Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
**”The superiority of (SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, ‘adada khalqihi, wa rida nafsihi, wa zinata ‘arshihi, wa midaada kalimatihi) over merely saying ‘SubhanAllah’ is multiplied many times over. This is because what fills the heart of the one who recites (SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi ‘adada khalqihi) — in terms of awareness, glorification, and magnification of Allah to the extent of the mentioned number — is far greater than what fills the heart of the one who merely says ‘SubhanAllah.’
This is called ‘multiplied remembrance’, and it is greater in praise than singular remembrance, which is why it is superior. This becomes evident when one comprehends and reflects upon this type of dhikr. When the one who glorifies Allah says (SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi ‘adada khalqihi), it entails both stating and informing of what the Lord is worthy of in terms of glorification, as vast as the number of all created beings, whether they already exist or will exist until eternity.
It includes informing of Allah’s glorification, magnification, and praise to this enormous number, which cannot be comprehended or counted by anyone. Furthermore, it includes the individual’s initiative to glorify Allah in this manner. However, this does not mean that the glorification uttered by the servant is itself equivalent to this number, but rather that the servant acknowledges that what Allah truly deserves of glorification surpasses all measures and numbers. If there were a greater number beyond this, it would have been mentioned.”**
(End of quote from Al-Manar Al-Munif, p. 34)
Supporting Hadiths:
-
Narration of An-Nasa’i in “Al-Kubra” (9916): Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet ﷺ left his house after Fajr prayer while Juwayriyah was sitting in the mosque. He returned later in the morning and found her still sitting in the same place. He asked, “Have you remained in the same position since I left?” She replied, “Yes.” He ﷺ said, “I recited four phrases three times after I left, which, if weighed against all you have said since this morning, would outweigh them:
SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, wa la ilaha illAllah, ‘adada khalqihi, wa rida nafsihi, wa zinata ‘arshihi, wa midaada kalimatihi.”
-
Alternate Narration in “Al-Kubra” (9917):
SubhanAllahi ‘adada khalqihi, SubhanAllahi zinata ‘arshihi, SubhanAllahi midaada kalimatihi, and Alhamdulillah likewise.
-
Authenticity: These narrations were authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih At-Targhib (1574).
-
Narration of Ibn Hibbaan (830): Abu Umamah Al-Bahili reported that the Prophet ﷺ passed by him while he was moving his lips in remembrance. The Prophet asked, “What are you saying, Abu Umamah?” He replied, “I am remembering my Lord.” The Prophet said:
“Shall I tell you of something greater in reward than your remembrance throughout the night and day? Say: SubhanAllah ‘adada ma khalaq (Glory be to Allah as many times as He has created), SubhanAllah mil’a ma khalaq (Glory be to Allah as much as fills what He has created), SubhanAllah ‘adada ma fi al-ard wa al-sama (Glory be to Allah as many as there are in the earth and heavens), SubhanAllah mil’a ma fi al-ard wa al-sama (Glory be to Allah as much as fills what is in the earth and heavens), SubhanAllah ‘adada ma ahsa kitabuhu (Glory be to Allah as many as His Book has enumerated), SubhanAllah ‘adada kulli shay’ (Glory be to Allah as many as everything), and SubhanAllah mil’a kulli shay’ (Glory be to Allah as much as fills everything). Then say: Alhamdulillah in the same manner.”
This narration was graded hasan by Al-Albani in As-Silsilah As-Sahihah (2578).
- Narration of Ahmad (22144): The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever says: Alhamdulillah ‘adada ma khalaq, Alhamdulillah mil’a ma khalaq, Alhamdulillah ‘adada ma fi as-samawati wal-ard, Alhamdulillah mil’a ma fi as-samawati wal-ard, Alhamdulillah ‘adada ma ahsa kitabuhu, Alhamdulillah mil’a ma ahsa kitabuhu, Alhamdulillah ‘adada kulli shay’, Alhamdulillah mil’a kulli shay’, and SubhanAllah likewise — this is of the greatest deeds.”
This narration was authenticated by the researchers of Musnad Ahmad.
In Conclusion: These narrations demonstrate the immense value of multiplied remembrance (adh-dhikr al-muda’af), which carries profound meanings and unlimited rewards.