The Calm After Prayer
When the final salaam of Salah is spoken, silence settles. The air still hums with the rhythm of recitation. Beads glide softly through fingers as hearts whisper: SubhanAllah… Alhamdulillah… Allahu Akbar.
Across masjids from Birmingham to Muzaffarabad, this same dhikr echoes — a heartbeat of remembrance that connects Muslims everywhere. It is a simple act that turns ordinary minutes into moments of worship and brings tranquillity to souls burdened by the noise of modern life.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.” – Tirmidhi
Dhikr (zikr), the remembrance of Allah (SWT), is the spiritual oxygen of a believer. It renews faith, releases stress and draws a servant nearer to the Creator.
What Dhikr Means in Islam
The Arabic word dhikr means to remember, to mention, to recall with love. It is an act of ibadah that needs no special place, time or wealth — only sincerity.
Muslims remember Allah by reciting His Names, praising His perfection, thanking Him for blessings and glorifying His greatness. Whether whispered alone before sleep or shared in congregation after Salah, dhikr keeps the heart alive.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that even the smallest remembrance brings immense reward:
“Two words which are light on the tongue but heavy on the scales and beloved to the Most Merciful: SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, SubhanAllahil-Azim.” – Bukhari & Muslim
The Prophetic Instruction of 33× Dhikr
Among the many forms of remembrance, the daily tasbeeh of thirty-three is one of the most beloved.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“After every prayer, say SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, and Allahu Akbar 34 times.” – Muslim
In another narration, he said that completing it with La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulk wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer makes the remembrance a full hundred.
This dhikr was also a personal gift to Fatimah (RA) and Ali (RA). When she sought help with heavy household work, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“Shall I not tell you something better than what you asked for? When you go to bed, say SubhanAllah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times and Allahu Akbar 34 times. That is better for you than a servant.” – Bukhari
Through this teaching, he reminded them — and us — that real strength comes not from possessions but from remembrance.
Understanding Each Phrase
SubhanAllah – 33 Times of Purity
“Glory be to Allah.” It declares His perfection beyond every flaw. When Muslims say SubhanAllah, they reflect on the beauty of creation — the skies over Kashmir, the rivers that carve through valleys, the pulse of life itself — all flawless signs of His power.
Alhamdulillah – 33 Times of Gratitude
“All praise is due to Allah.” Every blessing, from the warmth of family to the breath that fills our lungs, is a reason to say it. Gratitude transforms hardship into humility and draws more mercy from the One who gives.
Allahu Akbar – 34 Times of Greatness
“Allah is the Greatest.” Greater than our struggles, fears and ambitions. It re-centres the believer’s heart, reminding us that control lies only with Him.
The Qur’an teaches:
“So remember Me; I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.” (Qur’an 2:152)
Spiritual Rewards of Dhikr
| Blessing | Teaching / Source |
|---|---|
| Forgiveness of sins | “Whoever recites dhikr a hundred times will have sins forgiven like foam of the sea.” – Muslim |
| Tranquillity of heart | “Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace.” – Qur’an 13:28 |
| Presence of angels | “Allah’s angels surround gatherings of remembrance.” – Bukhari |
| Reward multiplied | Each phrase weighs heavily on the scales of good deeds. |
| Connection to Salah | Extends worship beyond prayer, keeping the heart awake. |
How to Practise the 33× Tasbeeh
- Sit calmly after Salah. Take a moment before leaving the prayer space.
- Recite with meaning.
- SubhanAllah × 33
- Alhamdulillah × 33
- Allahu Akbar × 34 (or 33 + La ilaha illallah).
- Count on your fingers. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used his right hand — and the fingers will testify on the Day of Judgment.
- Reflect. Imagine each phrase polishing the heart.
Modern Muslims may use tasbeeh beads or digital counters, but sincerity matters more than precision.
“The most beloved deeds to Allah are those done consistently, even if small.” – Bukhari
From Remembrance to Action – Abdul Basit on Dhikr and Charity
“Dhikr isn’t only repetition of words,” says Abdul Basit, Trustee of Kashmir Welfare Foundation. “It is gratitude that becomes action. When we remember Allah, our hearts soften — and that remembrance moves our hands to help others.”
Every act of kindness begins with remembrance. A heart filled with Alhamdulillah cannot ignore another’s need. When gratitude overflows, it becomes Sadaqah.
From Dhikr to Sadaqah – Faith in Action for UK Muslims
For Muslims in the UK, dhikr is both personal peace and a bridge to global compassion. After Salah in Birmingham or Bradford, when you whisper Alhamdulillah, think of families in Neelum Valley whispering the same words as they receive winter packs funded by your donations.
Every breath of remembrance can inspire giving:
- SubhanAllah — glorifying Allah by serving His creation.
- Alhamdulillah — gratitude that leads to sharing blessings.
- Allahu Akbar — recognising that helping others for Allah’s sake is greater than all else.
When remembrance turns into generosity, worship becomes continuous.
Gift Aid – Multiply Your Gratitude
💡 If you are a UK taxpayer, you can increase your reward by 25 % at no extra cost.
By ticking Gift Aid when donating to Kashmir Welfare Foundation, every £10 becomes £12.50 — amplifying the impact of your Sadaqah, Zakat or Regular Giving.
Dhikr in the Modern World
The modern Muslim faces constant noise — notifications, pressure, deadlines. In such chaos, dhikr is a refuge. It calms anxiety, centres purpose, and replaces scrolling with soulfulness.
Try simple habits:
- Repeat dhikr on commutes instead of checking your phone.
- Say Alhamdulillah after meals.
- Whisper SubhanAllah when you see beauty.
- Say Allahu Akbar when overwhelmed.
Each phrase reconnects you to Allah’s presence in everyday life.
How Your Remembrance Helps You and Others
For the Faith & Islamic Teachings pillar, remembrance is seen as the charity of the tongue. It costs nothing yet fills the scales with good.
Every time you share a reminder or teach someone a tasbeeh, you earn sadaqah jariyah.
“Whoever guides another to goodness will have a reward like the one who acted upon it.” – Muslim
So when you forward an article, sponsor a Qur’an class, or donate to support da’wah in Kashmir, your remembrance becomes an ongoing charity.
Why Start Tonight
It takes less than two minutes to recite 33 × dhikr — yet its reward could outweigh a lifetime of distraction. On the Day of Judgment, these phrases will shine brighter than gold.
“Shall I not tell you of the best of your deeds, the purest to your Lord, and higher in rank than giving gold and silver? It is the remembrance of Allah.” – Tirmidhi
Begin tonight after Isha. Whisper softly. Let peace descend.
Then let that peace inspire your next act of good — a small donation, a kind word, a helping hand.
Gratitude That Gives Back
When dhikr softens your heart, turn that feeling into lasting impact.
👉 Donate Sadaqah Today – Let Gratitude Become Action
🌿 Start Regular Giving – Continuous Reward, Continuous Dhikr
The Power of Dhikr After Ṣalāh
After each prayer, Muslims recite SubḥānAllāh, Alḥamdulillāh and Allāhu Akbar 33 times — a Sunnah that balances glorification, gratitude, and remembrance. This simple act fills the heart with peace and keeps one connected to Allah ﷻ.
1️⃣ Why do Muslims recite “SubḥānAllāh”, “Alḥamdulillāh” and “Allāhu Akbar” 33 times?
The Prophet ﷺ taught this remembrance after every prayer: 33 glorifications, 33 praises, and 33 exaltations — totalling 99. Together they balance the heart between glorifying, thanking, and magnifying Allah. Some narrations add “Lā ilāha illa Allāh” to make it 100.
2️⃣ Can women or new Muslims perform this dhikr?
Yes — this remembrance is for every Muslim. It requires no specific place or ritual, only sincerity. Women may recite during menses, and new Muslims are rewarded for their effort in learning and reciting it sincerely.
3️⃣ Do I need a tasbīḥ or beads?
Counting on the fingers is Sunnah and carries its own blessing — the fingers will testify for you on the Day of Judgement. Using beads or an app is also allowed if it helps focus and consistency.
4️⃣ What are the rewards of reciting this daily?
Regular dhikr brings forgiveness, tranquillity, and angelic company. It strengthens gratitude, patience, and humility — virtues that help us face life with peace. Allah remembers those who remember Him.
5️⃣ How does this connect to charity and gratitude?
Dhikr softens the heart and awakens gratitude, which inspires generosity. Those who remember Allah sincerely find it natural to give — transforming spiritual remembrance into acts of mercy through Sadaqah and Zakat.
🟠 Turn Gratitude into Action
Every SubḥānAllāh purifies the soul — every act of Sadaqah purifies wealth. Support families in Kashmir by giving today. Gift Aid adds 25% extra at no cost to you.
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