When the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears the one who praises Him),' he said: "Allahumma Rabbana wa lakal-hamd, mil'as-samawati wa mil'al-ardi wa mil'ama shi'ta min shai'in ba'd ( O Allah, our Lord, to You be the Praise, filling the heavens, filling the Earth, and filling whatever else You will.)"
The Book of The At-Tatbiq (Clasping One's Hands Together) - Sunan an-Nasa'i
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i 1066 describes the comprehensive praise uttered by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) upon rising from bowing (ruku') in prayer.
Textual Analysis
"Sami' Allāhu liman ḥamidah" signifies that Allah accepts and responds to the servant's praise. The subsequent supplication, "Allāhumma Rabbanā wa laka al-ḥamd," is an affirmation that all praise is due to Allah alone, our Sustainer.
"Mil'a as-samāwāti wa mil'a al-arḍ" employs the metaphor of measure (mil') to express the vastness and completeness of this praise, extending through all creation in the heavens and the earth.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam an-Nawawi explains that this comprehensive phrasing teaches Muslims to magnify Allah with the most complete expressions of praise, acknowledging His dominion over all existence.
Ibn al-Qayyim notes that the addition "wa mil'a mā shi'ta min shay'in ba'd" demonstrates that Allah's majesty and worthiness of praise transcends even the known creation, encompassing whatever He wills of unseen realms.
This formulation combines specific measurement with unlimited scope, balancing structured worship with recognition of Allah's infinite greatness beyond human comprehension.