Praising Allaah – II

When wearing a new garment:

Whenever the Prophet  used wear a new garment, he would say: “Allaahumma lakal-hamdu Anta kasawtaneeh, as’aluka min khayrihi wa khayri maa suni’a lah, wa a’oothu bika min sharrihi wa sharri maa suni’a lah (O Allaah, for You is all praise, You have clothed me with it (i.e. the garment), I ask You for the good of it and the good for which it was made, and I seek refuge with You from the evil of it and the evil for which it was made.)” This is said because each garment could be worn for something good or something evil. For example, one could wear it to show off, and a woman could wear a garment to expose her beauty, both of which cases are evil. On the other hand, one could wear it to adorn himself before going to the mosque as a Muslim is commanded to do, in such case one’s garment is a source of goodness for him. 

After eating or drinking:

The Prophet  used different wordings and phrases to praise Allaah after eating or drinking, as in the following narrations: Mu`aath ibn Anas  reported that the Messenger of Allaah  said: “He who has taken food and says at the end: `Alhamdu lillaahi al-lathi at`amani haathaa, wa razaqaneehi min ghayri hawlin minni wa laa quwwah (All praise is due to Allaah Who has given me food to eat and provided it without any endeavor on my part or any power), all his past sins will be forgiven.” [At-Tirmithi]. Abu Umaamah  reported: "Whenever the Prophet finished a meal, he  would say: “Al-hamdulillaah hamdan katheeran taiyyiban mubaarakan feehi, ghayra makffiyyin wa laa muwadda`in, wa laa mustaghnan `anhu, rabbuna. (All praise is due to Allaah, praise which is abundant, pure, and full of blessings, which is indispensable and to which one cannot be indifferent).” [Al-Bukhaari]

Upon going to bed:

Whenever the Prophet  would go to bed, he used to remember the bounties of Allaah upon him (which is something that most people are heedless of nowadays) and then praise Allaah. Anas  reported: “Whenever the Prophet  went to his bed, he would say: “Al-hamdulillaah al-lathi at`amanaa wa saqaanaa, wa kafaanaa wa aawaanaa, fakam mimman laa kaafiya lahu wa laa mu'wiya (Praise is due to Allaah Who has fed us, provided us drink, satisfied us and gave us protection. Many are those who have no one to provide for them, or give them shelter).” [Muslim].

Upon returning from Hajj or ‘Umrah:

During his journeys he  never forgot to praise Allaah. Ibn `Umar reported: “During the return journey of the Prophet  from Hajj or `Umrah whenever he  ascended a height or hill, he would recite thrice: “Allaahu Akbar (Allaah is The Greatest)” Then he  would say:“Laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa `alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer. Aayiboona taa'iboona `aabidoona li rabbinaa haamidoon. Sadaq-Allaahu wa`dahu, wa nasara `abdahu, wa hazamal-ahzaaba wahdahu (None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, Who has no partner, to Whom the sovereignty belongs, to Whom all praise is due, and Who is Able to do all things. We are those who return (in safety), feel penitence, worship Allaah, prostrate before our Lord and praise Him. Allaah has fulfilled His Promise, helped His slave (i.e., Muhammad ) and He Alone vanquished the Clans).”[Al-Bukhaari & Muslim].

During the Talbiyah for Hajj:

It is the Sunnah that one utters Talbiyah whilst in the state of Ihraam for Hajj, saying: “Labbaykallaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, innal-hamda wanni’mata laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak. (Here I am O Allaah, (in response to Your call), here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am.  Verily all praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.)”

During the imploration for rain:

One of the great prayers to perform is when imploring for rain. ‘Aai’shah  reported: “The people complained to the Messenger of Allaah of the lack of rain, so he  gave an order for a pulpit. It was then set up for him in the place of prayer. He  fixed a day for the people on which they should come out. When the rim of the sun appeared, the  Messenger of Allaah  sat down on the pulpit, and having pronounced the greatness of Allaah and expressed His praise, he  said: “You have complained of drought in your homes, and of the delay in receiving rain at the beginning of its season. Allaah has ordered you to supplicate Him and promised that He will answer your prayer.” Then he  said:“Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Universe, the Compassionate, the Merciful, the Master of the Day of Judgment. There is none worthy of worship but Allaah Who does what He wishes. O Allaah! You are Allaah, there is no deity but You, the Rich, while we are the poor. Send down the rain upon us and make what You send down a strength and satisfaction for a time.” He , then raised his hands, and kept raising them till the whiteness under his armpits was visible. He  then turned his back to the people and inverted or turned round his cloak while keeping his hands aloft. He then faced the people, descended and prayed two Rak'ahs. Allaah then produced a cloud, and the storm of thunder and lightning came on. Then the rain fell by Allaah's permission, and before he  reached his mosque, streams were flowing. When he  saw the speed with which the people were seeking shelter, he  laughed till his back teeth were visible. Then he  said: “I testify that Allaah is Omnipotent and that I am Allaah's servant and apostle.” [Abu Daawood].

Encouraging the Praise of Allaah and thanking Him during all times:

Do not be heedless of the praise of Allaah and mention Him frequently, and remember that one should praise Allaah and thank Him during all situations. Abu Hurayrah  narrated that the Messenger of Allaah said: “A man (from amongst the people before you) said: `Indeed! I will give in charity.' So he took his charity out and placed it in a thief's hand. In the morning the people were talking (about this incident) and saying: `Charity was given to a thief last night.' The man said: `O Allaah! Praise be to You. I have given charity to a thief. Indeed, I will give in charity!` So he took his charity out and he placed it in a prostitute's hand. In the morning the people were talking (about this incident) and saying: `Charity was given to a prostitute last night.' On hearing this, the man said: `Praise be to You, O Allaah! I gave charity to a prostitute. Indeed, I will give in charity!` So he took his charity out and placed it in a rich man's hand. In the morning the people were talking (about this incident) and saying: `Charity was given to a rich man last night.' The man said: `O Allaah! Praise be to You (for helping me) give charity to a thief, a prostitute and a rich man.` Then he had a dream in which he was told that his charity to the thief might result in his refraining from his theft, his charity to the prostitute might help her abstain from her immorality, and his charity to the rich man might help him pay heed and spend from what Allaah had bestowed upon him.” [Al-Bukhaari]

When this man from the children of Israel accepted the decree of Allaah and was content with it and praised Allaah in all situations and thanked Him, Allaah rewarded him abundantly for these three charities he spent out. This is because we should deal with people according to what appears from their conditions and leave their intentions to Allaah for judgment.

Furthermore, Allaah rewards the one who is content with great rewards. Abu Moosaa Al-Ash`ari  reported that the Messenger of Allaah said: “When a man's child dies, Allaah, the Exalted, asks His angels: `Have you taken out the life of the child of My slave?` and they reply in the affirmative. He (Exalted be He) then asks: `Have you taken the fruit of his heart?` and they reply in the affirmative. Thereupon He asks: `What did my slave say?` They say: `He praised You and said: Innaa Lillaahi Wa Innaa Ilayhi Raaji'oon (We belong to Allaah and to Him we shall return).` Allaah says: `Build a house for my slave in Paradise and name it Baytul-Hamd (the House of Praise).`” [At-Tirmithi].