When a believer starts any work, big or small, simple or special, important or ordinary, he doesn’t forget to recite ‘Bismillah’ or ‘Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem’ which respectively translates into ‘In the Name of Allah’ or ‘In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful’. Be it routine activities like eating your breakfast and going to office, or once-in-a-lifetime events like climbing a cliff or undergoing a critical medical surgery, a Muslim must invoke the Beautiful Name of Allah before the event or the task. Certainly,such is the all-pervading importance of this ayatthat it is likely to find ‘Bismillah’ written in a calligraphic style and framed as wall art in a Muslim home. In fact, even as you read this article, people might be searching for ‘best Bismillah art online’ or ‘Bismillah art work online’.
What explains this significance of ‘Bismillah’?
Firstof all, the Holy Quran begins with the verse ‘Bismillah-ir-Raham-ir-Raheem’. The very fact that it is the opening line in the Holy Book of Muslims is itself proof of its importance. Secondly, all 114 chapters of the Holy Quran, barring one, begin with this ayat– thereby reaffirming its significance. So, if the Word of Almighty Allah begins with this verse, why should not the mortal insignificant human begin his or her every work, even his or her day, with ‘Bismillah’?
Apart from the textual factors for the primacy of ‘Bismillah’as mentioned above, let’s also try to understand the essence and virtues of saying the verse.
Sheikh Maududi, in his much-referenced detailed commentary (tafseer) of the Holy Quran, has said:
1) (Saying Bismillah) allows one to restrain oneself from any misdeeds, since the habit of pronouncing the name of God is bound to make one wonder when about to commit some offence and how such an act can be reconciled with the saying of God’s holy name.
2) When a person begins something by pronouncing Allah’s (God’s) name (with sincerity in his heart), he will enjoy Allah’s support and succour; Allah will bless his efforts and protect him from the machinations and temptation of Satan. For whenever man turns to Allah (God), Allah turns to him as well.
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid, another well-known name, explained it well: “When one says ‘Bismillaah’ before starting anything, it means, ‘I start this action accompanied by the Name of Allah or seeking help through the Name of Allah, seeking blessing thereby. Allah is God, the beloved and worshipped, to Whom hearts turn in love, veneration and obedience (worship). He is al-Rahmaan (the Most Gracious) Whose attribute is vast mercy; and al-Raheem (the Most Merciful) Who causes that mercy to reach His creation.’
Most certainly, as is clear from the above explanation, ‘Bismillah’ pervades the life of every Muslim. No wonder Bismillah art is much sought after in Muslim home décor. Many believers search for ‘best Bismillah art online’ or ‘Bismillah art work online’as they wantto be frequently reminded of the Name, the Mercy and the Grace of Allah.
