٱلإِشْرَاقِ
We disposed of the mountains to glorify [Allah] with him at evening and dawn. (Q38:18)
Performing tasbīh brings numerous benefits. It answers prayers, alleviates loneliness, instills patience, illuminates the home, protects from punishment and delivers from hardship, and provides many other benefits.
We pray to the Almighty to enable us to be among those who glorify His name. We continue to pray for the oppressed Muslims around the world. May the Almighty hasten the reappearance of Imam Al-Mahdī ‘ajallāhu farajah.
Sources: Āyatullāh Nāsir Makārim Shirāzī (Ed.), Tafsīr-e Namūneh; Shaykh Tabarsī, Tafsīr Majma‘ al-Bayān ; Imam Ali Zaynul ‘Abidin, Sahīfah Sajjādiyyah, ‘The whispered prayers of the Rememberers’.