Surah Al-A'laa is also known as "Sabbih Isma Rabbika Al-A'laa
," as mentioned in Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. The Surah consists of 19 verses. The Prophet Muhammad peace upon him once addressed Mu'adh ibn Jabal when he was informed that Mu'adh prolonged the prayer while leading a congregation. The Prophet peace upon him said:"Are you a troublemaker, O Mu'adh? Why don't you recite: 'Sabbih Isma Rabbika Al-A'laa,' 'Wa Ash-Shamsi Wa Duhaaha,' or 'Wa Al-Layli Idha Yaghsha'?"
This surah was very much beloved to the Prophet peace upon him because it contains praises of Allah, descriptions of His blessings, and His infinite mercy. Imam Ahmad recorded from Ali ibn Abi Taalib that he said:
"The Messenger of Allah peace upon him loved this surah".
An-Nu'maan ibn Bashir narrated that The Prophet peace be upon him would recite 'Sabbih Isma Rabbika Al-A'laa' and 'Hal Ataaka Hadith Al-Ghaashiyah' during the two 'Eid prayers. If it was a Friday, he would recite them both". (Sahih Muslim).
Aa'ishah may Allah be pleased with her reported that The Prophet peace upon him used to recite 'Sabbih Isma Rabbika Al-A'laa', 'Qul Yaa Ayyuha Al-Kaafirun', and 'Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad' during Witr prayer."
(Sunan Abu Dawood).
Al-Baraa ibn Azib narrated that The first to migrate to us from the companions of the Prophet peace upon him were Mus'ab ibn Umair and Ibn Umm Maktum. They began teaching us the Qur'an, including Surah Al-A'laa.
It is recommended for a reader, after reciting "Sabbih Isma Rabbika Al-A'laa' to say:
"Subhana Rabbi Al-A'laa (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High).
This was instructed by the Prophet and practiced by many companions and their followers.
Ja'far ibn Muhammad narrated from his father, from his grandfather:
"Allah has an angel named Hizqil with 18,000 wings. The distance between each wing is 500 years of travel. One day, the angel wondered, 'Can I see the entirety of the Throne?' Allah then doubled his wings to 36,000 and commanded him to fly. The angel flew for 20,000 years but could not reach the top of a single leg of the Throne. Allah then multiplied his wings and strength again and commanded him to fly farther. He flew for another 30,000 years and still could not reach the top. Allah revealed to him: 'O angel, if you were to fly until the Day of Judgment, you would not reach even the base of My Throne.' At that point, the angel exclaimed: 'Subhana Rabbi Al-A'laa!.
This led to the revelation of 'Sabbih Isma Rabbika Al-A'laa'
The Prophet peace be upon him said:
"Make it part of your sujood (prostration)".
(Reported by Ath-Thalabi in Kitaab Al-Araa'is).
Abdulwahab Ibn Yusuf Isah
Qur'an Chronicles