بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah the extremely Compassionate, the extremely Merciful.
After saying the "Ta'awuz" as mentioned in the Introduction to the Quran, next we begin with the "Basmalah".
"Ta'awuz" is to get rid of the bad while "Basmalah" is to receive the good.
"Ta'awuz" is to get rid of Syaithan while "Basmalah" is to accept Allah.
Together, the Ta'awuz and Basmalah is:
To reject evil and affirm the good.
To reject False Deities and to hold on to believe in Allah.
[Al-Baqarah: 256]
".. So whoever renounces false gods and believes in Allah has certainly grasped the firmest, unfailing hand-hold. .."
We now begin with ayah 1.
Ayah 1 above is known as the "Basmalah" بَسْمَلَة .
It is recited at the beginning of each Surah in the Qur’an (except Surah "Al-Tawbah") to separate one Surah from the other.
The "Basmalah" is the most recited phrase in a Muslim's life from the most pious Muslims to that of “slackers” Muslim. Every Muslim memorized the Basmalah from young. Reverts will be taught the Basmalah after entering Islam.
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ = "In the name of Allah". This short phrase is called the "Tasmiyah" تَسْمِيَّة which is a part of the Basmalah. The mentioning of the name of Allah is an act of Praise to Him and an act of good deed on the Scale of Justice. When we are chatting, teaching, studying or preaching, any mentioning of a name out of the 99 names of Allah is an act of glorifying Him. The Tasmiyah is drawing our attention to His Glorified names and getting His blessings. The names themselves are Holy, how about Allah Himself? We do not worship the names but we exalted Allah via his names.
[Sunan Ibn Majah] It was narrated from ‘Aishah that when the Prophet (ﷺ) started Salat he would say:
"Glory and praise is to You, O Allah, blessed is Your Name and exalted is Your majesty, none has the right to be worshipped but You"
“In the name of Allah”
بِ + ٱسۡمِ + ٱللهِ = بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ
لَفْظُ الْجَلَالَة (the majestic word Allah) = ٱلله
Some scholars said the name Allah is a "Derived Noun" that comes from a Root word "Ilah". When adding the "AL" it becomes a proper noun = AL + Ilah (The God)
ٱلله = (god) إِلَٰه + (the) ٱلْ
While other scholars said it is of "Primary Noun" i.e. is origin by itself not from any root word. The reason is because of a Grammar rule.
-> When the calling word "Ya" preceed an ism (noun) with "AL" in front, the "AL" is to be removed, example
الْمُدَرِّس > يَا مُدَرِّس
"Al-Mudarris" (the Teacher) to "Ya Mudarris" (Hey Teacher!) without the "Al".
-> However when we recite "Ya Allah" (Oh Allah!), يَا ٱللّه > ٱللّه the word Allah remains the same. This indicates that this is not the usual "Al" used as in other ism (noun).
[Al-'Araf: 180]
وَلِلَّهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا
"And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them"
Out of the many names, the name "Allah" is mentioned in every page of the Quran. There is no other name of Allah that is mentioned as frequently as this name. This is the primary main name where the slaves refer to as their God. The same name has been revealed in the original Tawrah and Injeel.
The linguistic meaning of the name "Allah" according to Ibn Abbas (r.a) and other linguist is the "One worthy of worship".
All other names of Allah is referring to the One worthy of worship.
Example:
"As-Somad" = The Satisfier of needs without needing any needs.
The one that can fulfill the above meaning is the one worthy of worship.
It is the same for all other names of Allah in the worthiness of being worshiped.
If we are invoking Allah with His other names, we will always mention the name Allah first before the other name. Eg. Allahus-Somad = Allah the Satisfier of needs.
ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ
We cannot not say it in reverse. This is the status of His name, Allah.
Basmalah is not a complete sentence. After reciting it, you must be doing something or saying something else to make it as a complete sentence ("Jumlah Mufeedah"). Eg.
"In the name of Allah, I eat".
Only then it is a complete sentence. By leaving the "Basmalah" sentence open ended halfway without any verb, this allows us to follow up with any kind of action (verb) starting with the name of Allah.
(Those who studied Arabic Grammar will notice that بِ + ٱسۡمِ ("Bi + ismi") is "Jar wa Majrur" which cannot be by itself to make up a sentence.)
It is a sentence that is said in reverse. Example: The normal way should be:
"I start reading the Quran in the name of Allah".
However, the Quran taught us to say it in reverse, eg.
"In the name of Allah, I start reading the Quran"
Two reasons why we are to say it in reverse sentence:
1. We are taught to put the Name of Allah first before any action.
2. In Arabic, when a sentence is reversed, it indicates exclusiveness.
Eg. "ONLY for Allah that we do this action" and not for any one else.
The two reasons above indicates:
- Sincerity because of Allah and not for showing off to people.
- We need Allah in order that we are able to do the action i.e. His help
- We need Allah's blessing (Barakah) over our action, i.e. the completion of the action.
- We want Allah to be with us when we are doing the action.
- We want Allah to accept our good action. The name of Allah is only for good deeds.
However, in Surah Al-'Alaq ayah 1, it is not said in reverse but in the normal order:
"Read! in the Name of your Rabb (Lord) Who created"
The Verb comes first before mentioning Rabb (Lord). This is a command from Allah to his Prophet s.a.w. Hence it is not in the reverse sentence.
The "Basmalah" located at the very beginning of the Quran is putting forward the concept of starting off any action with its recitation. Before we start doing any kind of task, we are to recite “Basmalah”.
[Recorded by At-Tirmidhi, Al-Haakim and Al-Bayhaqi] The Prophet s.a.w said,
“Every deed that has some worth that is not began with Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim is censored (from blessings).”
Nuh (a.s) rode on the ship and said the Basmalah:
[Surah Hud:41]
Noah said: " Embark in it. In the name of Allah is its sailing and its anchorage. My Lord is Ever Forgiving, Most Merciful."
The Prophet s.a.w in his letters to any leadership figure will start with the Basmalah following the example of Prophet Sulaiman (a.s) in his letter to Queen Sheba:
[Surah An-Naml: 29 - 30]
The Queen announced, “O chiefs! Indeed, a noble letter has been delivered to me.
It is from Solomon, and it reads: ‘In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.'
The Prophet s.a.w will always begin anything with the Basmalah. His lectures, his Solah, his Khutbahs, his letters, his covenants (agreement, contract), etc.
By reciting it, "InshaAllah" (God willing) we will get the blessings from our Creator. This habit will also help in our constant remembrance of Allah.
[Quran 33:41] O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance.
[Quran 62:10] Once the prayer is over, disperse throughout the land and seek the bounty of Allah. And remember Allah often so you may be successful.
[Quran 4:103]And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides.
[Quran 3:191] Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
However Basmalah will not be recited when people are about to do something that is bad. Eg. A person who is about to steal something will not recite Basmalah before stealing. A person who has a habit of saying the Basmalah before anything will be stopped from doing a bad deed since he knows he cannot be saying Basmalah before doing something that Allah does not approve.
Here are some examples that we should recite Basmalah before doing these:
Before Eating
When you recite Basmalah before eating, your act of eating is an act of worship to God and you get the reward (Ajr) for it. If you didn’t recite Basmalah, then you will not get anything of “Ajr” from Allah.
[Bukhari 7/88, Muslim 2/207]
The Prophet (saw) said, "Say Bismillah, eat with your right hand and eat what is in front of you."
Before drinking
[Fath al-Bari 12/197 and Al-Trimidhi]
Ibn Abbas (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "Do not drink in one gulp like a camel, but in two or three [Gulps]. Mention the Name of Allah (Bismillah) when you start drinking and praise Him after you have finished Drinking.''
Before slaughtering
Another blessings in reciting Basmalah is that it can make something haram becomes halal. Eg. When slaughtering a cattle, Basmalah is the one that separates between haram or halal meat. Actually the Sunnah is only to recite the Tasmiya "Bismillah" without the ar-Rahman ar-Raheem part since slaughtering an animal is not exactly appropriate to associate with the words of compassion and mercy.
[Bukhari 7/133, Muslim 2/181]
Anas (ra) reported that the Messenger (saw) of Allah sacrificed two horned rams of white color with black markings over them. He also stated: I saw him sacrificing them with his own hand and saw him placing his foot on their sides, and recited in the name of Allah and Glorified Him [Bismillah Allaahu Akbar]
However according to Mazhab Syafie, it is not a requirement to recite the Basmalah when slaughtering. The meat is Halal. The ruling is based on this hadith:
[Sahih al-Bukhari 5507]
Narrated `Aisha: A group of people said to the Prophet, "Some people bring us meat and we do not know whether they have mentioned Allah's Name or not on slaughtering the animal." He said, "Mention Allah's Name on it and eat."
Those people had embraced Islam recently.
Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) did not pay any attention to this doubt whether the people recite Basmalah or not before slaughtering and advised them to recite bismillah and eat, like is generally done before any meal.
Another reason is that the Quran only mentioned that it is not Halal when the slaughtering is done for the Idols. It is the intention and not the recitation of Basmalah that causes whether it is Halal or Haram.
[Quran 2:173] He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah ..
Mazhab Syafie recommends reciting Basmalah but if a person forgets, the meat is still Halal. It is more virtuous to recite Basmalah.
When Entering The House
[Sahih Muslim 2/206]
Jabir (ra) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) saying, "If a person mentions the Name of Allah (Bismillah) upon entering his house or eating, Satan says, addressing his followers: `You will find no where to spend the night and no dinner.' But if he enters without mentioning the Name of Allah, Satan says [To his followers]; `You have found [A place] to spend the night in, and if he does not mention the Name of Allah at the time of eating, Satan says: `You have found [A place] to spend the night in as well as food."
When Leaving The House
[Al-Trimidhi 2/493]
The Messenger Of Allah (saw) said, "If anyone of you when leaving the house says:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَلا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِاللَّه
In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah, there is no power and might except from Allah. Your needs shall be fulfilled, you shall be saved from difficulties and hardships. Shaitaan hearing these words leaves him."
Before Entering The Toilet
[Abu Dawud 4/264, Ahmad 2/389 and Fath Al-Bari 1/254]
The Prophet Of Allah (saw) said "When you enter the toilet you should say:
بِسْمِ اللهِ اللهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ
In the Name of Allah, I seek protection in you from unclean spirits, male and female."
At The Beginning Of Ablution
[An-Nasai 1/11 and Ibn Khuzaimah 1/84]
The Prophet (saw) said, "Make Wudu [Ablution] in the name of Allah"
Before Having Sexual Intercourse with spouse
[Sahih Bukhari 7/94 and Sahih Muslim 2/1058]
The Prophet (saw) said, "If anyone of you, when having sexual intercourse with his wife, says:
بِسْمِ اللهِ اَللّهُمَّ جَنِّبْنَا الشَّيْطَانَ وَجَنِّبِ الشَّيْطَانَ مَا رَزَقْتَنَا
"In the name of Allah. O Allah! Protect us from Satan and also protect what you grant us [i.e. offspring] from Satan" and if it is destined that they should have a child, then Satan will never be able to harm him."
The above are just few examples. In summary, recite "In the name of Allah" before any action that a believer intended to do such as beginning a speech, before studying, starting your work, before a job interview, before sleeping, etc.
The tradition is that Basmalah is only recited at the beginning of a Surah and not in the middle of a Surah. It is a marker for the beginning of a Surah and the separation between Surahs. However it is not a sin to recite Basmalah when reciting Quran not at the beginning of a Surah.
Reciting Basmalah is not only limited to be at the beginning of an action. It can be recited as a Zikr or on other instances. Example: If something negative happens to you that you think might be caused by the disturbance of syaithan, the Prophet (s.a.w) said do not curse the Syaithan loudly as it will make him big and arrogant but to recite the Basmalah and this will make him small and insignificant. Syaitan will be proud that he is successful in irritating you if you mention his name in irritation. So loudly say out Allah's name instead and do not mention the Syaithan.
[Narrated by Ahmad, 20068; Abu Dawood, 4982]
"It was narrated from Abu’l-Maleeh that a man said: I was riding behind the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when an animal stumbled. I said: “Woe to the Shaytaan.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not say woe to the Shaytaan, for if you say that he grows bigger until he is like a house, and he says, ‘It is by my power.’ Rather say: ‘Bismillaah (in the name of Allaah),’ for if you say that, he grows smaller, until he is like a fly.”
Hence mentioning Allah's name can be at any time or reason.
All Scholars agreed that the total number of ayaat for Surah Al-Fatihah is 7.
[Surah Al-Hijr. 15:87]
“And We have bestowed upon you the Seven Oft-repeated and the Grand Qur’an”.
All Scholars agreed to recite Basmalah before reciting the beginning of any Surah (except Surah At-Taubah). Only for Surah Al-Fatihah that they disagreed whether Basmalah should be ayah number 1 as part of Al-Fatihah written in the Quran Mushaf.
(1) Basmalah part of Al-Fatihah
The main Mushaf in the Muslim world based on "Riwayah HafS" of "Toriq as-Shatibi" and the opinion of Mazhab As-Syafie will have Basmalah as Ayah number 1 of Surah Al-Fatihah. The Imams will recite the Basmalah loudly (Jahr) when leading the Prayers of Fajr, Mahgrib & Isyak. There are several evidences for this opinion. We will list only 2 below:
[Sahih al-Bukhari 5046] Narrated Qatada: Anas was asked, "How was the recitation (of the Qur'an) of the Prophet?' He replied, "It was characterized by the prolongation of certain sounds." He then recited: In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful prolonging the pronunciation of 'In the Name of Allah, 'the most Compassionate,' and 'the Most Merciful.
However it is not that clear whether the above is referring to Surah Al-Fatihah?
An-Nasa'i recorded in his Sunan, Ibn Hibban and Ibn Khuzaymah in their Sahihs and Al-Hakim in the Mustadrak, that Abu Hurayrah once performed the prayer and recited Bismillah aloud. After he finished the prayer, he said, "Among you, I perform the prayer that is the closest to the prayer of the Messenger of Allah .'' Ad-Daraqutni, Al-Khatib and Al-Bayhaqi graded this Hadith as Sahih.
The above is clear that Abu Hurayrah (r.a) did recite Basmalah as if it is part of Surah Al-Fatihah.
(2) Basmalah not part of Al-Fatihah
However the other opinion, eg. Mazhab of Hanafi, Maliki and Hanbali, state that Basmalah is not part of Surah Al-Fatihah. Hence there will be no Ayah number for Basmalah. It will be similar like the rest of other Surahs. Basmalah is meant to separate one surah from the previous surah.
The Imams will not recite the Basmalah loudly when leading the "Jahr" Prayers. Instead they will recite it softly. "Softly" means recite it with your tongue that only your ears can hear and not inside the heart.
However the Maliki mazhab does not recite basmalah at all for this Surah during the Fardh Prayers but is allowed in the Sunnah prayers.
For these 3 Mazhabs, Ayah number 1 of Surah Al-Fatihah is = "Alhamdulillahi Rabbil 'Aalameen" (which is Ayah number 2 in the Main Mushaf).
There are several evidences for this opinion such as:
[Sahih Muslim no. 399]: Anas reported: "I observed prayer along with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and with Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman (may Allah be pleased with all of them), but I never heard any one of them reciting Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim loudly."
In a Hadith Qudsi about Surah Al-Fatihah, it did not mention "Basmalah".
[Sahih Muslim 395a] Reported by Abu Hurayrah:
(Allah said) .... I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My slave, and My slave will receive what he asks. When the slave says: (1) Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My slave has praised Me. And when he (the slave) says: (2) The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My slave has lauded Me. And when he (the slave) says: (3) Master of the Day of judgment, He remarks: My slave has glorified Me and sometimes He would say: My slave entrusted (his affairs) to Me. And when he (the worshiper) says: (4) Only You do we worship and Only to You we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and My slave, and My slave will receive what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshiper) says: (5) Guide us to the straight path, (6) the path of those to whom You hast been Gracious (7) not of those who have incurred Your displeasure nor of those who have gone astray, Allah says, This is for My slave, and My slave will have what he has asked for.’
A matter of Khilaf (disputes)
The reports by Anas bin Malik (r.a) & Abu Hurayrah on one occasion support that Basmalah is part of Al-Fatihah and on another occasion support that Basmalah is NOT part of Basmalah. The Imams of Masjidil Haram in Makkah and Masjidin Nabawiy in Madinah will recite the Basmalah softly and recite the rest of the ayaat loudly. As a layman, we should just follow (taqlid) the Mazhab that our community was based upon.
The ayah numbering for this Surah will be different if Basmalah is without an ayah number.
The main Mushaf:
1. In the name of Allah the extremely merciful, the extremely forgiving.
(Other Surahs will have Basmalah printed without Ayah number.)
2. All of the Praise and Gratitude be to Allah, Lord(Master) of the Worlds (Nations of people).
3. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
4. Owner of the Day of Judgement.
5. It is You we worship, and upon You we call for help.
6. Guide us (give us guidance) to the straight path.
7. The path of those You have blessed, not of those whom has incurred your wrath, nor of those who are lost.
The other Mushafs without Basmalah as Ayah 1.
In the name of Allah the extremely merciful, the extremely forgiving.
(The basmalah is still printed in the page but without an Ayah number. This is the same for all other Surahs.)
1. All of the Praise and Gratitude be to Allah, Lord(Master) of the Worlds (Nations of people).
2. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
3. Owner of the Day of Judgement.
4. It is You we worship, and upon You we call for help.
5. Guide us (give us guidance) to the straight path.
6. The path of those You have blessed,
7. Not of those whom has incurred your wrath nor of those who are lost.
In Sahih Muslim no. 395, Allah said "“I have divided the prayer (al-Fatihah) in two parts between myself and my slaves.”
The first part is about Allah and the second part is about the slaves.
The middle Ayah number will be Ayah 4.
It seemed that Ayah 4 of "It is You we worship, and upon You we call for help" is more suited to be in the middle between the two parts as compared to "Owner of the Day of Judgement" as in the main Mushaf.
"It is YOU WE worship, and upon YOU WE call for help"
- this ayah mentioned "YOU" and "WE" which is the middle of the two halves of the Surah between YOU (Allah) and WE (the slaves).
Basmalah appears at the beginning of each Surah = 113 times
No Basmalah at the beginning of Surah At-Taubah = Zero
Surah An-Naml: 1 Basmalah inside the Surah making it part of the Quran.
(1 basmalah at the beginning and 1 inside)
TOTAL = 114 times Basmalah written in the Mushaf.
If Basmalah is part of Surah Al-Fatihah, then there are 2 Basmalahs that are part of the Quran.
[An-Naml: 30]
إِنَّهُۥ مِن سُلَيْمَـٰنَ وَإِنَّهُۥ بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
"It is from Solomon, and it reads: ‘In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful."
The Quran starts with the name of Allah in the Basmalah. Allah introduces His name first before mentioning His attributes. We call upon God by his name. We talk to God everyday and for many years surely we must already know His name.
After introducing His name, next is to introduce His main attributes i.e. what kind of God is He. The next phrase in Basmalah is "Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem".
Both “Ar-Rahman” and “Ar-Raheem” comes from the same root word رَحِمَ
The root word رَحِمَ is a Verb associated with acts of mercy and compassion. A Mercy intended to give benefit to the receiver.
It is also the root for the word رَحِمٌ “Rahim” (noun), which is the mother’s womb.
رَحِمٌ “Rahim” = Love and Care. The first person that you will think of a person that provides Love and Care is your mother.
A baby inside the womb gets all the things that it needs to grow from the mother. Even if the baby kicks its mother from inside the womb, she still loves the baby. The baby occupies and is invading what is supposed to be belonging to the mother. It eats the mother’s food and drinks the mother’s fluid. It takes up her minerals and vitamins. It occupies a space in her body. She has been feeling uncomfortable for 9 months. She delivers the baby with physical pain on her. She still loves the baby (having mercy towards the baby) even though the baby was the one bringing her pain.
These words رَحِمَ & رَحِمٌ were known by the Jahiliyah Arabs.
The Quran introduced the names of “Ar-Rahman” and “Ar-Raheem” (both are nouns) to the Mushrikuun. They rejected these names as they were unfamiliar with these words out of arrogance even though they automatically knew its meaning due to the root word رَحِمَ . This is one miracle of the Quran, i.e introducing a new word into the Arabic language that an Arab will immediately recognize.
Allah describes Himself as “ar-Rahman” and “ar-Raheem” is to emphasize on His Mercy. He is “ar-Rahman” and “ar-Raheem” even though humans have done so many wrongs towards the Creator. He did not punish you immediate if you lie or hurt other people, eg. cutting your tongue instantaneously. He does not punish you immediate for disbelieving in Him. He gives you time to reconcile. His mercy allows us not to receive punishment immediately for our sins while giving us time to repent and make up.
His mercy is not like a human King granting mercy to a person who is about to be punished and getting sparred. That is mercy granted to someone who has done a crime. Allah’s mercy covers all other things that made your very existence in this world possible. Just by being alive and able to eat and drink is His mercy to you.
Even though humans have invaded the many attributes that belongs only to Allah, He did not punish them immediately because if His Mercy. Example, being “arrogant” is an attribute of Allah but you see so many ignorant people behaving arrogantly.
Out of His Mercy, he sent revelations to Messengers so as to guide the people to the correct way of life that will save them in this world and the hereafter. Some people think that God created humans and left them alone. However not only did He takes care of our physical needs, He is also concern of our spiritual needs. The greatest "Rahmah" (Mercy) is guidance for our spiritual needs. It is the purpose of why He created us. "Rahmah" to the physical self is secondary to the "Rahmah" for spiritual safety. Not many will focus on the spiritual importance and this ayah will keep reminding us.
The Quran is a "Rahmah" (Merciful Blessings) for mankind. It is by the Mercy of Allah that we get to recite and understand His revelations. Not all people get this opportunity or are interested. We start reciting the Qur’an with the knowledge of a Merciful God. Not a punishing, horrifying God that some people think the Muslims are praying to.
Because Allah is "Ar-Rahman" and "Ar-Raheem", He sent Prophets with good characters and compassionate to their people.
[al-Mu’jam al-Awsaṭ lil-Ṭabarānī 2981]
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said,
“Verily, I have only been sent as mercy and an offering of guidance.”.
The Prophet s.a.w was a representation of Allah's Mercy for the people.
"Ar-Rahman" and "Ar-Raheem" are also part of the 99 names of Allah.
These two attributes will be repeated in Ayah 3.
The main lesson for ayah 1:
- Always start off an action with reciting the Basmalah
- This is a reminder of how the Almighty God is showering you with His Compassion and Mercy.
We acknowledged and appreciate His immense Mercy upon us that we are thankful and willing to recite “Alhamdulillah” (praise and gratitude) which is the next ayah.