What does Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim mean?
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem (Arabic: بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ) means “in the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” Bismillah holds a significant place in Islamic culture. Bismillah is located at the beginning of every chapter (Surah) in the Holy Quran, except for the 9th chapter, Surah al-Bara’at (also known as Surah al-Tawbah). Additionally, in Surah an-Naml, it is mentioned twice: once at the beginning of the Surah and again in verse 30, where it introduces a letter written by the Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon). This repetition highlights the phrase’s importance in both the context of the Qur’an and the prophetic tradition. In accordance with the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Household (Ahlul Bayt), Muslims start every action by invoking the name of Allah.
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem in Arabic Text
بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
شروع اللہ کے نام سے جو نہایت مہربان ، رحم فرمانے والا ہے ۔
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Benefits of Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
Following are the benefits and rewards of saying bismillah hir rahmanir rahim:
Saying “Bismillah” at the start of ablution (wudu)
It is recommended to say “Bismillah” at the beginning of ablution. This practice is supported by Imam Ahmad and the Sunan compilers, who recorded that the Prophet taught this to Abu Hurayrah, Said bin Zayd, and Abu Said.
Reciting “Bismillah” before eating and drinking
The Messenger of Allah said to `Umar bin Abi Salamah, who was a child under his care: “When one of you eats, let him say ‘Bismillah.’ If he forgets to say it at the beginning, let him say ‘Bismillah fi awwalihi wa aakhirihi’ (In the name of Allah at the beginning and end).”
Saying “Bismillah” to Diminish the Influence of Shaytan (Satan)
A person riding behind the Prophet (PBUH) said, “The Prophet’s animal tripped, so I said, ‘Cursed Shaytan.’ The Prophet replied, ‘Do not say, ‘Cursed Shaytan,’ because when you say this, Satan becomes arrogant and says, ‘With my strength I made him fall.’ Instead, say, ‘Bismillah,’ and Satan will become as small as a fly.'”
Importance of Pronouncing Allah’s Name During Slaughter
Allah says in the Quran:
“Do not eat [O believers] of that [meat] on which Allah’s Name has not been pronounced [at the time of slaughtering the animal]” (Quran, Surah Al-Anaam, 6:121).
The Prophet (PBUH) also said: “If the blood [of the slaughtered animal] flows and the name of Allah is mentioned, then eat.”
The Role of Ruqyah in Healing
Sahih Muslim includes a hadith where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) instructed the use of ruqyah for protection against the evil eye. Angel Jibril used to perform ruqyah for the Prophet (PBUH) and would say, “Bismillahi arqeeka min kulli shayin yudheeka, min sharri kulli nafsin aw ‘aynin hasid. Allaahu yashfeek, bismillahi arqeek (In the name of Allah, I perform ruqyah for you, from everything that is harming you, from the evil of every soul or envious eye. May Allah heal you, in the name of Allah, I perform ruqyah for you).”
Virtues of Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
Whoever wants to seek protection from the 19 demons on the Day of Resurrection should recite “Bismillâhir Rahman Nir Rahim.” Each letter in “Bismillah” serves as a shield against these demons, with the phrase containing 19 letters. Without Allah’s assistance, no one can overcome the demons solely through their own strength and grace.
Hazrat Umer’s Letter to the Nile River with Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
Hazrat Umar (r.a.) appointed Hazrat Amr bin As (R.A) as the governor of Egypt. Upon arriving, Amr learned that the Nile River did not flow at that time of year unless a virgin girl was thrown into the river, a practice they persuaded her parents to follow.
Amr said, “It is a custom of ignorance, not in accordance with Islam.” He reported this to Umar (r.a.), who then sent a letter addressed to the Nile.
“Bismillâhir-rahmanir-rahim. O Nile! We have no need for you if you flow by the command of anyone other than Allah. But if you flow by the command of Allah, then flow.” Once the letter was placed on the Nile, it began to flow by God’s permission and blessings.
The story of the hairdresser of Pharaoh’s daughter and Bismillah
Ibn ‘Abbaas (R.A) narrated that during the Night Journey (Isra’), the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) noticed a wonderful fragrance. When he asked Jibreel about it. Hazrat Jibreel explained that it was the scent of the hairdresser of Pharaoh’s daughter and her children.
The story goes that while the hairdresser was combing Pharaoh’s daughter’s hair. Her iron comb fell, and she said, “Bismillah” (in the name of Allah). The daughter asked if she meant her father. The hairdresser replied that she meant Allah, her Lord and the Lord of her father. The daughter reported this to Pharaoh, who then summoned the hairdresser and asked if she worshipped another god besides him. She affirmed that Allah was her Lord.
Pharaoh ordered a large copper container to be heated and had the hairdresser and her children thrown into it. Before they were thrown in, she requested that their bones be collected and buried together. Pharaoh agreed, and her children were cast into the container one by one. When it came to her infant son, she hesitated, but he encouraged her, saying that enduring worldly punishment was better than the punishment of the Hereafter. She continued bravely.
Ibn ‘Abbaas also mentioned that four infants spoke: ‘Eesa ibn Maryam, the companion of Jurayj, the witness of Yoosuf, and the son of Pharaoh’s hairdresser.
Allah Granted the Blessing of Bismillah to Four People
- To Noah (PBUH): “Board the ship in the name of Allah, that it may sail and anchor” (Surah Hud, 41). The ship floated on the water despite the flood. And Noah (PBUH) was saved by reciting only the beginning of Bismillah.
- To Solomon (PBUH): In Surah Naml, as described in his verses, he started his letter to Queen Bilqis with “Bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim” and invited her to embrace the true religion. He held authority over both this world and the Hereafter.
- To the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): He embarked on the Night Journey (Miraj) with the blessing of Bismillah. While still in this world, he was honored with a unique vision of Allah’s beauty and achieved the exalted status of ‘Kaaba Kavseyn.’
- The (Umat) followers of Muhammad (PBUH): By the blessing of Bismillah, they will traverse the Sirat (the bridge to heaven) at lightning speed. (Source: Book Tefsiri-i Hanefi)
Importance of Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
“Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem” includes three of Allah’s names.
1. Allah, His most well-known name, signifies that everything happens solely by His will.
2. Rahman, which means “Gracious,” indicates that Allah is the only one who can prevent things from destruction.
3. Rahim, which means “Merciful,” highlights that Allah is the most merciful, and it is through His mercy that people can prosper and succeed.
We start all our actions in the name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Benevolent, to remind ourselves that everything is for His sake. “Bismillah” is the key to the Qur’an, the first writing inscribed by God’s pen, and the first word revealed to Adam (a.s.). To attain blessings, it is essential to invoke Allah’s name when beginning any honorable endeavor.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“Every important word or matter that does not begin with the remembrance of Allah is incomplete.”
