The Hamd (Praise) Prayer that Brings You Closer to Allah and the Angels’ Wonder
Offering praise (Hamd) to Allah Ta’ala is among the most beautiful of supplications. Our Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him- has mentioned the virtues of praising Allah in his honorable hadith. The prayer contained within this hadith astonished even the angels.
The Text and Meaning of the Hamd Prayer
A servant of Allah once expressed:
يَا رَبِّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ كَمَا يَنْبَغِي لِجَلاَلِ وَجْهِكَ وَلِعَظِيمِ سُلْطَانِكَ
“Yâ Rabbî! All praise is due to You, in a manner befitting Your majesty and commensurate with the greatness of Your dominion.”
The Effect of This Hamd Prayer on the Angels
This exalted praise rendered the two angels entrusted with recording the servant’s deeds incapable. They were unable to determine how to record the reward for this prayer. Immediately, they ascended to the heavens and said:
“O our Lord! Your servant has uttered words whose reward we do not know how to record.”
Allah Ta’ala’s Response
Allah Ta’ala -knowing exactly what His servant had said- asked:
“What did My servant say?”
The angels replied:
“O our Lord! He praised You in this manner: ‘Yâ Rabbî! All praise is due to You, in a manner befitting Your majesty and commensurate with the greatness of Your dominion.’”
Allah’s Command and Record of Reward
Thereupon, Allah Ta’ala commanded the two angels:
“Until My servant attains Me and I reward him for what he has said (this praise), you shall record his words exactly as he uttered them.” (Ibn Majah, Adab, 55; Bayhaqi, Shu’ab, VI, 225/4077)