Bismillah in Arabic is a word that has more meaning than the one often attributed to it. Whether one believes it is merely a formula pronounced before beginning the reading of the Holy Quran or a polite formula at the table, in both cases this is to mistake the scope of these words. What does bismillah mean in Arabic and how should it be used to its true value? This is what this text will endeavour to explain.
Bismillah in Arabic translation
It is the phonetic writing of the Arabic term "بسم الله" which can be translated as follows:
In the name of Allah.
Bismillah ar-rahman ar-rahim in Arabic translation
It is often found in its fuller form as follows :
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
It is this basmala formula that opens the reading of the Quran in each of the surahs, apart from the 9th Quranic chapter, At Tawbah, which does not contain it.
Bismillah ar rahman ar rahim in Arabic script
بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم
What does bismillah mean in Arabic ?
Bismillah in Arabic, a simple opening word for the reading of the Quran in the understanding of many people, in reality represents more meaning and value. It should rather be understood as the opening to every act of our daily life. We are taught from our youngest age to say bismillah before beginning to eat, for example, but this does not at all give this word the meaning of "enjoy your meal".
On the contrary, in Islam, every act is worth only by its intention, and this must be turned towards the Creator of the two Worlds at each of our steps, as far as possible.
The believer, upon waking, pronounces bismillah in Arabic, « In the name of Allah », and this may mean: I wake up and devote to Him all my good deeds accomplished during my day.
Bismillah aladi la yadoro in Arabic
There are invocations to say to implore Allah to grant us His protection and to ward off from us any harm. The best known is the following :
In phonetics :
'Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma'as-mihi shai'un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama'i, wa Huwas-Sami'ul-'Alim "
English translation :
In the name of Allah, with Whose Name nothing can cause harm on earth or in heaven, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
In Arabic :
بسم الله الذي لا يضر مع اسمه شيء في الارض و لا في السماء و هو السميع العليم
Indeed, in the book Riyad As Salihin, this hadith is found relating to us the value of this invocation :
Uthman bin 'Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) reports:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Whoever recites three times morning and evening: 'Bismillahil-ladhi la yadurru ma'as-mihi shai'un fil-ardi wa la fis-sama'i, wa Huwas-Sami'ul-'Alim " (In the name of Allah, with Whose Name nothing can cause harm on earth or in heaven, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.)", no harm shall touch him.
[Reported by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi]
Riyadh As-Salihin, Book No. 16 of invocations, hadith 50.
Bismillah in Arabic, the pleasure of Allah on the tip of one's lips
Pronouncing the basmala, the name given to the act of saying « In the name of Allah » before anything, is one of the keys through which the faithful Muslim seeks the pleasure of Allah. He invokes Him at every moment of his day without feeling any burden, because, on the contrary, he is certain that Allah is the One who sees and hears everything, and accepts the works put forward in the hope of His Pleasure. However small they may be.
Indeed, the works most beloved to Allah are those that are the most lasting over time, however insignificant they may seem to us. To devote the acts of one's daily life to one's Lord by saying bismillah just before is to show sincerity.
Thus, bismillah in Arabic is said when:
- I wake up
- I am about to enter the bathroom (or any other place)
- I begin to recite a surah of the Quran during my prayer (and even outside of prayer times)
- I am about to go out
- I begin my work
- I intend to accomplish a good deed
- I am going to begin eating
- I am going to sleep
Moreover here are some duas that begin with bismillah in Arabic :
- before eating :
Before eating one's meal, one may say In the Name of Allah and add to it the following dua.
In English :
In the name of Allah.
Place for us Your blessing in this food and grant us food better than it.
In Arabic :
بسم الله
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيْهِ، وَأَطْعِمْنَا خَيْراً مِنْهُ
In phonetics :
Bismillah.
Allâhoumma bârek lanâ fîhi, wa at'imnâ khayran minhou.
- when one has pain somewhere :
In a hadith reported by Muslim, the Prophet, peace and salutation of Allah be upon him, said to one of his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all:
« Place your hand where the pain is located and say three times « In the name of Allah »,
and say seven times :
« I seek refuge in the might of Allah and in His power against the evil that I feel and against that which I dread. »
In Arabic :
بِسْمِ اللهِ (ثَلاثاً)
أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ وَقُدْرَتِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أَجِدُ وَأُحَاذِرُ.(سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ)
In phonetics :
Bismillah (3 times). A'oûdhou billâhi wa qoudratihi min sharri mâ ajidou wa uhâdhirou (7 times).
- Before sleeping :
In English :
« It is in Your name, O Allah, that I die and that I live. »
In Arabic :
بِاسْمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَمُوتُ وَ أَحْيَا
In phonetics :
Bi-smika-llâhoumma amûtu wa ahyâ.
Reported by Bukhari
Conclusion
To finish, the name of Allah and the formula bismillah in Arabic should not be used as mere ornamental objects for our homes, as it is common to see hung on walls calligraphies bearing these mentions or other invocations and Quranic verses.
The Word of Allah and His Name, to Him the Glory and the Majesty, should adorn our breasts and our acts day by day.
May Allah open our hearts to the importance of living in His Name so as to have an existence at the best of our faith, and enable us to work sincerely in seeking His Face only, in order to meet Him on the Last Day in the best of situations and obtain the best of Abodes. amin
WaLaho A'lem
And Allah knows best.