He was also asked:

“What are the essential meanings of praise and gratitude? Do they have the same meaning or two distinct meanings? For what is praise offered, and for what is gratitude expressed?”

He replied:

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. Praise entails commending and extolling the one praised by mentioning his excellent qualities, whether or not he has shown kindness to the person praising him. Gratitude, however, is expressed only for kindness shown by the one thanked to the one thanking him. In this respect, praise is broader than gratitude, since it concerns both excellent qualities and acts of kindness. Allah Most High is praised for His most beautiful names and loftiest attributes, and for what He has created in the Hereafter and in this world.

Thus, the Most High says:

“Praise be to Allah, who created the heavens and the earth and made darkness and light.”

He also says:

“Praise be to Allah, to whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. To Him belongs all praise in the Hereafter.”

And He says:

“Praise be to Allah, Originator of the heavens and the earth, who made the angels messengers with two, three, or four wings. He adds to creation whatever He wills.”