The Divine Prayer: Taught by God, Embraced by Angels and Prophets, and Perfected by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

Would you like to learn an important prayer that Allah taught to the angels, Prophets Adam, Noah, Abraham, and was completed by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), which is “more lovely than anything the sun rises upon”? Here is such a prayer and the story of its formation.

The Divine Prayer: Taught by Allah, Embraced by Angels and Prophets, and Perfected by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

This prayer, which has been formed since the creation of the Arsh (the throne of God) , is the prayer of the angels and prophets:

Transliteration: Subhanallahi, walhamdulillahi, wala ilaha illallahu, wallahu akbar, wala hawla wala quwwata illa billahil aliyyil azeem.

Meaning: "Allah is far from all imperfection and glory be to Allah, and all praise is due to Allah. There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. There is no might or power except with Allah, the High, the Great."

It is narrated that Allah Almighty created the Throne with His utmost greatness, and also created an angel from light. He said to the angel He created:

-“I created you to carry My Throne, ask for as much strength as you want from Me.” The angel said:

-“O Lord! I want such a strength from You that I can lift the seven heavens with one finger.” Allah (swt) said:

-“What you want is given to you.”

Then Allah Almighty created an angel from mercy. He said to him what he said to the previous angel. This angel also:

-“O Lord! I want a strength from You that can lift the seven layers of the earth” he said. What he wanted was also given to him. Then he created an angel from the wind. He also wanted wind power. This power was given to him. Then he created an angel from water. He also gave him water power. 

Then Allah Almighty said “Carry My Throne”. The angels struggled a lot but could not move the Throne. Upon this, the angels said: “O Allah! We have no strength left, this can only be done with Your power.” Allah gave them a strength equal to the first strength He gave them, they still couldn’t succeed. Then Allah looked at them with His mercy and commanded them to say “Subhanallah”.

"Subhanallah"

This means “Glory to Allah” or "Allah is free from imperfection"

When the angels said this glorification, Allah made their work easier. When they lifted the Throne, their feet were also in the air. The angels continued this glorification for a long time until the creation of Adam.

"Alhamdulillah"

This translates to “Praise be to Allah” or "All praise is due to Allah"

When the soul of Adam (pbuh) reached his brain, he sneezed. Allah Almighty inspired and Adam (pbuh) said -“Elhamdülillah”. Allah Almighty replied: -“Yerhamuke Rabbüke” and said: -“I created you for this, O Adam!” The angels who heard the glorification of Adam (pbuh): -“This is the second beautiful word” they said and added it to their glorifications. Until the beginning of the prophethood of Noah (pbuh), they glorified by saying “Sübhânellahi vel-hamdülillâhi”.

Noah (pbuh)'s people were a people who worshiped idols. In the revelation that Allah Almighty sent to Noah (pbuh), he informed that he would be pleased with his people if they said:

"La ilaha illallah"

This means “There is no deity but Allah” or "There is none worthy of worship in truth except Allah"

The angels who heard this word said: “This is the third beautiful word” and added it to the first two glorifications. Until the sending of Abraham, they glorified by saying “Sübhanallâhi ve’l-hamdülillâhi ve lâ ilâhe illallah”. Allah Almighty commanded Abraham (pbuh) to slaughter his son Ishmael (pbuh), and then sent a ram instead. Gabriel (pbuh):

"Allahu Akbar"

This translates to “Allah is the Greatest” or "Allah is Greater than everything"

-“Allahü Ekber” he said. When the angels heard this word: -“This is the fourth beautiful word” they said and added it to their glorifications. They began to glorify by saying “Sübhanallâhi vel-hamdülillâhi ve lâ ilâhe illallâhu vallâhu ekber”.

Gabriel (pbuh) told this event to the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (pbuh). The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was surprised and said “lâ havle velâ kuvvete illâ billâhi’l-aliyyi’l-azim”.

"La hawla wala quwwata illa billahil aliyyil azeem"

 This means "There is no power and no strength except with Allah, the High, the Great"

Upon this, Gabriel (pbuh), “Let’s add this word to the glorifications of those angels” he said. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh), “These words are more lovely to me than anything the sun rises upon. It doesn’t hurt to start with whichever” he said.