HADITH: Importance of Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheeem

* "Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem" * ~ The most powerful tool of hope for us Muslims ~

 

The Prophet (S) said, "Every important affair commenced without the name of Allah shall remain incomplete."

(Collected by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Lessons from the Hadith:

-> "Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem" (In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful) is the most powerful tool of hope for all Muslims and should be recognized as such. As long as Muslims realize that they have Allah to turn to in times of sorrow and to remember in times of joy, that if they practice the requirements of Islam to the best of their ability, they have grasped the true spirit of this magnificent phrase.

-> We should begin all our actions with the name of Allah. Failure to do so results in the loss of Allah's blessings and support from your actions, as implied in this Hadith.

-> When "Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem" is said before every action, with the intention and full understanding, the following benefits are obtained:
1- The person becomes aware that the work to be done should NOT be against the orders of Allah. i.e. it protects us from doing Haraam.
2- The person receives encouragement and is given inspiration from Allah's two great virtues- Graciousness (Rahmaan) and Mercy (Raheem). Thus he/she is saved from temptation.

-> We must also look closely at the two attributes of Allah mentioned in this statement: Ar-Rahmaan and Ar-Raheem. Both are derived from the same root word, "Rahmah", meaning mercy and kindness. Rahmaan as seen in this world, for the here and now, sustains all human beings, even those who become disloyal to Him. On the other hand, Raheem, as preparation for the Next World, gives to Believers much reward.

(Compiled from "Words that Moved the World: How to study the Qur'an", by Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad)