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What does “Bismillah” mean?

Short answer“Bismillah” means “I begin in the name of God, seeking His help.” A Muslim says it at the start of every task: eating, drinking, wudu, getting in a car, writing a message, and it opens the chapters of the Quran. The full form is “Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim.”

The phrase and its pronunciation

Hadith
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ

Bismillāh

In the name of God

The phrase and its pronunciation

Meaning

I begin seeking the help and blessing of God’s name.

When to say it

  • Before eating and drinking.
  • Before wudu, and entering or leaving.
  • At the start of dua and any task.

How to reply

No special reply.

The evidence

Quran
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

En el nombre de Dios, el Compasivo con toda la creación, el Misericordioso con los creyentes.

Al-Fatihah 1:1
Hadith
يَا غُلَامُ، سَمِّ اللَّهَ، وَكُلْ بِيَمِينِكَ، وَكُلْ مِمَّا يَلِيكَ

Young man, mention God’s name, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is nearest to you.

Al-Bukhari 5376, Muslim 2022

Preguntas frecuentes

What if I forget at the start of a meal?

Say “Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirah.”

Los textos y traducciones están en revisión por sabios.