What is the meaning of the word ‘aqalana‘ in the following du’a:
‘Alhamdulillahil ladhi aqalana yawmana hadha’
(الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَقَالَنَا يَوْمَنَا هَذا وَلَمْ يُهْلِكْنَا بِذُنُو)
Answer
You are probably referring to the Hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim wherein Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) recited ‘Alhamdulillahil ladhi aqalana yawmana hadha wa lam yuhlikna bi dhunubina‘ when he was informed that the sun had risen.
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 822)
‘Allamah Abul Hasan As Sindhi (rahimahullah) has offered the following explanatory translations of the du’a:
1) All praise belongs to Allah who has returned this day to us, whereas our actions were such that we do not deserve seeing a new day.
2) All praise belongs to Allah who has given us life again, whereas our actions demanded that we be destroyed.
3) All praise belongs to Allah who has overlooked our shortcomings, forgiven us and has not punished us.
(Refer: Hashiyatus Sindhi ‘Ala Sahih Muslim, pg. 285)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar