His words, “filling the heavens…” and so forth, mean: praise whose nature and measure are such that it fills the upper and lower realms and the space between them. Praise of this magnitude thus fills the entire realm of existing creation.

His words, “and filling whatever else You will,” mean: praise that fills whatever the Lord, Mighty and Majestic, creates thereafter and whatever He wills.

Accordingly, praise of Him, Glorified is He, has filled everything that exists and will fill everything that will come into existence. 1.

It is reported in Sahih Muslim from Abū Saīd al-Khudrī (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: “When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) raised his head from bowing, he would say: ‘Our Lord, to You belongs praise, filling the heavens and the earth and filling whatever else You will. You are worthy of praise and glory. These are the most fitting words a servant can utter, and every one of us is Your servant. O Allah, no one can withhold what You give, no one can give what You withhold, and no worldly fortune can avail its possessor before You.’” 2.

The meaning of his words, “Our Lord, to You belongs praise, filling the heavens and the earth and filling whatever else You will,” has already been explained. His words, “You are worthy of praise and glory,” mean: O Allah, You are worthy of being praised and glorified because of the greatness of Your attributes, the perfection of Your qualities, the continual succession of Your blessings, and the abundance of Your favors.

His words, “the most fitting words a servant can utter,” mean that this praise and glorification of You are the most fitting words a servant can say and voice. The phrase “the most fitting” is the predicate of an omitted subject, understood to be “this praise and glorification.” This sentence serves to affirm His praise and glorification and to explain that this is the most fitting thing a servant can utter and the finest subject on which he can speak.