Meaning of AlhamdulIllah
AlhamdulIllah is perhaps among the most common Arabic phrases that exists universally in the Muslim vernacular. AlhamdulIllah commonly means “All Praise is to due Allah(The God)” and is used in conversation to show gratitude to Allah, the Most-High.
This phrase, ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ , can be broken down to three parts.
“Al” can be translated to mean “the”
“Hamdu” is translated to mean “Praise”
“Lillah” is translated to mean “to God”
Put together, the phrase could be translated to mean:
“[All] praise is [due] to God”
“[All] praise is [due] to God alone”
“[All] praise and gratitude belongs to God”
“Praise be to God”
Common Variations & Mispronunciations
Hamdullah – This is a common mispronunciation as a result of saying ‘AlhamdulIllah’
HamdulIlah – Shortened form of the same ‘AlhamdulIllah’
Contexts of Use
Dhikr/ Supplication
The phrase AlhamdulIllah is used in several different occasions; the most common being in supplication or dhikr. This easy supplication is said to tip your scales on the Day of Judgment.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) has said: “Purity is half of iman (faith). ‘AlhamdulIllah (all praise and gratitude belong to Allah)’ fills the scales, and ‘SubhanAllah (how far is Allah from every imperfection) and ‘AlhamdulIllah (all praise and gratitude belong to Allah)’ fill that which is between heaven and earth.” [Muslim]
When granted blessings or faced with trials
AlhamdulIllah is the phrase Muslims should use when intending to thank Allah for anything. Both the Quran and Sunnah illustrate the importance of showing gratitude to Allah through AlhamdulIllah as a daily practice. Whether you find yourself being showered with Allah’s blessings or being tested through His trials, supplicating AlhamdulIllah is of importance.
This simple phrase communicates our acceptance of whatever the blessings and trials Allah places in our path. Facing such situations with conviction while supplicating His praises with AlhamdulIllah will no doubt earn His blessings and rewards. Allah has said in the Quran:
لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ
If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe. [Surah Ibrahim 14:07]
Upon Sneezing
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“When one of you sneezes, he should say,
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ
AlhamdulIllah (Praise is to God)
and his (Muslim) brother should say to him,
يَرْحَمُكَ اَللَّهُ
YarhamukAllah (May Allah have mercy on you)
When he says this to him (the last phrase), he should reply,
يَهْدِيكُمُ اَللَّهُ
‘Yahdikum Allah (May Allah guide you) and grant you well being.” [Related by Al-Bukhari]
AlhamdulIllah: The first phrase uttered by any human
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“When Allah created Adam, He breathed the soul into him, then he sneezed and said: ‘AlhamdulIllah (All praise is due to Allah).’ So he praised Allah by His permission. Then His Lord said to him: ‘YarhamukAllah (May Allah have mercy upon you) O Adam. Go to those angels – to that gathering of them sitting – so say: ‘As-Salamu alaikum (Peace be upon you).’ They said ‘Wa Alaikas-Salamu Wa Rahmatullah (And peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah)’. Then he returned to his Lord, He said: ‘This is your greeting and the greeting of your children among each other.’
Then Allah said to him – while His Two Hands were closed – ‘Choose which of them you wish.’ He said: ‘I chose the right My Lord and both of the Hands of my Lord are right, blessed.’ Then He extended it, and there was Adam and his offspring in it.’ So he said: ‘What are these O my Lord?’ He said: ‘These are your offspring?’ Each one of them had his age written between his eyes.
But among them there was a man who was the most illuminating of them – or among the most illuminated of them. He said: ‘O Lord! Who is this?’ He said: ‘This is your son Dawud, I wrote forty years for him.’ He said: ‘O Lord! Add to his age.’ He said: ‘That is what I have written for him.’ He said: ‘O Lord! Give him sixty of my years.’ He said: ‘So you shall have it.’”
POPULARHe said: “Then, he resided in Paradise as long as Allah willed, then he was cast from it, so Adam was counting for himself.” He said: “So the Angel of death came to him, and Adam said to him: ‘You are hasty, one-thousand years were written for me.’ He said: ‘Of course! But you gave sixty years to your son Dawud.’ So he rejected, and his offspring rejected, and he forgot, and his offspring forgot.” He said: “So ever since that day, what is written and witnessed has been decreed.”
In this agreeable narration, the first phrase uttered by our father Adam (AS) was the praise of Allah “AlhamdulIllah” – to which Allah replied “YarhamukAllah” – “May Allah have mercy upon you”. Allah wished His mercy upon us.
AlhamdulIllah for Everything
AlhamdulIllah is a simple yet powerful phrase that we should ensure to incorporate into our lives. This will certainly help us stay grounded and grateful to the Almighty for every trial and blessing He has showered us with. If we reflect over our lives we’ll see that our blessings far outweigh our trials. May Allah grant us the ability to be grateful to Him. AlhamdulIllah!
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