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Is it permissible and recommendable to recite multiple and varied forms of remembrance (dhikr) such as "SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), La ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but Allah), Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (There is no might or power except with Allah), SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi (Glory and praise be to Allah), Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilayh (I seek forgiveness from Allah and repent to Him), and SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, adada khalqihi, wa rida nafsihi, wa zinata arshihi, wa midada kalimatihi (Glory and praise be to Allah, as much as the number of His creation, as much as pleases Him, as much as the weight of His Throne, and as much as the ink of His words)" and others during bowing (rukū) and prostration (sujūd) in prayer?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The prescribed remembrances (adhkar) in prayer are specific, and it is best not to add to them or subtract from them, following the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Nevertheless, an addition is permissible if the one making the addition does not believe it to be Sunnah, and this is based on several pieces of evidence: First: The purpose of remembrance in bowing (ruku') is to glorify Allah. Second: Bowing (ruku') and prostration (sujud) are places for supplication (du'a). Third: It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited additional remembrances in his bowing and prostration. Fourth: Some jurists have gone to the extent of permitting expansion in glorification (tasbih) and praise (tahmid) during bowing and prostration. Therefore, there is no harm in praising Allah with tasbih, takbir (declaring Allah's greatness), and tahmid during bowing and prostration, although it is preferable to adhere to the narrated remembrances.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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