Is it a condition for a person's first words after an affliction to be "Alhamdulillah" (praise be to Allah) and "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un" (Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we return) in order to be rewarded, or is it permissible for him to say something else out of surprise and then praise and seek refuge in Allah?

We ask Allah to reward you for your affliction and to compensate you with something better. Your display of admirable fortitude and patience is a manifestation of patience at the first shock. A few words spoken before reciting "Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un" (To Allah we belong and to Him is our return) and expressing gratitude do not diminish this, as they contained no signs of discontent or panic. We bring you the glad tidings from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "When the child of a servant dies, Allah says to His angels: 'You have taken the child of My servant?' They say: 'Yes.' He says: 'You have taken the fruit of his heart?' They say: 'Yes.' He says: 'What did My servant say?' They say: 'He praised You and said, "Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un." 'Then Allah says: 'Build for My servant a house in Paradise and call it 'Bayt al-Hamd' (the House of Praise).'" As for your second question, please submit it independently.