What is the ruling on the congregant (Ma'mum) saying 'Rabbana wa lakal hamd' (Our Lord, all praise is due to You)?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
It is prescribed for every worshipper, whether leading, praying alone, or following, to say 'Rabbana wa lakal hamd'. This is the famous position attributed to Ahmad and the opinion held by the majority of scholars, including Ibn Mas'ud, Ibn Umar, Abu Hurairah, Ash-Sha'bi, Ibn Sirin, Abu Burdah, Ash-Shafi'i, Ishaq, and Ibn al-Mundhir. The evidence supporting this is the Prophet's practice, as narrated by Abu Hurairah, who stated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would say 'Sami' Allahu liman hamidah' upon rising from Ruku', and then say while standing, 'Rabbana wa lakal hamd.' Furthermore, narrations from Abu Sa'id and Ibn Abi Awfa confirm that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would say 'Sami' Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal hamd mil'a as-sama' wa mil'a al-ard wa mil'a ma shi'ta min shay'in ba'd' (All praise is due to Allah, filling the heavens, the earth, and whatever else You will). This is established for the individual worshipper as well, based on the generality of the Prophet's practice and analogy with other prescribed remembrances in prayer.
Supporting text
A narration from Ahmad suggests that a person praying alone should not say 'Rabbana wa lakal hamd,' arguing that the Hadith mentioning it was specific to the Imam because the command for the follower is only to say 'Rabbana wa lakal hamd' upon the Imam's Tasmi'. Another view, held by Malik and Abu Hanifah, states that saying 'Rabbana wa lakal hamd' is not prescribed for either the Imam or the individual worshipper. They base this on the Hadith where Abu Hurairah reported the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying, 'When the Imam says Sami' Allahu liman hamidah, then say: Allahumma Rabbana wa lakal hamd; for whoever's statement coincides with the statement of the angels, his past sins will be forgiven.' (Agreed upon).