BismillahBismillah

• In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

• So we too shall start with it. This blessed phrase is a sign of Islam, So we too shall start with it. This blessed phrase is a sign of Islam, and all creatures constantly recite it in their unique way. and all creatures constantly recite it in their unique way.

Bismillah Bismillah (In the Name of Allah)(In the Name of Allah)

BismillahBismillah, In the Name of God, is the , In the Name of God, is the beginning of all good things. beginning of all good things.

There are 114 Surahs (chapters) in the Qur’an

• All Surahs begin with Bismillah except Surah No. 9 called At-Taubah or the Repentance.

• Letter B is the first letter in all surahs.Letter B is the first letter in all surahs.

• At-Taubah does not start with “Bismillah” starts with letter B (Beratun…)

• All other surahs starts with Bismillah but after that Letter B does not come.

Probability of this incidentProbability of this incident

• (1/2)(1/2)113113 x (27/28) x (27/28)113113 x (1/2) x (1/28) x (1/2) x (1/28)

• Approximately Equals 1 out of 10Approximately Equals 1 out of 103636

• Approximately 1 out of 1 billion billionApproximately 1 out of 1 billion billion

• One of clear proof that Quran is the protected One of clear proof that Quran is the protected book.book.

Some examples of Besmele in ARTSome examples of Besmele in ART

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1568/besmelebismillahirrahmaj.jpg

The most important truth that God revealed to mankind is that The most important truth that God revealed to mankind is that there is nothing divine or worthy of being worshipped except for there is nothing divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Almighty God, thus all human beings should submit to Almighty God, thus all human beings should submit to GodGod. The . The word word "Muslim""Muslim" means one who submits to the will of God, means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of their race, nationality or ethnic background.regardless of their race, nationality or ethnic background.

ISLAMISLAM

Pillars of Belief Pillars of Belief

• God (Allah)God (Allah)

• AngelsAngels

• Revealed BooksRevealed Books

• Revealed MessengersRevealed Messengers

• Day of the JudgmentDay of the Judgment

• Pre-destination Pre-destination

Revealed ProphetsRevealed ProphetsGod informed us of twenty-five of God informed us of twenty-five of them in the Qur’an:them in the Qur’an:1)1) AdamAdam

2)2) EnochEnoch

3)3) NoahNoah

4)4) Hud Hud

5)5) SalihSalih

6)6) AbrahamAbraham

7)7) IsaacIsaac

8)8) IshmaelIshmael

18)Solomon19)Elijah20) Job21)Elisha 22) Jesus23)Dhul-Kifl 24) Jonah25)Muhammad

9) Jacob10) Joseph 11) Shu‘ayb 12) Lot 13) John the Baptist14) Zechariah 15) Aaron16) David17) Moses

Pillars of Islam Pillars of Islam

• Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)

• Salat (Prayer)Salat (Prayer)

• Zakat (Charity)Zakat (Charity)

• Sawm (Fast)Sawm (Fast)

• Hajj (Pilgrimage)Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)

“There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger”,

OUR LIFE is a JOURNEYOUR LIFE is a JOURNEY

JOURNEYINGJOURNEYING IN THE NAME OF GODIN THE NAME OF GOD

BISMILLAH (in the name of BISMILLAH (in the name of God ) is the start of all God ) is the start of all good things, so we will good things, so we will start with it. start with it.

This blessed phrase is a This blessed phrase is a mark of Islam, one mark of Islam, one constantly recited by all constantly recited by all creatures through their creatures through their tongues of disposition.tongues of disposition.

If you want to perceive its inexhaustible source of strength and If you want to perceive its inexhaustible source of strength and blessing, consider the following parable:blessing, consider the following parable:

Someone who makes a journey through the deserts of Arabia has to Someone who makes a journey through the deserts of Arabia has to travel in the name of a tribal chief and enter under his protection, for in travel in the name of a tribal chief and enter under his protection, for in this way he may be saved from the assaults of bandits and secure his this way he may be saved from the assaults of bandits and secure his needs. needs.

Two people, one humble and the other arrogant, set out on a journey. The humble one obtained Two people, one humble and the other arrogant, set out on a journey. The humble one obtained the name of athe name of a tribal chief; the arrogant one did not. tribal chief; the arrogant one did not.

The former traveled everywhere in safety. Whenever he met a bandit, he said: “I’m travelling in The former traveled everywhere in safety. Whenever he met a bandit, he said: “I’m travelling in the name of such-and-such tribal chief,” and so was left alone. He was treated with respect in the name of such-and-such tribal chief,” and so was left alone. He was treated with respect in every tent he entered.every tent he entered.

In contrast, the arrogant one suffered disaster and constant fear, In contrast, the arrogant one suffered disaster and constant fear, for he had to struggle and beg for every need. He became base for he had to struggle and beg for every need. He became base and vile.and vile.

O arrogant soul! O arrogant soul!

You are that traveler, and this world is the desert. You are that traveler, and this world is the desert. Your weakness and poverty are endless, and the Your weakness and poverty are endless, and the enemies and privations to which you are exposed enemies and privations to which you are exposed are beyond number. are beyond number.

Given this, invoke the name of the Eternal Owner Given this, invoke the name of the Eternal Owner and the Everlasting Ruler of this world, for only this and the Everlasting Ruler of this world, for only this can deliver you from such begging and fear.can deliver you from such begging and fear.

Bismillah is a blessed treasure. Bismillah is a blessed treasure.

It transforms your boundless weakness and poverty, It transforms your boundless weakness and poverty, by binding you to the All-Powerful and Merciful One’s by binding you to the All-Powerful and Merciful One’s infinite Power and Mercy, into the most heeded infinite Power and Mercy, into the most heeded intercessor at His Exalted Court. intercessor at His Exalted Court.

When you say bismillah, you act in His name. You are When you say bismillah, you act in His name. You are like a soldier acting in the state’s name, fearing no like a soldier acting in the state’s name, fearing no one, doing all things inone, doing all things inthe name of the law and the state, and persisting the name of the law and the state, and persisting against all odds.against all odds.

How does everything recite bismillah How does everything recite bismillah through its very mode of existence?through its very mode of existence?

For example: A stranger arriving in a city can For example: A stranger arriving in a city can order its people to gather at a certain place to order its people to gather at a certain place to work on a certain task. If this order is obeyed, work on a certain task. If this order is obeyed, the stranger obviously is acting in the name of the stranger obviously is acting in the name of the ruler’s strength and authority, not his own.the ruler’s strength and authority, not his own.

In the same way, everything acts in the In the same way, everything acts in the name of God, the All-Mighty. Small seeds name of God, the All-Mighty. Small seeds

and grains carry huge trees on their heads and grains carry huge trees on their heads and raise weights as heavy as mountains.and raise weights as heavy as mountains.

Each tree says bismillah and, filling its hands Each tree says bismillah and, filling its hands with fruit from Mercy’s treasury, offers them to with fruit from Mercy’s treasury, offers them to us on a tray. Each garden, a cooking pot from us on a tray. Each garden, a cooking pot from

thetheDivine Power’s kitchen where countless varieties Divine Power’s kitchen where countless varieties of delicious foods are prepared, says bismillah.of delicious foods are prepared, says bismillah.

All blessed animals (e.g., cows, camels, sheep, All blessed animals (e.g., cows, camels, sheep, and goats) say bismillah and become fountains and goats) say bismillah and become fountains of milk from Mercy’s abundance. They offer us, of milk from Mercy’s abundance. They offer us, in the All-Providing’s name, a most delicate and in the All-Providing’s name, a most delicate and

pure food like the water of life.pure food like the water of life.

Every plant and blade of grass, every root and stem, Every plant and blade of grass, every root and stem, says bismillah. All plant, tree, and grass roots and says bismillah. All plant, tree, and grass roots and fibers, soft as silk, say bismillah and pierce hard fibers, soft as silk, say bismillah and pierce hard

stones and soil. Mentioning His Name, the Name of stones and soil. Mentioning His Name, the Name of the All-the All-

Merciful, subjects everything to them.Merciful, subjects everything to them.

A tree’s branches spread in the sky, and its roots A tree’s branches spread in the sky, and its roots spread unhindered among stones andspread unhindered among stones and

soil. It generates underground spontaneously, and soil. It generates underground spontaneously, and its delicate green leaves hold moisture despite its delicate green leaves hold moisture despite intense heat. These realities vex the naturalist. intense heat. These realities vex the naturalist.

It jabs a finger into the naturalist’s unseeing eye and It jabs a finger into the naturalist’s unseeing eye and says: “You put so much trust in the power of says: “You put so much trust in the power of hardness and heat, yet they obey the Divine hardness and heat, yet they obey the Divine Command.Command.

That is why each soft fiber of the plant’s roots, like Moses’ That is why each soft fiber of the plant’s roots, like Moses’ staff, obeys: And We said: ‘O Moses, strike the rock with your staff, obeys: And We said: ‘O Moses, strike the rock with your staff!’ (2:60) and penetrates the rock. Every delicate, paper-staff!’ (2:60) and penetrates the rock. Every delicate, paper-thin leaf, like one of Abraham’s limbs, recites: O fire, be thin leaf, like one of Abraham’s limbs, recites: O fire, be coolness and peace! (21:69) in defiance of the intense heat.coolness and peace! (21:69) in defiance of the intense heat.

All things inwardly say bismillah and deliver God’s bounties All things inwardly say bismillah and deliver God’s bounties to us in His name. Thus weto us in His name. Thus we

also should say bismillah, give and take in His name, and also should say bismillah, give and take in His name, and accept nothing from those whoaccept nothing from those who

do not give in God’s name.do not give in God’s name.

Question: Question:

We pay people for whatever they bring us, even We pay people for whatever they bring us, even though they are only “tray bearers.”though they are only “tray bearers.”

What payment does God, their true Owner, ask of What payment does God, their true Owner, ask of us?us?

Answer: Answer:

That true Bestower of all precious bounties and goods we That true Bestower of all precious bounties and goods we enjoy requires three things: enjoy requires three things:

1. Remembrance, 1. Remembrance,

2. Thanksgiving, 2. Thanksgiving,

3. Reflection. 3. Reflection.

Saying Saying bismillahbismillah at the beginning is a at the beginning is amanner of remembrance, manner of remembrance,

and saying and saying al-hamdulillahal-hamdulillah (All praise and gratitude (All praise and gratitude are for God) at their end is a manner of thanksgiving. are for God) at their end is a manner of thanksgiving.

Reflection means always Reflection means always being mindful andbeing mindful andthinking of the precious and ingenious bountiesthinking of the precious and ingenious bounties we we receive as miracles of the Eternally Besought One’s receive as miracles of the Eternally Besought One’s Power and as gifts from His Mercy.Power and as gifts from His Mercy.

If you kissed the hand of someone who brought you a precious gift without If you kissed the hand of someone who brought you a precious gift without recognizing the true sender (the king), you would be making a great mistake. recognizing the true sender (the king), you would be making a great mistake.

Praising and loving thePraising and loving theapparent bestower of bounty, while apparent bestower of bounty, while

forgetting the true Bestower of forgetting the true Bestower of Bounty, is far worse.Bounty, is far worse.

O soul! O soul!

If you wish to avoid such stupidity, give If you wish to avoid such stupidity, give and receive in God’s name. and receive in God’s name.

Begin and act, to the very end, in His Begin and act, to the very end, in His name. This is the kernel of the matter.name. This is the kernel of the matter.

11stst Word, Words, from Word, Words, from Risale-i Nur CollectionRisale-i Nur Collection

This presentation was compiled from Words Book of Risale-i Nur This presentation was compiled from Words Book of Risale-i Nur Collection.Collection.