142 / Further Remembrances of Prayer

We continue our discussion of the remembrances associated with prayer. Several formulas of remembrance are authentically reported from the Prophet (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) that the Muslim is prescribed to say upon rising from bowing. In general, they consist of praising Allah, extolling Him, and glorifying Him.

It is reported in both Sahih collections from Abū Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) said: “When the imam says, ‘Allah hears whoever praises Him,’ then say, ‘O Allah, our Lord, to You belongs praise,’ for whoever’s words coincide with the words of the angels will have his past sins forgiven.” 1.

Another wording reads: “O Allah, our Lord, and to You belongs praise,” with the addition of the conjunction “and.” This wording is also found in both Sahih collections. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “The significance of this conjunction in the words ‘Our Lord, and to You belongs praise’ should not be overlooked, for the two Sahih collections contain the instruction to use it. It makes the statement equivalent to two independent clauses. The words ‘Our Lord’ imply: You are the Lord, the Sovereign, the Self-Sustaining, in whose hands are the reins of all affairs and to whom they return. The phrase ‘and to You belongs praise’ is then joined to the meaning implicit in ‘Our Lord.’ It thus conveys the same meaning as the monotheist’s words: ‘To Him belongs sovereignty, and to Him belongs praise.’” 2.

It is reported in Sahih Muslim from Alī ibn Abī Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) rose from bowing, he would say: “O Allah, our Lord, to You belongs praise filling the heavens, filling the earth, filling all that lies between them, and filling whatever else You will.” 3.