Likewise, it is related in the Sunan from Ibn Masʿūd, on the authority of the Prophet—may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him—that he said:

“When the worshipper, while in bowing, says: Subḥāna Rabbiy al-ʿAẓīm (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Majestic) three times, his bowing is complete; that is the minimum. And when, while in prostration, he says: Subḥāna Rabbiy al-Aʿlā (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) three times, his prostration is complete; that is the minimum.”

Tasbīḥ (glorification) is the sanctification of the Lord, and its least form is to declare His holiness three times. Thus the meaning is: “Sanctify Him three times—do not content yourselves with a single utterance.” Hence their response: “Quddūs, Quddūs, Quddūs,” proclaiming His holiness three times. It is therefore clear that what is intended is the tripling of the act of sanctification, as the wording itself indicates and as their practice demonstrates—namely, that He be declared holy three times, not that the One declared holy consists of three hypostases. Such a notion has never been voiced by any prophet, neither in wording