and even when it is offered for both blessing and wisdom, gratitude expressed through deeds is for His blessing, and is worship of Him on account of His divinity, which encompasses His wisdom. Thus, all these matters fall within gratitude. This is why the Quran attaches such great importance to gratitude, rather than to praise alone, since praise is one form of gratitude. Praise, which is gratitude expressed in words, has been prescribed at the beginning of every address, together with the affirmation of Allah’s oneness. Thus, al-Fātiha combines gratitude with the affirmation of His oneness, and prescribed sermons must include both.
The enduring righteous deeds are of two kinds:
“Glory and praise be to Allah” expresses gratitude, declares His freedom from imperfection, and magnifies Him; “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah” and “Allah is the Greatest” affirm His oneness and greatness.
[Allah Most High has said:
“So call upon Allah, sincerely devoting your religion to Him.”
“All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds.”] (*)
Is praise confined to matters of choice, as has been said regarding resolve, or is it broader in scope? This requires consideration, but this is not the place for it. An authentic report states that when the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, raised his head from bowing, he would say:
“Our Lord, to You belongs all praise, filling heaven, filling the earth, and filling whatever else You will. You are worthy of praise and glory—the truest words a servant has said, and we are all Your servants. None can withhold what You give, and none can give what You withhold; nor can worldly fortune avail its possessor against You.”
This is the wording of the hadith. Ahaqq (“truest”) is a superlative. Some have mistakenly said:
“What the servant says is true.”
This is not sound, for a servant speaks both truth and falsehood. Rather, it is what the Lord says that is true, as He has said:
“The truth—and I speak the truth.”
Ahaqq, however, is the predicate of an omitted subject: that is, “Praise is the truest thing a servant has said.” The hadith thus establishes that praise is the truest thing a servant has said, which is why it is obligatory in every prayer.