Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Bhai,

As salaam aleikum wrwb

What does the Words " Allah Suban ahu Taala" mean.

I know the meaning but cannot express to a Sikh friend of mine. Please help

Jazak Allah Kheir

Allah Hafiz

Your indebted brother in Islam,

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Meaning of subhanahu wa taala

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The literal meaning of Subha nahu means ‘Glory be to Him’ and Ta’ala means ‘He, The Most High’ from the Arabic word ‘Aala’ meaning High.

The term ‘Subhanahu’ is used for Allah as a declaration of our faith and belief in the absolute and vastest sense of the term that He Alone is worthy of All Honor, and All Praise, and All Adoration, and All Renown, and All Distinction, and All Splendour, etc., that He Alone is free of any and all defect and error, and that He Alone is Perfect in Absolutely everything that He does; in Creating, in Providing, in Sustaining, in Accounting, in Seeing, in Hearing, in His Knowledge, in everything that He Does!

When all the above listed and more Noble and Best qualities combine themselves and then some more, does one deserve this title of Subhanah or Glory! And the Lord is my witness, no term does justice to His Glory and Majesty!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Israa verses 43-44:

43 Glory to him! He is High above all that they say! Exalted and Great (beyond measure)!

44 The seven heavens and the earth and all beings therein declare His Glory: there not a thing but celebrates His Praise; and yet ye understand not how they declare His Glory! Verily! He is Oft- Forbearing, Most Forgiving!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 59 Surah Hashr verses 23-24:

23 Allah is He than whom there is no other god, The Sovereign, The Holy One, The Source of Peace (and Perfection). The Guardian of Faith, The Preserver of Safety, The Exalted in Might, The Irresistible, The Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him.

24 He is Allah! The Creator, The Evolver, The Bestower of Forms (or colors). To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names: Whatever is in the heavens and on earth doth declare His Praises and Glory: and He is the Exalted in Might the Wise.

Ta’ala on the other hand is declared to complement the ‘Subhanahu’ or Glory of Allah, as no words are enough to describe or justify the Majesty and Supremacy of the Lord All Mighty.

Ta’ala means The Most High, The Most Exalted, The Absolute and Perfect Bestest!

Even if all the best terms of all the languages are used together, they will become humiliated and humbled when describing the Noble and Exalted Attributes of Allah Subhanah! Such is the Supreme Glory and the High Status that He has chosen to introduce Himself to His believing slaves!

Allah says describing Himself in the Holy Quran Chapter 42 Surah Ash-Shura verse 11: There is Absolutely nothing like Him (Allah) in the whole Universe!!! He is the All-Hearing, The All-Seeing!! To Him Alone belong the keys of the treasures of the heavens and the earth!!

Allah says in Chapter 112, Surah Ikhlas Verse 1-4: Say: He is Allah, the One and Only. Allah is Independent of all, and all are dependent on Him. Neither has He any offspring, nor is He the offspring of anyone; and NONE is equal to Him in rank.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Bani Israel verse 110: For to Him (Allah) belong the Most Beautiful Names.

I am sorry brother, for as much as I or everything in existence may try, we will never be able to comprehend or do justice to Allah’s Glory and His High and Exalted Status! It was only a sign of your Reverence and your Absolute Awe of the Lord Most Exalted, that it was so difficult for you to explain the Absolute and Exalted Status of the One and Only Supreme Being, especially to a person who does not believe in Him!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 31 Surah Luqman verses 26-27:

26 To Allah belong all things in heaven and earth: verily Allah is He (that is) free of all wants, Worthy of all Praise.

27 And if all the trees on earth were pens, and the ocean (were ink); with seven oceans behind it to add to its (supply); yet would not the Words of Allah be exhausted: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Full of Wisdom.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan