The Meaning of Al-Hamd
Abu Ja`far bin Jarir said, "The meaning of
[الْحَمْدُ
للَّهِ]
(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 commented on the Ayah,
[الْحَمْدُ
للَّهِ]
(Al-Hamdu Lillah), 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.' It was said that the
statement,
[الْحَمْدُ
للَّهِ]
(All praise and thanks be to Allah), entails praising Allah by mentioning His
most beautiful Names and most honorable Attributes. When one proclaims, `All
thanks are due to Allah,' he will be thanking Him for His favors and
bounties.''