There are certain ejaculations, the repeaters of which or the performers of which after every prescribed prayer will never be caused disappointment:" Glory be to Allah" thirty-three times." Praise be to Allah" thirty-three times, and" Allah is most Great" thirty-four times.
The Book of Mosques and Places of Prayer - Sahih Muslim 596 a
There are certain ejaculations, the repeaters of which or the performers of which after every prescribed prayer will never be caused disappointment:" Glory be to Allah" thirty-three times." Praise be to Allah" thirty-three times, and" Allah is most Great" thirty-four times.
Commentary on the Hadith
This noble hadith from Sahih Muslim establishes a profound spiritual practice to be performed following each obligatory (fard) prayer. The wisdom behind this specific enumeration—thirty-three declarations of "Subhanallah" (Glory be to Allah), thirty-three of "Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to Allah), and thirty-four of "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is Most Great)—totaling one hundred, is to maintain a continuous state of remembrance (dhikr) of the Almighty.
The phrase "will never be caused disappointment" is a powerful divine guarantee. It signifies that the one who is steadfast in this practice will have their faith fortified, their sins forgiven, and their worldly and religious affairs facilitated. They will not be disappointed in their hopes for divine reward in the Hereafter, nor will their righteous expectations in this world be left unanswered, by the permission of Allah.
Each phrase carries a unique spiritual weight: "Subhanallah" is a declaration of Allah's absolute perfection and freedom from all deficiency. "Alhamdulillah" is an expression of gratitude and acknowledgment that all praise is due to Him alone. "Allahu Akbar" affirms Allah's absolute greatness over all creation. Repeating them consecutively creates a comprehensive act of worship that encompasses Allah's transcendence, gratitude for His blessings, and recognition of His supreme majesty.
Method and Virtue
The recommended method is to use the fingers of the right hand to count, as was the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him). This simple yet powerful practice serves as a spiritual seal upon the formal prayer, preventing one's attention from being immediately diverted to worldly matters. It is a means of drawing closer to Allah and accumulating immense rewards with minimal effort, a manifestation of His infinite mercy.