Please note: For ease of understanding, I will use masculine words in this post, but it is equally applicable for all genders. For example, every true Muslim’s heart is always concerned about his Lord Almighty Allah.
Last day I was using Facebook when I suddenly saw a post where something was written about “Bismillah” {بسم الله} (starting good work with the name of Allah Almighty). Then I realized that it’s really important to know about this matter with some detailed information. That’s why I did a little bit of research myself about this matter and found something very important for me. I thought it would help you also. Because of that, I wrote this blog. In this blog, you will get to know some Hadith (narrations of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)) about this important matter. I think this blog is necessary for you. Because when I wanted to know about this matter, I really didn’t find a good blog where I could get to know some Hadith about this matter with references. That’s why I thought that I should do this. Now you will get at least some detailed information about the importance of mentioning the name of Allah Almighty before starting any good work. Hope you will enjoy this. Jazakallah (Thank you).
As always I seek refuge in Allah Almighty from all kinds of harm and pray that He makes my work easy. I also pray that He considers this effort a means of salvation for us in this world and the hereafter. Whatever is good in my writing is entirely a blessing from Allah Almighty, and any faults are due to Satan (Devil) and my own lack of knowledge. JazakAllah. (Thank you).
Importance of Bismillah
Every true Muslim’s heart is always concerned about his Lord Almighty Allah. He always thinks about how he can get blessings from his Lord Almighty Allah and how he can abide by the ruling of Islam which came from Allah Almighty. In continuation of this, a true Muslim always tries to begin good work with the name of Almighty Allah. As a result of this, he can also do a significant task, which is remembering Allah Almighty more and more, which is also instructed by Allah Subhanahu Owa Ta’Ala. Allah Almighty mentions various verses about remembering Him in the Holy Quran, here are some of these verses from the Holy Quran about this matter.
Quranic Verses on Remembering Allah
- The first one is from Surah Ankabut, {وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ} “And the remembrance of God (Allah) is greater” [¹]
- The second one is from Surah Juma’h, { وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ} “And remember God (Allah) often, so that you may succeed.” [²]
- And the third one is from Surah Ahzab, {يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا – وَسَبِّحُوهُ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا} “O you who believe, remember Allah abundantly, and proclaim His purity at morn and eve.” [³]
You will find lots of verses in the Holy Quran besides these where Muslims are told to remember his Lord Almighty Allah.
So when we start a good task with the name of Almighty Allah, we are actually remembering Him consciously. This is also a reminder for ourselves that we firmly acknowledge that we don’t have the ability to do a good job except by the power and help of Allah Almighty. This noble virtue is also loved by Allah Subhanahu Owa Ta’Ala.
Hadith on the Importance of Mentioning Allah’s Name When Beginning Good Deeds
Now let’s move on to the command of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) where it’s being told to us to start various works with the name of Almighty Allah. There are lots of Hadith in this regard in the various books of Hadith. We will mention some of them for you to understand the importance of mentioning the name of Almighty Allah while starting good work. So let’s start with the name of Almighty Allah.
- Narrated Umm Kulthum: From ‘Aishah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “When one of you eats food, then let him say: ‘Bismillah.’ (In the name of Allah Almighty) If he forgets in the beginning, then let him say: ‘Bismillah Fi Awwalihi Wa Akhirih (In the Name of Allah in its beginning and its end.)'” [⁴]
- Ibn Umar narrated: “When he Prophet (ﷺ) put the deceased in the grave” He said: And Abu Khalid (one of the narrators) said [one time]: “When he placed the deceased in the Lahd” – “He said one time: ‘In the Name of Allah, by His command and upon the Millah of the Messenger of Allah.’ and one time he said: ‘In the Name of Allah, by His command and upon the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah.'” [⁵]
- Narrated Anas bin Malik: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) slaughtered two horned male sheep which were mostly white. He slaughtered them with his hand and mentioned Allah’s Name, and he said ‘Allahu Akbar’, and put his foot on their side.” [⁶]
- Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If anyone of you on having sexual relations with his wife said (and he must say it before starting) ‘In the name of Allah. O Allah! Protect us from Satan and also protect what you bestow upon us (i.e. the coming offspring) from Satan, and if it is destined that they should have a child, then Satan will never be able to harm that offspring.” [⁷]
- It was narrated that ‘Uthman bin Abul-‘As Thaqafi said: “I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and I was suffering pain that was killing me. The Prophet (ﷺ) said to me: ‘Put your right hand on it and say: Bismillah, a’udhu bi’izzatillahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa uhadhiru. (In the Name of Allah, I seek refuge in the might and power of Allah from the evil of what I feel and what I fear),” seven times.’ I said that, and Allah healed me.” [⁸]
- Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib: Ali ibn Rabi’ah said: I was present with Ali while a beast was brought to him to ride. When he put his foot in the stirrup, he said: “In the name of Allah.” Then when he sat on its back, he said: “Praise be to Allah.” He then said: “Glory be to Him Who has made this subservient to us, for we had not the strength, and to our Lord do we return.” He then said: “Praise be to Allah (thrice); Allah is Most Great (thrice): glory be to You, I have wronged myself, so forgive me, for only You forgivest sins.” He then laughed. He was asked: At what did you laugh? He replied: I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) do as I have done, and laugh after that. I asked: Messenger of Allah, at what are you laughing? He replied: Your Lord, Most High, is pleased with His servant when he says: “Forgive me my sins.” He knows that no one forgives sins except Him. [⁹]
- Anas bin Malik narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever says – that is: when he leaves his house – ‘In the Name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, there is no might or power except by Allah (Bismillāh, tawakkaltu `alallāh, lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh)’ it will be said to him: ‘You have been sufficed and protected,’ and Shaitan will become distant from him.” [¹⁰]
In addition to the above-mentioned Hadiths, you can find many more Hadiths on this same topic in the books of Hadith. If you want, you can do your own research to get more Hadith about this matter.
Some Exception
Though starting good work with the name of Allah Almighty has a very significant role in Islam, there are some exceptions also. These exceptions are made by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) with the will of Allah Almighty. Here are some exceptions:
- All types of Khutbah (speech) including the Khutbah of Juma’h, Khutbah of two Eid etc.
- Before starting Religious discussion.
- Before starting Adhan.
The rule in all these cases is to begin by sharing the words that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his companions began with, such as praising Allah Almighty, reciting Salat and Salam (peace and blessings) for the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Before Adhan, there are no specific words and sentences we should mention. We should not recite anything at that moment because this is the Sunnah (Rule) of the Messenger of Allah Subhanahu Owa Ta’Ala. Remember one thing: “Exception is always an exception” it’s not considered as general ruling.
My last thought
We, as servants of Allah Almighty, have to realize that we are nothing without Allah’s blessings. Even we don’t have that much power that we can take a single breath without the help of Allah Almighty. So we don’t have any excuse for not worshipping Him. Mentioning His name at the beginning of any good work is a way of worshipping Him. But remember this thing also that mentioning His name before starting any good work is not obligatory. Yes! It’s an encouraged thing in Islam. But not obligatory. That’s why we should treat this thing as the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions treated it. Because they are our role models. We have no authority to add and reduce new things in Islam. Islam is a totally complete religion. There’s no scope for us to add new things in Islam in the name of worshipping. I strongly believe that the Sunnah (way of living) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is enough for us to succeed in this life and also hereafter. I am saying from my personal experience that if we decorate our lives with the Sunnah (way of living) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), then our lives will become more enjoyable and peaceful. I’m responsible for my words.
Always remember these two verses from the Holy Quran:
- “اَلْيَوْمَ اَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِيْنَكُمْ وَاَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِيْ وَرَضِيْتُ لَكُمُ الْاِسْلَامَ دِيْنًا ؕ” “Today, I have perfected your religion for you, and have completed My blessing upon you, and chosen Islam as Dīn (religion and a way of life) for you.” [¹¹]
- “لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا” “There is indeed a good model for you in the Messenger of Allah – for the one who has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah profusely.” [¹²]
May Allah Almighty guide us to always remember Him and follow the path of His beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Ameen.
FOOTNOTE
1. Surah Ankabut, 29:42
2. Surah Juma’h, 62:10
3. Surah Ah’jab, 33:41-42
4. Sahih (Darussalam) Jami`at-Tirmidhi, 1858 In-Book Reference: Book 25, Hadith 75 English Reference: Vol. 3, Book 23, Hadith 1858
5. Sahih (Darussalam) Jami` at-Tirmidhi, 1046 In-Book Reference: Book 10, Hadith 82 English Reference: Vol. 2, Book 5, Hadith 1046
6. Sahih (Darussalam) Jami` at-Tirmidhi, 1494 In-Book Reference: Book 19, Hadith 2 English Reference: Vol. 3, Book 17, Hadith 1494
7. Sahih Sahih al-Bukhari, 141 In-Book Reference: Book 4, Hadith 7 USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 143 (deprecated numbering scheme)
8. Sahih (Darussalam) Sunan Ibn Majah, 3522 In-Book Reference: Book 31, Hadith 87 English Reference: Vol. 4, Book 31, Hadith 3522
9. Sahih (Al-Albani) Sunan Abi Dawud, 2602 In-Book Reference: Book 15, Hadith 126 English Reference: Book 14, Hadith 2596
10. *Note: This Hadith contains difference of opinion being authentic or weak. According to some scholar this is authentic Hadith and for other scholar this is an weak Hadith. (Allah Almighty knows best). Da’if (Darussalam) Jami` at-Tirmidhi, 3426 In-Book Reference: Book 48, Hadith 57 English Reference: Vol. 6, Book 45, Hadith 3426
11. Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:3
12. Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:21
