What to say if something happens to please you or to displease you

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا أَتَاهُ الأَمرُ يَسُرُّهُ قَالَ: ((الحَمدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي بِنِعمَتِهِ تَتِمُّ الصَّالِحَاتُ)) وَإِذَا أَتَاهُ الأَمرُ يَكرَهُهُ قَالَ: ((الحَمدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ)).

Approximate Arabic reading aid

Kāna an-nabiyyu ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam idhā atāhu al'amru yasurruhu qāla: alḥamdu lillāhi alladhī bini'matihi tatimmu aṣ-ṣāliḥātu wa'idhā atāhu al'amru yakrahuhu qāla: alḥamdu lillāhi 'alā kulli ḥālin.

English meaning

When something happened that pleased him, the Prophet used to say:((Alhamdu lillaahil-lathee bini'matihi tatimmuus-saalihaat)). Praise is to Allah Who by His blessings all good things are perfected. And if something happened that displeased him, he used to say:((Alhamdulillaahi 'alaa kulli haal)).Praise is to Allah in all circumstances.

Explanation (Tafseer)

This entry gives praise for both welcome and unwelcome events. When something pleasing occurs, it praises Allah whose blessing brings good things to completion; when something disliked occurs, it praises Allah in every circumstance. The two phrases keep praise present while distinguishing joy from disappointment.

When to use

What to say if something happens to please you or to displease you

Reference & source

Hisn al-Muslim 218

Open source