Recite the Basmallah

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is adapted from a swuhbah from Shaykh Muhammad Nazhim Adil al-Haqqani (q.s.) on the 27^th March 2010. 

It is important for us to spare some time daily for our spiritual development.  We must focus on this aspect of our lives, and try to attain an understanding of Divine Knowledge and gain Divine Support.  We must constantly seek refuge from Shaythan for he represents all that is filthy, ugly and evil.  Every single evil and every unacceptable trait of the worst possible behaviour exists within him.  These are dangerous weapons in his arsenal, each capable of causing great harm to us.  We must always be wary of him.  A single poisoned arrow from Shaythan is sufficient to destroy us.  Everything within Shaythan and emerging from him is poisonous.  These warnings must be repeated as Allah (s.w.t.) Commanded Rasulullah (s.a.w.): 

سُوۡرَةُ الذّاریَات

وَذَكِّرۡ فَإِنَّ ٱلذِّكۡرَىٰ تَنفَعُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ (٥٥) 

But teach (your Message): for teaching benefits the believers. (Surah adz-Dzariyat:55) 

This advice is also directed at those who inherit from Rasulullah (s.a.w.), the awliya’.  We must take every opportunity to advise one another, so that we do not forget to be on guard against Shaythan.  Man must always be reminded of how dangerous an enemy Shaythan is, so that he will always seek Divine Protection and be aware.  A single hit from Shaythan’s poisoned arsenal would bring a profound change in our spirituality.  Often, it is without us realising it, for it is often a subtle and well-disguised attack.  After such a calamitous hit, we still look like a human externally, but spiritually, you have become a devil in disguise.  It is Shaythan’s aim to dress every human being in such poisoned clothes, to cause them to be caught in a web of difficulties and suffering. 

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

Bismillah ar-Rahmaan ar-Rahiim 

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful 

All greatness is hidden in this recitation.  If any wish for goodness in this world and in the hereafter, they should recite it and drink from the Ocean of the Basmallah.  Each recitation brings Blessings from Allah’s (s.w.t.) Divine Names: ar-Rahman and ar-Rahim.  These two Names contain endless blessings that are Poured into our hearts, the magnitude of which is beyond human comprehension.  To give us a glimpse of its treasures, whoever recites it twenty-one times before sleeping, would be sent to Paradise, if he died in his sleep that night. 

People ask help and du’a of those they think are closer to the Divine because they are stressed.  It is advised for them to read the Basmallah.  We ask our shuyukh for help, only because we have yet to understand the power of the Basmallah.  Had we understood, the Basmallah would have brought peace and tranquillity into our hearts.  It would have been sufficient for us, for all our needs in this world and in the hereafter.  It is an Ocean of Light that has no shores, Placed by Allah (s.w.t.) in this dunya, especially for our needs. 

If anyone recites the Basmallah a hundred times daily, Allah (s.w.t.) Bestows upon him more power, an enhanced understanding and renews his strength.  He also Sends His Protection and Grants all hajat for the afterlife.  That is why the tongues of believers are always reciting it.  If any were to fall into a problem, or if anyone is trying to remove some evil from himself or if any seeks to ascend the ladder of spirituality, it is important to recite the Basmallah constantly. 

It is strange that people chase this temporary life, which is worthless, despite knowing that each action in this life will be repaid.  The recitation of the Basmallah guarantees one will be Bestowed strength, honour, pleasure, support, protection and success.  It unlocks an Ocean of Divine gifts.  Within the Basmallah is hidden the Ism al-A‘azham, the Greatest Name of Allah.  We were Created with Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim.  It strengthens us against evil influences.  It removes fear from us and raises our maqam.  Shaythan tries his utmost to make us forget the recitation of the Basmallah.  He tries to remove our faith in its power so that we would not be motivated to recite it.  Shaythan teaches us to disregard and to disrespect the Basmallah.  A believer begins every act with Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim and evil cannot touch him in dunya and in akhirah.  Every act that is started without the Basmallah is cut off from Allah’s (s.w.t.) Help. 

For others, their heart is like stone now.  They are indifferent towards the Basmallah.  In reality, the stones, together with all the plants and the animals, recite the Basmallah.  Only the heedless do not do so.  Every meal begun with the Basmallah is sweet and tasty, strengthens us and lengthens our life.  There is no need for expensive supplements to keep one young and healthy or to prolong life; Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim suffices. 

If anyone were to believe in the power of and perform the recitation of Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim, his world would be transformed.  Hunger and thirst are removed by its recitation, even anger and darkness of the heart.  Our enemies are powerless before us when we recite it.  The door to the solution of every problem opens with Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim.  It must be performed to be known, and it is known by taste.  A believer must perform it to taste, for himself, its blessings and develop an understanding of its treasures within the soul until eventually; he is overcome by the Glory and Splendour of Allah (s.w.t.) and falls into prostration in awe of Him. 

Instead of complaining and worrying, we should recite Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim.  There is no problem that is big in comparison to its blessings.  Even if one were penniless, and all that he had was a piece of dried bread, and he recites Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim with sincerity and understanding and ate the bread, Allah (s.w.t.) would Remove the cares and make him happy and contented.  People today chase after Shaythan instead of running from him.  They take his advice and teachings, not realising that all his advice is evil.  All that is Allah’s (s.w.t.) Guidance is a Blessing for us.  The advice for the seeker: recite Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim.