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The Addition “Wa Bi Hamdi Hi” in Ruku’ and Sujud

Answered as per Shafi'i Fiqh by Shafiifiqh.com

Question:
What is the formula of tasbeeh in ruku and sujood according to the Shafi Madhab? Some say it is “Subhana rabbiyal azeem/a’la wabihamdihi.” While some says the addition of the word “wabihamdihi” is not saheeh.

Country: India

Answer:

Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,

In his Tahqiq, Imam Nawawi maintains that the addition of bi hamdi Hi is recommended. This addition is also affirmed by Minhajs’ commentators: Ibn Hajar and Khatib Shirbini. (Mughni al-Muhtaj v. 1, p. 366; Tuhfat al-Muhtaj v. 2, p. 61)

This ruling is based on what ‘Uqbah b. ‘Amir related that, “the Prophet Muhammad would make ruku’ and say, ‘Subhana Rabbi al-‘Azim wa bi hamdi Hi,’ thrice. And when he would make sujud he would say, ‘Subhana Rabbi al-‘Ala wa bi hamdi Hi,’ thrice.”

This is related by Imam Bayhaqi in al-Sunan al-Kubra v. 2, p. 86 via Imam Abu Dawud.

Imam Nawawi mentioned that it is transmitted via “rajul ‘an qawmihi (an unnamed man from his people),” and thus, a majhul element is present in the isnad. Yet, Ibn al-Mulaqqin demonstrates that the narrator which Imam Nawawi indicates to being unknown is in fact Iyas b. ‘Amir, as Hafiz Mizzi mentions in Tahdhib al-Kamal. Moreover, Hakim relates from him and said “mustaqim al-isnad” and Ibn Hibban made tawthiq of him and said “min thiqat al-misriyyin.” Also, ‘Ijli said “la ba’sa bihi”. (al-Badr al-Munir v. 3, p. 609-10) Thereafter, Ibn al-Mulaqqin brings other corroborating reports to strengthen Iyas’s hadith.

Furthermore, in his Sahih v. 1, p. 201 Imam Bukhari relates on the authority of ‘A’ishah (Rady Allahu anha) that the Prophet Muhammad would frequently recite in ruku’ and sujud, ‘SubhanaKa Allahumma Rabbana wa bi hamdi Ka…’

Thus, a basis for the wording wa bi hamdi hi is found established by well-authenticated hadith.

And Allah knows best.

Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.

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