Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Raheem is a ayah of Suarh Surah at-Taubah in Quran. Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Raheem Translation is Urdu is " In the name of Allah Most Beneficial and the Most Merciful"
There are some things that feel natural to you as a Muslim and one of such is saying the Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Raheem (I begin in the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the merciful).
This phrase is at the start of everything we do as Muslims and the holy Prophet (saw) has encouraged us to recite the Bismillah whenever we want to start anything, even as seemingly insignificant as putting on our shoes.
What is the Importance of Saying Bismillah?
When we say Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Raheem, we are starting with the name of Allah (swt). We are recognizing Him as our Lord and the reason we are taking that action.
We are seeking His protection and mercy. This is sometimes the reason why people would say that if you cannot say the bismillah before doing something, then it shows that the act is probably haram and you shouldn’t be doing it.
Looking at the importance of Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Raheem even from the Qur’an, we can see that apart from Surah at-Taubah, every single chapter of the Qur’an starts with bismillah. Every letter that the Prophet wrote in his lifetime started with Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Raheem and this only further shows the importance of the phrase.
Related: Surah Ikhlas Ka Wazifa
Times to Say Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Raheem
As I’ve said, saying Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Raheem should be a normal part of every Muslim’s lifestyle, but there are even some times that have been evidently shown to us in the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (saw) as times to always say the bismillah.
1. When Leaving the House
When you are about to leave the house what do you do? You put on some good-looking clothes, put on your shoes, carry everything you need, start your car or take your bus/train pass. Then you leave the house and lock the doors, securing your properties within the house.
Saying Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Raheem is a way to secure yourself outside the house, just as you have secured your house by locking the door.
The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “Whoever says (upon leaving his house): ‘bismillah tawakkaltu 'alallah laa hawlah wa laa quwwata illabillah [I begin with the Name of Allah; I trust in Allah; there is no altering of conditions but by the Power of Allah],’ it will be said to him: ‘You are guided, defended and protected.’ The devil will go far away from him.” (Riyad as-Salihin)
2. When Entering the Toilet
How many times have you stepped into the restroom mindlessly? I will admit that this is something I do often, and may even go as far as having a quick chat with someone in the restroom.
But the holy Prophet (saw) was quoted to have said that “The screen between the Jinn and the nakedness of the sons of Adam is that when a person enters the Kanif, he should say: Bismillah (in the name of Allah).’” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
Saying Bismillah serves as a form of protection for us from jinns whenever we enter the restroom. Although for this, a Muslim is advised to go further by reciting the full dua for entering the toilet:
اللَّÙ‡ُÙ…َّ Ø¥ِÙ†ِّÙŠ Ø£َعُوذُ بِÙƒَ Ù…ِÙ†َ الْØ®ُبُØ«ِ ÙˆَالْØ®َبَائِØ«ِ
“O Allah, I seek refuge with you from all evil and evil-doers.”
“bismillaah, allaahumma innee a‛oodhu bika minal-khubuthi wal-khabaa’ith”
3. When Starting a Meal
Have you ever bought some fast food on a hungry day and dug in without mentioning the name of Allah? Every time you eat, no matter how much of a rush you are in, or even if it’s just a little piece of gum, you should begin by saying bismillah.
In a hadith narrated by Umar bin Abu Salamah, the Messenger of Allah (saw), said to him, “Mention Allah’s Name (i.e., say Bismillah before starting eating), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is near you.” (Riyad as-Salihin)
4. During an Illness
When you feel so ill that you do not even feel like yourself. No matter how severe the pain that you feel, saying Bismillah can bring you relief.
When Prophet Muhammad (saw) was afflicted with the evil eye, the first thing that angel Jibril said to him when recited ruqya for him was “bismillah”.
Abu ‘Abdullah bin Abul-‘as reported: I complained to the Messenger of Allah (saw) about a pain I had in my body. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “Place your hand where you feel pain and say: ‘Bismillah (With the Name of Allah)’ three times; and then repeat seven times: ‘A’udhu bi’izzatillahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa ‘uhadhiru (I seek refuge with Allah and with His Power from the evil that afflicts me and that which I apprehend).”” (Riyad as-Salihin)
5. During Sexual Intercourse
At the height of a passionate sexual encounter between a married couple, the least thing that you would expect to worry about is saying Bismillah.
But like I said earlier, as Muslims, we are literally advised to begin absolutely everything we do with the name of Allah (swt), and that includes sexual relations with one’s spouse.
Like leaving your house, the instance of bismillah here also serves the purpose of protection, but in this case for the potential child that may be conceived in that encounter.
“If anyone of you, when having sexual intercourse with his wife, says: Bismillah, Allahumma jannibni-Sh-Shaitan wa jannib-ish-Shaitan ma razaqtana, and if it is destined that they should have a child, then Satan will never be able to harm him.” (Bukhari)
6. When Placing the Deceased in the Grave
Whenever anyone passed away amongst the companions of the Prophet (saw) and they were being lowered into the grave, the holy Prophet (saw) would say “Bismillah, wa ‘ala millati rasul-illah (In the Name of Allah and according to the religion of the Messenger of Allah).’” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
7. When Slaughtering an Animal
Part of the reasons why have the debate of whether a food (especially meat) is halal to eat when we visit any restaurant, is because of the way the animal may have been slaughtered.
Was it killed according to the Shariah-stipulated ways of killing animals? And equally important, did the slaughterer say ‘bismillah’ before slaughtering the animal?
Any time that the Prophet (saw) would slaughter an animal during Eid, he would say “Bismillah wa Allahu Akbar”, then proceed to slaughter the animal.
As Muslims, it is a part of our lifestyle to always begin our actions with the name of Allah (swt), not only for the protection that this phrase covers us with, but also because it helps us to affirm our belief in our creator.
A study of the Quran reveals that since ancient times there has always been a mention of the meanings encompassed by this verse in revealed scriptures in one form or another. It may be the first time that these meanings have been framed in such a sublime diction in the Quran, yet what they convey is so close to human nature that one strongly feels that the Almighty must also have revealed them in the very beginning. The Prophet Noah (sws), when his followers were boarding the ark, said something quite similar, as has been mentioned in the Quran:
And he said: Embark therein! In the name of Allah will it sail and cast anchor. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful. (11:41)
Similarly, the Prophet Solomon (sws) began his letter, addressed to the Queen of Sheeba, with these blessed words, as has been quoted by the Quran:
It is from Solomon and begins in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful. (27:30)
Prayer Nature of the Verse
The verse is not an informative statement, and, like Surat Fatiha, is actually a prayer. It is a voice which emanates from the heart of every upright person. A more beautiful expression of emotions in words so akin to human nature could not have been imagined. If a person consciously utters this prayer before any piece of work or routine, it makes him aware that what he is about to undertake must not be against the Almighty's liking; on the contrary, it must be in accordance with the way of life prescribed by Him. Also, by virtue of this prayer he seeks help from two great attributes of God -- Rahman and Raheem. Both these attributes secure him the blessings and help of the Almighty: he is protected from the ill-effects of his undertaking and receives strength and courage to carry out his task to completion; he is shielded from the onslaughts of Satan, and his work becomes beneficial for him in the world and a means to please the Almighty in the Hereafter. Anything done without this prayer certainly fails to reap all these blessings, as the Prophet (sws) himself is said to have said.
Attributes of the Almighty in the Verse
Three attributes of the Almighty have been mentioned in the verse: Allah, Rahmaan and Raheem. We shall briefly explain them.
ALLAH: The word Allah has been made by prefixing the article alif laam to the word ilaah. From the earliest times, this name has always been used for the Almighty specifically as the Creator of the Universe and of every living being. This connotation of the word existed in pre-Islamic times as well in Arabia. The people of Arabia practised polytheism, yet they never equated any of their deities with the Almighty. They had always acknowledged Him as the sole Creator of this world. They worshipped other deities only because they wrongly believed that these deities were close to God and could intercede for them. Their views have been stated in detail in the Quran:
Related Video: Benefits of Saying Bismillah In Urdu
We worship them only that they may bring us nearer to God. (39:3)
And if you ask them: who has created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon [to His law]? They will reply: Allah. How are they then deluded away [from the truth]. It is Allah who gives abundantly to whom He pleases and gives sparingly [to whom He pleases]. Allah has knowledge of all things. If you ask them: who it is that sent down-rain from the clouds and therewith revived the earth after it became dead. They will say: Allah. (29: 61-63)
Ask them: who is it that sustains you from the sky and the earth, or who is it that has power over your hearing and sight and who brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living and who directs all affairs? They will say: Allah. Then ask: Are you not afraid of Him? (10:31)
RAHMAN and RAHEEM: The noun Rahman is the intensive form of fa'laan (eg: sakraan and gadhbaan), while the noun Raheem is an adjective of the form fa'eel (eg: `aleam and kareem). A look at the various usages in the Arabic language shows that the form fa`laam expresses great fervency and enthusiasm, while the form fa`eel expresses steadiness and perpetuity. In other words, the first depicts vigor and the second constancy in God's mercy. A little deliberation shows that the Almighty's mercy on His creation possesses both these characteristics. The enthusiasm and warmth is complemented by permanence. It is not that His attribute of Rahman induced Him to create, and he later forgot to foster and sustain His creation. Indeed, He is nourishing and taking proper care of it because He is Raheem as well. Whenever a person invokes His help, He hears his calls and accepts his prayers. Also, His blessings are not confined to this world only. Those who shall lead their lives according to the path prescribed by Him, shall be blessed with eternal life and joy. It must be conceded that all these aspects cannot be comprehended without an integrated understanding of these attributes.
No comments:
Post a Comment