Saying ‘Glory be to’ to other than Allaah

10-7-2016 | IslamWeb

Question:

Our Shaykh, is one allowed to say ''Glory'' to someone other than Allaah, or is that Shirk (polytheism)? For example: Glory be to Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, or to Abu Bakr, may Allaah be pleased with him, or to some simple man. May Allah reward you, our Shaykh.
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

If this word is intended to make Tasbeeh (glorification), as in saying 'Subhaan Allaah' (Glory be to Allaah), then Tasbeeh is only due for Allaah alone.

Al-‘Izz ibn Abdus-Salaam may Allaah have mercy upon him said, “Tasbeeh (i.e. saying Subhaan...) is to consider the named entity exalted (deemed far above) any evil by way of reverence; so we cannot say 'Subhaan' to other than Allaah; because it is commonly used for the highest degree of veneration, which none but Allaah deserves.” [Excerpted from his Tafseer]

Besides, As-Sam'aani may Allaah have mercy upon him said, “The word Subhaan (Glory be to) is a restricted word of which it is not permissible to use it to describe anyone other than Allaah because exaggeration in veneration is only befitting to Allaah.” [Excerpted from his Tafseer]

However, if it is intended to mean worldly majesty and grandeur and greatness, then these are common attributes, so it is permissible to describe a creature with them in a manner that is befitting to him.

Finally, it is more appropriate for a Muslim to choose his words and stay away from what he has doubts about and address the people according to their status without any exaggeration and say most of his words in praising Allaah (saying: Al-Hamdulillaah), declaring His Oneness (saying: La ilaaha illa Allaah), and exalting Him (saying: Subhaan Allaah).

Ibn Mas'ood may Allaah be pleased with him narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said:

“I met Ibraaheem (Abraham may Allaah exalt his mention) on the night of my Ascension (Israa’) to the heavens, and he said to me, 'O Muhammad, salute your Ummah (nation) on my behalf and tell them that Paradise has a vast plain of pure soil and sweet water. It is a plain leveled land and its plants are (these words): Subhaan Allaah (Glory be to Allaah); Al-Hamdulillaah (All Praise is due to Allaah); La ilaaha illa Allaah (there is no deity [worthy of worship] save Allaah); and Allaahu Akbar (Allaah is the greatest).'” [At-Tirmithi; Al-Albaani: good]

Allaah knows best.

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