Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah Meaning and Arabic Text

“Sami Allahu liman hamidah” is an Arabic phrase recited during prayer, specifically after rising from the bowing position (ruku) and standing upright.

This phrase is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), who would say it after straightening up from bowing, acknowledging Allah’s acceptance of our praise and worship.

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Sami Allahu Liman Hamida In Arabic

The phrase is written in Arabic as:

سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ

Transliteration: Sami’allaahu liman hamidah.

Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah Meaning in English

Sami Allahu liman hamida means Allah hears whoever praises Him.

Sami Allahu Liman Hamida Hadith

It was narrated that Rifa’ah bin Rafi said: “We were praying behind the Messenger of Allah (SAW) one day and when he raised his head from bowing he said: ‘Sami Allahu liman hamida (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 (SAW) 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 (SAW) said: ‘I saw thirty-some angels rushing to see which of them would write it down first.’”
Sunan an-Nasa’i 1062

What to say after Sami Allahu liman hamidah?

After saying “Sami Allaahu liman hamidah” in the prayer, you should respond with “Rabbana lakal hamd” which means “Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.”

Is Sami allahu liman hamidah obligatory?

Here’s a rewritten version of the text with improved clarity and readability: Reciting “Sami’a Allaahu liman hamidah” when rising from bowing is considered Sunnah and recommended by most scholars, but obligatory according to the Hanbali school of thought.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) explained in al-Sharh al-Mumti’ (3/433) that the evidence for its obligation includes:

The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) consistently recited “Sami’a Allaahu liman hamidah” in all situations.
It serves as a transition signal from bowing to standing.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) instructed, “When he says Sami’ah Allaahu liman hamidah, say Rabbana wa laka’l-hamd.”

The consensus among jurists is that individuals praying alone should recite both “Sami’a Allaahu liman hamidah” when rising from bowing and “Rabbana wa laka’l-hamd” when standing upright.

However, the majority of scholars (Hanafi, Maaliki, and Hanbali) agree that those praying behind an imam should only recite the tahmeed (“Rabbana wa laka’l-hamd”) and omit “Sami’a Allaahu liman hamidah”.