Virtues and Laws Pertaining to Bismillah

by Mufti Muhammad Shafi'

Translated by Shaykh Yusuf Laher

In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful.

Bismillah – an example of the ease and practicality of Islam

Islam has come with an easy and practical Shari’ah. Its effort is limited but its reward is great.
There are many amazing examples of a small action carrying great rewards.

Its salah is not confined to a masjid, but can be performed in any

house and on any piece of land. It does not instruct one to give up this world for the purpose of
worship, but gives such panaceas, that convert worldly matters into din (religion) too. A person
can be involved in worldly pursuits but still become and remain a dhakir shaghil (one who is
constantly engaged in dhikr) and wasil bi ‘l-haqq (one who is linked to Allah Most High).

The practical and verbal teachings of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him
peace) are such that they are a means of guidance for every action and movement. For every
occasion and place he has taught us concise du’as (supplications) which do not become a
hindrance and an obstacle in one’s work, nor do they require great effort. By practicing on these
small things, a person becomes one who is permanently in the remembrance of Allah.

The added benefit is that these du’as consist of asking for the betterment of both din and dunya
(worldly life), resulting in the doors of goodness opening for both. These du’as have been
recorded in Munajat-e-Maqbul (The Accepted Whispers).[1]

The teachings of Islam are a clear-cut proof of its [Islam’s] truthfulness, for, the purpose of a
religion is to link the slave with the Master, the creation with the Creator, and these teachings of
Islam have made every action, every movement and every statement a means for the
remembrance of Allah Most High. These teachings have been constituted in such a way that one
doesn’t even realize that an action of din is being done and he is achieving the success of his din.

From among these teachings is to begin every action with Bismillah:

َّ ‫بِس ِْم هللاِ الَّرحْ ـمٰ ِن‬

‫الر ِحيْم‬

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim (Translation: In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-
Merciful) is such a concise sentence that the reader experiences no difficulty in reading it, nor
does its recital take up a great amount of time, but its benefits are far reaching and powerful and
consists of both religious and worldly benefits.

Bismillah at the time of eating

When a believer recites Bismillah before eating, he implies the following:

He hardly played any role in the creation of the morsel of food that he holds in his hand. The
skies, the earth, the planets and the natural forces worked for months so that a single seed sprouts
into a plant. Thereafter, thousands of animals and humans protect and nurture it until it becomes
fit for consumption. All this is an indication of a hidden force. Humans do not have any control
and authority over these natural forces.

When drinking water

In the same way, when Bismillah is recited before drinking water, the following is implied:

He has come to realize that the Almighty has transformed seawater to vapour, made it rise, form
clouds and natural forces and turned salty seawater into sweet water. Thereafter, according to
need, He made it rain and saturated the farms, trees and plants. The reservoirs and ponds are then
filled for use for a limited period.

Also, a huge amount of this water is stored on mountain peaks in an amazing natural waterworks
system requiring no water tanks and there is no possibility of the water becoming contaminated,
nor is there a need to add chemicals to this water. In fact, it is a frozen mass of water preserved
on the mountaintops. From there it gradually melts and flows down the mountains through
“natural pipelines” that are free from the harmful effects of metal pipelines.

Rather, the natural essences (sulphur, etc) of the earth gather in this water, which are necessary
to purify it. This naturally purified and harmless water can now be taken out by digging (wells,
etc).

If today’s “civilized” human ponders over this, before gulping down water from crystal glasses,
he will spontaneously say: “So blessed be Allah, the best of creators.”

To make these realities present in our minds, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give
him peace) taught us practically and verbally to recite Bismillah before drinking and eating and
taught us to recite Alhamdu lillah upon finishing, in order to show our gratitude to that Being
who made food and drink pass through all these amazing stages and finally reach us.

When mounting a conveyance

When a believer mounts a conveyance he implies the following:

He acknowledges that this conveyance is not a result of his own creation nor was it in his power
to control or use it in varying conditions, such as in the sun or shade or on wet and dry land. This
is the work of a Perfect Power who has given a human control over things that He has created.

Ask yourself the following questions: Am I stronger or the horse that I bridle and sit upon? How
is it possible that when I mount the horse, it doesn’t throw me off and sit upon me? Why does it
open its mouth when I want to bridle it? After bridling it, how do I make it run in any direction I
want it to?

If one really ponders, one will come to realize that this subjugation is only through Allah, the
Master and Creator, who has enslaved this animal to a human. This is the meaning of the verse of
the Qur’an: “And we have subdued them (animals) unto them (men) so that some of them they
have for riding and some they eat.” (Surah Ya Sin)

A question may arise in the minds of today’s “enlightened” ones that these laws apply to animals
used for transport and not to the vehicles, planes, etc. that we use today, which have been created
by us. [That means,] these things belong to us! Thus, Bismillah and Alhamdu lillah have no part
in them!

Again, if one ponders and asks those arrogant … minds as to what did they create from the steel,
wood, aluminum and other metals used in those objects? Do you have the power to create them?
Did you create the components used to produce electricity and steam to bring these objects into
motion? Is it in your power to create them? After asking these questions their eyes will open and
will realize that their claims of power and creation were all false and deceitful. The One True
Being has created all the components used in these objects. Therefore, these things will also be
used by beginning with His name and end with gratitude unto Him.

To bring these realities to the fore, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace)
has taught us to recite:

‫ساهَا اِنَ ّر ِبّ ْى لَغَفُ ْو ٌر َّر ِح ْي ٌم‬

َ ‫بِس ِْم هللاِ َمـجْ رهَا َو ُم ْر‬
“In the name of Allah are its moving and its stopping. Most certainly my lord is oft forgiving,
most merciful.”

When sleeping

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) also taught us that when we lie
down to sleep, we should say:

‫ض ْعتُ َج ْن ِب ْى‬
ّ ‫ِبس ِْم هللاِ َرب َّْى َو‬
“In the name of Allah, my Lord, I place my side (on the bed for sleeping)”

The hidden wisdom in this is that man comes to realize that these means of rest, becoming
disengaged from all concerns and lying down is not in his control but it is the favour of the Lord
of the worlds. Also, bringing about sleep is not in man’s control nor can he summon it. It is the
flawless wisdom of Allah Most High that when night approaches, every animal and man seeks
his place of rest. When reaching there, sleep starts overpowering him and [subsequently] the
day’s tiredness is removed through sleep. This also is an amazing arrangement of the Divine
system that the entire creation sleeps at the same time. If every man and animal had different
times of sleeping, the noise and movement of those awake would have deprived those trying to
sleep. A mundane harm of one group sleeping then awakening — and then the other sleeping
when the first group awakes — is that these two groups would never be able to transact with
each other on account of them never meeting! How then would assistance be rendered to each
other, which is a necessity for worldly betterment?

In essence, a huge door of knowledge (ma’rifa) is unveiled by reciting Bismillah before sleeping.

When going to toilet

Recital of Bismillah before going to toilet teaches us that to transform the consumed food into
part of the body and the rest into waste is not the work of man. This happens only through the
wisdom and power of Allah Most High.

The significance of Bismillah

There is great emphasis on reciting Bismillah before wudu’ (ritual ablution). According to some
jurists, wudu’ without Bismillah is not valid. Also, every surah (chapter) in the Qur’an
commences with

Bismillah. The Qur’an begins with Bismillah.

In Al-Durr al-Manthur, a narration is recorded from Daraqutni on the authority of Sayyidina Ibn
‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give
him peace) said: “Whenever Jibril came to me with revelation, he would recite Bismillah.”

It is the teaching of Islam to commence every action with

Bismillah. Beginning and ending every action with the name of

Allah Most High will make one a dhakir (one who remembers Allah) and an ‘arif (one who
recognizes Allah) even though one is immersed in work. This will bring thousands of blessings
and good results.

Therefore, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) has said: “Any
important work not started with Bismillah is void of blessings.”

In the tafsir (commentary) of the following verse of the

Qur’an: “And he made them stick to the word of piety.” (Surah al-Fath), Imam Zuhri (may Allah
have mercy on him) has said that Bismillah is meant by the words “word of piety” and that Allah
Most High has made this essential upon the Noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with
them) and upon all the Muslims. (Risalah Qantarah, Mawlana Lucknowi)

A lamentable indifference

The world has changed, modern sciences have developed and new social values have emerged,
but these things have come from people who have no idea of their Master. So why would any of
their actions commence with Bismillah? Their writings, speeches and everything are bereft of
this nur (splendour) and blessing. It is unfortunate that while Muslims have been following them
in other matters, they have also aped them in this criminal offence (of abandoning the recital of
Bismillah). To begin writing or speaking with Bismillah and the sunnah khutbah is considered to
be old fashioned, outdated and a ‘molwi thing’. And for them to follow the molwis is the greatest
crime! What a great loss that they have deprived themselves of this small yet valuable and
effortless action. To Allah we belong and to Him is our return.

The purpose of this concise treatise is to remove this indifference and to remind them that if they
are not doing anything else then at least they should not deprive themselves of the blessings of
this effortless action.

Laws regarding Bismillah

[1] According to many Companions (sahabah), Followers (tabi’un) and jurists, Bismillahir
Rahmanir Rahim is an independent verse of the Qur’an. Some are of the opinion that besides it
being a part of Surah al-Naml, it is not an independent verse but it has been revealed many times
as a means of separation between surahs. Thus, as a precaution, jurists have ruled that the laws
of respect, etc. applying to the verses of the Qur’an, e.g. it is not permissible to touch the verses
of the Qur’an without wudu’, will apply to Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim too. All laws applying
to Qur’anic verses will apply to Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. But if someone recites only
Bismillah in salah and leaves out the qira’ah (recitation from the Qur’an), his salah will not be
valid. (Qantarah on the authority of Mujtaba and Muhit)
[2] The jurists have clearly explained that it is sunnah mu’akkadah (emphasised sunnah) to
complete the entire Qur’an in tarawih prayers at least once. Even if one verse is left out, the
sunnah will not be fulfilled. Therefore, taking both opinions (mentioned above) into
consideration, the imam should during the entire month (of Ramadan) recite Bismillahir
Rahmanir Rahim aloud at least once so that the muqtadis (followers behind the imam) also hear
it and their hearing of the Qur’an is also complete.
[3] To recite Bismillah at the beginning of Surah al-Fatihah in every raka’ah [of salah] is wajib
(compulsory) according to Imam Abu Yusuf, Imam Muhammad and many other imams (may
Allah have mercy on them all). According to Imam Abu Hanifah (may Allah have mercy on
him) it is sunnah. (Sharh Munyah)

Therefore, recite Bismillah before Surah al-Fatihah in every

raka’ah. Many people are neglectful of this.

[4] To recite Bismillah after Surah al-Fatihah before a surah (in

salah) is not sunnah according to Imam Abu Hanifah, therefore it is better to leave it out.
According to Imam Muhammad it is better to leave it out in those salah in which the qira’ah is
recited audibly and better to read it in those salah in which the qira’ah is recited softly.

A few tried, tested and proven benefits of Bismillah

For every difficulty and need:

[1] If a person recites Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim twelve thousand times in the following
manner: (a) Recite it one thousand times and then recite durud sharif at least once. Thereafter
make du’a for ones need. (b) Recite it another thousand times, recite durud sharif at least once
and again make du’a to Allah for the need. (c) Carry on in this way until reaching twelve
thousand then, if Allah wills, every difficulty will become easy and every need will be fulfilled.
[2] Bismillah in numerical form is 786. Whoever recites Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim the same
amount of times (786 times) for seven days and makes du’a for a particular purpose, if Allah
wills, that purpose will be realized.

To win the hearts of people:

The person who writes Bismillah six hundred times and keeps it on him will be respected and
honoured. No one will be able to ill treat him.

Protection from calamities:

The person who on the first of Muharram writes on a paper one hundred times Bismillahir
Rahmanir Rahim and keeps it on him will be protected from all types of calamities and
difficulties. This is tested and proven.

Protection from theft and the effects of Satan:

If recited twenty-one times before sleeping, one will be protected from theft, the effects of Satan
and a sudden death.

Prevalence over the oppressor:

If recited fifty times in front of an oppressor, Allah Most High will make him (the oppressor) to
be subdued and make you overcome him.

For intelligence and memory:

Recite it 786 times, blow in water and drink this water at the time of sunrise. Intelligence will be
increased and the memory will be improved.

For increase in affection:

Recite it 786 times, blow in water and give that person to drink whose affection is required. That
persons love and affection for one will be increased. It is forbidden to use this for illicit love.

Protection of offspring:

A woman whose children do not survive should write Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim sixty-one
times, make a ta’wiz (amulet) and keep it on herself. The children will be protected. This is also
tested and proven.

Protection of farms and for barakah (blessing):

Write it one hundred times on a paper and bury it on the farm. The farm will be protected from
all calamities and there will be barakah in it.

Against those endowed with power:

Write Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim five hundred times on a paper. Thereafter recite it one
hundred and fifty times and blow on the same paper. Make a ta’wiz of it and keep it on oneself.
Those endowed with power (rulers, etc.) will become kind and merciful on you and you will be
protected from harm of the oppressors.
For pain:

Write it twenty-one times on a paper and hang it on the neck of the person who has pain or tie it
on the head for the removal of a headache.

The benefits and blessings of Bismillah are numerous. Just a few of them have been recorded
here.

، ‫علَ ْي ِه الت ُّ ْك ََلن‬َ ‫ َو‬، ‫َو هللاُ ْالـ ُم ْست َ َعان‬

، ‫س ِم ْي ُع ْال َع ِل ْي ُم‬
َّ ‫ اِنَّكَ ا َ ْنتَ ال‬، ‫َربَّنَا تَقَب َّْل ِمنَّا‬
، ‫علَى النَّبِي ِ ْال َك ِري ِْم‬ َ ُ‫صلَّى هللا‬ َ ‫َو‬
، َ‫صحْ ِبه اَجْ ـ َم ِعيْن‬ َ ‫َو ٰا ِله َو‬
_____________________________

1. Munajat-e-Maqbul is a book on du’as extracted from the Qur’an and hadith by Hakim al-
Ummah Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him). It is divided into
seven sections, at least one section to be recited daily, resulting in the completion of the

entire collection weekly. [ ]

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2 Comments

 Faysal

August 8, 2009 at 7:01 pm

An excellent piece of writing. I would request you to also post something about the
benefits and virtues of salawat. JazakAllah khayran.

 Samirkhan
 May 20, 2015 at 9:55 pm

Beautiful virtues of Bismillah Sharif.

I read somewhere if a person reads
1100 times everyday, he doesnt
need any kind of wazifa. It is sufficient to fulfill every purpose as well as the spritual
upliftment.

Comments are closed.

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