The Virtue of 'Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim'

There is a difference of opinion among Islamic scholars as to whether the phrase "Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim" (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful) is a verse of the Qur’an or a separate introductory statement. However, the majority of jurists (fuqaha) and scholars of exegesis (mufassirun) have acknowledged it as a part of the Holy Qur’an.

Beginning any action with Bismillah is a Sunnah (Prophetic practice). Some scholars consider it mustahabb (recommended). According to the core principles of Islamic Shariah, every good deed should begin with the name of Allah.

Allah Almighty has said in the Holy Qur’an:

“Do not eat (the meat of) that upon which Allah’s name has not been mentioned, for indeed it is sinful.”

(Surah Al-An’am, Ayah 121)

During a stay at Dhul-Hulaifah, an incident occurred that led Rafi ibn Khadij (RA) to narrate:

“We asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), ‘Can we slaughter using sharpened bamboo pieces?’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied:

‘If it causes the blood to flow and Allah’s name is mentioned at the time of slaughter, then eat it.’”

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3075)

Based on the above verse and hadith, the ruling of Islamic Shariah is that if an animal is slaughtered without saying Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim, it is not permissible (halal) to consume it.

Additionally, Aisha (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“When one of you starts eating, he should say Bismillah. If he forgets to say it at the beginning, he should say:

‘Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu’ (In the name of Allah, at its beginning and its end).”

(Abu Dawood, Hadith: 3767; Musnad Ahmad, Hadith: 25106)

Meaning of Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

"Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim" is an Arabic phrase, a compound sentence. Its simple meaning in Bengali is:

"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful."

In this phrase, the verb "I begin" is implied. The purpose is to initiate any task or action in the name of Allah.

Except for Surah At-Tawbah, all surahs in the Qur’an begin with Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

Moreover, Allah instructed Prophet Nuh (AS) when boarding the Ark:

“He said, ‘Embark therein, in the name of Allah will be its sailing and its anchoring.’”

(Surah Hud, Ayah: 41)

About Prophet Sulaiman (AS), Allah says:

“Indeed, it (the letter) is from Sulaiman, and it reads: ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.’”

(Surah An-Naml, Ayah: 30)

Imam Qurtubi (RH) writes that one of the key instructions from this verse is to begin letters or messages with Bismillah. According to jurists, writing Bismillah after the sender’s name is permissible, but following the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him), it is better to begin with Bismillah right at the start.

(Refer: Tafsir Qurtubi, explanation of Surah An-Naml, Ayah 30)

Hadith and Historical Usage

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“Every important word or action that does not begin with the name of Allah is incomplete (lacks blessing).”

(Musnad Ahmad, 14/329)

The first person to begin a letter or message with Bismillah was Prophet Sulaiman (AS).

In his early life, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to write Bismikallahumma (In Your name, O Allah). Later, he wrote Bismillahir Rahman, and after the complete revelation of Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim in Surah An-Naml, he adopted the full form.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) sent letters with Bismillah to the kings and emperors of his time.

Even in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, he instructed the writing of the full phrase Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim, but due to objections from the disbelievers, it was eventually written as Bismikallahumma.

(Refer: Tafsir Ruhul Ma'ani; Ahkam al-Qur’an by Al-Jassas, Vol. 1, Page 8)

In the historical Constitution of Madinah, the full Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim was written as well.

(Refer: Al-Bidaya wan-Nihaya, Vol. 2, Page 223)