Bismala (Arabic: بسملة basmalah) or Bismillah (Arabic: بسم الله) is an Arabic noun used as a collective name for the whole of the recurring Islamic phrase b-ismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīmi, It is sometimes translated as "In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful". This phrase is recited before each sura, except for the ninth; according to others it constitutes the first verse of 113 suras/chapters of the Qur'an, and is used in a number of contexts by Muslims. It is recited several times as part of daily prayers, and is usually the first phrase in the preamble of the constitutions of Islamic countries. It also forms the start of many dedication inscriptions on gravestones, buildings and works of art, which go on to name the deceased or the donor.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
bismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm
In the name of ALLAH; The most kindly merciful.
The practice of giving often-repeated phrases special names is paralleled by the phrase Allahu Akbar, which is referred to as the "Takbir" (also Ta'awwudh and others); this method of coining a quadriliteral name from the consonants of such a phrase is paralleled by the name Hamdala for Alhamdulillah. Recitation of the basmala is known as tasmiyya (تسمية).
Occurrence
In the Qur'an the phrase is usually numbered as the first verse of the first sura but, according to the view adopted by Al-Tabari, it precedes the first verse. It occurs at the beginning of each subsequent sura of the Qur'an, except for the ninth. it is not numbered as a verse except in the first sura. The Bismala occurs within the 27th sura in verse 30, where it prefaces a letter from Sulayman to the Queen of Sheba, Bilqis.
Bismalah is extensively used in Muslim everyday life, said as the opening of each action in order to receive blessing from God. Bismalah is a necessary requirement to Halal food and Islamic Slaughtering, used to requesting a permission to kill the animal for human benefits.
In the Indian subcontinent, a Bismillah ceremony is held for a child's initiation into Islam.
Significance
The three definite nouns of the Bismala—Allah, ar-Rahman and ar-Rahim—correspond to the first three of the traditional 99 names of God in Islam. Both ar-Rahman and ar-Rahim are from the same triliteral root R-Ḥ-M, "to feel sympathy, or pity". The Bismala has a special significance for Muslims, who are to begin each task after reciting the verse. It is often preceded by Ta'awwudh. There are several ahadith encouraging Muslims to recite it before eating and drinking. For example:
Aisha reported
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “When any of you wants to eat, he should mention the Name of Allah in the beginning (Bismillah). If he forgets to do it in the beginning, he should say Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu (I begin with the Name of Allah at the beginning and at the end)”.— From At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud
Umaiyyah bin Makshi reported
The Prophet(PBUH) was sitting while a man was eating food. That man did not mention the Name of Allah till only a morsel of food was left. When he raised it to his mouth, he said, Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu. The Prophet(PBUH) smiled at this and said, “Satan had been eating with him but when he mentioned the Name of Allah, Satan vomited all that was in his stomach”. — From Abu Dawud and Al-Nasa'i
Wahshi bin Harb reported
Some of the Sahaba of the Prophet(PBUH) said, "We eat but are not satisfied." He said, "Perhaps you eat separately." The Sahaba replied in the affirmative. He then said, "Eat together and mention the Name of Allah over your food. It will be blessed for you". — From Abu Dawood
