Seeking Allah’s Blessings → Say "Bismillah" before every intention, action, and task
"Bismillah" brings Barakah, Blessings, Faith, Guidance, Success, Peace, Abundance, and Divine Mercy.
- It makes tasks easier, turning them into acts of worship (Ibadah), in accordance with Allah's will, and guaranteeing success.
- Even failure holds a hidden blessing, as it’s part of His divine wisdom.
The first letter of "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah) starts with "Bismi," meaning "in the name of..."
But have you ever paused to reflect on its deeper meaning and origins according to the Quran?
Let's take a moment to reflect…
Who do you think is one of the most powerful prophets of all time?
- A prophet granted knowledge, wisdom, and the ability to control the wind and jinn.
- A prophet who understood the language of animals.
- A prophet who ruled a kingdom unlike any before or after him.
Yes, you guessed it right – it was Prophet Sulayman (Solomon, PBUH).
Now, knowing how powerful Prophet Sulayman (PBUH) was, have you ever wondered how he began his actions?
Given his immense power, surely he could have simply willed things into existence, right?
But despite his abilities, he always relied on Allah's guidance and wisdom in every step he took.
Allah revealed this verse to remind us that even the most powerful prophet needed to seek Allah’s blessings in every single action.
Imagine a person who is not only wealthy but also the most powerful man in the world today. Would you think that in his mind, he would ever begin his actions with such humility and consciousness?
Allah revealed this word at precise moments in history for a reason:
- Prophet Sulayman (Solomon, PBUH)—The most powerful man known to mankind began his letter with Bismillah, long before the Arab era.
- Prophet Nuh (Noah, PBUH)—Before embarking on the greatest journey, he invoked Bismillah before setting sail and facing the great flood.
- Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)—The Quran was revealed with every chapter beginning with Bismillah, except for one—Surah At-Tawbah.
To consciously seek blessings from Allah, acknowledging that all success and blessings comes from Him.
This is the essence of tawakkul (reliance) on Allah, and the habit of starting everything with "Bismillah" is a beautiful reflection of that.
This is why every chapter of the Quran (except one) begins with "Bismillah."
In fact, Muslims around the world say "Bismillah" before every action – whether it's starting a meal, embarking on a journey, or even before every simple task.
I was reminded of this recently when my little sister shared the password for my parents' account with me, and it was the word "Bismillah." It made me reflect on how even in this digital age, the act of typing a password can be an opportunity for seeking blessings from Allah.
How many of us consciously think of Allah before every action?
How many of us say "Bismillah" with true intention and mindfulness?
May Allah guide us to always begin our actions, intentions, and tasks in His name, seeking His blessings in everything we do.
Muzammil Khan
Interestingly, here are the verses and the fascinating story of Prophet Sulayman from the Quran, which highlight the deep connection between the most powerful beings and their reliance on Allah...
Quranic Verses About Prophet Sulayman (Solomon, PBUH)
- Prophet Sulayman’s Inheritance from Prophet Dawud (David, PBUH) "And David was succeeded by Solomon, who said, “O people! We have been taught the language of birds, and been given everything ˹we need˺. This is indeed a great privilege.” - Surah An-Naml (27:16)
- Prophet Sulayman’s Army (Jinn, Humans, and Birds) "Solomon’s forces of jinn, humans, and birds rallied for him, perfectly organized. And when they came across a valley of ants, an ant warned, “O ants! Go quickly into your homes so Solomon and his armies do not crush you, unknowingly.” So Solomon smiled in amusement at her words, and prayed, “My Lord! Inspire me to ˹always˺ be thankful for Your favours which You have blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please you. Admit me, by Your mercy, into ˹the company of˺ Your righteous servants.”- Surah An-Naml (27:17-19)
- Prophet Sulayman’s Speech with the Hoopoe Bird (Hudhud) "˹One day˺ he inspected the birds, and wondered, “Why is it that I cannot see the hoopoe? Or could he be absent? I will surely subject him to a severe punishment, or ˹even˺ slaughter him, unless he brings me a compelling excuse.” It was not long before the bird came and said, “I have found out something you do not know. I have just come to you from Sheba with sure news. Indeed, I found a woman ruling over them,1 who has been given everything ˹she needs˺, and who has a magnificent throne. I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah. For Satan has made their deeds appealing to them—hindering them from the ˹Right˺ Way and leaving them unguided—so they do not prostrate to Allah, Who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you ˹all˺ conceal and what you reveal. ˹He is˺ Allah! There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him, the Lord of the Mighty Throne. Solomon said, “We will see whether you are telling the truth or lying.” Go with this letter of mine and deliver it to them, then stand aside and see how they will respond.” - Surah An-Naml (27:20-28)
- Prophet Sulayman’s Letter to Queen of Sheba (Bilqis) "The Queen ˹later˺ announced, “O chiefs! Indeed, a noble letter has been delivered to me. It is from Solomon, and it reads: ‘In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.Do not be arrogant with me, but come to me, fully submitting ˹to Allah˺.’”- Surah An-Naml (27:29-31)
- Prophet Sulayman’s Ability to Speak with the Jinns "Solomon asked, “O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in ˹full˺ submission?” One mighty jinn responded, “I can bring it to you before you rise from this council of yours. And I am quite strong and trustworthy for this ˹task˺.” But the one who had knowledge of the Scripture said, “I can bring it to you in the blink of an eye.” So when Solomon saw it placed before him, he exclaimed, “This is by the grace of my Lord to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful, it is only for their own good. But whoever is ungrateful, surely my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Most Generous.” " - Surah Al-Anbiya (27:38-40)
- Prophet Sulayman’s Ability to Control the Wind "And to Solomon We subjected the raging winds, blowing by his command to the land We had showered with blessings. It is We Who know everything." - Surah Al-Anbiya (21:81) "So We subjected to him the wind, blowing gently at his command to wherever he pleased." - Surah Sad (38:36) "And to Solomon ˹We subjected˺ the wind: its morning stride was a month’s journey and so was its evening stride. And We caused a stream of molten copper to flow for him, and ˹We subjected˺ some of the jinn to work under him by his Lord’s Will. And whoever of them deviated from Our command, We made them taste the torment of the blaze." - Surah Saba (34:12)
- Prophet Sulayman’s Control Over the Jinn "And to Solomon ˹We subjected˺ the wind: its morning stride was a month’s journey and so was its evening stride. And We caused a stream of molten copper to flow for him, and ˹We subjected˺ some of the jinn to work under him by his Lord’s Will. And whoever of them deviated from Our command, We made them taste the torment of the blaze. They made for him whatever he desired of sanctuaries, statues,1 basins as large as reservoirs, and cooking pots fixed ˹into the ground˺. ˹We ordered:˺ “Work gratefully, O family of David!” ˹Only˺ a few of My servants are ˹truly˺ grateful.” - Surah Saba (34:12-14) "And ˹We subjected to him˺ every builder and diver of the jinn, and others bound together in chains. ˹Allah said,˺ “This is Our gift, so give or withhold ˹as you wish˺, never to be called to account.” And he will indeed have ˹a status of˺ closeness to Us and an honourable destination!" - Surah Sad (38:37-40) “And ˹We subjected˺ some jinn that dived for him, and performed other duties. It is We Who kept them in check.” - Surah Al-Anbiya (21:82)
- Prophet Sulayman’s Judgment and Wisdom "And ˹remember˺ when David and Solomon passed judgment regarding the crops ruined ˹at night˺ by someone’s sheep, and We were witness to their judgments. We guided ˹young˺ Solomon to a fairer settlement,1 and granted each of them wisdom and knowledge. We subjected the mountains as well as the birds to hymn ˹Our praises˺ along with David. It is We Who did ˹it all˺." - Surah Al-Anbiya (21:78-79)
- Prophet Sulayman’s Prayer for an Unmatched Kingdom “He prayed, “My Lord! Forgive me, and grant me an authority that will never be matched by anyone after me. You are indeed the Giver ˹of all bounties˺.” So We subjected to him the wind, blowing gently at his command to wherever he pleased. And ˹We subjected to him˺ every builder and diver of the jinn, and others bound together in chains. ˹Allah said,˺ “This is Our gift, so give or withhold ˹as you wish˺, never to be called to account.” And he will indeed have ˹a status of˺ closeness to Us and an honourable destination!" - Surah Sad (38:35-40)
- Prophet Sulayman’s Death and the Jinn’s Realization "When We decreed Solomon’s death, nothing indicated to the ˹subjected˺ jinn that he was dead except the termites eating away his staff.1 So when he collapsed, the jinn realized that if they had ˹really˺ known the unseen, they would not have remained in ˹such˺ humiliating servitude.” - Surah Saba (34:14)
Summary of Prophet Sulayman’s Blessings in the Qur'an
- He inherited knowledge from Prophet Dawud (AS) – (27:16)
- He commanded a vast army of men, jinn, and birds – (27:17-18)
- He could understand and communicate with animals – (27:16-28)
- He controlled the wind – (21:81, 38:36, 34:12)
- He had power over the jinn and made them work for him – (34:12-14, 38:37-40, 21:82)
- He received wisdom and made fair judgments – (21:78-79)
- He sent a letter to Queen Bilqis and guided her to Islam – (27:29-31)
- He built grand structures with the help of the jinn – (34:12-14)
- He prayed for an unmatched kingdom, and Allah granted it – (38:35-40)
- His death was hidden from the jinn until a termite ate his staff – (34:14)
Muzammil Khan