Obedient Angel
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 | Subject: Some of the Virtues of Saying Bismillah  Sun Sep 18, 2011 5:00 am | |
|   It is customary for Islamic texts to begin with the basmala. It seems only fitting that this blog should do so as well. Here are some brief notes describing the benefits of reciting the basmala.
Seven Benefits of Reciting Basmala
The first benefit of beginning the Qur’an and the Fatiha with the basmala is that it gives guidance to the servants that we initiate all of our affairs, actions, and anything else of consequence in the name of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). This gives us a certain realization of where we come from, where we are going, and how we must get there.
Before eating, drinking, slaughtering, going to the masjid, sitting, standing — before we begin anything important in life — we start with the name of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). One of the scholars mentioned that people searched long and far for the philosophers stone (which was supposed to transform base metals into gold) and failed. However, the secret that turns the base into the high and worthwhile is the Basmala which transforms the mere worldly into matters of eternal significance.
The second benefit of beginning in the name of Allah is to seek blessings, barakah, and assistance from Him (subhana wa ta’ala) for the name points to the one named.
The third benefit is to express one’s veneration for Allah (subhana wa ta’ala)
The fourth benefit is to distinguish ourselves from those who worship other than Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) such as the polytheists and those who worshiped material and non-material gods. They began their matters by mentioning their idols.
The fifth benefit of beginning in the name of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) is that there is a clear indication that the one who has said it has devoted themselves completely to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). They have true faith and realization in Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and that they are dependent on Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and not upon outward means. The sunnah of action is that one takes the means, but places one’s reliance completely upon Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). This inward focus is manifested when one begins with the basmala.
The sixth benefit of beginning in the name of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) is the affirmation of one’s belief in Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and a recognition of the blessings of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). They recognize His Noble Attributes by affirming two of his most noble attributes.
The seventh benefit is that Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) joins between these two attributes (al-Rahman and al-Raheem) which points to an encompassing of all possible meanings. It illustrates the relationship between Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and His creation which is based upon mercy and not enmity.
[These benefits were taken from the works of Abu Bakr al-Jassas, al-Biqai, Ibn Ashoor, and Shaykh Abdurrahman Habbanikah.]
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The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said that it is one of the names of Allah the distance between it and Allah’s greatest name, is but like the distance between the black and white of the eye seen from a close angle.
[Hakim & Dhahabi in The Book of Excellence of the Qur’an 1/552]
Ibn Abbas (radiAllahu anhu) said, concerning ‘Bismillah’, Allah evolved it for you, and never had He evolved it unto any community before you.
[Hakim in Al-Mustadrak & Dhahabi in ‘The Book of Excellence of the Quran 1/551]
If we were to give an exhaustive account of the benefits of the recitation of “Bismillah…” we would need more than a single volume to do justice to it. Apart from being part of every chapter in the Holy Qur’an (except the chapter of repentance [surah at-tawba]), it is also the most oft repeated verse in the Holy Qur’an.
It is narrated in Tafseere Burhaan that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) has said that when a person recites “Bismillah...” then five thousand ruby palaces are built for him in Jannah Each palace has a thousand chambers made of pearls and in each chamber has seventy thousand thrones of emerald and each throne has seventy thousand carpets made from special fabrics. A person asked for the condition necessary to get this great reward and the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) replied that the person should recite the “Bismillah…” with conviction and understanding.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) has also said that when a believer will have to cross the Pul-e-Siraat on the Day of Judgement, and he will say “Bismillah…” then the flames beneath him will start dying down until Jahannam will cry out, ‘O believer, pass through quickly, your presence is causing my fire to die out !’
When a teacher teaches a child to recite “Bismillah…” the child, his parents and the teacher are all guaranteed freedom from hellfire. It is narrated that Prophet Isa (a.s.) was once passing by a graveyard and he saw a grave upon which the Wrath and Punishment of Allah (s.w.t.) was descending, so he quietly walked past. When he passed the same place after some time, he noticed that the Mercy and Blessings of Allah (s.w.t.) was being showered on the same grave. He was surprised at this and asked Allah (s.w.t.) about what has happened and it was revealed to him that the man inside the grave was a sinner and was thus being punished for his sins. When he died, his wife was pregnant and soon gave birth to a son. When the boy grew older, his mother took him to a teacher who taught him to recite “Bismillah…” and I felt that it would not be justice that this man’s son was calling My Name and I was punishing his father in the grave.
It is also mentioned that recitation of “Bismillah…” with a loud voice is from the signs of a true believer. Imam Ali Ridha (a.s.) said that “Bismillah…” is very close to the chosen name of Allah (s.w.t.) [Isma A’adham].
Also it is said that when it becomes the habit of a person to start everything with Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim, on the Day of Judgment, he/she will start reading his record of deeds by it. Allah will grant him/her mercy in shaa Allah for calling Allah with His names denoting mercy. | |
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