Answer

Ask the Scholar Editor

23 February, 2025

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

In this fatwa:

The phrase “Bismillah” means “In the name of Allah” and is deeply rooted in the Quran and Hadith. It is a Sunnah to say “Bismillah” before beginning any action, ensuring divine blessings and protection. Scholars encourage its use as it brings barakah (blessings), protection from evil, and a reminder of Allah’s presence in our lives.

Answering your question, we would like to state the following:

“Bismillah” translates to “In the name of Allah.” It is an Arabic phrase that Muslims say before beginning any action, seeking blessings and help from Allah.

Linguistic Breakdown of “Bismillah”

• (Bismi) – Means “In the name of.”
• (Allah) – Refers to the One and Only God, Allah.

Thus, the phrase “Bismillah” means “In the name of Allah”, invoking His name for divine assistance and blessings.

Quranic References to “Bismillah”

• “Bismillah” in Surat Al-Fatihah

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”

This phrase is recited at the beginning of 114 chapters of the Quran except for Surah At-Tawbah (9:1). It signifies the importance of invoking Allah’s name before beginning any task.

• Prophet Nuh Using “Bismillah”

“And [Noah] said, ‘Embark therein; in the name of Allah is its course and its anchorage. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.’” (Hud 11:41)

This verse highlights that Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him) used “Bismillah” before setting sail in the Ark, signifying trust in Allah’s protection.

• Prophet Sulayman Using “Bismillah”

Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him) is known for using “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah) in his communication, particularly in the famous story of his letter to the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis). In the Quran, Allah mentions this incident:

“Indeed, it is from Sulayman, and indeed, it (reads): ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.'” (An-Naml 27:30)

This demonstrates how Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him) invoked the name of Allah in his dealings, showing his deep reliance on and obedience to Allah.

Hadith References to “Bismillah”

• “Bismillah” Before Any Important Matter

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Any matter of importance which does not begin with ‘Bismillah’ is devoid of blessings.”  (Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah, Classified as sound by Al-Albani)

This hadith emphasizes that saying “Bismillah” brings barakah (blessings) and any action done without it lacks divine favor.

• Saying “Bismillah” Before Eating

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “When one of you eats, let him mention the name of Allah (say ‘Bismillah’). If he forgets, let him say: ‘Bismillah fi awwalihi wa akhirihi’ (In the name of Allah, at its beginning and at its end).”
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Saying “Bismillah” before eating ensures that Satan does not partake in the food,

• “Bismillah” Protects Against Satan

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “When entering a house, if a person says ‘Bismillah,’ Shaytan says, ‘There is no place for me to stay here tonight.’ But if he does not say it, Shaytan enters and stays.” (Muslim)

This hadith teaches that saying “Bismillah” when entering a house prevents evil influences from entering.

Benefits of Saying “Bismillah”

• Brings Blessings (Barakah) – Actions started with “Bismillah” gain divine favor and success.
• Prevents Shaytan’s Influence – Hadiths indicate that Shaytan is blocked when “Bismillah” is recited.
• Seeking Allah’s Help – It acknowledges that all power belongs to Allah and that we need His support.
• Following the Sunnah – The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) always said “Bismillah” before eating, drinking, and performing daily tasks.

Discover further details in the fatwas provided:

• Reciting Bismillah Loudly in Prayer
• Saying Bismillah When Performing Wudu in the Toilet: OK?
• Why is Bismillah Missing From Surah al-Tawbah?
• Why Doesn’t Surat At-Tawbah Start With Bismillah?
• Can I Say Bismillah in the Bathroom? (Video)
• The Power of Bismillah
• What “Bismillah” Can Do
• Saying Bismillah Before Anything

Almighty Allah knows best.