Alhamdulillah Meaning
All praise is for Allah: said in gratitude. Here is its meaning, the Arabic and where it comes from.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ
- Transliteration
- Al-ḥamdu lillāh
- Meaning
- All praise is for Allah
- Say it
- al-HAM-du lil-LAAH
Quick answer
Alhamdulillah (الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ) means “all praise is for Allah”. Muslims say it to thank Allah for good news, health and food, after sneezing, and even in hardship. It opens the Quran: “Al-hamdu lillahi rabbil-‘alamin” (Quran 1:2). The Prophet ﷺ said it fills the scale of good deeds (Sahih Muslim 223).
Alhamdulillah means “all praise is for Allah”. It is how Muslims thank Allah: for good news, for health, after eating, and even in hardship, as a reminder that every blessing comes from Him.
When do Muslims say Alhamdulillah?
- Answering “How are you?”: “I’m well, alhamdulillah.”
- Good news and blessings: a new job, a recovery, a safe journey.
- After sneezing: the Prophet ﷺ taught that someone who sneezes should say “Alhamdulillah”, the person who hears it replies “Yarḥamuk Allāh” (may Allah have mercy on you), and the sneezer answers “Yahdīkumullāhu wa yuṣliḥu bālakum” (may Allah guide you and set your affairs right) (Sahih al-Bukhari 6224).
- In hardship, as an expression of trust and patience.
Alhamdulillah in the Quran
The Quran’s opening chapter begins with it: “Al-ḥamdu lillāhi rabbi l-ʿālamīn”, all praise is for Allah, Lord of all the worlds (Quran 1:2).
Its reward
The Prophet ﷺ said that “Alhamdulillah” fills the scale of good deeds (Sahih Muslim 223). It is also said 33 times after every prayer, with SubhanAllah and Allahu Akbar (Sahih Muslim 597).
Alhamdulillah vs SubhanAllah
- Alhamdulillah praises and thanks Allah for what He gives.
- SubhanAllah (“glory be to Allah”) declares Allah far above any imperfection.
In hardship, many say Alhamdulillah ‘ala kulli hal: all praise is for Allah in every situation.
Quran and hadith references link to quran.com and sunnah.com, where you can read the full text. Reviewed 27 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
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Frequently asked questions
What does Alhamdulillah mean?
Alhamdulillah means “all praise is for Allah” (often translated “praise be to God” or “thank God”).
What do you reply when someone says Alhamdulillah after sneezing?
Reply “Yarhamuk Allah” (may Allah have mercy on you). They then answer “Yahdikumullahu wa yuslihu balakum” (may Allah guide you and set your affairs right), as taught in Sahih al-Bukhari 6224.
Is it Alhamdulillah or Alhamdulilah?
Both spellings are common. The Arabic is الحمد لله, “al-hamdu lillah”, so “Alhamdulillah” is closest.
What does Alhamdulillah ‘ala kulli hal mean?
It means “all praise is for Allah in every situation”, said in good times and in hardship.
How do you reply to Alhamdulillah?
There is no fixed reply, except after sneezing, when the reply is “Yarhamuk Allah” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6224). Otherwise people often say “Alhamdulillah” too.