Alhamdulillah is not just the zikr of the tongue, it is the state of your heart and your soul. It is a permanent and everlasting state. It is the food for our hungry and deprived sinning souls. No material or riches can satisfy this higher need of a human soul.
Meaning of Word Alhamdulillah:
The word Alhamdulillah means “Praise be to Allah (SWT)”. It is an expression of both praise and gratitude to Allah. Realizing the bounties of Allah and marefat (knowing who Allah is) of Allah is important to feel this gratitude and express it every single day.
The significance of Alhamdulillah can be understood by the following Hadith:
Abu Malik Al Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) Said: “Purity is half of Imaan (Faith). “Al-hamdu lillah (all praise and gratitude belong to Allah)” fills the scales, and “subhan-Allah (how far is Allah from every imperfection) and “Al-hamdulillah (all praise and gratitude belong to Allah)” fill that which is between heaven and earth.” – [Muslim]
Source – [Riyad as-Salihin 1413]
Being always in the state of Alhamdulillah is true Jihadun Nafs. Only a person who can let go and is grateful in a true sense is eligible to benefit from this Kalima. On the day of judgment, we will be longing for good deeds which will be weighed on the scale. So this kalima will be a blessing as it fills up the scales.
“And We shall set up the balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And sufficient are We as those who reckon.” – [Surah al-Anbiyaa:47]
Healing Our Problems With Alhamdulillah:
In our modern life, we see so many people in huge and permanent states of emotional grief and pain. Nothing seems to soothe our suffering souls. Our evil selves have overpowered our true selves completely. I pray to Allah that He opens our hearts to the greatness and wisdom of this mighty kalima.
Allah (SWT) promised in His holy book that if you are a believer then know that you will be tested.
“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Saabiroon (the patient).
Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: ‘Truly, to Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.’
They are those on whom are the Salawaat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones”
– [al-Baqarah 2:155-157]
He is no doubt the Best Teacher of all. He constantly teaches the state of Alhamdulillah to a believer from the beginning until the end. Until a believer takes his last breath.
Suhaib reported that Allah’s Messenger ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said:
“Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delighted, he thanks Allah, thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (endures into patiently), there is good for him in it.” – [Sahih Muslim]
This life is a test and the attitude we have towards our problems is what is seen by Allah (SWT).
Also, read – Benefits of saying Subhanallah Alhamdulillah Allahu akbar
Gratitude Increases Blessings of Allah:
“And remember when your Lord proclaimed, “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you in favor. But if you deny indeed, my punishment is severe.” – [Quran: Chapter 14, Verse 7]
Gratitude is the easiest way to come out of problems and attract the blessings of Allah.
Alhamdulillah is a Weapon to the Attacks of Shaitan:
Shaitan’s main tool is to make people ungrateful to Allah. His work becomes easy if people become ungrateful.
“Then I will certainly come to them from before them and from behind them, and from the right-hand side and the left-hand side, and You (Allah) shall not find most of them thankful.” – (Al-Araf 7:17)
Loving Allah is the Key to Success in both the Worlds:
Love of Allah and the love of RasoolAllah is the heart of Islam spirituality. Love is love only if it’s unconditional. Conditions, complaining, and blaming makes it selfish. Love is the most selfless emotion. It’s like a river that flows without expectations from others. It knows only to give. It’s free of the lower need of asking from Creation. The one who has tasted this salvation of Alhamdulillah knows how inferior it is to ask from His creation when He is present everywhere and in everything around us! See Him with eyes of your heart. We only need the state of Alhamdulillah to absorb the love of Allah and nourish ourselves with it.
How To Be More Thankful in Life:
1. Correct your Intention: Do everything only for the sake of Allah alone. Thank Him for the good health and opportunities. And see the Barakah flowing and even life in Dunya changes with this attitude of gratitude. Everything can be turned into Ibaadat by just changing the intention and being grateful to Allah.
It is narrated on the authority of Amir al-Mu’minin (Leader of the Believers), Abu Hafs ‘Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), say
“Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what was intended. Whoever migrates with an intention for Allah and His messenger, the migration will be for the sake of Allah and his Messenger. And whoever migrates for worldly gain or to marry a woman, then his migration will be for the sake of whatever he migrated for.”
– Related by Bukhari & Muslim
2. Remember Allah day and night: Do lots of Zikr and be thankful to Allah. The Attitude of Gratitude (Alhamdulillah) is the true formula of success in both worlds. Make morning and evening Azkar a daily routine. It will not only bring blessings but also protect us from the attacks of Shaitan.
3. Be grateful to Family and Friends: Being grateful to the creation is important as well. It is like thanking Allah indirectly.
Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace, and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever does not thank people has not thanked Allah.”
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4811
