The phrase and its pronunciation
بِسْمِ اللَّهِBismillāh
In the name of God
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
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِيَا غُلَامُ، سَمِّ اللَّهَ، وَكُلْ بِيَمِينِكَ، وَكُلْ مِمَّا يَلِيكَYoung man, mention God’s name, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is nearest to you.
Frequently asked questions
What if I forget at the start of a meal?
Say “Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirah.”
Quran text and translations: QuranEnc. Hadith translations: HadeethEnc. Sources are shown on each item. Found a mistake? Tell us.