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) is important to feel this gratitude and express it every single day.
The significance of Alhamdulillah can be understood by the following Hadith of Riyad as-Salihin 1413:
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]
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).
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 worlds:
Love of Allah and the love of RasoolAllah is the heart of Islamic spirituality. Love is love only if it’s unconditional. Conditions, complaining, and blaming make 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.
Reward for Saying Alhamdulillah: Authentic Blessings That Will Make You Smile
We say Alhamdulillah in every single rak’ah of our Salah. Surah Al-Fatiha, which we recite at least 17 times a day, begins with Alhamdulillah. So we’re already collecting these rewards constantly. But let’s see exactly what we’re collecting.
Reward 1: It Fills the Scales on Judgment Day
Imagine standing on the Day of Judgment. The heat is intense. The sweat is pouring. Everyone is waiting for their account to be settled. And then comes the moment when your deeds are placed on the scale.
You’re looking at your good deeds, hoping they weigh heavily. And then you see it – your “Alhamdulillahs” have filled the scale completely.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Purity (Taharah) is half of faith. ‘Alhamdulillah’ fills the scales. And ‘SubhanAllah’ and ‘Alhamdulillah’ fill that which is between the heavens and the earth.”
Source: Sahih Muslim 223
SubhanAllah! The scholars explain that this means the reward for saying Alhamdulillah is so enormous that it literally fills the space between the heavens and the earth in terms of weight and value on the Day of Judgment.
Think about that for a moment. The distance between the earth and the heavens is unimaginable. And your simple, sincere “Alhamdulillah” has that much weight in the court of Allah.
Some commentators have also noted that everything between the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah, as mentioned in Surah Al-Isra, verse 44. When you say Alhamdulillah, you are joining the entire creation in praising the Creator.
Reward 2: It’s Better Than Anything This World Has to Offer
The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked a question that makes us realize the true value of these words.
Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“The uttering of the words: ‘SubhanAllah (Allah is free from imperfection), Alhamdulillah (all praise is due to Allah), La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah), and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)’ is dearer to me than anything over which the sun rises.”
Source: Sahih Muslim 2695
Meaning? These four phrases are more beloved to the Prophet (ﷺ) than everything in this entire world. The sun rises over mountains, oceans, palaces, gold, silver – everything in dunya. And yet, these simple words are better than all of it combined.
If they are that valuable to the best of creation, imagine how valuable they are to the Creator.
You might want to check the detailed explanation and meaning of SubhanAllah and La Ilaha Illallah.
Reward 3: It Brings More Blessings From Allah
This is perhaps the most direct promise from Allah Himself.
Allah says in the Quran – Surah Ibrahim, verse 7:
And ˹remember˺ when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more. But if you are ungrateful, surely My punishment is severe.’
This is a law of Allah that never changes. Gratitude brings increase. Ingratitude brings loss.
When you say Alhamdulillah for what you have, Allah doesn’t say, “Okay, you’re welcome.” He says, “You thanked Me? Here’s MORE.”
- That job you have? Say Alhamdulillah, and Allah increases its barakah.
- That small house you live in? Say Alhamdulillah, and Allah fills it with contentment.
- That little money in your pocket? Say Alhamdulillah, and Allah makes it stretch further.
Gratitude is literally the key to abundance.
Reward 4: It Fulfills Your Gratitude to Allah
There’s a deeper reward that goes beyond what we can see. The scholars mention that there are three levels of thankfulness:
- Internal gratitude – Recognizing in your heart that every blessing comes from Allah
- Verbal gratitude – Saying Alhamdulillah with your tongue
- Practical gratitude – Using your blessings to obey Allah and help others
When you say Alhamdulillah sincerely, you’re fulfilling the second level. And when you combine it with the other levels, you become among the true thankful servants that Allah loves.
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) would stand in night prayer until his feet swelled. When asked why he worshipped so much when his past and future sins were forgiven, he replied:
“Should I not be a grateful servant?”
Source: Sahih Bukhari 4837
If the Prophet (ﷺ), with all his guaranteed Jannah, stood in gratitude, what about us?
Reward 5: It Protects You From Punishment
Allah mentions in the Quran – Surah An-Nisa, verse 147:
“Why should Allah punish you if you are grateful and faithful? Allah is ever Appreciative, All-Knowing.”
This verse is incredible. Allah is saying that gratitude and faith are shields against His punishment. When you’re in a state of Alhamdulillah, you’re under Allah’s protection.
Notice how the verse mentions gratitude before faith? Some scholars say this is because gratitude leads to faith. When you constantly thank Allah, your connection with Him grows stronger, and your faith deepens naturally.
Practical Ways to Maximize Your Alhamdulillah Reward
Now that we know the rewards, how do we actually live a life of Alhamdulillah?
1. Say It for the Small Things
Don’t wait for big blessings. Say Alhamdulillah when you find your car keys. Say it when the traffic light turns green. Say it when you take a sip of water.
Prophet Solomon (AS) taught us to make this dua:
“My Lord! Inspire me to ˹always˺ be thankful for Your favours which You have blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please you.”
Source: Surah An-Naml, verse 19
2. Wake up with Alhamdulillah
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever wakes up in the morning secure in his dwelling, healthy in his body, having his food for the day, it is as if the whole world has been given to him.”
Sunan Tirmidhi 2346
Start every morning by recognizing these three blessings – security, health, and food. Say Alhamdulillah for them. Most of the world doesn’t have all three.
3. Thank people too
Here’s something beautiful. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“He who does not thank the people is not thankful to Allah.”
Sunan Abi Dawud 4811
When someone does something good for you, say Jazakallah Khair. Thank them sincerely. This is part of your gratitude to Allah, because He sent that person to help you.
4. Turn everything into Alhamdulillah
Remember the hadith of Suhaib (RA) that we discussed in a previous article? The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Strange are the affairs of the believer. All of his affairs are good. If something good happens to him, he is grateful (says Alhamdulillah), and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him.”
Source: Sahih Muslim 2999
This is the ultimate level. When you reach the point where Alhamdulillah flows from your tongue in both ease and hardship, you have achieved something that most people never will.
5. 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
6. 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.
References:
1. Significance of Alhamdulillah – Riyad as-Salihin 1413
2. Surah al-Anbiyaa:47
3. al-Baqarah 2:155-157
4. Say Alhamdulillah for everything good that happens – Sahih Muslim 2999
5. Brings More Blessings From Allah – Quran: Chapter 14, Verse 7
6. Alhamdulillah fills the scales – Sahih Muslim 223
7. More beloved to the Prophet (ﷺ) – Sahih Muslim 2695
8. Being a grateful servant – Sahih Bukhari 4837
9. Protects You From Punishment – Surah An-Nisa, verse 147
10. Dua of Prophet Solomon (AS) – Surah An-Naml, verse 19
11. Waking up with Alhamdulillah – Sunan Tirmidhi 2346, Grade: Hasan (Darussalam)
12. Be thankful to people – Sunan Abi Dawud 4811 – Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani)
13. The intention in taking oaths – Sahih al-Bukhari 6689
You may also like reading these articles:
- Alhamdulillah For Everything: Quotes With Images, Wallpaper, DP in English
- The Relationship Between Shukr & Iman – Why a Believer Must be Grateful
- Allahumma A’inni Ala Zikrika Wa Shukrika Full Dua Meaning & Hadith
- List of Morning and Evening Adhkar in English (PDF Included)
- Benefits of saying Subhanallah Alhamdulillah Allahu akbar
