الحمد لله على كل شيء
alhamd lilah ealaa kuli shay'
To say "thank god for everything" in Arabic, use الحمد لله على كل شيء (alhamd lilah ealaa kuli shay').
This expression is used to express gratitude to God for all circumstances, regardless of whether they are good or bad. It is a way to show contentment and acceptance of one's fate, even during difficult or unpleasant times.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'The praise is for God over every thing'.
Which one should you use?
While الحمد لله على كل شيء is the standard way to say 'Praise be to God for everything', you may also see الحمد لله على كل شيء و كل حال, which means 'Praise be to God for everything and every situation'. Additionally, نشكر الله على كل شيء is a different way to express the sentiment, meaning 'We thank God for everything'.
How do you pronounce it?
alhamd lilah ealaa kuli shay'
Did you know?
- While English speakers often say 'thank God' as a reaction to relief, الحمد لله is used as a standard answer to 'How are you?' regardless of whether the person is actually doing well.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, saying الحمد لله after eating or drinking is a customary way to signal that you are finished and satisfied with the meal.
- Using الحمد لله during a tragedy is not seen as ignoring the pain, but as a spiritual practice called 'sabr' or patient perseverance, which aims to find a hidden blessing in hardship.
Examples in context
- الحمد لله على كل شيء، رغم الصعوبات.al-ḥamdu lillāhi ʿalā kulli shayʾ, raġma aṣ-ṣuʿūbāt.Thank God for everything, despite the difficulties.
- الحمد لله على كل شيء في حياتي.al-ḥamdu lillāhi ʿalā kulli shayʾ fī ḥayātī.Thank God for everything in my life.
Example conversation
Two friends are catching up after a long period of personal challenges.
- نور Nourكيف حالك يا أحمد؟kayfa ḥāluka yā aḥmad?How are you, Ahmed?
- أحمد Ahmedالحمد لله على كل شيء، الأمور تتحسن.al-ḥamdu lillāhi ʿalā kulli shayʾ, al-umūr ta-taḥassan.Thank God for everything, things are getting better.
- نور Nourهذا خبر جيد، أتمنى لك التوفيق.hādhā khabar jayyid, ata-mannā laka at-tawfīq.That is good news, I wish you the best.
- أحمد Ahmedشكراً لكِ يا نور.shukran laki yā nūr.Thank you, Noor.
