How does gratitude become worship of both the heart and limbs?
2026-09-21
T59 · Ibn Taymiyyah
Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah
شيخ الإسلام أحمد بن تيمية
Original Q&A · Complete published question and answer
The original question and complete answer on praise and gratitude at 11/133–134 replace the isolated narrator’s opening at 11/135. The answer explicitly includes the heart in praise and distinguishes the forms of gratitude from the grounds of praise. The two hadiths are translated as quoted; this entry does not add an independent hadith grading.
النص العربي
السؤال الأصلي
سئل عن " الحمد والشكر " ما حقيقتهما ؟ هل هما معنى واحد أو معنيان ؟ وعلى أي شيء يكون الحمد ؟ وعلى أي شيء يكون الشكر ؟ .
الجواب
الحمد لله رب العالمين .
" الحمد " يتضمن المدح والثناء على المحمود بذكر محاسنه سواء كان الإحسان إلى الحامد أو لم يكن والشكر لا يكون إلا على إحسان المشكور إلى الشاكر فمن هذا الوجه الحمد أعم من الشكر ; لأنه يكون على المحاسن والإحسان فإن الله تعالى يحمد على ما له من الأسماء الحسنى والمثل الأعلى وما خلقه في الآخرة والأولى ; ولهذا قال تعالى : { الحمد لله الذي خلق السماوات والأرض وجعل الظلمات والنور } وقال : { الحمد لله الذي له ما في السماوات وما في الأرض وله الحمد في الآخرة } وقال : { الحمد لله فاطر السماوات والأرض جاعل الملائكة رسلا أولي أجنحة مثنى وثلاث ورباع يزيد في الخلق ما يشاء }
وأما " الشكر " فإنه لا يكون إلا على الإنعام فهو أخص من الحمد من هذا الوجه ; لكنه يكون بالقلب واليد واللسان كما قيل : أفادتكم النعماء مني ثلاثة : يدي ولساني والضمير المحجبا
ولهذا قال تعالى : { اعملوا آل داود شكرا } .
و " الحمد " إنما يكون بالقلب واللسان فمن هذا الوجه الشكر أعم من جهة أنواعه والحمد أعم من جهة أسبابه ومن هذا الحديث { الحمد لله رأس الشكر فمن لم يحمد الله لم يشكره } وفي الصحيح عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال : { إن الله ليرضى عن العبد يأكل الأكلة فيحمده عليها ويشرب الشربة فيحمده عليها } والله أعلم .
English translation
English translation reviewed against the displayed Arabic by SalafAlSalih editorial preparation (AI-assisted); explanatory additions appear in square brackets or separate notes.
Original question
He was asked about praise and gratitude: What is their reality? Are they one meaning or two meanings? For what is praise given, and for what is gratitude given?
Answer
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
Ḥamd [praise] includes praising and commending the one praised by mentioning his good qualities, whether or not he has done a kindness to the one praising him. Shukr [gratitude] is only for a kindness done by the one thanked to the person thanking him. From this perspective, praise is broader than gratitude, because it concerns both good qualities and kindness. Allah, Exalted is He, is praised for His most beautiful names, His highest description, and what He has created in the Hereafter and in this world. For this reason He said: “All praise belongs to Allah, who created the heavens and the earth and made darkness and light.” He said: “All praise belongs to Allah, to whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, and to Him belongs all praise in the Hereafter.” He also said: “All praise belongs to Allah, Originator of the heavens and the earth, who made the angels messengers with wings, two, three, and four. He increases in creation whatever He wills.”
As for gratitude, it is only for the bestowal of a blessing, so from this perspective it is narrower than praise. However, it is expressed through the heart, the hand, and the tongue, as it has been said: “Your kindness has gained for you three things from me: my hand, my tongue, and my concealed heart.”
For this reason He, Exalted is He, said: “Work, O family of David, in gratitude.”
Praise is through the heart and tongue. From this perspective, gratitude is broader in its forms, while praise is broader in its grounds. Related to this is the hadith: “Praising Allah is the head of gratitude; whoever does not praise Allah has not thanked Him.” In the Ṣaḥīḥ, the Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, said: “Allah is indeed pleased with the servant who eats a meal and praises Him for it, and drinks a drink and praises Him for it.” Allah knows best.
Source and editorial notes
Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā 11/133–134
مجموع الفتاوى
Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā
Question and complete answer checked in the Arabic transcription of Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā 11/133–134. Source markup was removed; wording and the quoted verse of poetry are retained.