A word that shows praise to Allah Almighty for His divine bliss. It is a symbol of dignity for Muslims that shows the attribute and thankfulness to the mercy of Allah. In Islam, it is an honourable gesture for the acceptance of the monarchy of the only Allah who is ruling over all the universe. The Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) ordered us to say Alhamdulillah whenever we find any blessing, after curing from disease or any other difficulty. It is the belief of Muslims that every problem generates with the attorney of Allah Almighty. No one is able to turn anything up or down but with the will of Allah.

Alhamdulillah for Everything

Muslims consider it as a supplication to express their indebtedness just as the non-Muslims say “thank god” in their good times. In Arab countries, it is more frequent to say Alhamdulillah for everything either in greetings, finding something good, or on many other daily events. Allah and his Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) ordered his people to always be thankful whether it is a good time or they are facing any trouble. Allah promised that he gives more to the ones who say alhamdulillah and remain thankful to him.

Meaning of Alhamdulillah

Alhamdulillah is an Arabic expression that means ” thanks to Allah“. الحمد pronounced as “Alhamd” means praise. It is an expression to praise someone for his good deeds towards you and “Shukar” is the gesture of thanks for positive action. East Asian Muslim countries like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and other countries whose native language is not Arabic, mix this word in their native language and say it often.

In actuality, it is a short form of the phrase “Alhamdulillahi rabil alameen” meaning “thanks to Allah Almighty who is God of all the universe”.

Alhamdulillah in Arabic: ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ

Urdu meaning : “سب تعریفیں اللہ ہی کے لیے ہیں جو تمام جہانوں کا مالک ہے.”

Translation: “Alhamdulillahi rabil alameen”.

English translation: All the praise to Allah Almighty, who is the creator of all the universe.

Occurrence and Importance

The Holy Quran starts with the word Alhamdulillah. It is the first verse of the first surah of the Holy Quran named as surah Fatiha. This shows that Allah has started the Quran with a thankful word to urge people to always follow this path in their lives. It expresses the importance and value of this word to pray for good.

Though it is essential to say it when some wish comes true, it is also important to say it even if it doesn’t fulfil. That’s how it will be more rewarding and fruitful. Allah wants his people to always stay in touch with him and keeps p themselves humble to show humility. It is more delightful to say Alhamdulillah in Arabic. The following shows the importance of this word.

1. The Success of Both Worlds

A person can’t succeed in his life and hereafter unless he becomes used to thanking Allah in all the conditions. As Allah has claimed in Surah Ibrahim:

Arabic text : وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ.

English translation: And remember when your Lord declared, “If you give thanks to me, I will give you more; and if you are ungrateful, my punishment is severe”.

2. Increase the Good Actions

It is a short and powerful prayer. Allah will surely fill the life of the person who recites it, with good actions due to this prayer.

As Muhammad (SAWW) said: “Saying Subhan Allah is half the scale and Alhamdulillah fills it.”

Here scale means the measurement of the actions.

3. Enhance The Blessings

Allah loves those who stay humble and say alhamdulillah for everything they get. It makes him more grateful and poised in front of Allah.

It is said in a hadith that: ” When Allaah sends down any favour upon his servant. And when the person is blessed, he says Alhamdulillah. So it is better to praise than the blessing Allah bestowed upon him.”

4. Best Dua

A dua is the route of worship whether it is short or long. Because Allah helps and fulfils the needs of people who seek forgiveness and ask for help from Allah. As Allah said in surah Ghafir:

Arabic text: وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ.(سورۃ غافر: 60)

English translation:  And your Lord said, “Pray to me, I will accept your supplication”.

Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) declared this payer as the most powerful and significant dua. It is hadith of Prophet (SAWW) that:

Arabic text: ”اَفْضَلُ الذِّكْرِ لَا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاَفْضَلُ الدُّعَاءِ اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ. (ابن ماجہ حديث نمبر : 3800)

English translation:  The best prayer is “La ilaha illalah” and the best supplication is “Alhamdulillah”.

This hadith shows the significance of Alhamdulillah.

5. Source of Allah’s Pleasure

Allah is very generous and kind to His believers and forgives them for their little actions and prayers. It is the very simplest way to please the Lord by thanking him for His blessings. As Prophet Muhammad(SAWW) told that:

Arabic text: إن الله ليرضى عن العبد أن يأكل الأكلة، فيحمده عليها، أو يشرب الشَّربة، فيحمده عليه. (صحیح مسلم: 4832)

English translation: “Verily, Allah would have been pleased with His believer if he eat food and praise him or drink water and praise him for it.”

Ways to Say Alhamdulillah

It is very obvious and obligatory for a Muslim to express his gratitude and accepts every hardship in a pleasant way. We should always say Alhamdulillah for everything we achieve. It is only possible if he fully believes in the attorney of Allah Almighty and miracles happen for pure believers. Nothing can happen without the will of Allah and no one is able to change something unless he does.

As Allah mentioned in Quran: "Not even a leaf falls, but He knows it".

There are several ways to say Alhamdulillah:

• Greeting Someone:

It is very often amd a dignified manner to answer someone by praising Allah Almighty. For example when some ask how are you doing? And you only reply “Alhamdulillah“. This shows your attribute towards Allah’s decision.

• Find Something Good

Muslims believe that everything happens that Allah wants. So if he gets something good he should thank Allah for his bestowing.

• A Desire Fulfils

A person always becomes very happy when his wish comes true and he gets what he desires. In this condition, it is very important to thank him who makes it able to fulfil.

• In Good and Bad Times

A Muslim should say Alhamdulillah for everything he got or even what he lose, in his good times, and also in his bad and difficult times. Because difficulties are the route path to Allah’s greatness and his attraction.

Conclusion

In short, belief in Allah Almighty is the most important aspect of worship and thankfulness is the sign of acceptance. A person will remain very happy if he chooses to live according to the wish of Allah and follow his divine path saying Alhamdulillah for everything. It is the most important prayer to remain pleased and get his mercy and blessings.

Also Read: Ayat e Karima – Benefits, Significance & Importence of Ayat e Kareema

Language cannot affect its meaning and significance. Moreover, you can say Alhamdulillah in Arabic, Urdu, English, or any native language you want. The main purpose of Alhamdulillah is to praise the Lord who created everything and is dominant over the universe. So always prefer to thank Allah for good, bad, tough, ease, joy, and in every situation. It is also the sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAWW). He was used to remaining thankful in every situation.