Many texts in the Quran and the Sunnah indicate the virtue of praising Allah and that it is what the dwellers of Paradise will say upon entering Paradise.

The Prophet used to praise Allah during all times. Furthermore, supplications - which included the praise of Allah - before and after many actions have been reported on his behalf . He used to praise Allah after eating, drinking, wearing a new garment and returning from a journey. He also would praise Allah during pilgrimage and upon receiving good news or sad news. Thus we Muslims must praise Allah during all situations in order to attain the great reward of praising Him.

The virtue of praising Allah as mentioned in the Quran:

There are many acts of worship which people fail to perform despite the great reward they yield and despite them being very easy to perform. Allah rewards for some simple acts abundantly, because He is The Most Generous and The Beneficent, and regardless how much Allah gives, what He possesses will never decrease.

We must perform as many deeds as possible in order to be rescued on the Day of Judgment and reach our destination safely. One of the greatest deeds to perform is mentioning Allah, and it has many types, the best of which is that done with the tongue and is connected to the heart. This is when a person mentions Allah and ponders upon what he is saying, and praising Allah is one such form of mention. Allah is to be praised in all situations as He is the only One worthy of praise. Allah praised Himself in many places in the Quran and He commanded us to praise Him. The dwellers of Paradise will praise Allah as Allah informs us saying (what means): “…And the last of their call will be, `Praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds!`” [Quran 10: 10]

And also (what means): "…Praise to Allah, Who has fulfilled for us His promise." [Quran 39: 74]

And also (what means): “…Praise to Allah, Who has removed from us [all] sorrow.” [Quran 35: 34]

Praising Allah is a great act of worship that reflects the slave’s contentment and submission to the Decrees of Allah.

Praising Allah is a phrase which will fill the slave’s scale on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet said: “The best type of supplication is (saying): `Al-Hamdulillaah` (All Perfect praise be to Allah)”.

'Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: “The Messenger of Allah recited frequently in bowing and prostration: “Subhaanaka Rabbanaa wa bihamdika, Allahumaghfir lee. (Far removed You are from every imperfection, our Lord, and all praise is for You, forgive me, O Allah)”. He elucidated that it has been commanded in the Noble Quran to recite (what means): “So glorify the Praises of your Lord, and ask for His forgiveness. Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and Who forgives.” [Quran 110: 3] And he (i.e. the Messenger of Allah ) acted upon it.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim] Allah commanded us not to forget this mention, namely praising Him.

The greatest chapter in the entire Quran is Al-Faatihah, and it starts with the praise of Allah. The Messenger of Allah said to Abu Sa`eed Ibn Al-Mu`allaa, may Allah be pleased with him: “Shall I teach you the greatest Chapter in the Quran before you leave the mosque? … It is `Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil-`Aalameen (i.e., Chapter Al-Faatihah).” [Al-Bukhari]

The virtue of praising Allah as mentioned in the Sunnah:

Many texts mentioned this issue to highlight its importance. The Messenger of Allah said: “Protect yourselves from Hellfire; say: `Subhaanallaah, Al-Hamdulillaah, Laa Ilaaha Ilallaah, Allahu Akbar (Allah is free from imperfection; praise be to Allah; None is worthy of being worshipped except Allah; and Allah is The Greatest).` These (words) will come on the Day of Judgment preceding the person (who uttered them in life) and will be behind him, and to his sides.” Meaning they will surround him from all directions as a way of honoring the person who used to utter them in the worldly life.

Ibn Mas`ood, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “I met Ibraaheem, may Allah exalt his mention, on the Night of Ascension (Al-Israa’), and he said to me: `O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your nation, and tell them that Paradise has a vast plain of pure soil and sweet water. It is a plain leveled land. The plants grow there by uttering: Subhaanallaah, Al-Hamdulillaah, Laa Ilaaha Illallaah and Allahu Akbar (Allah is free from imperfection; praise be to Allah; there is no true god except Allah; and Allah is The Greatest).” [At-Tirmithi]

The Messenger of Allah once said to the companions, may Allah be pleased with them: “Allah chose four phrases for you to utter: `Subhaanallaah, Al-Hamdulillaah, Laa Ilaaha Ilallaah, Allahu Akbar (Allah is free from imperfection; praise be to Allah; none is worthy of being worshipped except Allah; and Allah is The Greatest)` Whoever says 'Subhaanallaah (Allah is free from imperfection)' will receive twenty rewards and twenty sins will be expiated from his record. Whoever says 'Allahu Akbar (Allah is The Greatest)' will receive twenty rewards and twenty sins will be expiated from his record. Whoever says 'Laa ilaaha illallaah (None is worthy of being worshipped except Allah)' will receive twenty rewards and twenty sins will be expiated from his record. Whoever says 'Al-Hamdulillaah (praise be to Allah)' will receive thirty rewards and thirty sins will be expiated from his record.” [Ahmad]

We must utilize our time in the mention of Allah as much as we can, because it is the easiest thing to do while its outcome is great, it is the plants of Paradise. It is a very easy profit and an effortless gain ... but where are those who strive to get it?

Whenever a new bounty is bestowed upon the slave from Allah, he should utter the praise of Allah. The Messenger of Allah said: “Allah never bestows a bounty upon a slave and he praises Allah, but the utterance of praise was better for the slave than the bounty itself.”

Allah Says (what means): “And if you should count the favor [i.e. blessings] of Allah, you could not enumerate them.” [Quran 14: 34]

Praising Allah leads to His pleasures, as in the narration of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, who reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “Allah will be pleased with His slave who praises Him (i.e., says Al-Hamdulillaah) when he eats and praises Him when he drinks.” [Muslim]

A true believer praises Allah in all situations even as his soul is departing, as the Messenger of Allah said to Umm Ayman, may Allah be pleased with her. Why would a believer praise Allah upon his death? This is because he is being freed from the prison of this worldly life and heading towards the hoped eternal joyful life in Paradise. One’s death is a decree of Allah, so a true believer praises Allah for any Decree that befalls him. Additionally, a true believer praises Allah for having enabled him to utilize this life in His pleasure.

There are many times during which the praise of Allah is recommended, and the following are some examples:

Upon waking up, whilst rising from bowing, during prayer and upon sneezing:

One is amazed when he ponders on the cases were the praise is recommended. The Prophet taught us that when a person wakes up, he is encouraged to utter: “Al-Hamdulillaahi Al-Lathee ‘Aafaanee Fee Jasadee Waradda ‘Aalayya Roohee (All praise is for Allah who restored to me my health and returned my soul).” The Prophet also taught us that when an Imaam rises from the position of bowing, he should say: “Sami`a Allahu liman hamidah (Allah listened to the one who praised Him)” and that people should say: “Rabbanaa Walakal-hamdu (Our Lord, for You is all praise)” When the Prophet heard a man saying upon rising from bowing in prayer: “Rabbanaa Walakal-hamdu Hamdan Katheeran Tayyiban Mubarakan Feeh (Our Lord, for You is all praise, an abundant beautiful blessed praise)” he said: “The angels were amazed upon hearing this phrase”. Furthermore, when one sneezes, he should praise Allah saying: “Al-Hamdulillaah (All praise is for Allah).”

In the opening of lectures and sermons and after concluding prayers:

Whenever the Prophet used address the people with any issue, he would open his speech with the praise of Allah and His glorification. Likewise, after concluding his prayers, he would praise Allah thirty three times.

Praising Allah – II