Bismillahirrahmanirrahim is a powerful and one of the most important Islamic phrases that is often heard by Muslims before starting something. The expression is so magnificent that all but one chapter of the Quran begins with it.
Majority of us will say something before we start an action or an important task. It helps us to keep focus, become prepared, and to mark it as the beginning. like “Here we go!”, “Okay now I’m ready!”, or “Let’s Go!”. But for Muslims, it is Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Rahim to seek help and blessings through the name of Allah.
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Bismillahirrahmanirrahim in Arabic
Bismillah phrase consists of 4 words which are written in Arabic as with Diacritical as:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم
and Without the Diacritical:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
And they are broken down as the following table:
| Bismi | بسم | In the name of |
| llahi | الله | God |
| irrahman | الرحمن | the Most Merciful |
| irrahim | الرحيم | the Most Gracious |
Bismillah Meaning
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim meaning is, “In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful“. It is a powerful phrase that Muslims begin an important task or any action with it as a reminder that everything is for His sake. Also, it mentions Allah’s name in the hope that it will be successful, rewarded, and blessed.
When to say Bismillah
it is often recited by Muslims before starting any action or activity. Here are some common instances when it is used:
Before eating
Muslims say “Bismillah” before eating to seek the blessing of Allah on the food they are about to consume which is also considered as a way to show gratitude and acknowledge Allah’s provision.
Related:
Before drinking
Similarly, “Bismillahirrahmanirrahim ” is also said before drinking to seek Allah’s blessing.
Before beginning any activity
Muslims may also recite “Bismillah” before starting any activity, whether it be work, study, or something else. This is to seek Allah’s guidance and blessing on the activity.
Before reciting the Quran
Muslim start reciting the Quran by reciting Auzubillah Minashaitan Nirajeem followed by “Bismillahirrahmanirrahim” and Bismillah is repeated after starting of new Surah.
Benefits of Saying Bismillah
Earning blessings & ease for our actions
Without beginning actions with bismillah, we deprive ourselves of blessing, goodness, and ease. Therefore, by saying Bismillah we invite and welcome blessings and the help of Allah (SWT) to make things easy and good.
Remembering Allah
When we say Bismillah we remind ourselves that everything is for Allah alone. Our sustenance, futures, and akhirah lie with Allah.
Getting rewards from Allah
Saying Bismillah gives us the opportunity to set our intentions with a clear idea of why we are doing it. If we want to maximize our reward for any act, no matter how small, we need to think through our purpose.
Our prophet (ﷺ) Said: “Actions are (judged) by motives (niyyah), so each man will have what he intended. Thus, he whose migration (hijrah) was to Allah and His Messenger, his migration is to Allah and His Messenger; but he whose migration was for some worldly thing he might gain, or for a wife he might marry, his migration is to that for which he migrated.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]
Conclusion
Finally, we need to remember It is not us that does the work, nor makes opportunities appear, and it is not us that produces fruits from every action. We are powerless alone. Only The Creator has given us life and has given us the ability to move and think and feel, yet we are totally dependent upon Allah for the very essence of life itself.
