Tasbih in Ruku and Sujud

September 14, 2026

Rükû ve Secde Tesbihleri: Arapçası, Okunuşu ve Anlamı

Explanation

These are the tasbihs and words recited within the prayer: in ruku (bowing), when rising from ruku, in sujud (prostration), and at the end of the prayer when giving salam, first to the right and then to the left.

The tasbih of ruku is “Subhana Rabbiya l-‘Azim” (Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent), and the tasbih of sujud is “Subhana Rabbiya l-A’la” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High); one says “’Azim” in ruku and “A’la” in sujud, and the two are not mixed up. The sentence said when rising from ruku, “Sami’a llahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears the one who praises Him), is answered with “Rabbana laka l-hamd” (Our Lord, to You belongs all praise). At the end of the prayer, the salam is given to the angels on the right and left and to the congregation.

Dua Text

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ ۞ سَمِعَ اللّٰهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ ۞ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلٰى ۞ اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ

Transliteration

In ruku: Subhana Rabbiya l-‘Azim. On rising from ruku: Sami’a llahu liman hamidah. In sujud: Subhana Rabbiya l-A’la. When giving salam: As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatu llah.

Meaning

In ruku: I glorify my Lord, the Magnificent. On rising from ruku: Allah hears those who praise Him. In sujud: I declare Allah, the Most High, free of every imperfection and possessed of every perfection. When giving salam: May the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.

What Is Asked in This Dua

In the ruku, sujud and salam parts of the prayer, the essence is to declare Allah free of every imperfection and to exalt Him. Here there is less a request than an affirmation of servanthood with the tongue.

When and How to Recite

In ruku one says “Subhana Rabbiya l-‘Azim”, when rising from ruku “Sami’a llahu liman hamidah”, and in sujud “Subhana Rabbiya l-A’la”; at the end of the prayer, salam is given first to the right and then to the left.

The tasbihs of ruku and sujud are said at least three times each. Saying them without hurrying and giving each word its due increases the humility (khushu’) of the prayer.

The tasbihs are said an odd number of times (three, five, seven); the imam stops at three out of consideration for the congregation. They are said while the back is straight in ruku and while the forehead and nose touch the ground in sujud; rising before finishing the tasbih harms the calm and proper performance of the prayer’s positions (ta’dil al-arkan). When giving salam, the head is turned first to the right, then to the left.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you say in ruku?

You say “Subhana Rabbiya l-‘Azim”; it is repeated at least three times.

What do you say in sujood?

You say “Subhana Rabbiya l-A’la”; in sujood too, it is said at least three times.

What do you say when rising from ruku?

You say “Sami’a llahu liman hamidah”, and then the congregation or the person praying says “Rabbana laka l-hamd”.

Is the prayer invalid if you mix up the tasbih of ruku and sujood?

The prayer is not invalidated; the tasbihs are sunnah. However, saying “’Azim” in ruku and “A’la” in sujood is what accords with the sunnah.

When is “Rabbana laka l-hamd” said?

It is said after “Sami’a llahu liman hamidah” upon rising from ruku; in congregation, the imam says the first and the congregation says the second.

Source

Büyük Dua Kitabı (Great Book of Duas), Duas Related to Prayer.

The text on this page was prepared by Dua Kitaplığı based on the work cited above. The Arabic text has been transcribed from the original with its vowel marks, and the transliteration in Latin letters and the English meaning are given separately. No virtue or number that does not appear in the source is added to this page. How do we prepare our content?

Published: 14 September 2026 · Last updated: 9 October 2026