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.

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.

When wearing a new garment:

During the Talbiyah for Hajj:

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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ). He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention )) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention )   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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) used address the people with any issue, he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) would open his speech with the praise of Allah and His glorification. Likewise, after concluding his prayers, he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) would praise Allah thirty three times.

When wearing a new garment:


Whenever the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) used wear a new garment, he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) would say: “Allahumma 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 Allah, 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) used different wordings and phrases to praise Allah after eating or drinking, as in the following narrations: Mu`aath ibn Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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 Allah 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, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: "Whenever the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) finished a meal, he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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 Allah, praise which is abundant, pure, and full of blessings, which is indispensable and to which one cannot be indifferent).” [Al-Bukhari]


Upon going to bed:


Whenever the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) would go to bed, he used to remember the bounties of Allah upon him (which is something that most people are heedless of nowadays) and then praise Allah. Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: “Whenever the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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 Allah 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  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) never forgot to praise Allah. Ibn `Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: “During the return journey of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) from Hajj or `Umrah whenever he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) ascended a height or hill, he would recite thrice: “Allahu Akbar (Allah is The Greatest)” Then he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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-Allahu wa`dahu, wa nasara `abdahu, wa hazamal-ahzaaba wahdahu (None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, 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 Allah, prostrate before our Lord and praise Him. Allah has fulfilled His Promise, helped His slave (i.e., Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention )) and He Alone vanquished the Clans).” [Al-Bukhari & 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 Allah, (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, may Allah be pleased with her, reported: “The people complained to the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) of the lack of rain, so he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) gave an order for a pulpit. It was then set up for him in the place of prayer. He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) fixed a day for the people on which they should come out. When the rim of the sun appeared, the  Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) sat down on the pulpit, and having pronounced the greatness of Allah and expressed His praise, he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: “You have complained of drought in your homes, and of the delay in receiving rain at the beginning of its season. Allah has ordered you to supplicate Him and promised that He will answer your prayer.” Then he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: “Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe, the Compassionate, the Merciful, the Master of the Day of Judgment. There is none worthy of worship but Allah Who does what He wishes. O Allah! You are Allah, 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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then raised his hands, and kept raising them till the whiteness under his armpits was visible. He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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. Allah then produced a cloud, and the storm of thunder and lightning came on. Then the rain fell by Allah's permission, and before he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) reached his mosque, streams were flowing. When he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) saw the speed with which the people were seeking shelter, he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) laughed till his back teeth were visible. Then he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: “I testify that Allah is Omnipotent and that I am Allah's servant and apostle.” [Abu Daawood].


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


Do not be heedless of the praise of Allah and mention Him frequently, and remember that one should praise Allah and thank Him during all situations. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 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 Allah! 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 Allah! 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 Allah! 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 Allah had bestowed upon him.” [Al-Bukhari]


When this man from the children of Israel accepted the decree of Allah and was content with it and praised Allah in all situations and thanked Him, Allah 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 Allah for judgment.


Furthermore, Allah rewards the one who is content with great rewards. Abu Moosaa Al-Ash`ari, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: “When a man's child dies, Allah, 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 Allah and to Him we shall return).` Allah says: `Build a house for my slave in Paradise and name it Baytul-Hamd (the House of Praise).`” [At-Tirmithi].