This 19-Lettered sentence is referred to as the Basmallah. It is read bismillahir rahmaanir raheem and commonly translated into English to mean
"In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Mercifill."
It is at the beginning of every chapter to the Qur 'an except Surah Taubah (chapter 9).
This sentence in Arabic consists of four words, bismi; Allah; Rahmaan and Raheem. The basmalla confirms that the Qur'an is indeed from Allah just as denies its authorship by any individual, The basmallah indicates that the Angel of Revelation (Jubril) delivered his message faithfully "In the name of Allah" to the Prophet (PBUH) and that he in turn was faithful in delivering the words of Allah to mankind. Bismiillah - in the name of Allah- is the signature of divinity over the pure words of the Qur'an.
The words Rahman and Raheem both refer to the different aspects of Allah's attributes of Mercy. These words art:' in the intensive forms and are best for expressing Allah's attributes. Indeed, Merciful and Beneficient is Allah who favoured mankind with His true revelation in the Qur'an and He has made such revelation filtingly inviolable. No other book in the world has such a merciful opening! The basmallalt occurs 114 times in the book of Allah (the same number of chapters in the Qur' an).
This is so even as it does not occur at the beginning of Suratul Baraa'a (another name 'for Surah Taubah, Q9). There is a surah that has two of these sentences, this Surah is All Name the Ants,Q27). As usual there is one basmallah at the beginning and another occurs in verse 30, which reads
"it is from Sulaiman, and is (as follows): "In the name of 'Allah; the Beneficent, the Merciful."
SIGNIFICANCE TO DAILY LIFE
A Muslim says the basmallah several times in a day. This is apart from the ones mentioned at the beginning of Fatiha in salaat. It is recommended that we start everything with this sentence and end with Alhamdulillan. Following the example in the verse above, prophet Sulayman (PBUH)'s letter to the Queen of Sheba starts with the basmallah (Q27:30).Learn to start your letters with it as well.
The basmallah is a constant reminder that Allah is always there for us. It allays our fears. It is putting Allah first in all we do and ending with Him. In some areas, this sentence is used as an invitation to 'partake in food. Once invoked, Allah is with us every step of the way for He is the Beneficent, the Merciful, It reaffirms our faith in Allah, our Guardian - Lord. Lastly Alhamdulillahi.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited