Al Hamdo Li LLAH!-2

As Muslims we recite this chapter (or sura) (Al-Hamd) at least 10 times a day. And we know that unless one gets a deep understanding of his Creator, to the extent that he can, he won’t be able to recite a single sura al-Hamd properly. This is because, reciting it, as an expression of these feelings, depends upon the realization of these attributes and blessings, in the first place. And this realization will depend on knowing the Creator and understanding HIS attributes. Al-Hamdo LiLLAH- (All praise -with all other components- is for Allah, or whatever praise there is it’s for HIM) Here we see that “all praise-gratitude-worship” have been related to “ALLAH” (SWT). This name ‘Allah’ is different from Rehmaan, Raheem, Malik etc in that, it is the sum-up of all the attributes. Not meaning any one of them in particular, it means the One, the Being, who holds all these attributes (and all the others which reflect perfection). In fact, is the source of all of them. So the one who understands HIM with ‘this’ name, does “hamd” naturally, just like a fan speaking about his hero wherever he is talked about… Another point: The ‘hamd’ (thanks-praise-worship) has been related to this name (“ALLAH”) not other names or, other attributes. One of the secrets of this could be that; the ‘Being’ or the Existence, Himself, without regards to His 'blessings', 'bounties' or 'help' etc, deserves our ‘hamd’.., He Himself deserves to be thanked-praised-worshiped, even without looking at His blessings. This really makes the “hamd” rise high, in proportion to the height of the worshipers understanding of that Being who is named Allah. (Of course the writer himself is far away, that’s why can’t really express what it would be really like…). But of course; not any Zaid, Khalid, Majid.. can claim such a status. Only those who have really experienced it and were under special guidance of Allah Himself, and His Prophet can reach such heights. And whom better than the great Companions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him & his progeny). Hazrat Ali ibn-e-Abi Talib (salaams of Allah be on him) says:

الهی ما عبدتك طمعا فی جنّتك و لا خوفا من نارك بل وجدتك أهلا للعبادة فعبدتك" " (بحار الأنوار ج ۴۱

O Lord! I worship You, not in desire of Your paradise, and not in fear of Your hell, but because, I find that You deserve to be worshiped, I worship You. (Even if You hadn’t created paradise and hell I would have worshiped You, and my worship for You is not because you gave me life, and all its bounties and more, and even not for the paradise, in the hereafter, but because of You being Yourself…). Great Persian poet Sa’di says:

گر از دوست چخمت به احسان اوست
تو در بند خویشی، نه در بند دوست
خلاف طریقت بود کأولیاء
تمنا کنند از خدا جز خدا (بوستان سعدی

If you adore your beloved, for his favors (to you), The love of your own desires has trapped you, not his, It would have been against the rules (of the game), If “awliya” *, would ask God, for something other than ‘Him’. *(who have sacrificed everything in His way, and reached a particular level of purification) A rough translation for Urdu speaking friends:

نظر میں اُس کی عطا، نہ خود محبوب
تُو تو عاشق ہے اپنا، نہ اُس کا مجذوب
راہ عرفاں نہ تھی گر ولی کو
ہوتا خدا سے، جز خدا مطلوب

(The idea taken from the Commentary of Shaheed Murtaza Muatahhari-(may Allah's blessings be upon him), with small variations)

Al-Hamdo Li LLAH-1

Natural human feelings:

-To "thank" someone who has helped me, given me something, specially if it were for free, or has done me any favor...

-To "praise" someone who has any of the good attributes. Be it a self-achieved attribute or action, with self choice and intention e.g. a nice painting, good writing or any noble action; or natural, out of his control one e.g. beauty or nice complexion or height etc.

-To "appreciate" & "honor" someone’s nobleness and 'bow' in front of his greatness because of the extraordinary attributes he/she has, like a selfless charity worker, a sports hero, a huge mountain, or...

Now! The Arabic word 'hamd' (حمد) has all the three components combined with in its meaning (although still not to the full extent). It means:

-To "thank"; but not all 'hamd' is thanks, (because it has the other two components too) but, all thanks is 'hamd'.

-To "praise"; but on the intentional and willfull attributes and actions only.

-To "appreciate" or bow and worship, because of the greatness.

And what do we say in the first ayah of Chapter Al-Hamd?...Al Hamdo LiLLAH-e-Rabbil Aalameen.. which means All 'hamd' is for ALLAH (not only "all praise for...' ; this will leave out the two other components). Hamd with all the three feelings and concepts in mind is Only for Allah... And the reason for this exclusivity is clear; There is no one greater than HIM who:

-Has given us more bounties than HIM. 'cause HE brought us to existence, gave us life.... Need anything greater than that?

-Is the source of all beauties and perfections...anybody else who has it is because HE granted it to him.

-Is the greatest and no body greater than HIM...one who understands HIS greatness naturally bows in worship and humiliation..

Rabbana! Eyyaka Na'bod Wa Eyyaka Nastaeen.