BISMILLAH IR-RAHMAN IR-RAHIM

Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim

Assalam alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim, is a poetic phrase which offers deep insight and inspiration, I've felt it first hand and Muslims often say this phrase when embarking on any significant endeavor. This phrase is so magnificent and so concise that all but one chapter of the Qur'an begins with these words. The common translation is "In the name of Allah (God), most Gracious, most Compassionate" and we often used right from when we wake up, to what we do in our daily lives, even when you just leave home to the shop and is truly an ideal to be expressed from heart, with utmost sincerity, an ideal which leads us to towards a sacred purpose, the purpose which is Ibaadah but what exactly is its in depth meaning so much that it is encouraged to say this phrase in the beginning of any activity and before reading any Surah of the Qur'an? 

The phrase In the name of is an idiom having the connotation of with the blessings of, with support of, for the glory of or under the governance of. In each of these cases, it indicates that one is submitting to, honoring or glorifying that which is referred to. Now let's take a look into the Arabic roots. The term Bismillah is a combination of three words: Bi which can mean by, for, with aid of, through or by means of and points toward that which happens next. The next word is ism based on the root a-s-m, which indicates the means by which something is distinguished, whether by use of an identifying mark, or by raised up high so that it may be distinguished, and would include a name, reputation or light and points towards the very essence of something, the underlying reality of something. The ending term is Allah, which is the Arabic name of the One. The Semitic roots of the word Allah extend back several thousand years to the Canaanite Elat, Hebrew El and Elohim, and Aramaic Alaha. They all point towards unity, oneness, the external power which includes all the existence and of non-existence. In modern English it translates to God meaning that which is worshipped, honored or adored.

Using these basic roots, it might be translated to: By means of the very essence of God, For the glory of our Creator, With the guidance of the divine, As an instrument of the One, In harmony with divine presence. The central idea is to remember that whatever we do, every breath we take, is done for, because of, and through the essence of, the One who has created us, Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala). Thus, Bismillah is a magnificent reminder of the relationship we have with our Creator and its not just an expression but a prayer that we may have the blessing in every moment of life and that we may walk on a path of truth and understanding.

The last two terms, Rahman and Rahim refer to attributes of the One. In English they are often translated to Merciful and Compassionate. But in Arabic roots it indicates something of the utmost tenderness which provides protection and nourishment and indeed the root r-h-m has meanings of loving-kindness, mercy, compassion and nourishing-tenderness. Thus both Rahman and Rahim point toward that which emerges from the source of all creation, while also conveying a sense of tenderness, protection and nourishment. Rahman points toward the Beneficent One whose endless outpouring of love and mercy ate continually showered upon all creation, while Rahim points toward the Merciful One whose love and mercy are manifested in that which is received as the consequence of one's deeds. Its about recognition and honoring of the very source of existence, the source of blessings, the source of all compassion, the source of all mercy given us.

This few words are so magnificent that is possesses a great depth of inspiration. All the movements of a Muslim accompanied with Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim are protected from any sort of trickery of Shaytan. The protection against Shaytan is to say Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim since this is the major weapon as we find in the traditions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The screen between the jinn and the nakedness of the children of Adam when they go to the bathroom is to say 'Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim' ". Note that it is not allowed to mention  Allah's name in the bathroom and thus one should say before entering as it is reported by Bukhari and others one should say before entering the toilet. Even the very first revelation to our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was: "Iqra, bi-ismi rabbika allathee khalaqa" meaning, "Read/ Proclaim/ Recite In the Name of your Lord who has created.." When the prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) conveyed any message from Allah to the people, he began it in the name of Allah. i.e Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim.

Can you think any incident that you can not mention Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim? I don't. In Sha Allah let it be in hearts to remember to mention Allah before indulging in any good deed.

And Allah knows best.