What to Say 33 Times After Prayer: The Authentic Sunnah Tasbih Guide

One of the most powerful and spiritually rewarding habits a Muslim can cultivate is remaining seated on their prayer mat after completing the obligatory (Fard) Salat to engage in divine remembrance (Dhikr). Among all post-prayer remembrances, the formula of saying three phrases 33 times each holds an extraordinary rank in authentic Hadith literature.

Whether you are seeking forgiveness for past mistakes, looking to boost your daily good deeds, or searching for an authentic way to finish your daily prayers, this guide explains the exact Arabic text, transliteration, English meanings, and Hadith virtues of the 33-times post-prayer Tasbih.

The 3 Phrases to Recite 33 Times After Daily Salat

When you finish your prayer with Taslim (turning your head right and left saying Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah), it is Sunnah to first say Astaghfirullah (I seek Allah's forgiveness) three times, and then recite the following three phrases 33 times each:

How to Complete the 100th Count (The Complete Formula)

33 + 33 + 33 equals 99. To seal the remembrance and reach 100 total counts, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) instructed believers to seal the Dhikr with the declaration of Tawheed (Islamic Monotheism):

The Immense Virtues in Authentic Hadith

The rewards for maintaining this short 2-minute habit after every prayer are mind-boggling in their generosity:

1. Sins Forgiven Like the Foam of the Sea

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:

"Whoever glorifies Allah after every prayer thirty-three times (SubhanAllah), praises Allah thirty-three times (Alhamdulillah), and exalts Allah thirty-three times (Allahu Akbar), making ninety-nine, and completes one hundred with 'La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu...', his sins will be forgiven even if they are like the foam of the sea."

— Sahih Muslim 597

2. Outranking the Wealthy in Good Deeds

In another famous Hadith, the poor companions came to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) complaining that wealthy Muslims were outranking them in spiritual rewards because they gave charity and freed slaves. The Prophet (PBUH) replied:

"Shall I not teach you something by which you will catch up with those who have gone before you and surpass those who come after you? Say SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar 33 times after every prayer." (Sahih al-Bukhari 843).

The Tasbih of Fatima (Before Sleep Variation)

It is important to note a slight variation known as the Tasbih of Fatima (RA). When Fatima (RA), the daughter of the Prophet (PBUH), asked her father for a servant to help with heavy household chores, the Prophet (PBUH) taught her and her husband Ali (RA) a spiritual remedy superior to any servant:

• SubhanAllah: 33 Times
• Alhamdulillah: 33 Times
• Allahu Akbar: 34 Times (instead of 33)

This 33-33-34 formula equals 100 and is specifically recited right before going to sleep at night to grant physical energy, peace of mind, and divine strength for the upcoming day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Should I count on my right hand or using beads?

The Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) was to count Tasbih using the joints of his right hand (Sunan Abi Dawud 1502). However, using physical prayer beads (Misbaha) or a Digital Tasbih Counter is fully permissible according to Islamic scholars to help maintain accuracy.

What if I lose count during the Tasbih?

If you lose count, base your count on the certainty of the lower number. For example, if you are unsure whether you said 28 or 29 times, assume 28 and complete up to 33.

Can I say the 33 times Tasbih after Sunnah prayers?

The primary Sunnah is to recite the 33-times Dhikr immediately after finishing the obligatory (Fard) prayer. However, if a person has to leave quickly or prefers to recite it after completing their rawatib Sunnah prayers, it is still accepted and rewarded.

PrayerTimesUSA Editorial & Research Desk

Islamic Astronomy & Fiqh Research Team

Written and peer-reviewed by Islamic astronomy researchers and scholars adhering to orthodox Sunnah principles, ISNA astronomical methodologies, and authentic Hadith literature.