The Virtue Of Saying Bismillah: INCIDENTS RELATING TO BISMILLAH Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem In the Name of Allah, the Most

Kind, the Most Merciful AN INCIDENT WITH ISA-JESUS(A.S.) It is reported that Sayyidina Isa (AS) passed by a grave whose inmate was being tormented. After some days he happened to pass by the same grave again. This time there was no punishment. The inmate was in great comfort.This surprised him a great deal. He asked Allah: -Lord, what brought about Your mercy so that you have lifted the punishment from this person?" Allah Ta'ala replied: -0 Isa, when the man died, he left behind a child. When his mother took him to the madrasah and he, the child, said Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem in the presence of the teacher, it is not like me to keep on punishing his father while he called me Rahmaan and Raheem. Hence, I forgave him. BASHR HAAFI'S INCIDENT Bashr Haafi once saw a paper with the inscription "Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem" lying on the ground. He picked it up. He had 2 Dirhams in his pocket. He bought perfume with these and smeared it on the paper. That night he saw (the noor(light)) of Allah Ta'ala in his dream. Allah said to him: 0 Bashr Haafi, just as you have honoured my name, in the same way I shall make you popular in the world and hereafter. ABU MUSLIM KHAULANI'S INCIDENT Abu Muslim Khaulani had a slave girl who used to serve him. For some time she began feeding him food mixed with poison so he could die. After a number of weeks she saw no signs of illness. So, she told him what she had been doing and asked him why no harm was coming to him. He, in turn asked her why she was doing this. She replied that he has grown old and it was her desire to become free as soon as possible. This could only happen if he died. He replied that no harm came to him because it is his practice to say "Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem" before taking any food or drink. Thereafter, he set her free so she could marry whoever she desired. THE STORY OF ALLAH'S FORGIVING A QAADHI A certain Qaadhi passed away while his wife was expecting. The child was born. When he grew up, his mother took him to the madrasah. When he said "Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem" in the presence of the teacher for the-first time, Allah Ta'ala lifted the punishment from his father. Allah Ta'ala said to Sayyidina Jibreel (AS): "O Jibreel, it is not like me to keep on punishing the father while his child remembers me with "Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem" .

A FASCINATING STORY OF A JEWISH GIRL It is mentioned in Lam'aate Soofiyyah that a pious man was once lecturing on the virtues of "Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem". A Jewish girl was also listening to his lecture. She was so moved by the lecture that she accepted Islam. Now, whenever she did anything she always said "Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem" first. When her father, who was the king's minister, discovered that she had embraced Islam, he became very upset. He feared that the people would look down upon him. So, he began threatening her in the hope that she would forsake Islam. But she would not. Finally, he decided, the only solution was to kill her. Thus, he thought of a plan: he gave her the ring which was used for sealing letters and documents in the king's court. He said to her: "Keep it until I ask for it." Saying "Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem" she took it and put it in her pocket.' That night the father tip-toed into her room and stole the ring and flung it into the river. That would give the king all the reason to hang her. The following day a fisherman came along to the minister and gave him a fish as a gift. The minister took it and gave it to his daughter to prepare it. As soon as she opened the stomach to clean the fish she found the ring. She was shocked! For it looked exactly like the ring her father had given her! She searched for the ring in her pocket but couldn't find it. She read "Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem" and put the ring back into her pocket. She then prepared the fish and presented it to her father. After he had his meal. He then asked for the ring. She said "Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem" and produced it from her pocket. The father was shocked for he had thrown it into the river! How could she take it out from her pocket! He then told her what he had done and enquired where the ring came from. She told him she found it from the fish's stomach. Witnessing the barakah(blessing) of Bismillah he accepted Islam straightaway. THE STORY OF THE ROMAN KING It is mentioned in Moo-dhi-hul Qur'aan that the king wrote to Sayyidina Umar (RA) that he has continious headaches and to kindly send him some medication. Sayyidina Umar (RA) sent him a topee(hat). As long as he had the topee(hat) on his head he would feel well. But when he took it off, the headache came back. He was surprised. He took off the topee(hat) and inspected it carefully. And he found "Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem" inscribed inside. THE STORY OF SAYYIDINA KHAALID (RA) On one occasion Sayyidina Khaalid (RA) surrounded the enemy. So they said to him that you claim that Islam is a true religion. Show us some proof. So he said to them to bring him some poison. They brought him a cup filled with poison. He said 'Bismillah' and drank it. No harm whatsoever came to him. Witnessing this, they all embraced Islam. THE STORY OF FAQEEH MUHAMMAD ZAMANI

Faqeeh Muhammad Zamani had a severe fever. His Ustaad Faqeeh Wali Muhammad came to pay him a visit. He gave him a ta'weez(amulet) and advising him not to open it, he departed. As soon as he wore it, his fever disappeared. He became curious. So he opened it and found "Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem" written in it. This made him lose his confidence in the ta'weez. So his fever returned. He went back to his Ustaad and offered his apology and asked for another ta'weez(amulet). The Ustaad gave him another one. He wore it and his fever again disappeared. He opened it after a year and again, to his surprise, found "Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem" written in it. By this time he was cured and his yaqeen in "Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem" grew tremendously.

THE BARAKAH AND BLESSINGS OF BISMILLAH WHEN BISMILLAH WAS REVEALED ... Sayyidina Jaabir (RA) is reported to have said that when Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem revealed, the clouds gave way by moving to the East, the winds ceased blowing, the oceans became calm, the creatures prepared themselves to listen, the shaytaan got pelted with fire from the heavens and Allah Ta'ala, swearing an oath by His honour, declared: Anyone who says this name of mine (ie. Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem) upon anything, I will surely impart barakah in that thing, (Durre Manthoor and Ibne Katheer) BISMILLAH BEFORE WAHEE In Durre Manthoor Sayyidina Ibne Umar (RA) is reported as saying that surely, whenever Jibreel (AS) used to bring wahee to Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam), he used to first recite Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem . The reason for the above is as follows: in Bismillah there are three names of Allah: (1) Allah which is His personal name indicating that all projects can only be initiated by the will and wish of Allah. (2) Rahmaan (Kind) which is His attributive name indicating that only Allah can keep that project intact and existent (guarding it against destruction). (3) Raheem(Most Merciful) which is also His attributive name indicating that only Allah can,through His mercy and grace, enable any person to derive benefit from that project. This clearly proves that any project begun with Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem will be granted barakah and blessings from the beginning till the end. BISMILLAH BEFORE DOING ANYTHING It is for this reason that Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu-alayhi- wasallam) used to recite Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem before doing any work. And he (sallallaahu-alayhiwasallam) also advised the Ummah to do the same. For example, reading it before shutting the door for the night, before putting out the light, before taking meals, before drinking water, before boarding a conveyance, and when alighting any conveyance. REMEMBERING ALLAH THROUGH HIS THREE THOUSAND NAMES

It is mentioned in Tafseer Roohul Bayaan that Allaamah Sayyid Haqqi (RA) said that Allah Ta'ala has three thousand names. He revealed one thousand to the angels, one thousand to the ambiya(AS), three hundred are mentioned in the Toraah, three hundred in the Zaboor, three hundred in the Injeel, and ninety-nine in the Holy Qur'aan. One Name He has kept to Himself; He revealed it to no one. Also, He has condensed all His names into the three names contained in Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem. They are Allah, Rahmaan and Raheem. Any person saying Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem; it is as though he has remembered Allah by all His names. BISMILLAH - A MEANS OF HIGH STATUS IN THE HEREAFTER Rasoolullah (Sallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) is reported as saying that any du'a which is begun with is not rejected. Because of saying Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem the scales of my Ummah will become heavy on the Day of Qiyaamah. The other people will enquire: "Why is the virtues of the Ummate Muhammadiyyah so heavy?" Their prophets will say: "In the utterances of the Ummate Muhammadiyyah there is such an honourable name of Allah that if it is placed on the one side of the scale, and the sins of the entire creation is put onto the other side then the side with the virtue will be heavier. A HADEETHE QUDSI Rasoolullah (Saliallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) said that Sayyidina Jibreel made mention of this Hadeeth under oath that he heard it from Sayyidina Mika'il(AS) under oath who in turn heard it from Sayyidina Israfeel (AS) under oath that Allah Ta'ala said: "By my honour, grace and grandeur, whoever reads Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem and Soorah Faatihah jointly once, then you be witness that I shall not burn his tongue and I will save him from the Fire as well as the punishment of the grave and the day of Qiyaamah. Note: Reading Bismillah and Sooratul Faatihah jointly means to read it as follows: Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem mil hamdu lillaahi rabbil aalameen..... SAYING BISMILLAH BEFORE WUDHU Rasoolullah (Sallailaahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: "One who does not say Bismillah before wudhu, his wudhu is incomplete." (Tirmizi). It is reported from Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (RA) that anyone who does not say Bismillah before wudhu, only the sins committed by the limbs which are washed in wudhu will be washed away; and one who says Bismillah before wudhu, the sins of the entire body will be washed away. (Mishkaat) SAYING BISMILLAH BEFORE MEALS Sayyidina Umar Ibne Abee Salmah (RA) reports that Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu-alayhiwasallam) said to me: "Say Bismillah and eat with your right hand the food that is in front of you." (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi) Whoever used to eat without saying Bismillah, Rasoolullah(Sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) used to hold his hand and urge him to say Bismillah. (Zaadul Ma'aad,Uswah-e-Rasoole Akram).

The Ulama have said that it is preferable to say the Bismillah aloud so that it is a reminder for those who forget. Also, Ibne Habbaan is reported as saying that if Bismillah is said prior to utilising any bounty of Allah and Alhamdu- lillah is said after utilising it, the user will not be asked to the give accountability for that bounty on the Day of Qiyamah.

WHEN UNDRESSING Sayyidina Anas (RA) reports from Rasoolullah (Sallallaa- hu-alayhi-wasallam) that when a person undresses for the purpose of either relieving himself or bathing or having relations with his spouse then the shaytaan interferes and plays with his or her private parts. But if he or she says Bismillah before taking off the clothes, then this serves as a barrier and safety against the shaytaan and jinn. (Tirmizi) OTHER WONDERS OF BISMILLAH Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) is reported as saying that as long as people keep on saying Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem it will be a means of safeguarding them against sicknesses; a means of granting riches to the destitute; a means of freedom against the Fire; a means of safeguard against being swallowed by the earth; a means of safety against faces becoming distorted; and a means of safety from stones raining down from the heavens. (Ghunyatut Taalibeen Page 157)

Every good action or deed should be started with reciting Bismillah In this section we will quote the Authentic Traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) regarding Bismillah - In the name of Allah: Saying Bismillah Is Recommended Before Eating: The Prophet (saw) said, "Say Bismillah, eat with your right hand and eat what is in front of you." [Sahih Bukhari 7/88, Sahih Muslim 2/207, Ahmad 17/92, Muwatta Malik 10/32 and Ibn Majah 1/557] Saying Bismillah Is Recommended When Drinking Water: Ibn Abbas (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "Do not drink in one gulp like a camel, but in two or three [Gulps]. Mention the Name of Allah when you start drinking and praise Him after you have finished [Drinking].'' [Fath al-Bari 12/197 and Al-Trimidhi]

Saying Bismillah Is Recommended At The Beginning Of Ablution: The Prophet (saw) said, "Make Wudu [Ablution] in the name of Allah" [An-Nasai 1/11 and Ibn Khuzaimah 1/84] Saying Bismillah Is Recommended Before Having Sexual Intercourse with one's wife: The Prophet (saw) said, "If anyone of you, when having sexual intercourse with his wife, says: In the name of Allah. O Allah! Protect us from Satan and also protect what you grant us [i.e. Coming offspring] from Satan and if it is destined that they should have a child, then Satan will never be able to harm him." [Sahih Bukhari 7/94 and Sahih Muslim 2/1058] Saying Bismillah Is Recommended When Entering The House: Jabir (ra) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) saying, "If a person mentions the Name of Allah upon entering his house or eating, Satan says, addressing his followers: `You will find no where to spend the night and no dinner.' But if he enters without mentioning the Name of Allah, Satan says [To his followers]; `You have found [A place] to spend the night in, and if he does not mention the Name of Allah at the time of eating, Satan says: `You have found [A place] to spend the night in as well as food." [Sahih Muslim 2/206] Saying Bismillah Is Recommended When Leaving The House: The Messenger Of Allah (saw) said, "If anyone of you when leaving the house says In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah, there is no power and might except from Allah. Your needs shall be fulfilled, you shall be saved from difficulties and hardships. Shaitaan hearing these words leaves him." [Al-Trimidhi 2/493] Say Bismillah At The Time When Slaughtering An Animal: Anaas (ra) reported that Allah's Messenger (saw) sacrificed two horned rams of white color with black markings over them. He also stated: I saw him sacrificing them with his own hand and saw him placing his foot on their sides, and recited in the name of Allah and Glorified Him [Bismillah Allahu Akber] [Sahih Bukhari 7/133, Sahih Muslim 2/181, Abu Dawud 3/230, An-Nasai 7/231, AlTrimidhi 5/76 and Ibn Majah 2120]

Saying Bismillah Is Recommended When Fighting For The Cause Of Allah: The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "Fight in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah" [Sahih Muslim 2/69] Saying Bismillah Is Recommended Before Entering The Toilet: The Prophet Of Allah (saw) said "When you enter the toilet you should say, In the Name of Allah, I seek protection in you from unclean spirits, male and female." [Abu Dawud 4/264, Ahmad 2/389 and Fath Al-Bari 1/254] Saying Bismillah Is Recommended Because It Causes Humiliation To The Shaitaan: Abul Malih said: I was riding on a mount behind the Prophet (saw). It stumbled. Thereupon I said: May the devil perish! He said: Do not say: May the devil perish! For if you say that, he will swell so much so that he will be like a house, and say: By my power. But say Bismillah for when you say that, he will diminish so much so that he will be like a fly. [An-Nasai 6/142, Ahmad 5/59 and Abu Dawud 4946] Saying Bismillah Is Recommended When Night Falls: Allah's Apostle (saw) said, "When night falls stop your children from going out, for the devils spread out at that time. But when an hour of the night has passed, release them and close the doors and mention Allah's Name, for Satan does not open a closed door. Tie the mouth of your water-skin and mention Allah's Name; cover your containers and utensils and mention Allah's Name. Cover them even by placing something across it, and extinguish your lamps. " [Sahih Bukhari 7/527 and Abu Dawud 3722] Saying Bismillah Is Recommended When Entering The Body Of The Deceased In The Grave: The Prophet of Allah (saw) said, "When you are lowering the deceased in the grave you should say In the name of Allah and in accordance to the Sunnah [Tradition] of the Messenger of Allah." [Ahmad 8/58 and Al-Hakim 1/366]

Uthman bin Abu al-As Al-Thaqafi reported that he made a complaint of pain to Allah's Messenger (saw) that he felt in his body at the time he had become Muslim. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (saw) said: Place your hand at the place where you feel pain in your body and say in the name of Allah three times and seven times I seek refuge with Allah and with His Power from the evil that I find and that I fear. [Sahih Muslim 2/280] It Is Recommended When Writing A Letter Bismillah e Rahman e Raheem Should Also Be Written: Abu Sufyan said that the contents of the letter were as follows: "In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful, [This letter is] from Muhammad the slave of Allah and His Apostle to Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be upon him, who follows the right path. Furthermore I invite you to Islam, and if you become a Muslim you will be safe, and Allah will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin by misguiding your Arisiyin [Peasants]." [Sahih Bukhari 4/191, Sahih Muslim 2/91 and Al-Trimidhi 7/500] [Queen Sheba] said O chief! Surely an honorable letter has been delivered to me Surely it is from Sulaiman, and surely it is in the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful; [Al-Quran, Surah Al-Naml, Ayahs 29-30]