Question

Is the following a Hadith?

“Every matter which is started without bismillah is useless”

 

Answer

The Hadith, with this exact wording is recorded by Khatib Baghdadi (rahimahullah) with a chain that is extremely unreliable, according to Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah)

(Al-Jami’u li Akhlaqir Rawi, Hadith: 1232 and Fathul Bari, Hadith: 4553. Also see Al-Isti’adhatu wal Hasbalah, of Shaykh Ahmad Siddique Al-Ghumari)

However, there are several other reasons for commencing our tasks with the name of Allah.

Among them are the following:

1) The Quran started with “Bismillah”

2) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) commenced his letters to the various kings with “bismillah”

3) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “…When you recite Bismillah, shaytan contracts till he reaches the size of a fly.”

(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 4943 and Musnad Ahmad, vol. 5, pg. 59 with a reliable chain; Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10, pg. 132)

After citing this Hadith, Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) writes the following at the beginning of his monumental tafsir book:

“This is the blessed effect of bismilah. Therefore it is recommended at the beginning of every deed or speech.”

4) He then cited Hadiths that clearly recommend reciting Bismillah before:

1. Meals,

2. Entering the toilet,

3. Engaging in sexual relations with one’s wife,

4. Wudu, etc.

These are merely a few examples. See Fathul Bari, Hadith: 4553 for more such supports for this practice.

One is indeed encouraged to say Bismillah before any task.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar