You have probably heard the Arabic phrase ‘Rabbana Lakal Hamd’ from a Muslim friend or in a mosque during Salah. Rabbana Lakal Hamd is one of the most popular ways to praise Allah and is widely recited by Muslims when offering Salah.
Sadly only a few among us know the exact meaning of Rabbana Lakal Hamd. This blog will educate you on the actual meaning of Rabbana Lakal Hamd in English with its transliteration and translation.
We will also discuss the correct pronunciation of Rabbana Lakal Hamd, when to say it during Salah, and what its benefits are.
Rabbana Lakal Hamd in Arabic
رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Rabbana Lakal Hamd in English transliteration
Here is the English transliteration of Rabbana Lakal Hamd.
Rabbana Laka-l Ḥamd
How to pronounce Rabbana Lakal Hamd?
Here is an easy way to pronounce Rabbana Lakal Hamd for those of you who dont know Arabic.
- Raab-Ba-Naa
- Laa-Kal
- Hammd
Rabbana Lakal Hamd in English translation
Here is the English translation of Rabbana Lakal Hamd for a better understanding.
Our Lord, to You be praise
What is the meaning of Rabbana Lakal Hamd?
The meaning of Rabbana Lakal Hamd can be explained from its translation, Our Lord, to You be praise. It means we are testifying to Allah that he is the only one worthy of all praises.
It is another way of saying that there is no God except Allah, and all the praises are for him. The message of one God is the base of Islam and has been transmitted in several Hadiths, Verses, and the first and second Kalam.
Before it, we say Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah, which means Allah hears those who praise Him.
After saying Rabbana Lakal Hamd, we go down in the prostration position and say Subhana rabbi al aala, which means Glory be to Allah My Lord, the Most High.
Saying Rabbana Lakal Hamd in between “Allah hears those who praise Him” and “Glory be to Allah My Lord, the Most High” is how you praise Allah while offering Salah.
When to say Rabbana Lakal Hamd?
Rabbana Lakal Hamd is part of Salah and has been preached and practiced by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his companions (RA). The Arabic phrase holds a significant value in Islam and is recited by millions of Muslims during Salah.
Rabbana Lakal Hamd should be said when you are getting back to standing position from bowing. Say it after rising from the Ruku and before going into prostration (Sajda).
Is Rabbana Lakal Hamd in Hadiht?
Rabbana Lakal Hamd has been transmitted in several Hadihts and is practiced by Muslims of all sects. Here are a few Hadiths highlighting the Holy Prophet (PBUH) saying Rabbana Lakal Hamd.
Hadith: Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) fell from a horse and got injured so he led the prayer sitting and we also prayed sitting. When he completed the prayer he said, “The Imam is to be followed; if he says Takbir then say Takbir, bow if he bows; raise your heads when he raises his head, when he says, ‘Sami`a l-lahu liman hamidah say, ‘Rabbana laka l-hamd’, and prostrate when he prostrates.”—Sahih al-Bukhari 733
Explanation: This Hadith clarifies that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) prescribed believers to follow the imam and do as he does while offering Salah. He (PBUH) further said to say Rabbana Lakal Hamd when the imam says Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah.
Rabbana Lakal Hamd viariations
A few variations of Rabbana Lakal Hamd can be found in Shahi Hadith. All of them are correct, and their meanings are identical. Here are a few variations of Rabbana Lakal Hamd.
The most common variation of Rabbana Lakal Hamd is Rabbana Wa Lakal Hamd. It was said by the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions.
Hadith: It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that when the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him),” he said: “Rabbana wa lakal-hamd (O our Lord, to You is the praise).” —Sunan Ibn Majah 875
Allahumma Rabbana Lakal Hamd
Allahumma Rabbana Lakal Hamd is another version of Rabbana Lakal Hamd found in many Sahih Hadith. It means O our Lord, to You is the praise.
Hadith: It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “When the Prophet (PBUH) raised his head from bowing, he said: ‘Allahumma Rabbana wa lakal-hamd (O Allah, our Lord and to You be the praise).'” —Sunan an-Nasa’i 1060
Allahumma Rabbana wa lakal hamd, mil as samawati wa mil al ardi wa mil ama shi’ta min shai’in ba’d
This is an extended version of Rabbana Lakal Hamd found in a few Sahih Hadith. It means ‘O Allah, Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise, filling the heavens and filling the earth and whatever else You will besides that.’
Hadith: It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that: When the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears the one who praises Him),’ he said: “Allahumma Rabbana wa lakal-hamd, mil’as-samawati wa mil’al-ardi wa mil’ama shi’ta min shai’in ba’d. —Sunan an-Nasa’i 1066
Rabbana wa lakal-hamd, hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fih
This is another extended version of Rabbana Lakal Hamd and means, ‘O our Lord, and to You be praise, much blessed and pure praise.’
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said that he saw more than thirty angles rushing down to earth to write it down. This means, its is one of the best way to praise Allah.
Hadith: It was narrated that Rifa’ah bin Rafi said: “We were praying behind the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) one day and when he raised his head from bowing he said: ‘Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears the one who praises Him).’ A man behind him said: ‘Rabbana wa lakal-hamd, hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fih.
When the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) had finished, he said: “Who is the one who spoke just now?” The man said: ‘I did, O Messenger of Allah.’ The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘I saw thirty-some angels rushing to see which of them would write it down first.'” —Sunan an-Nasa’i 1062
Rabba na lakal-hamd, mil’as-samawati wa mil’al-ardi wa mil’a ma bainahuma wa mil’a ma shi’ia min shay’in ba’d
This version of Rabbana Lakal Hamd is transmitted in Jami’ at-Tirmidhi and is marked authentic. The meaning of this phrase is ‘O our Lord! And to You is the praise that fills the heavens and fills the earth, and fills what is between them, and fills whatever there is beyond that You will.’
Hadith: Ali bin Abi Talib narrated: “When Allah’s Messenger would raise his head from bowing he would say: (Sami Allahi liman hamidal. Rabba na lakal-hamd, mil’as-samawati wa mil’al-ardi wa mil’a ma bainahuma wa mil’a ma shi’ia min shay’in ba’d) ‘Allah listens to those who praise Him. He said: There are narrations on this topic from Ibn Umar, Ibn Abbas, Ibn Abi Awfa, Abu Juhaifa, and Abu Sa’eed. —Jami` at-Tirmidhi 266
Which one of the above-mentioned variations is correct?
All variations mentioned above are correct and practiced by Muslims. You can say any variation of Rabbana Lakal Hamd stated above in your Salah.
Rabbana Lakal Hamd and Rabbana Wa Lakal Hamd are the most recited versions of this invocation.
Wrap Up
We have discussed the meaning of Rabbana Lakal Hamd and described its transliteration and translation in English. We have also provided Sahih Hadiths which are transmitting the meaning and translation of Rabbana Lakal Hamd.
We hope you will be educated on the exact meaning and benefits of Rabbana Lakal Hamd after reading this guide. Share it with other Muslims if you find this article interesting.
FAQs
When to say Rabbana Lakal Hamd?
You can recite Rabbana Lakal Hamd when rising back in the standing position from bowing in Salah. If you are offering Salah in a mosque behind an imam, let him say Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah and reply with Rabbana Lakal Hamd.
Is it Rabbana Lakal Hamd or Rabbana Wa Lakal Hamd?
You can say any of them because both are correct and mentioned in Sahih Hadiths. We have mentioned relevant Hadihts which will clarify what to say Rabbana Lakal Hamd or Rabbana Wa Lakal Hamd.
Is saying Rabbana Lakal Hamd compulsory?
Saying Rabbana Lakal Hamd during Salah is preached and practiced by the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Therefore, we can say that it is compulsory to recite this Arabic phrase when rising from the bowing position.
What to recite after Rabbana Lakal Hamd?
After saying Rabbana Lakal Hamd, we should stand straight. Then we should say Takbir (Allahu Akhbar) and go into the prostration position and recite Subhana rabbi al aala.
Is Rabbana Lakal Hamd the best way to praise Allah?
Saying Rabbana Lakal Hamd is one of the best ways to praise Allah. However, you can recite Tasbeeh e Fatima or another Tasbih defining the names and characteristics of Allah to praise him.
What else should you know?
Here is a list of a few powerful Islamic terms you should know.