The people said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! The rich people have got the highest degrees of prestige and the permanent pleasures (in this life and the life to come in the Hereafter)." He said, "How is that?" They said, "The rich pray as we pray, and strive in Allah's Cause as we do, and spend from their surplus wealth in charity, while we have no wealth (to spend likewise)." He said, "Shall I not tell you a thing, by doing which, you will catch up with those who are ahead of you and supersede those who will come after you; and nobody will be able to do such a good deed as you do except the one who does the same (deed as you do). That deed is to recite 'Subhan Allah ten times, and 'Al-Hamduli l-lah ten times, and 'AllahuAkbar' ten times after every prayer."
Commentary on Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (6329) addresses the concern of early Muslims regarding spiritual equality despite material disparities. The companions observed that wealthy believers could attain additional rewards through charitable spending unavailable to the poor.
The Prophet's Wisdom
Rather than dismissing their concern, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) engaged with their reasoning saying "How is that?" demonstrating his pedagogical approach to addressing spiritual anxieties.
He then provided a universal solution accessible to all Muslims regardless of financial status - the remembrance of Allah through specific dhikr formulations.
Spiritual Significance of the Prescribed Dhikr
"Subhan Allah" (Glory be to Allah) represents tanzih - declaring Allah's transcendence above all imperfections.
"Al-Hamdulillah" (All praise is for Allah) embodies shukr - gratitude for divine blessings both apparent and hidden.
"Allahu Akbar" (Allah is Greatest) signifies ta'zim - magnifying the Divine above all creation.
Scholarly Insights
Classical commentators note this teaching emphasizes that spiritual advancement depends on consciousness of Allah rather than material means.
The repetition of ten times after each prayer creates consistency in remembrance, transforming occasional worship into perpetual consciousness.
This practice enables believers to "catch up" spiritually with those ahead through other means while establishing a foundation that surpasses future generations in reward.