Qur'an 1:1
From ilmpedia
Contents |
Translation
Arabic: ۞ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. (Pickthall/Shakir/Qaribullah)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. (Yusuf Ali)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. (Arberry)
Transliteration - Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
Commentary
It is to be noted that Bismillah is also part of Surah Naml (The Ant, 27:29)
Amongst the traditionalist scholars, there is a debate around whether or not it is part of Surah Fatiha or any other Surah. This much is agreed, that it is to be placed at the head of every Surah except Surah Tauba (S. 9).
Generally, the scholars from Hejaz and the Arab world are more inclined to place it as part of Surah Fatiha (Ibn Kathir). However, Imam Abu Hanifa (ra) states that it is an independent verse that serves to distinguish one Surah from another (Maariful Qur’an V1)- this is what majority of the scholars of the Indian subcontinent state (and hence differ in minor terms from the Arab ayah numbering scheme).
Abu Ala Maududi points out three benefits accruing from using Bismillah at the start of any work- prevention from mischief, sound mental orientation; and support of Allah Swt.[1]
This also derives from the fact that in the period of Jahilliyah, the pagan Arabs used to start all practices by invoking their gods. Thus, the Qur’an seeks to root out any traces of polytheism and idol-worship from the innermost recesses of their minds, and oppose this practice tooth and nail. Perhaps this is why the first verse of the Qur’an revealed to the Prophet (PBUH) through Jibril (AS) was
اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ (Read in the name of your Lord who created,96:1).
Also, previously the Prophet(PBUH) used to say the words Bismikallahuma (in your name, o God), but after this verse was revealed he started using these holy words.
Finally, there are several Hadith that instruct the believers to take the name of Allah Swt, before starting any important work, like mounting or getting down from a vehicle, enetering your home, taking food or water, putting out the lamp, performing Wudhu, covering a vessel, or even relieving oneself. Mufti Shafi Usmani writes that this utterance of the Lord’s holy name transforms each action of ours in this world into an Ibaadat, and renews the relationship with our Creator.[2]
If one does not take the name of Allah upon his meal, then (it is as if) Satan has partaken of the food with him. [3]
Lexicology and Miscellaneous
Since the name of Allah swt was occuring here, the letter Ba has been directly joined to the word Ism, unlike the verse of 96:1 quoted above, where Ba is joined to Alif. This is done to ensure propriety before taking Allah’s name, and was done during the time of the Sahabah themselves (in the Usmani manuscript).
Some translations also interpret this verse as: “Allah, in the name of the Most Affectionate, Most Merciful”, i.e., taking the spirit behind the construction of the letters, and hence starting off with Allah’s name literally..[4]
Allah and Rahman are personal names of the One Universal Creator Lord of the entire universe and all humankind; Rahman is also an attribute that signifies the Infinite Mercy of Allah towards all his creation. Rahim, on the other hand, is an attribute of Allah that denotes special compassion towards the believers- it can be used for humans as well, as the Qur’an refers to the Prophet(PBUH) as being Rahim towards the believers.
It is also speculated that the Ism-E-Azam (The Best Divine Name) is Allah itself; the Ism-E-Azam is the name with which if the Divine Entity is invoked, whatever prayer is asked for, shall surely be answered.
Allah and Rahman have neither number nor gender (unlike the word ‘god’ in English- no gods/goddess).
“Allah”. This is His proper name, and it is the name of God used by the Arabs — including the Christians — before Islam; and it is the name still used in Arabic versions of the Bible.
Muslims believe it has been always His name, which was revealed to the previous prophets, including Adam, Abraham, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them all). Historical, archaeological, as well as theological evidence supports that belief.[5]
The word Allah is close to the Arabic word “Al-Ilah” (The God). And, whether or not it is derived from it, it does imply the meanings of al-Ilah. These meanings are: the only One to be worshipped; the One to whom belongs all devotion, worship, and gratitude. It also means the One, ultimately loved with obedience and surrendered to with adoration.
The importance of Divine Mercy can be gauged from the fact that out of the Asma-ul-Hasna (Divine Attributes), only two (denoting mercy) have been mentioned at the outset. Jalaluddin Rumi, the Sufi mystic, in his poetry, aptly says that the creation of the Universe was only for the purpose of making manifest the Mercy of Allah: “There was nothing- neither our being nor our claim to be; It was Thy Mercy that heard our unsaid”
Ibn Kathir in his Tafsir narrates that Musaylimah the Liar (the claimant to Prophethood) called himself the Rahman of Yamamah, Allah made him known by the name `Liar’ and exposed him. Hence, whenever Musaylimah is mentioned, he is described as `the Liar’. He became an example for lying among the residents of the cities and villages and the residents of the deserts, the bedouins.
Allah has also described some of His creation using some of His other Names.
Verily, We have created man from Nutfah (drops) of mixed semen (sexual discharge of man and woman), in order to try him, so We made him hearer (Sami`) and seer (Baseer) (76:2).
In conclusion, there are several of Allah’s Names that are used as names for others besides Allah. Further, some of Allah’s Names are exclusive for Allah alone, such as Allah, Ar-Rahman, Al-Khaliq (the Creator), Ar-Raziq (the Sustainer), Al-Ḥayy Al-Qayyum (the Living One and the Subsisting), Al-Ḥaqq (the Definitive Truth), Al-Wadud (the Compassionate).
Fiqh
In the opinion of several Muftis, it is considered a sin to shorten names like Abdur Rahman, or Fazlur Rahman[6]
Also, from the discussion above on the purpose of Bismillah, it ensues that it is Sunnah to say Tawadhu and Bismillah before reciting the Qur’an (except for S. 9), whether in Salah or out of it.
There is a great deal of debate revolving around the conditions of reciting Bismillah in Salah (whether it is Sunnah/Wajib, should be done loudly or silently, whether it should be recited in every raka’h and after every surah or not, etc). [7]
There is also difference of opinion on the issue whether the recitation of the Prophet (PBUH) was such that Bismillah got merged into the first verse of Surah Fatiha (i.e., Alahmdulillah..) or was it separate. It is stated by some scholars that joining Bismillah with the first verse of Surah Fatiha has certain curative properties. [8]
Some Ahadith
There is no valid ablution for he who did not mention Allah’s Name in it. (Ahmad)
Say Bismillah, eat with your right hand and eat from whatever is next to you. (Sahih Muslim)
If anyone of you before having sexual relations with his wife says, ‘In the Name of Allah. O Allah! Protect us from Satan and also protect what you grant us (meaning 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 child. (Bukhari and Muslim)
Allah has ninety-nine Names, one hundred minus one, whoever counts (and preserves) them, will enter Paradise. (Bukhari and Muslim) – however, the 99 names recorded in the ahadith of Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah have some differences between them.
Allah the Exalted said, ‘I Am Ar-Rahman. I created the Raham (womb, i.e. family relations) and derived a name for it from My Name. Hence, whoever keeps it, I will keep ties to him, and whoever severs it, I will sever ties with him.’ (Tirmidhi)
One Hadith also talks about shaytaan (satan) becoming small as a fly if the individual recites the Basmala verse (i.e.- Bismillah). [9]
Relevant Qur’anic verses
He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa, the King, the Holy, the One free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the Almighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the Almighty, the Wise (59:22-24).
And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so call on Him by them (7:180)
Say (O Muhammad) “Invoke Allah or invoke the Most Gracious (Allah), by whatever name you invoke Him (it is the same), for to Him belong the Best Names.”(17:110)
And He is ever Rahim (merciful) to the believers. (33:43)
Ar-Rahman (Allah) rose over (Istawa) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His majesty). (20:5)
And ask (O Muhammad ) those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: “Did We ever appoint alihah (gods) to be worshipped besides Ar-Rahman (Most Gracious, Allah)”(43:45).
Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad ) from amongst yourselves (i.e. whom you know well). It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He (Muhammad ) is anxious over you (to be rightly guided) for the believers (he is) kind (full of pity), and Rahim (merciful)) (9:128). – this verse indicates that Rahim can be used for other than Allah, in this case, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
My Mercy encompasses all things (7:156)
References
- ↑ Tafhim ul Qur'an
- ↑ Ma'riful Qur'an
- ↑ Hisn-e-Haseen, the notable book of authentic supplications
- ↑ for example, the Urdu translation by Ahmed Rida Khan Barelvi
- ↑ According to Encyclopedia Britannica, “The name’s [Allah] origin can be traced back to the earliest Semitic writings in which the word for “god” was Il or El, the latter being an Old Testament synonym for Yahweh. Allah is the standard Arabic word for “God” and is also used by Arab Christians as well as by Muslims.” (Allāh, last accessed on July 19,2009)
- ↑ Shafi Usmani, Ma'ariful Qur'an
- ↑ For greater clarity on these issues, one can refer to the Mariful Qur’an or Tafsir Ibn Kathir, both of which recommend contrary views.
- ↑ Shaykh Zakariya Kandhalvi in Fadh'ail Aamal
- ↑ Imam Ahmad recorded in his Musnad, that a person who was riding behind the Prophet said, "The Prophet's animal tripped, so I said, `Cursed Shaytan.' The Prophet said, (Do not say, 'Cursed Shaytan,' for if you say these words, Satan becomes arrogant and says, 'With my strength I made him fall.' When you say, 'Bismillah,' Satan will become as small as a fly.) Further, An-Nasa'i recorded in his book Al-Yawm wal-Laylah, and also Ibn Marduwyah in his Tafsir that Usamah bin `Umayr said, "I was riding behind the Prophet... and he mentioned the rest of the above Hadith. The Prophet said in this narration, (Do not say these words, because then Satan becomes larger; as large as a house. Rather, say, 'Bismillah,' because Satan then becomes as small as a fly.) This is the blessing of reciting Bismillah.
