Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has ninety nine names. Why did Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) specifically choose the name Allah in Alhamdulillah and not any of his other ninety nine names?
It is the beginning of the Quran and Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is introducing himself with his name. The name Allah is the ultimate name and it implies all other names. It is the most powerful name, the most comprehensive name and the mother of all names. All 99 names are ascribed to this name. Hence with Alhamdulillah we say that hamd belongs to each and every attribute of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala).
Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) didn’t command us by using a word like Ihmadillah which means praise and thank Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) nor did he establish a dialogue by using a word like Nahmadullah which means we praise and thank Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Instead Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) chose the word Alhamdulillah which speaks more in a third-person style, all praise and thanks is for Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Why?
The wisdom behind this is, if Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) chose it as a command it could have been obeyed or disobeyed, but by speaking in a third-person style Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is establishing a fact. Secondly, if Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) used Nahmadullah here, it would limit the quality of praise and thanks to our standards whereas Allah’s (subhanahu wa ta’ala) praise is way beyond our praise. Also it would mean we are praising Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) now, it wouldn’t say if we praised Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) before or are going to praise him again.
All Khutbah’s begin with “Innalhamdulillah”. This translates to verily all praise is due to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Thus Inna indicates grandeur here. So, why does the Quran not begin with “Innalhamdulillah”?
The reason the Quran doesn’t begin with “Inna” is because it aims at establishing an emotional connection. Thus, in formal settings, like a Khutbah, where information is being conveyed Innalhamdulillah is appropriate, whereas in a prayer where we seek to establish a connection with Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) Alhamdulillah is best.
Why not “Lillahilhamd” (reverse of Alhamdulillah) which means “hamd ‘only’ belongs to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)”?
In general, when the word ‘only’ is used, it indicates there is an argument in place and to make our point we use the word ‘only’. In Surah Ghasiyah (surah no: 45), the phrase “lillahilhamd” is used because in that surah, Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) debates with people who do shirk. So there is an argument in place and lillahilhamd is used. In Fatihah, there is no argument or debate. Fatihah is the voice of guidance in every human being. Fatihah is the surah that appeals to human nature. So there is no need to even acknowledge that some other hamd exists. Hence the word Alhamdulillah.