Is it Sunnah to say Allahu Akbar when going upstairs and Subhan Allah when coming down?
Quran
Hadith
Islamic Text
Yes, it is Sunnah to say Allahu Akbar when going upstairs and Subhan Allah when coming down. As narrated by Imam al-Bukhari.
عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا، قَالَ: كُنَّا إِذَا صَعِدْنَا كَبَّرْنَا، وَإِذَا نَزَلْنَا سَبَّحْنَا
(Sayidina) Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘When we would ascend (a height) we would proclaim: Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), and when we descended (from a height) we would proclaim: Subhan Allah (Allah is transcendent).’ (Sahih al-Bukhari, 2993).
We see in the Sahih Hadith above that it is Sunnah to say Allahu Akbar when going upstairs and Subhan Allah when coming down. As narrated by Imam al-Bukhari. This Sunnah is not limited to stairs but relates to every ascension and descent.
جَمِيع مَا حكم مُسلم بِصِحَّتِهِ من هَذَا الْكتاب فَهُوَ مَقْطُوع بِصِحَّتِهِ وَالْعلم النظري حَاصِل بِصِحَّتِهِ فِي نفس الْأَمر وَهَكَذَا مَا حكم البُخَارِيّ بِصِحَّتِهِ فِي كِتَابه وَذَلِكَ لِأَن الْأمة تلقت ذَلِك بِالْقبُولِ سوى من لَا يعْتد بِخِلَافِهِ ووفاقه فِي الْإِجْمَاع (صيانة صحيح مسلم)
Everything that (Imam) Muslim considered to be Sahih of this book is undoubtedly Sahih, and it leads to contemplative certainty due to its authenticity. Likewise, everything that (Imam) al-Bukhari considered to be Sahih in his book (is Sahih), because the Ummah has accepted that reality (the authenticity of Bukhari and Muslim) with agreement. With the exception of a few, whose acceptance or disagreement does not affect the consensus. (Imam Ibn Salah, Siyanatu Sahih Muslim).
There is Barakah in every Sunnah, as well as great reward when practiced in sincerity. Therefore we must endeavor to practice as many Sunnahs as we can. It is easy to forget Sunnah Duas and Dhikr, so some people have a practice of putting up labels or signs to help them remember. This is a good idea and can help one practice the Sunnah more regularly. May Allah Most High bless us all with Towfeeq.
And Allah Most High Knows Best.
-Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen Rashid (04.04.2022)
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