Maher Zain – Subhana Allah [ft. Mesut Kurtis]. Lyrics & Meaning: Finding God’s Symphony in Everything
Ever feel like you’re just running on a hamster wheel? You know, caught up in the rush of daily life, deadlines, notifications, and all that noise. Sometimes it all feels so overwhelming that we forget to just… look up. We forget to notice the small wonders happening all around us, every single second.
It’s that moment when you’re walking home, totally drained, and you suddenly catch a sunset so ridiculously beautiful it stops you in your tracks. Or when you’re watching a tiny ant carry something ten times its size and you just think, “Wow, how?” That feeling of pure, unfiltered awe is a powerful thing. And there’s one song that perfectly captures this exact feeling, turning it into a beautiful, guided meditation. This track does more than just sound good; it’s a roadmap to rediscovering the magic in the mundane.
More Than Just a Melody: Unpacking “Subhana Allah” by Maher Zain and Mesut Kurtis
Let’s dive into “Subhana Allah.” This collaboration between Maher Zain and Mesut Kurtis isn’t just a song; it’s an experience. It’s a journey that starts with the world outside and slowly draws you inward, connecting the grand scale of the universe with the beat of your own heart. The song opens with a simple, powerful declaration in Arabic before Maher Zain takes us on a tour of the natural world.
- Maher Zain – Always Be There : A Promise of Unfailing Divine Presence
- Maher Zain – Salamullah : A Lyrical Love Letter to the Prophet
- Maher Zain – Laytaka Ma’ana : A Timeless Yearning for the Prophet’s Presence
- Maher Zain – Nas Teshbehlena : A Celebration of Finding Your Tribe
- Maher Zain – Subhana Allah [ft. Mesut Kurtis] : Finding God’s Symphony in Everything
- Maher Zain – ‘Ala Nahjik Mashayt : A Heartfelt Journey in the Prophet’s Footsteps
- Maher Zain – Baraka Allahu Lakuma : A Timeless Prayer for Two Hearts
- Maher Zain – Ummi (Mother) : A Timeless Ode to a Mother’s Unconditional Love
- Maher Zain – Palestine Will Be Free : An Anthem of Unbreakable Hope
From a Grain of Sand to Distant Planets
Maher Zain’s verses are all about observation. He paints a picture of someone traveling and actively paying attention to their surroundings. He’s not just seeing things; he’s listening. He hears a symphony that most of us tune out. He starts small and then expands our view in a breathtaking way. Think about these lines:
As I traveled through the earth
I can’t help but notice
The symphony I hear all around
from the smallest grain of sand
to the faraway planets
to a flower put in roots in the ground
See what he did there? He connected the microscopic (a grain of sand) to the macroscopic (planets) and then brought it back to something tangible and beautiful (a flower). It’s a reminder that greatness isn’t just in the massive, jaw-dropping things; it’s in the intricate details, too. He continues by giving a voice to the voiceless, suggesting that everything in creation is part of this universal choir. Every bird, every rock, even the raindrops are singing a song of praise. It’s a beautiful thought, isn’t it? That the universe is constantly in a state of worship.
And what are they all singing? The chorus gives us the answer:
Subhanaka Rabbi Subhanak
Glory be to You my Lord, glory be to You
Subhanaka ma a’dhama shaanak
Glory be to You, How great is Your state of glory
We pray to You and we hope for Your forgiveness
This chorus is the heart of the song. “Subhana Allah” translates to “Glory be to God,” but it’s more than just a phrase. It’s an exclamation of wonder. It’s what you say when you see something so perfect, so amazing, that you can only attribute it to a divine Creator. The song frames this as the natural response to truly seeing the world.
A Shift in Perspective: Mesut Kurtis’s Spiritual Journey
Just when you think you’re fully immersed in the outer world, Mesut Kurtis comes in and masterfully shifts the focus inward. His part, sung in Arabic, takes the observation from the physical to the spiritual. It’s no longer just about seeing the signs; it’s about feeling their impact inside your soul. He describes this internal recognition of the divine.
Jalla Allahu bikulli kawnillah
Almahu Nur-Allah
I can see the light of Allah
Wa dhikru Rabbi fi daqqati qalbi
And the remembrance of my Lord is in my heartbeat
Yahtifu bismillah
It calls out in the name of Allah
This is so powerful. He’s saying that this awareness isn’t just an intellectual exercise; it’s something he feels in his very heartbeat. The “remembrance of my Lord” becomes his pulse. He then continues with one of the most poetic descriptions in the song:
Wal akwaanu tusabbihu bismillah
And the universes swim along praising in the name of Allah
The word “tusabbihu” is fascinating. It comes from the same root as “Subhan,” but it can also mean “to swim” or “to float.” So, he’s not just saying the universes are praising God; he’s painting an image of entire galaxies, stars, and planets gracefully floating through space, all in a state of harmonious praise. It’s an incredible visual that takes the song’s theme to a whole new, cosmic level.
The core message here is that the universe isn’t chaotic and random; it’s a beautifully orchestrated masterpiece. From the smallest ant to the vastest sea, everything is a testament to a Creator. The song encourages us to open our eyes and ears to this ongoing “symphony” and join in with our own praise and gratitude.
Ultimately, “Subhana Allah” is a gentle but profound nudge to practice mindfulness. It’s an invitation to step away from our busy lives, even for a moment, and reconnect with the world and, through it, with God. It’s a reminder that signs of the divine are not hidden away in ancient books or faraway places; they are in the rain falling from the clouds, the flower pushing through the soil, and the very beat of our hearts.
So, what do you think? Does this song change how you see the world around you? I’d love to hear your take on it. Perhaps a different verse speaks to you, or you have a completely unique interpretation of its message. Let’s talk about it!