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Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah meaning in English and Arabic

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Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah meaning

‘Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah’ is one of the most popular Arabic phrases in Islam and is used to invoke Allah’s blessings and mercy during Salah, when rising from the bowing position to stand straight.

Saying Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah when rising from the bowing position was practiced by the Holy Propeht (PBUH) but sadly, only a few Muslims know the meaning of Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah.

This article will explain the meaning of Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah in English with translation and transliteration. We will also discuss what to say after Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah and Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah full dua.

Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah in Arabic

Before moving to the exact meaning of Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah, let’s discuss the Arabic text of Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah.

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah English transliteration

Here is the English transliteeration of Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah.

Samiʿa Allāhu liman ḥamidah

How to pronounce it?

Pronouncing Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah can be challenging for those who don’t know Arabic. Here is an easy translation.

  • Saa-Miee
  • All-ah
  • Hoo-Lee-Mun
  • Hami-Dah

Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah translation

Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah is recited by millions of Muslims globally but only a few know its exact meaning. Here is the translation of Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah for your better understanding.

Allah hears those who praise Him.

What is the meaning of Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah?

The meaning of Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah is clear from its translation: ‘Allah hears those who praise him.’

Muslims recite the phrase after rising from the bowing position in Salah. In the bowing position we say ‘Subhaana rabbiyal a’alaa’ which means Glory be to Allah My Lord, the Most High.

We have praised Allah in the bowing position and recited Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah (Allah hears those who praise him) when rising. This shows the trust and gratitude of a Muslim towards Allah because first, he praised Allah in the bowing position and showed trust in Allah that he listens to the praises and will reward.

Is Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah in Hadith?

Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah is part of Salah and is transmitted in the following Hadiths.

Hadith: It was narrated from Aishah that The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) prayed, bowing four times, and he recited loudly, and every time he raised his head, he said: “Sami Allahu liman hamidah. Rabbana wa lakal-hamd (Allah hears those who praise Him, Our Lord to You be praise.).”— Sunan an-Nasa’i 1494

Explanation: Aisha (RA) cleared doubts of those who thought saying ‘Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah’ is not compulsory in Salah. The Last Messenger (PBUH) was sent with Allah’s message, and we must follow what he preached and practice.

What is Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah full dua?

Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah full dua means the invocation and its reply. Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah is followed by Rabbana Wa Lakal Hamd.

Rabbana Wa Lakal Hamd comes right after Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah in every Raa’kat and is compulsory to recite. It means ‘O our Lord, to You is the praise,’ which compliments Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah.

Just so you know, if you are praying alone at home or in the office, Say Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah and Rabbana Wa Lakal Hamd by yourself. However, if you are praying in a mosque behind an imam, just say Rabbana Wa Lakal Hamd after the Imam says Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah. Here is the dua for entering and leaving the masjid.

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

Hadith: It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘The Imam is appointed to be followed. When he says Allahu Akbar, then say Allahu Akbar; when he bows, then bow; when he says Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah, then say Rabbana wa lakal-hamd; when he prostrates then prostrate; if he prays standing, then pray standing, and if he prays sitting down then pray sitting down.”— Sunan Ibn Majah 1239

What is the reply to Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah?

As mentioned above, the reply to Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah is from Rabbana Wa Lakal Hamd. However, a few Hadiths say Allahumma Rabbana Wa Lakal Hamd with a little variation, but the meaning is almost identical.

Allahumma Rabbana Lakal Hamd means Our Lord, to You be praise, which is identical to Rabbana Wa Lakal Hamd’s meaning ‘O our Lord, to You is the praise.’

Hadith: It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘The Imam is appointed to be followed, so when he says the takbir, say the takbir, and when he recites, be silent, and when he says: “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him),” say: “Allahumma rabbana lakal-hamd (Our Lord, to You be praise).”— Sunan an-Nasa’i 921


You can also say ‘Allahumma Rabbana wa lakal-hamd, mil’as-samawati wa mil’al-ardi wa mil’ama shi’ta min shai’in ba’d’ instead of Allahumma Rabbana Lakal Hamd.

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 ( O Allah, our Lord, to You be the Praise, filling the heavens, filling the Earth, and filling whatever else You will.)”—Sunan an-Nasa’i 1066

Hadith: It was narrated that Ibn Abu Awfa said: “When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) raised his head from Ruku’, he said: ‘Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah, Allahumma, Rabbana lakal-hamd, mil’ as-samawati wa mil’ al- ard wa mil’ ma shi’ta min shay’in ba’d (Allah hears those who praise Him. O Allah! O our Lord, to You is the praise as much as fills the heavens, as much as fills the earth and as much as You will after that).’”—Sunan Ibn Majah 878


Another Hadith suggests that you can say “Rabbana wa lakal-hamd, hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fih.” (O our Lord, and to You be praise, much blessed and pure praise)

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. (O our Lord, and to You be praise, much blessed and pure praise.)’ 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, Sahih al-Bukhari 799


Rabbana wa lakal-hamd or Rabbana lakal-hamd?

Both versions have appeared in Sahih Hadith. Therefore, you can say either of them. Muslims usually go with saying Rabbana Wa Lakal Hamd.

Hadith: And narrated Abu Huraira: Whenever Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) stood for the prayer, he said Takbir on starting the prayer and then on bowing. On rising from bowing he said, “Sami`a llahu liman hamidah,” and then while standing straight he used to say, “Rabbana laka-l hamd” (Al- Laith said, “(The Prophet (PBUH) said), ‘Wa laka l-hamd’.” He used to say Takbir on prostrating and on raising his head from prostration; again he would Say Takbir on prostrating and raising his head. He would then do the same in the whole of the prayer till it was completed. On rising from the second rak`a (after sitting for at-Tahiyyat), he used to say Takbir.—Sahih al-Bukhari Volume 1 Book 12 Hadith 755.

Wrap Up

We have discussed the meaning of Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah in English and mentioned several Sahih Hadiths transmitting it. We have also mentioned when to say Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah, what is the reply of Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah and what is the Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah full dua.

We hope you will find this guide interesting and useful and will share it with other Muslims.

FAQs

Can I do prostration after the imam says Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah?

No, you have to wait for the imam to go into the prostration position and follow him. Don’t do it before the imam.

Hadith: Narrated Al-Bara’ bin `Azib: (He was not a liar) We used to pray behind the Prophet (PBUH) and when he said, “Sami`a l-lahu liman hamidah”, none of us would bend his back (to go for prostration) till the Prophet (PBUH) had placed his, forehead on the ground.—Sahih al-Bukhari 811

What is the correct order of bowing in Salah?

When you bow down in Salah, make sure your palms are on your knees. Your fingers should be lower than your plan, and your elbows should be pointed outwards. Upon rising back say ‘Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah.’

Hadith: It was narrated that Salim said: “We came to Abu Mas’ud and said to him: ‘Tell us about the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).’ He stood in front of us and said the takbir, then when he bowed he placed his palms on his knees and put his fingers lower than that, and he held his elbows out from his sides until every part of him had settled. Then he said: Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal-hamd (Allah hears those who praise Him, our Lord, and to You be the praise), then he stood up until every part of him had settled.”— Sunan an-Nasa’i 1036

Should we go down in prostration after saying Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah?

Usually, we can, but it is mentioned in a Hadith that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to stand for a while after saying Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah in the second Raa’kat of Fajr Salah. Here is the dua after Salah and the dua after Fajr Salah.

Hadith: It was narrated that Ibn Sirin said: “Some of those who prayed the Subh prayer with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) narrated to me that when he said: Sami’Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him)’ in the second rak’ah, he stood for a while.”—Sunan an-Nasa’i 1072

Do we say Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah in a congregation?

If you are offering Salah behind an Imam, then don’t say Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah. But reply to it by saying Rabbana Wa Lakal Hamd.

Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah pronunciation in video

What else should you know?

Here is a list of a few powerful Islamic terms you should know.

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