THE STATUS AND IMPORTANCE OF BISMILLAH

With reference to all important projects, works, chores and missions, the shari’ah has urged its adherents to begin them with:

BISMILLAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHIM

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

The Hadith states:

KULLU AMRIN DHI BALIN LAM YUBDA’ BI BISMIL-LAHI FAHUWA AQDA

“Any important work that does not begin with Bismillah is imperfect.”

Therefore,
BISMILLAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHIM
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Should be read before beginning any project or work.

THE BARAKAH AND BLESSINGS OF BISMILLAH

Bismillah: The Essence Of The Holy Qur’an According to some scholars, Surah Al-Fatihah is the essence of the entire Qur’an. And:

BISMILLAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHIM
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,

is the essence of Surah Al-Fatihah.

WHEN BISMILLAH WAS REVEALED…

Jabir (RA) is reported to have said that when:

BISMILLAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHIM,
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,

was revealed, the clouds gave way by moving to the East, the winds ceased blowing, the oceans became calm, the creatures prepared themselves to listen, the shayatin were pelted with fire from the heavens and Allah (SWT), swearing an oath by His honour, declared: Anyone who says this name of mine upon anything, I will surely impart barakah in that thing.
[Ad Durrul Manthur and Ibn Kathir]

BISMILLAH BEFORE DOING ANYTHING

It is for this reason that Rasulullah (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) used to recite:

BISMILLAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHIM,
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,

before doing any work. He (SAWS) also advised the ummah to do the same. For example, reading it before shutting the door, before putting out the light, before taking meals, before drinking water, before boarding any mode of transport.

THE BEAUTY OF ISLAM

Islam is not confined only to the masjid and madrasah. It is a way of life. Each and every aspect of a Muslim’s life is supposed to be deen. It is for this reason that Rasulullah (SAWS) has shown the ummah simple little methods which would render each and every worldly affair of his to become deen and for which he will be rewarded. It is for this reason that saying:

BISMILLAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHIM,
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,

before any action, will render that action into an ibadah for which the reader will be rewarded. Besides by saying:

BISMILLAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHIM,
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,

before any action, one is suggesting that his every affair – whether small or big – can only be accomplished with the help and mercy of Allah . Thus every activity of a person will become an ibadah. By doing this, he will draw closer to Allah and distance himself from the accursed Shaytan. And by not doing this he will deprive none other than himself. According to Ibn Abbas (RA) in Ad-Durrul Manthur, Rasulullah (SAWS) has said that people are unaware of the blessings of one ayah of the Holy Qur’an which was revealed to no one other than me and Sulaiman, And that is:

BISMILLAHIR-RAHMANIR-RAHIM,
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.