KAFAYAT.O. OYEWUNMI
Bismillahi Rahmani Raheem) literally means “in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and Merciful.” Bismillahi Rahmani Raheem is used anytime, we “Muslims” begin accomplishing something in our lives and wish God’s blessings to accompany us. For example, we say it before we eat, before we study the Qur’an, before we ascend the stairs, and so forth. The most common place Bismillah Rahmani Raheem is being recited, is before reading the Holy Book (Quran). It is also said before Surah Fatiha during required prayers (salat), although it is Sunnah to recite it silently in the reader’s head. Though it is required to be recited on a daily basis for a variety of reasons
By saying, Bismillahi Rahmani Raheem It means that we acknowledge that we act in the name of God in whatever we do. We commit all of our acts to God’s will, asking that he be with us at all times, guiding us through life’s path until we die. We think that by declaring that each job we undertake will be blessed, easier to complete, and more useful to us and others, we will be able to accomplish it.
Many hadiths and verses from the Qu’ran emphasize the virtues and benefits of saying Bismilla
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, ‘When any of you wants to eat, he should mention the Name of Allah in the beginning, (i.e., say Bismillah). If he forgets to do it in the beginning, he should say Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu (I begin with the Name of Allah at the beginning and at the end).’ [Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud] also the Prophet (saws) said, ‘Any undertaking embarked upon without pronouncing Bismillah Rahmani Rahim is deprived of all blessings.’ [Pondering Over the Quran, Islahi]
Saying bismillah is the sunnah of Prophets even before Muhammad (saws), as Allah mentioned in the Quran. And [Noah] said, “Embark therein; in the name of Allah is its course and its anchorage. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.” [Qu’ran 11:41]. The Queen of Sheba (Balaqes) read Sulayman (as)’s letter: Indeed, it is from Sulayman, and indeed, it reads: ‘In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful… [Qu’ran 27:30]
As Muslisms before beginning any activity or chore, you most utter the word Bismillahi Rahmani Raheem. You’re essentially declaring, “I begin this activity in the name of Allah.”
This is definitely a reasonable attitude to take and a healthy habit to develop. Life can be hectic, and we’re all guilty of forgetting to remember Allah (swt) as often as we should. You are fortunate to have a technology device (perhaps more advanced than you require), a high-speed internet connection, and the capacity to read, grasp, and focus if you are reading this. We take for granted all of these blessings. Simply beginning the process of reciting bismillah in a conscious and intentional manner can make you self-aware of your acts, which can serve as a good moral compass to keep you from doing wrong in the future.
IF YOU HAVEN’T UTTERED BISIMILLAH TODAY, PLEASE DO SO.
BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING, PLEASE TRY TO SAY BISIMILLAL.
