Bismillah

English

Etymology

From Arabic بِاسْمِ اللّٰه (bismi llāh, “in the name of God”)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): (emulating Arabic) /ˌbɪsmɪˈlɑː/, (anglicized) /bɪsˈmɪlə/

Interjection

Bismillah

1. (Islam) In the name of Allah! Used in belief of blessing the speaker's imminent action, especially prior to eating and drinking; sometimes used as an apotropaic.
   • 1918, Marmaduke Pickthall, Oriental Encounters: Palestine and Syria, London: W. Collins Sons & Co. Ltd., page 25:

     ‘Bismillah!’ he exclaimed. ‘I call all here to witness that Rashîd, the son of Ali, called the Fair, is free henceforth to go what way he chooses.’

   • 1984, Syed Anwer Ali, Qurʼan, the Fundamental Law of Human Life: Surat ul-Faateha to Surat-ul-Baqarah (sections 1-21):

     Thus recitation of Bismillah creates a sort of firm conviction in the existence of Allah, and also develops the sense of gratitude, in the mind of the servant of Allah, for all that Allah has provided for him.

   • 2011 June 15, “Smashed Hits: What is a Bohemian Rhapsody?”, in BBC‎^[1]:

     On the night before his execution he calls God in Arabic - "Bismillah" - and so regains his soul from Satan.

2. (Islam) The basmala; the phrase Bismillahi ar-Rahmani ar-Rahim (“in the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate”).
   • 2004, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Commentary on the Holy Quran: Surah Fatiha, Islam International, →ISBN, page 44:

     In Bismillah, Allah has chosen to mention only two of His attributes, Rahman and Rahim, out of all His numerous attributes and the verse does not mention any other Divine attribute;...

Alternative forms

• bismillah

Related terms

• basmala

Proper noun

Bismillah

1. (Islam) A male given name from Arabic بِاسْمِ اللَّه (bismi llāh, “in the name of God”)
   • 2020, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Prabhat Prakashan, →ISBN:

     It was only at the age of six years when Bismillah was sent to Varanasi to stay with his maternal uncle, Ali Baksh, who himself was a great musician and played shehnai in the premises of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.