When wearing a new garment:

Whenever the Prophet used wear a new garment, he would say: “Allahumma lakal-hamdu Anta kasawtaneeh, as’aluka min khayrihi wa khayri maa suni’a lah, wa a’oothu bika min sharrihi wa sharri maa suni’a lah (O Allah, for You is all praise, You have clothed me with it (i.e. the garment), I ask You for the good of it and the good for which it was made, and I seek refuge with You from the evil of it and the evil for which it was made.)” This is said because each garment could be worn for something good or something evil. For example, one could wear it to show off, and a woman could wear a garment to expose her beauty, both of which cases are evil. On the other hand, one could wear it to adorn himself before going to the mosque as a Muslim is commanded to do, in such case one’s garment is a source of goodness for him.

After eating or drinking:

The Prophet used different wordings and phrases to praise Allah after eating or drinking, as in the following narrations: Mu`aath ibn Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “He who has taken food and says at the end: `Alhamdu lillaahi al-lathi at`amani haathaa, wa razaqaneehi min ghayri hawlin minni wa laa quwwah (All praise is due to Allah Who has given me food to eat and provided it without any endeavor on my part or any power), all his past sins will be forgiven.” [At-Tirmithi]. Abu Umaamah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: "Whenever the Prophet finished a meal, he would say: “Al-hamdulillaah hamdan katheeran taiyyiban mubaarakan feehi, ghayra makffiyyin wa laa muwadda`in, wa laa mustaghnan `anhu, rabbuna. (All praise is due to Allah, praise which is abundant, pure, and full of blessings, which is indispensable and to which one cannot be indifferent).” [Al-Bukhari]

Upon going to bed:

Whenever the Prophet would go to bed, he used to remember the bounties of Allah upon him (which is something that most people are heedless of nowadays) and then praise Allah. Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: “Whenever the Prophet went to his bed, he would say: “Al-hamdulillaah al-lathi at`amanaa wa saqaanaa, wa kafaanaa wa aawaanaa, fakam mimman laa kaafiya lahu wa laa mu'wiya (Praise is due to Allah Who has fed us, provided us drink, satisfied us and gave us protection. Many are those who have no one to provide for them, or give them shelter).” [Muslim].

Upon returning from Hajj or ‘Umrah:

During his journeys he never forgot to praise Allah. Ibn `Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: “During the return journey of the Prophet from Hajj or `Umrah whenever he ascended a height or hill, he would recite thrice: “Allahu Akbar (Allah is The Greatest)” Then he would say: “Laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa `alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer. Aayiboona taa'iboona `aabidoona li rabbinaa haamidoon. Sadaq-Allahu wa`dahu, wa nasara `abdahu, wa hazamal-ahzaaba wahdahu (None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, Who has no partner, to Whom the sovereignty belongs, to Whom all praise is due, and Who is Able to do all things. We are those who return (in safety), feel penitence, worship Allah, prostrate before our Lord and praise Him. Allah has fulfilled His Promise, helped His slave (i.e., Muhammad ) and He Alone vanquished the Clans).” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim].

During the Talbiyah for Hajj:

It is the Sunnah that one utters Talbiyah whilst in the state of Ihraam for Hajj, saying: “Labbaykallaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, innal-hamda wanni’mata laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak. (Here I am O Allah, (in response to Your call), here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am.  Verily all praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.)”

During the imploration for rain:

One of the great prayers to perform is when imploring for rain. ‘Aai’shah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported: “The people complained to the Messenger of Allah of the lack of rain, so he gave an order for a pulpit. It was then set up for him in the place of prayer. He fixed a day for the people on which they should come out. When the rim of the sun appeared, the  Messenger of Allah sat down on the pulpit, and having pronounced the greatness of Allah and expressed His praise, he said: “You have complained of drought in your homes, and of the delay in receiving rain at the beginning of its season. Allah has ordered you to supplicate Him and promised that He will answer your prayer.” Then he said: “Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe, the Compassionate, the Merciful, the Master of the Day of Judgment. There is none worthy of worship but Allah Who does what He wishes. O Allah! You are Allah, there is no deity but You, the Rich, while we are the poor. Send down the rain upon us and make what You send down a strength and satisfaction for a time.” He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then raised his hands, and kept raising them till the whiteness under his armpits was visible. He then turned his back to the people and inverted or turned round his cloak while keeping his hands aloft. He then faced the people, descended and prayed two Rak'ahs. Allah then produced a cloud, and the storm of thunder and lightning came on. Then the rain fell by Allah's permission, and before he reached his mosque, streams were flowing. When he saw the speed with which the people were seeking shelter, he laughed till his back teeth were visible. Then he said: “I testify that Allah is Omnipotent and that I am Allah's servant and apostle.” [Abu Daawood].

Encouraging the Praise of Allah and thanking Him during all times:

Do not be heedless of the praise of Allah and mention Him frequently, and remember that one should praise Allah and thank Him during all situations. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “A man (from amongst the people before you) said: `Indeed! I will give in charity.' So he took his charity out and placed it in a thief's hand. In the morning the people were talking (about this incident) and saying: `Charity was given to a thief last night.' The man said: `O Allah! Praise be to You. I have given charity to a thief. Indeed, I will give in charity!` So he took his charity out and he placed it in a prostitute's hand. In the morning the people were talking (about this incident) and saying: `Charity was given to a prostitute last night.' On hearing this, the man said: `Praise be to You, O Allah! I gave charity to a prostitute. Indeed, I will give in charity!` So he took his charity out and placed it in a rich man's hand. In the morning the people were talking (about this incident) and saying: `Charity was given to a rich man last night.' The man said: `O Allah! Praise be to You (for helping me) give charity to a thief, a prostitute and a rich man.` Then he had a dream in which he was told that his charity to the thief might result in his refraining from his theft, his charity to the prostitute might help her abstain from her immorality, and his charity to the rich man might help him pay heed and spend from what Allah had bestowed upon him.” [Al-Bukhari]

When this man from the children of Israel accepted the decree of Allah and was content with it and praised Allah in all situations and thanked Him, Allah rewarded him abundantly for these three charities he spent out. This is because we should deal with people according to what appears from their conditions and leave their intentions to Allah for judgment.

Furthermore, Allah rewards the one who is content with great rewards. Abu Moosaa Al-Ash`ari, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “When a man's child dies, Allah, the Exalted, asks His angels: `Have you taken out the life of the child of My slave?` and they reply in the affirmative. He (Exalted be He) then asks: `Have you taken the fruit of his heart?` and they reply in the affirmative. Thereupon He asks: `What did my slave say?` They say: `He praised You and said: Innaa Lillaahi Wa Innaa Ilayhi Raaji'oon (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return).` Allah says: `Build a house for my slave in Paradise and name it Baytul-Hamd (the House of Praise).`” [At-Tirmithi].

Praising Allah – I