Hadithcore
Sahih al-Bukhari, 2993
sahih

Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah:

Whenever we went up a place we would say, "Allahu--Akbar (i.e. Allah is Greater)", and whenever we went down a place we would say, "Subhan Allah."

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ حُصَيْنِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ سَالِمِ بْنِ أَبِي الْجَعْدِ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ كُنَّا إِذَا صَعِدْنَا كَبَّرْنَا، وَإِذَا نَزَلْنَا سَبَّحْنَا‏.‏

References2 variants
In-Book Reference
Book 56, Hadith 202
USC-MSA web (English) reference
Vol. 4, Book 52, Hadith 236 (deprecated numbering scheme)
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
It is becoming of a Muslim to mention Allah, Exalted is He, constantly and evoke the Greatness of his Lord in all his conditions and at all times. The Prophet ﷺ and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) did so. In this hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah(may Allah be pleased with him) stated that whenever they went upwards on their way, they would say, "Allahu Akbar (i.e., Allah is the Greatest)," and whenever they went downwards, they would say, "Subhaan Allah (i.e., Glory be to Allah).” This is because reciting Takbeer is suitable to ascending to an elevated place, to remind oneself that Allah, Exalted is He, is the Most Hight and Greatest, and to evoke His Kibriyaa’ (Pride/Grandeur), and Tasbeehis suitable for descending to a lower place, to remind oneself of the fact that Allah, Exalted is He, is Free of all aspects of imperfection, because He is the Most High and the Greatest and also because Tasbeeh means deeming Allah, Exalted is He, above all aspects of imperfection and attributes of lowliness. It was also said that reciting Tasbeeh when passing through valleys and lower places is inferred from the story of Prophet Yunus (Jonah). Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {And had he not been of those who exalt Allah. * He would have remained inside its belly until the Day they are resurrected.} [Quran 37:143-144]. Allah, Exalted is He, rescued him as a reward for reciting Tasbeeh inside the whale’s belly. The Prophet ﷺ followed his example and recited Tasbeeh while passing through the valleys, imploring Allah, Exalted is He, to rescue (and safeguard) him (from any potential harm). .
Related hadiths1
Compare isnād across 1 related chains →