Subhanaka Allahumma wa bi-hamdika (سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ) is the most well-known of the adiya al-istiftah — the “opening du‘as” recited at the start of every salah, immediately after the opening Takbir (“Allahu Akbar”) and before reciting Surah Al-Fatihah.
This guide covers the full Arabic, transliteration, English meaning, hadith source, the four-madhab differences on which opening du‘a to recite, and five other authentic opening du‘as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also taught for this same moment in salah.
Table of Contents
The Full Dua in Arabic
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلَٰهَ غَيْرُكَ
Transliteration: Subhanaka-llahumma wa bi-hamdika, wa tabaraka-smuka, wa ta‘ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruk.
Translation: “Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your Name, exalted is Your Majesty, and there is no god worthy of worship besides You.”
- Recited silently — even in Fajr, Maghrib, and Isha.
- In the first rak‘ah only; from rak‘ah 2 onward, go straight to ta‘awwudh and Al-Fatihah.
- Hanafi & Hanbali prefer this du‘a; Shafi‘i prefers Wajjahtu Wajhiya; Maliki omits the opening du‘a entirely.
- Sunnah, not fard — forgetting it does not invalidate the prayer and no sajdah al-sahw is needed.
- Authentic sources: Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 242 (hasan), Sunan Abi Dawud 776, narrated by Aisha (RA).
Hadith Source & Authenticity
The dua is reported in Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 242 (graded hasan) and Sunan Abi Dawud 776, narrated by Aisha (RA) — that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would begin his salah with the opening Takbir, then say this du‘a, and only then begin reciting Surah Al-Fatihah. A second narration in Tirmidhi 243 confirms it from Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (RA).
The dua appears in two forms in the authentic narrations:
- Long form (most common): “Subhanaka Allahumma wa bi-hamdika, wa tabaraka-smuka, wa ta‘ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruk.”
- Short form: “Subhanaka Allahumma wa bi-hamdika, tabaraka-smuka wa ta‘ala jadduk, wa la ilaha ghayruk.”
The two forms are nearly identical — only minor difference in particles. Both are authentic.
When to Recite Subhanaka Allahumma
The position in salah is precise. The full opening sequence is:
- Niyyah (intention) — in the heart, not aloud.
- Takbiratul Ihram — raising the hands and saying “Allahu Akbar.”
- Place hands on chest (right over left, per most madhabs).
- Recite Subhanaka Allahumma quietly — this is the moment.
- Ta‘awwudh — A‘udhu billahi min ash-shaytani-r-rajim (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan).
- Basmalah — Bismillahi-r-Rahmani-r-Rahim.
- Surah Al-Fatihah.
The dua is recited once, in the first rak‘ah only — not at the start of every rak‘ah. After the first rak‘ah, you go directly to ta‘awwudh and Surah Al-Fatihah.
Related:
Madhhab Differences: Which Opening Dua to Use
This is the most-asked question on Dua al-Istiftah. The four Sunni madhabs differ on which opening du‘a is the strongest sunnah, but all four agree it is recommended (mustahabb), not obligatory:
| Madhhab | Preferred Dua al-Istiftah |
|---|---|
| Hanafi | Subhanaka Allahumma (this dua) |
| Hanbali | Subhanaka Allahumma (this dua) |
| Shafi‘i | Wajjahtu wajhiya (see below) |
| Maliki | Generally do not recite an opening du‘a (proceed directly to Al-Fatihah) |
All five authentic opening du‘as (below) come from the Prophet ﷺ — the differences between madhabs are over which one was the strongest practice, not over whether the others are valid. Reciting any of them is sunnah; missing them does not invalidate the prayer.
Five Other Authentic Opening Du‘as
1. Wajjahtu Wajhiya (the Shafi‘i preference)
وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ، إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
Wajjahtu wajhiya li-lladhi fatara-s-samawati wa-l-arda hanifan wa ma ana min al-mushrikin. Inna salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamati li-llahi Rabbi-l-‘alamin, la sharika lah, wa bi-dhalika umirtu wa ana min al-muslimin.
Meaning: “I have turned my face toward the One who created the heavens and the earth, as a hanif, and I am not of the polytheists. My prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of all worlds, no partner has He. With this I am commanded, and I am of the Muslims.” (Sahih Muslim 771)
2. Allahumma Ba‘id Bayni
اللَّهُمَّ بَاعِدْ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ خَطَايَايَ كَمَا بَاعَدْتَ بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ، اللَّهُمَّ نَقِّنِي مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْسِلْ خَطَايَايَ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ
Allahumma ba‘id bayni wa bayna khatayaya kama ba‘adta bayna-l-mashriqi wa-l-maghrib…
Meaning: “O Allah, distance me from my sins as You distanced the East from the West. O Allah, cleanse me from sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt. O Allah, wash me of my sins with water, snow, and hail.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 744; Sahih Muslim 598)
3. Allahumma Rabba Jibril
Allahumma Rabba Jibrila wa Mika’ila wa Israfil, fatira-s-samawati wa-l-ard…
Meaning: “O Allah, Lord of Jibril, Mika’il, and Israfil, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen — You judge between Your servants in what they differ. Guide me to the truth in what they differ, by Your permission. Truly You guide whom You will to the straight path.” (Sahih Muslim 770) The Prophet ﷺ used this when starting tahajjud (night prayer) specifically.
4. Al-hamdu Lillahi Hamdan Kathiran
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ
Al-hamdu li-llahi hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fih.
Meaning: “All praise is for Allah — abundant, pure, blessed praise.” (Sahih Muslim 600) The Prophet ﷺ said about this dua: “I saw twelve angels rushing to take it up.”
5. Allahu Akbaru Kabira
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ كَبِيرًا، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ كَثِيرًا، وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا
Allahu akbaru kabira, wa-l-hamdu li-llahi kathira, wa subhana-llahi bukratan wa asila.
Meaning: “Allah is the Greatest in greatness; all praise is for Allah, abundantly; glory be to Allah morning and evening.” (Sahih Muslim 601)
Aloud or Silent?
The opening du‘a is recited silently in every prayer — even in Fajr, Maghrib, and Isha when the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah is aloud. The hadiths describe the Prophet ﷺ saying it quietly. The voice is raised only at Surah Al-Fatihah onward in the audible prayers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Subhanaka Allahumma wa Bihamdika mean?
It means: “Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your Name, exalted is Your Majesty, and there is no god worthy of worship besides You.” It is the most well-known dua al-istiftah (opening dua) recited at the start of every salah, after the opening Takbir and before Surah Al-Fatihah.
Is Subhanaka Allahumma fard or sunnah?
Sunnah, not fard. Reciting it is recommended (mustahabb) and earns reward, but missing it does not invalidate the prayer. The Hanafi and Hanbali madhabs prefer this dua; the Shafi‘i madhab prefers Wajjahtu Wajhiya; the Maliki madhab generally does not include an opening du‘a at all. All four positions are based on authentic hadith.
In every rak’ah or only the first?
Only in the first rak‘ah of each prayer. After the first, you go directly from the standing position to ta‘awwudh (A‘udhu billah…) and Surah Al-Fatihah. The dua al-istiftah is a one-time opening of the prayer, not a per-rak‘ah element.
Should it be aloud or silent?
Silent in every prayer — even Fajr, Maghrib, and Isha when Al-Fatihah and the surah after it are recited aloud. The Prophet ﷺ said it quietly enough that those next to him could not hear it clearly. Voice is raised starting from Al-Fatihah onward in the audible prayers.
Which opening dua should I memorize first if I only know one?
Memorize Subhanaka Allahumma first — it is the shortest, the easiest, and the dua most Hanafi and Hanbali Muslims grow up reciting daily. Once that is solid, learn Wajjahtu Wajhiya as the second. Knowing two of the five gives you flexibility to alternate, which is itself a sunnah.
What if I forget to recite the opening dua?
The prayer is still valid. The dua al-istiftah is a sunnah, not a pillar (rukn) or obligation (wajib) of salah. If you remember mid-prayer that you forgot it, simply continue — do not go back. There is no sajdah al-sahw (correction prostration) required for missing it.
