Al-hamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin

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1 Introduction
2 Significance
3 Translation
4 Further Readings
5 See also
6 References

[edit] Introduction

Al-hamdu lillahi rabbil 'alamin (Arabic script الحمد لله ربّ العالمين) is the first Ayah of the first Surah of the Qur'an (assuming that the introductory Basmala is not counted as the first verse).

[edit] Significance

This verse belongs to Surah Al-Fatiha which is an obligatory^[1] part of the Muslim Prayer and is hence recited very often. Other than being recited daily during the five prayers, Muslims also strive to recite this expression in every activity of their daily lives. Muslims invoke the praises of Allah^[2] before performing any work; and when they finish, they thank Allah for His favors by a recital of this verse. They claim to be grateful to God for all His blessings and thus this verse is a statement of thanks, appreciation, and gratitude from the creature to his Creator.

A notable commentator on the Qur'an from the ninth century, Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Jarir at-Tabari, said,

"The meaning of (Al-Hamdu Lillah) (all praise and thanks be to Allah) is: all thanks are due purely to Allah, alone, not any of the objects that are being worshipped instead of Him, nor any of His creation. These thanks are due to Allah's innumerable favors and bounties, that only He knows the amount of. Allah's bounties include creating the tools that help the creation worship Him, the physical bodies with which they are able to implement His commands, the sustenance that He provides them in this life, and the comfortable life He has granted them, without anything or anyone compelling Him to do so. Allah also warned His creation and alerted them about the means and methods with which they can earn eternal dwelling in the residence of everlasting happiness. All thanks and praise are due to Allah for these favors from beginning to end.

Further, Ibn Jarir also commented on the verse that it means,

"A praise that Allah praised Himself with, indicating to His servants that they too should praise Him, as if Allah had said, `Say: All thanks and praise is due to Allah.' The statement also entails praising Allah by mentioning His most beautiful Names and most honorable Attributes. Thus when one proclaims, `All thanks are due to Allah,' he will be thanking Him for His favors and bounties.

[edit] Translation

The English translation of this verse is "All the praises and thanks be to Allâh, the Lord of the 'Alamîn (i.e. mankind, jinns and all that exists)"