First Subsection
On Ḥamd (Praise)

The discussion will proceed under three points.

First: Its definition. Scholars have differed over the meaning of ḥamd. One opinion— the most widespread—holds that it is thanaʾ (extolling) for the commendable qualities of the One praised. Ibn Jarir, with his chain of transmission, reports from Kaʿb who said: “Whoever says, al-ḥamdu lillāh, that is praise of Allah.” (1)

There is, however, a distinction between ḥamd and thanaʾ. For that reason Allah says, “My servant has praised Me,” and then says, “My servant has extolled Me.” Thanaʾ, therefore, is the repetition and reinforcement of ḥamd.

Another view equates ḥamd with madḥ (commendation), noting that the two words are essentially the same root in reverse order; they coincide in what linguists call the “middle derivation,” meaning that they share the same root consonants though arranged differently. In the hadith: “No one loves to be praised more than Allah.” Accordingly, several distinctions have been drawn between madḥ and ḥamd: