Bismillah remains one of my favorite Saudi words to use. Bismillah translates very simply to ‘in the name of God’ and is a phrase one will hear very often in Saudi Arabia. A very standard greeting or opening one will hear in Saudi Arabia among individuals and in correspondence is ‘Bismillah ir Rahman ir Rahim’ which means ‘In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Compassionate.’ Many Saudi families when saying good night to one another will choose to say “Bismillah” rather than the simple words of ‘Good Night.’
Many feel that the phrase Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim contains the true essence of the entire Qur’an, as well as the true essence of all religions. I know when I hear it spoken it sounds both powerful and masterful to me the way that the words roll and capture attention. Muslims often say this phrase when embarking on any significant endeavor. This expression is so magnificent and so concise that all but one chapter of the Qur’an begins with the words Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim. This phrase is truly an ideal to be expressed from the heart and with the utmost sincerity.
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Hi Carol …
I wouldn’t say ‘Bismallah’ is a Saudi expression; it is more of an Islamic one. Following the steps of our Prophet Mohamed (peace be upon him), starting any action with ‘Bismallah’ is like asking God to bless this action. That is why the expression is widely used in different situations.
I, however, agree with you that once said sincerely, it is powerful and capturing attention. You can even notice that sometimes when there is a group working on something and one of them starts with ‘Bismallah,’ most of them will follow and say it.
You are right Saad that it is indeed more of an Islamic expression and used frequently in Saudi.
Often though I dont feel it is really said as a specifica act of devotion. Sometimes it is used as not much more than a cultural formulation of words.
There was an Israeli general who said a few years ago that everything that an Arab says after the words “Insha’Allah” and “Wallahi” will always be a lie.
I dont think it will AWAYS be a lie, but the point was clear that just because someone uses a specific religious formulation before they do or say something means that they are doing so with a religious, or even a truthful intent.
I’d be rich if I got a dollar every time I have heard a Muslim say “Walahi” or “Insha’Allah” and then lied or failed to do what they said.
I think sometimes, we as Westerners, get too caught up in these nice little cultural flourishes and attribute more to them than actually exists in the Arab culture.
I agree with Abu Sinan.
It seems they are just words used because of a habit. That’s the impression I get anyway.
I was once requested by a patients family to begin surgery with bismillah .. apparently they were misled by my last name. I did and later the patient mentioned to his family that i was not muslim. i was happy to clarify that i didn’t mind whispering a prayer to god before i started , whichever one he may be.
But they were happy that’s what matters and who knows maybe God did hear and keep him safe thru a difficult surgery and recovery.
although when i was mentioned this post to F he joked that were he to say bismillah loudly he’d probably scare half the OR staff and the patient .
such a sad state of affairs.
personally i’ll never touch a scalpel without a prayer. makes me feel secure.
It is very typical in Saudi for consultations and procedures to begin with bismillah. But you’re right…if F were to do that in the US I can see how the reaction would be different! (LOL)
I quote
” Many Saudi families when saying good night to one another will choose to say “Bismillah” rather than the simple words of Good Night.’
They say ” Bissalam” not ”Bismillah”
Hope you can understand the difference
@murtada,
Thanks for your comment. Maybe it depends on where one is from and the family traditions. I have heard more say ‘Bismillah’ than ‘Bissalam.’