We begin all our actions in the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Benevolent, to remember that everything is for His sake. We begin in Allah’s name in the hope that we will be successful, rewarded and blessed.
Most of us will say something before we, or others, start an action or an important task. It helps us get in the zone, become prepared and to mark the beginning. Phrases we may say or hear include "Here we go!", "Okay now I’m ready!", "You can do it!", "Let’s Go!"
‘Bismillah’ is a powerful phrase that completes our actions and adds immense reward and barakah to everything that follows it.
‘Bismillah’ literally means that we start our action seeking help and blessings through the name of Allah.
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
“Every important word or matter that does not being with remembrance of Allah is maimed.”
This means that without beginning with Bismillah, we deprive ourselves of blessing, goodness and ease. Therefore, by saying Bismillah we invite and welcome blessings and the help of Allah (swt) to make things easy and good.
Saying Bismillah gives us the opportunity to clarify our intentions so that our act is preceded with a clear idea of why we are doing it. If we want to maximise our reward for any act, no matter how small, we need to think through our purpose.
It is narrated on the authority of Amirul Mu’minin, Abu Hafs ‘Umar bin al-Khattab, radiyallahu ‘anhu, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, say:
"Actions are (judged) by motives (niyyah), so each man will have what he intended. Thus, he whose migration (hijrah) was to Allah and His Messenger, his migration is to Allah and His Messenger; but he whose migration was for some worldly thing he might gain, or for a wife he might marry, his migration is to that for which he migrated.”
[Al-Bukhari & Muslim]
Essentially, when we say Bismillah we remind ourselves that everything is for Allah (swt) alone. Our sustenance, futures and akhirah lie with Allah alone.
This Ramadan, at SKT Welfare, we’re asking you to give your Zakat in the name of Allah so we can help lift people out of poverty.
Your donations do more than just provide food and water. Together we can Give hope spread kindness, nourish lives, inspire courage, provide optimism, help and empower. We give people the tools to build bright futures away from the fear of disease, abject poverty, hunger and thirst.
Out 100% Zakat donation policy means every single penny of your donation will go directly to those who need it most.
Our 100% donation policy means that every penny you donate is used in the delivery of humanitarian projects and directly related costs. Indirect and administrative costs are covered by either direct donations themselves or by using Gift Aid.