The phrase Bismillah Hir-Rahman Nir-Raheem is the verse of the Qur’an that opens it in surah al-Fatiha and separates one surah from another. The fact that the message of Allah for all mankind begins with these words, in itself means their importance and emphasizes the need to begin all our affairs with the name of Allah.
Bismillah Hir-Rahman Nir-Raheem in Arabic is a phrase consisting of 3 components.
Bismillah means with the name of Allah. This phrase is often used alone, for example, before a meal.
Al-Rahman in translation means the name of Allah – The Most Gracious.
Al-Rahim – the Most Merciful, also one of the names of the Creator.
Bismillah Hir-Rahman Nir-Raheem sounds in English like this: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Bismillah in Arabic
Bismillah means in the name of Allah. This phrase is often used alone before a meal or performing wudu. Bismillah In Arabic is written as:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Difference in meaning between the names Al-Rahman and Al-Raheem
The name Al-Rahman, like the name Allah, is used only for Allah. No one else can be called by this name. Allah and Al-Rahman are exclusive names of the Almighty. That is why Allah says in the Quran:
“Call on Allah or call on Al-Rahman, under whatever name you call on Him, to Him belongs the most beautiful names.” (Surah al-Isra: 110)
Other names of Allah can be used as words to describe the qualities of other creatures. About the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) the Qur’an says:
“With the believers He is Meek and Merciful (Rahim).” (Surah Tauba: 128).
Allah says about people:
“Verily, We created man from a mixed drop and made him hearing (samigun) and seeing (basyr).” (Sura Al-Insan: 2).
Of course, the meanings of these words when applied to creations differ from the meanings of the names of Allah, which are His Sifats (Qualities) to a superlative degree.
Both Al-Rahman and Al-Rahim are derived from the Arabic word Rahma, meaning mercy. But their interpretation by different Islamic scholars has two options:
Some authors, such as Abu Ali al-Faris, argue that al-Rahman means “general mercy for all creation” and Al-Rahim means “special mercy only for the believers.” As evidence, the verse is given: “And He is merciful (Rahim) to the believers.” (Al-Ahzab: 43).
In another view, the difference between the two is that al-Rahman refers to the presence of an attribute of mercy, while Al-Rahim refers to the expression of Allah’s mercy and its influence on creation. This is the opinion of Ibn al-Qayyim, stated in the book Madariq al-Salikin. Based on this opinion, Allah is Al-Rahman and Al-Rahim in relation to both this world and the next.
And Allah knows best.
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Virtues of phrase Bismillah Hir-Rahman Nir-Raheem
With the exception of the ninth sura At-Taub, all suras in the Qur’an begin with Bismillah. This phrase does not refer to informative verses, and, like Surah Fatiha, in fact, Bismillah Hir-Rahman Nir-Raheem is a prayer, the text of which is a recognition of the perfection and greatness of the Creator. If a person consciously pronounces a prayer before work, a good deed or a daily routine, then this reminds him that his actions must be in accordance with the lifestyle prescribed by Islam. Any important work that is done without the remembrance of Allah becomes dull and useless.
In Surah An-Na`mal 30 ayat, the phrase Bismillah Hir-Rahman Nir-Raheem, as a prayer, is given in full:
“True! This is from (the prophet) Suleiman, and he (reads): in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”
Bismillah Hir-Rahman Nir-Raheem in Arabic began every text of letters sent on behalf of all Islamic rulers, starting from the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him).
Also, the pronunciation of “Bismillah” in accordance with the hadiths is necessary at the beginning of ablution, before eating and drinking, when slaughtering animals for sacrifice or food, before reading the hand, at the entrance to the house and in many other matters.
The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) taught the believers with these words to protect themselves from the instigations of Shaitan:
“Say ‘Bismillah Hir-Rahman Nir-Raheem’ when you start to do something, and Satan will become less than a fly” (An-Nasa’i).
Every time we say Bismillah, we get barakat (goods) and a reward for these words. The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) in his hadiths often mentioned what grace the name of Allah brings:
- “Whoever pronounces Bismillah from a pure heart, with faith and conviction, then together with him they perform the praise of the Creator of the mountain, but we do not hear this.”
- “Whoever says Bismillah, Allah removes seventy different troubles from this person.”
- “When someone utters Bismillah, the inhabitants of Paradise (houris) ask Allah to save him from Hell and that Allah makes him worthy of Paradise.”
- “As long as people continue to say “Bismillah Hir-Rahman Nir-Raheem”, these words will be a means of protecting them from diseases, giving wealth to the needy, liberation from Fire, protecting them from being swallowed by the earth, a means of protecting them from distortion of the face, and a means of protecting them from stones from the sky”.
- “He who does not say Bismillah before ablution, then only the sins committed by the limbs of the body will be washed away from him. And the one who speaks will wash away the sins of the whole body.”
When a person accustoms himself to start every business by saying Bismillah, it helps him to refrain from bad deeds. Since pronouncing the name of the Creator inevitably makes one think about one’s intentions and deeds. It is also the call of Allah for blessing and help in the conceived deed, and protection from the temptation of Satan (auzu bill). For whenever a person turns to Allah, Allah turns his mercy on him.
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