"Bismillah" is the key to the Holy Quran and to all permissable actions. Any good deed that is commenced with the Bismillah is worthy of great reward. If any good action is not commenced with Bismillah, then that action remains incomplete. To recite it before any bad deed is forbidden. If one eats or drinks without reciting the Bismillah, the Shaitaan joins in the meal. When slaughtering an animal, one must say the words: "Bismillah Allahu Akbar."
It is one complete Ayah of the Holy Quran. But it is not the part of any Surah. With the exception of Surah Tauba, every other Surah commences with the Bismillah. When performing Taraweeh, it is necessary for the Hafiz to recite Bismillah aloud at least once. In Surah Naml, the Bismillah which appears is part of the Ayah. The excellence of the Bismillah being explained here refers to the Bismillah written before each Surah in the Quran except for Surah Tauba.
The Ulema have stated that there are 3000 known Names of Allah. One thousand are known only to Angels, 1000 to Ambiya, 300 names are in the Taurah, 300 in the Injeel, 300 in the Zaboor and 99 in the Holy Quran. In total there are 2999 in number. One Name is only known to Allah which He informed Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). In the Bismillah, the Names "Allah," "Rahmaan" and "Raheem" are the basis of all the 3 000 Names. This, he who recites the Bismillah gets the blessings of reciting the 3000 Names. It is in "Tafseer-e-Kabeer" that there are 19 alphabets in the Bismillah and the Angels of punishment in Jahannam are 19 in number. The hope is that through each Harf, each Angel of Azaab shall be passed.
When the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) went for Me'raj, he saw four rivers in Jannat - one of water, one of milk, one of wine (drink of Jannah) and one of honey. He questioned Hazrat Jibra'il (alaihis salaam) concerning these rivers, and he replied, "Pray and request to Allah so that He may inform you." On the Du'a of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), an Angel appeared. It made Salaam and said, "Ya Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)! Close your eyes." When he opened his eyes, he was besides a building. The door of this building was made of gold and there was a lock on it and from under this building flowed rivers. When the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) decided to leave, the Angel requested him to enter the building. The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said that there was a lock on the door. The Angels said that the keys were present.
They then entered the building and saw that there were four pillars and on each pillar was written "Bismillah Hir Rahmaan Nir Raheem." He saw that a river of water flowed from the "Meem" of Bismillah, a river of milk flowed from the "Haa" of Allah, the river of wine flowed from the "Meem" of Rahmaan and a river of honey flowed from the "Meem" of Raheem. At that instance, Almighty Allah said, "O Beloved! Any Believer of your Ummah who recites the Bismillah will be worthy of these four rivers."
It is in "Tafseer Azeezi" that if one is faced with a calamity, he should read the Bismillah 12 000 times in this manner that he should read it 1000 times then read two Rakaah Nafil Salaah. He should continue this procedure till he reaches 12 thousand. All in all, he will read 24 Rakaahs of Nafil Salaah. After completion, he should ask for his problems to be solved, and Insha-Allah, his Du'as will be accepted.
If a friend becomes an enemy, read Bismillah Hir Rahmaan Nir Raheem 786 times and blow on his food. Insha-Allah, he will become a friend again. Bismillah also has numerous other benefits.
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