A closing reflection on Surah Al-Fatihah 1:2 and Allah's complete praiseworthiness - praised not for what He gives, but for who He is.
The Qur'an opens with four words that shape the tone of every prayer a Muslim offers: Alhamdulillah, all praise belongs to Allah. It feels fitting to close this reflection where the Qur'an itself begins.
Praised for Who He Is
Allah (SWT) says:
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
"[All] praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds." (Surah Al-Fatihah 1:2)
People usually praise others for what they gain from them. Allah (SWT) is praised not only for what He gives, but simply for who He is, His essence, His attributes, His actions are perfect in themselves. The Prophet (SAW) said in his night prayer, "I cannot praise You enough. You are as You have praised Yourself." (Sahih Muslim 486)
Nearness Through Humility
The Prophet (SAW) also taught, "The closest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is in prostration, so increase supplication while in it." (Sahih Muslim 482) Recognising Allah's (SWT) greatness naturally leads to recognising our own smallness, and it is in that humility, especially in sujud, that nearness to Him is found.
May Allah (SWT) make our students among those whose every affair begins and ends in praise of Him, and may He draw them near through their humility before Him. Ameen.