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2010-06-17
Al-Hamd Li-Allah Rab Al-Alameen
Published in: Faith
The verse Al-Hamd li-Allah Rab Al-Alameen is known for short as Al-Hamdala. One of the many names of Al-Fatiha is actually Al-Hamd. This is based on the first word of the first verse following the Basmallah verse.
The first word is al-hamd and its translations can be grouped as: praise, all praise, all types of perfect praise, all the praise and thanks, all praise and gratitude.
The word al-hamd (i.e. praise) is different from the word al-shukr (i.e. thanks or gratitude) in that al-shukr is said in return for a deed whereas al-hamd is for the acts of giving by choice, and also for the attributes of the one praised, in this case Allah.
What should be appreciated is that Muslims use al-Hamdu-lillah (i.e. al-hamd li-Allah) meaning Praise to Allah at all times and circumstances. Thus a Muslim would use it at times of happiness, prosperity, and success, but also at times of sadness, down-luck and at difficult and tough times such as illness or the death of a dear person.
The second word in the verse is li-Allah (pronounced lillah). Li in Arabic is a single letter preposition meaning for or to, which is attached to the following noun, in this case Allah.
The third word in the verse is Rab. In Arabic this word can cover several meanings: He who nourishes and dispenses needs, brings up morally and physically; He who takes care, supervises, and is responsible for improving; He who has the axial position upon whom divergence converges; He who is the noblest and the source of power and authority; He who is the owner and the master.
The fourth word in the verse is Al-Alameen. This is a plural of the word alam, the world. Alameen is a term used only in the Qur'an, and is used to encompass all the different worlds in their diversities, their differing sizes and complexities, including the world of angels, the world of humans, the world of jinn, the world of animals, the world of plants, etc.
Thus the meaning of the Ayah is Praise to Allah and recognising that He is the Lord and Master of everything. We as mankind must admit our subservience to the Lord (SWT), and it is only most appropriate to start the prayers by thanking him for our very existence which has come about only by His wish.
The first word is al-hamd and its translations can be grouped as: praise, all praise, all types of perfect praise, all the praise and thanks, all praise and gratitude.
The word al-hamd (i.e. praise) is different from the word al-shukr (i.e. thanks or gratitude) in that al-shukr is said in return for a deed whereas al-hamd is for the acts of giving by choice, and also for the attributes of the one praised, in this case Allah.
What should be appreciated is that Muslims use al-Hamdu-lillah (i.e. al-hamd li-Allah) meaning Praise to Allah at all times and circumstances. Thus a Muslim would use it at times of happiness, prosperity, and success, but also at times of sadness, down-luck and at difficult and tough times such as illness or the death of a dear person.
The second word in the verse is li-Allah (pronounced lillah). Li in Arabic is a single letter preposition meaning for or to, which is attached to the following noun, in this case Allah.
The third word in the verse is Rab. In Arabic this word can cover several meanings: He who nourishes and dispenses needs, brings up morally and physically; He who takes care, supervises, and is responsible for improving; He who has the axial position upon whom divergence converges; He who is the noblest and the source of power and authority; He who is the owner and the master.
The fourth word in the verse is Al-Alameen. This is a plural of the word alam, the world. Alameen is a term used only in the Qur'an, and is used to encompass all the different worlds in their diversities, their differing sizes and complexities, including the world of angels, the world of humans, the world of jinn, the world of animals, the world of plants, etc.
Thus the meaning of the Ayah is Praise to Allah and recognising that He is the Lord and Master of everything. We as mankind must admit our subservience to the Lord (SWT), and it is only most appropriate to start the prayers by thanking him for our very existence which has come about only by His wish.
© 2026 Dr. Shihab Ghanem. All rights reserved.