I begin in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Usually, the translation of the verse says, "I begin in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful." Although this translation is correct, it does not reveal the full meaning of this verse. Because, the verse demands a more detailed explanation. First of all, it is worth noting that in the verse, two names, 'Ar-Rahman' and 'Ar-Rahim', from among Allah's own attributive names, are mentioned in one place. The word 'Rahm' means mercy, grace. The words 'Rahman' and 'Rahim' have emerged and formed from this root 'Rahm'. The word 'Rahman' is such an attributive name of Allah that it is not permissible to use it for anyone else. (Tabari) In the Quran and Hadith, even in Arab literature, it has not been used as an attribute of anyone other than Allah. On the other hand, although the word 'Rahim' is an attribute of Allah, it can be an attribute of some other created being. However, there is no saying that if it is an attribute of Allah, it has to have the same meaning as if it is an attribute of someone else. Its attributes are determined according to each being. There is a special significance in mentioning these two attributive names here in the same place. Some commentators have said that Allah is ‘Rahman’ in this world, and ‘Raheem’ in the Hereafter. [Bagvi]

2. The first few verses of ‘Iqra Bismillah’ or Surah Al-Alaq were revealed to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It was said to start reciting the name of Allah, the Creator. Perhaps that is why, according to this initial command of Allaah, it has been placed at the beginning of every Surah of the Qur’an and arranged to be recited in a regular manner. In fact, Bismillah is placed at the top of every Surah like a golden crown in terms of meaning and external form. Especially with its help, it has become very easy to differentiate between every two Surahs. It is also mentioned in the Hadith, “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would only understand the end of the Surah when Bismillah was revealed.” [Abu Dawud: 788] However, reciting this sentence at the beginning of every Surah and before reciting the Quran does not only mean that it is being used to announce the beginning of reciting the Quran with the name of Allah. Rather, it is a clear acknowledgement that all the blessings of this world and the world have come from Allah. It is also an acknowledgement that the kindness and grace that Allah has bestowed upon us, especially the wonderful and incomparable blessings of religion and Sharia that He has bestowed upon us, is not the result of any birthright of ours. Rather, it is the result of Allah’s own special mercy.

Moreover, this sentence is also a prayer to Allah that He may graciously grant us the ability to understand His pure Word and live our lives accordingly. This is the underlying meaning of this short sentence. Therefore, it is prescribed in Islamic law to recite it not only before starting the recitation of the Quran but also before starting every permissible action. Because if it is not recited before every action, there is no possibility of its being successful. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) declared this in his various words and deeds. For example, he used to say every morning and evening, “In the name of Allaah, with whose name nothing can harm on earth or in the heaven, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” [Abu Dawud: 5088, Ibn Majah: 3869]

Similarly, when he wrote a letter to the Roman Emperor Heraclius, he wrote Bismillah in it [Bukhari, 7]

Furthermore, he used to order that Bismillah be said before every good deed. For example, before eating, [Bukhari 5376, Muslim: 2017, 2022]

closing the door, turning off the light, covering the pot, and closing the drinking vessel [Bukhari 3280]

undressing [Ibn Majah 297, Tirmidhi: 606]

before having sexual intercourse with one's wife [Bukhari: 6388, Muslim: 1434],

while sleeping [Abu Dawud: 5054],

leaving the house [Abu Dawud: 5095],

while writing a contract/purchase agreement [Sunan al-Kubra lil-Bayhaqi: 5/328],

when stumbling while walking [Musnad Ahmad: 5/59],

while riding [Abu Dawud: 2602]

entering the mosque [Ibn Majah: 771, Musnad Ahmad: 6/283],

Entering the bathroom [Ibn Abi Shaybah: 1/11],

Touching the Black Stone [Sunan al-Kubra lil-Bayhaqi: 5/79]

When starting a war [Tirmidhi: 1715]

When being injured or cut by a snake [Nasa'i: 3149]

Brushing the painful area [Muslim: 2202]

When burying the deceased [Tirmidhi: 1046].

There are many other authentic hadiths on this subject. Again, in some places, it is obligatory to say 'Bismillah', such as when slaughtering an animal [Bukhari: 985, Muslim: 1960]

Since human strength is very limited, it cannot be said that no matter what he starts, he will be able to complete it successfully on his own as expected. In such a situation, if he begins work in the name of Allah and seeks His mercy with unwavering faith in His infinite mercy and grace, this means that he relies and trusts on Allah's infinite mercy more than his own ability and ability to complete the relevant work properly, and he prays to Him to obtain it.