This short chapter opens the Book of Praise and Gratitude with a simple but weighty idea: thanking Allah (shukr) is not optional politeness but a duty owed for every blessing, large and small. The phrase that ties it together is 'Al-hamdu lillah', praise belongs to Allah, returned at the table, in hardship, and at the start of anything that matters.
Notice the range the four hadith cover: gratitude as the right response to guidance, to ordinary food and drink, and even to loss. The chapter teaches that the grateful heart names Allah's goodness in every state, and that saying His praise is itself an act that draws His pleasure and reward.
Hadith 1393
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أتي ليلة أسري به بقدحين من خمر ولبن، فنظر إليهما فأخذ اللبن، فقال جبريل صلى الله عليه وسلم: "الحمد لله الذي هداك للفطرة لو أخذت الخمر غوت أمتك” ((رواه مسلم)).
On the Night of Al-Isra (the Night of Ascension) the Prophet (ﷺ) was presented with two drinking vessels: one full of wine and the other one full of milk. He looked at them. Then he took the vessel which was full of milk. Thereupon Jibril (Gabriel) said: "Al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah) Who has guided you to that, which is in accord with Fitrah (i.e., Islamic Monotheism; pure nature of Islam). Had you selected wine, your people would have gone astray." [Muslim].
In plain words
Offered wine or milk, the Prophet chose milk, and this was praised as keeping to sound, natural guidance. It shows that being guided to what is wholesome is a blessing to thank Allah for.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1393 In-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 1
Hadith 1394
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "كل أمر ذي بال لا يبدأ فيه: بالحمد لله فهو أقطع" حديث حسن، ((رواه أبو داود وغيره)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Any matter of importance which is not begun with Al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah) remains defective." [Abu Dawud].
In plain words
Any matter of real importance that does not begin with praise of Allah is described as lacking. The lesson is to open what matters by remembering and thanking Him.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1394 In-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 2
Hadith 1395
Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "إذا مات ولد العبد قال الله تعالى لملائكته: قبضتم ولد عبدي؟ فَيقولون : نَعَمْ ، فيقول : قَبَضْتُمْ ثَمَرَةَ فُؤادِهِ ؟ فيقولون : نَعَمْ ، فيقول : فماذا قال عبدي؟ فيقولون: حمدك واسترجع، فيقول الله تعالى: ابنوا لعبدي بيتًا في الجنة، وسموه بيت الحمد" . رواه الترمذي وقال حديث حسن.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When a slave's child dies, Allah the Most High asks His angels, 'Have you taken out the life of the child of My slave?" They reply in the affirmative. He then asks, 'Have you taken the fruit of his heart?' They reply in the affirmative. Thereupon he asks, 'What has My slave said?' They say: 'He has praised You and said: Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall be returned). Allah says: 'Build a house for My slave in Jannah and name it as Bait-ul-Hamd (the House of Praise)."' [At-Tirmidhi].
In plain words
When a believer loses a child yet responds by praising Allah and saying we belong to Him and return to Him, Allah orders a house built for them in Paradise called the House of Praise. Gratitude even in grief is honored.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1395 In-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 3
Hadith 1396
Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "إن الله ليرضى عن العبد يأكل الأكلة فيحمده عليها، ويشرب الشربة، فيحمده عليها" ((رواه مسلم)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah is pleased with His slave who says: 'Al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah)' when he takes a morsel of food and drinks a draught of water." [Muslim].
In plain words
Allah is pleased with the servant who says all praise belongs to Allah over a simple bite of food or sip of water. Small, sincere thanks for everyday blessings matters.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1396 In-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 4