بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّ‌حْمـٰنِ الرَّ‌حِيمِ

In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, most Merciful.

The merits of Bismillah

It was a custom in the Age of Ignorance (Jaahiliyyah) before the advent of Islam that whenever the pagans used to commence any work then before commencing they would take the names of their idols and gods. It was to abolish this practice that Allah Ta’ala commanded us to take His name and recite Bismillah before commencing any work. Hence we see that the first verse of the Holy Qur’an which Hadhrat Jibraeel (Alayhis Salaam) brought down to Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam commanded him to begin the recitation of the Qur’an with the name of Allah Ta’ala. اقرا باسم ربك - “Recite ( O Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) with the name of your Rabb.”

The Qur'an and Hadith repeatedly instruct us to begin all our works with the name of Allah Ta’ala. Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam has said that no important work receives the blessings of Allah Ta’ala, unless it is commenced with His blessed name. The reason a Mu’min is commanded to commence any work with the name of Allah Ta’ala is so that he has complete conviction that it is only with the grace and blessings of Allah Ta’ala that he is able to commence the work and only with the grace of Allah Ta’ala, he will be able to complete the work. Hence, Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam has taught us in his Mubaarak Ahaadith that whenever we close the door, or put out the lamp, or cover a utensil all should be done with taking the name of Allah Ta’ala and reciting Bismillah.