Meaning of Bismillah

In Mirat ul Arifeen, Husayn ibn Ali says that whatever is detailed in the Quran is abridged in its opening chapter and whatever is written and hidden in it, is kept in Bismillah. Whatever is written in Bismillah was concealed in “B” (ب) and whatever is in “B” (ب) was concealed in the dot under “ب” (B) making it ambiguous. (The dot of (B) ب means the Universal Divine Man.) From the apparent meaning of the above text it is clear that Allah Almighty has written all the details of the Holy Quran in Surah Al-Fatiha and it can be said as the summary of the Holy Quran.

Superiority of Surah Al-Fatiha

Abu Sa’id Al-Mualla narrates that once Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: “Shall I tell you the most superior sura of the Quran? That is Surah Al-Fatiha which is the seven often repeated verses and the Grand Quran which has been given to me.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 4703)

Significance of Surah Al-Fatiha

Surah Al-Fatiha starts from:

 اَلْحَمْدُ الِلّٰہِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِیْن

Meaning: All praises belong to the Lord of the worlds and this is the comprehensive, the perfect praise of Allah Almighty. Allah alone is worthy of all the praises and He is the Lord of the Day of Resurrection. He alone has the right to decide the reward and punishment for everyone. The verse of Surah Al-Fatiha:

اِیَّاکَ نَعْبُدُ وَاِیَّاکَ نَسْتَعِیْن

It is a way of building relationship between Allah and a person as well as it is an expression of servitude before Allah Almighty. The purpose of the Quran is to express the Lordship of Allah and to teach the lesson of obedience to a person. This duty has been performed with great beauty in just this one verse of Holy Quran. The Quran teaches us which path will be more successful in religion and in this world. In Surah Al-Fatiha, this bright secret is described that by following the path of those who follow the straight path, one can reach one’s final destination successfully. Those are the ones which are called the prize winners. The last verse of Surah Al-Fatiha actually reveals the purpose of life, and the essence of all the teachings of Quran is also to inform a person of the purpose of being sent to this world.

Ism-e-Allah Zaat – The Greatest Name of Allah

In Surah Al-Fatiha whatever is described in detail is hidden in Bismillah. Bismillah means Ism Allah, it is pure remembrance which is the best praise of Allah Almighty. Allah is His favorite name. The Ism Allah is the comprehensive of all the names, and all Divine attributes are reflected from this. All things in the world such as birds, animals, plants, all glorify the name of Allah. Allah Almighty Himself orders man in Quran to ‘praise Me and glorify Me with My name – Allah’.     

Allah says:    

فَسَبِّحۡ بِٱسۡمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ

Translation: So, exalt the name of your Lord (Ism Allah), the Greatest.

Ism Allah is the comprehensive of all the signs of Allah in all the worlds. The treasure of guidance in Quran can only be obtained from Ism-e-Allah Zaat.

Sultan Bahoo’s point of view

Sultan Bahoo also says:

ب بسم اللہ اسم اللہ دا، اے وی گہناں بھارا ھوُ

Explanation: Bismillah conceals Ism-e-Allah Zaat and this is the Divine Trust which in pre-existence was presented to each and everything of the universe but all of them refused and man took up the great responsibility. (Abyat-e-Bahoo Kamil)

Sultan Bahoo further says:

Listen! All the four Holy books; Torah, Gospel, Psalms and Quran are just the explanation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat. What is Ism-e-Allah Zaat? It is exactly the Divine Essence. All Prophets got Prophethood and won over the disbelievers only due to the power of Ism-e-Allah Zaat. (Ain-ul-Faqr)

One’s soul and heart are purified by contemplation of Ism Allah. Prophet Mohammad has declared the contemplation of Ism Allah as a mean of purifying the self.

He said:

There is a burnisher for everything and the burnisher of inward is the invocation of Ism e Allah Zaat, the Divine light. Purification of the self blesses a person with the ability to walk on the straight path and strengthens one’s bond with Allah.

Allah says:

فَاذۡكُرُوۡنِىۡٓ اَذۡكُرۡكُمۡ

Meaning: So, remember Me and I shall remember you. (2:152)

 Grandeur of Prophet Mohammad

So basically, all the Divine blessings and secrets described in Surah Al-Fatiha are hidden in Bismillah and the entire Bismillah is concealed in “B” (ب) and “B” (ب) is actually the Mohammadan Light. Alphabetically “B” (ب) is the second letter and especially the second entity appearing after “A” for Allah and is the Divine light of Prophet Mohammad. Prophet Mohammad’s existence is an expression of Divine Light, in which the Quran, Surah Al-Fatiha and Ism Allah’s light shines. He is the one who taught people to differentiate between good and evil as well as guided them to the straight path. Prophet Mohammad is the only means to establish a relationship with Allah Almighty. He is the greatest of all guides. The lessons that Quran teaches us, Prophet Mohammad expressed it through his words, actions and character. Therefore, every action of Prophet Mohammad is Quran.  Such as Aisha bint Abu Bakr said that being of Prophet Mohammad is Quran.

Reality of the dot of B

Husayn ibn Ali says that whatever is in the letter “B” (ب) is concealed in the dot under (B) (ب). This dot refers to the Universal Divine Man. Ali Ibn Abi Talib said, “I am the dot under the letter (B) (ب) of Bismillah.” Therefore, the Universal Divine Man is the center of all Divine insistence, facts of Quran and hadith, Divine light of Surah Al-Fatiha and Ism Allah and the Mohammadan Light.  The dot under the letter (B) (ب) is the Mohammadan Reality. The Mohammadan Reality is manifested in every era in the form of Universal Divine Man of that era.

Universal Divine Man

Shaikh Moid-ud-Din Jindi says:

The greatest name of Allah which has become famous all over is related to the world of reality and soul (the universe of Command), while literally it is related to this world of physical existence and apparent words. All the Hadiths that encompass the truth of the marvels are called ‘the reality’ and they actually refer to the Universal Divine Man who is present in every era. He is the leading Saint of all the Saints. He holds the Trust and is the ultimate representative of Allah. The greatest name is actually the physical countenance of that perfect Saint (the Universal Divine Man). (Tafsir Ruh al-Bayan)

If Alhamdullilah اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ in Surah Al-Fatiha is a comprehensive definition of Allah, then the essence of the Universal Divine Man is the expression of all Divine names, knowledge of truth and creation.

Attributes of Universal Divine Man

Shaikh al-Akbar Mohiyuddin ibn Arabi briefed the attributes of Universal Divine Man in his books al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya and Fusus al-Hikam and said: Everything which exists in this world is a manifestation of a particular attribute of Allah and that attributive name is its Sustainer. Whereas the Universal Divine Man is the Manifestation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat which is comprehensive of all the attributive names of Allah. Hence the Sustainer of all the sustainers and the Sustainer of all the worlds. 

Straight Path

Surah Al-Fatiha invites all to adopt the straight path and join the group of the rewarded people, while the Universal Divine Man is the rewarded person whose path is the straight path. He is the one who blesses the seekers of Allah with the ability to follow the straight path by training them outwardly and inwardly. The Universal Divine Man as a representative of Allah and Prophet Mohammad helps the believers of Allah to overcome the darkness and brings them closer to Allah and Divine light.

Purpose of Quran

The purpose of the teachings of Holy Quran is also to bring the believers out of the darkness of ignorance and towards the Divine light. Just as the first three verses of Surah Al-Fatiha are an expression of Allah’s Lordship, last three verses are an expression of worship. In the same way a Universal Divine Man is a combination of both attributes of complete Lordship and subservience. Shaikh al-Akbar Mohiyuddin ibn Arabi says:
The Universal Divine Man is the comprehensiveness of slavehood and Lordship. Allah is One and His representative (the Universal Divine Man) is also one (in the world). (Futuhat al-Makkiyya and Fusus al-Hikam).

Risala Roohi Sharif

The same thing is mentioned by Sultan Bahoo in Risala Roohi Sharif, he says:

گاہی قطرہ در بحر و گاہی بحر در قطرہ

Meaning: Sometimes a drop is in the ocean and sometimes the ocean in a drop.

Surah Al-Fatiha’s this verse:

اِیَّاکَ نَعْبُدُ وَ اِیَّاکَ نَسْتَعِیْن

It is a way to build a relationship with Allah Almighty. Similarly, the existence of Universal Divine Man is the medium to connect a person with Allah Almighty. Through him, one can reach his true destination by achieving the goal of closeness to Allah. Searching for such a perfect medium has been ordered in the Holy Quran:

“Believers! Fear Allah and seek the means to come near to Him.” (5:35)

Hadith

Similarly, there is a hadith: “First find a companion, set out or travel.”

The dot of letter (B) of Bismillah also refers to the inward of Universal Divine Man. All the knowledge of Quran is integrated in the inward of the Universal Divine Man. Allah says in Qudsi Hadith:
“Neither the earth nor the heavens could contain Me whilst the inward of My believer can.”

The inward of a Universal Divine Man is the place in the universe where the Supreme Being is embodied. The point where Allah and all His knowledge are concentrated. Be it the knowledge of the Quran or other inspired books, the knowledge of the creation or the creator, the knowledge of the world or the hereafter, all are in the point of his inward.  The center of all knowledge is also the same and all knowledge in the world spreads from this one point. The inward of Universal Divine Man is the place where theophanies of Divine Essence are revealed and its vastness can neither be explained nor imagined. There is a Hadith that:
“The inward of believer is the Throne of Allah.”

Quran says: “And We have encompassed everything in the Imam e Mubeen.” (36:12)

Sultan ul Ashiqeen

The present perfect Spiritual Guide of Sarwari Qadri Order, Sultan ul Ashiqeen says: Here Imam e Mubeen refers to the enlightened leader who is the Universal Divine Man. Allah has kept all His wills, commands and His created universe in the Tablet which is in fact the inward of Universal Divine Man.

While describing the concept of Bismillah, Husayn ibn Ali says:

The dot of alphabet B (ب) refers to the point of existence and letter B (ب) of Bismillah refers to the second mother of the books and that is the pen and indeed that point of existence is contained in it and Bismillah refers to the third mother of books and that is throne and indeed throne is contained in the intellect which is called pen.

 Divine Light

In this saying Husayn ibn Ali has described the dot of B (ب) as the point of existence. All existence began from the dot of Divine Light. In this sense, the first mother of books, meaning the point of existence is Divine Light. From the Divine Light, the Mohammadan Light or the pen or the intellect appeared. Accordingly, Mohammadan Light has been called the second mother of books. Mohammadan Light was hidden in the Divine Light before its appearance. Therefore, Husayn ibn Ali’s statement means that B (ب) was hidden in its dot.

Mohammadan Light

When Mohammadan light became free in its own self, the Divine soul and spirit appeared from him. The Divine soul from which all souls are made, is the beginning of existence. In this sense, it is the Bismillah from which every thing originated. Which leads to the conclusion that Bismillah is the third mother of books. The Divine soul in the Mohammadan Light explains the saying that Bismillah is hidden in its letter B (ب). In fact, everything that appeared, was hidden in it before its appearance, just like a child is hidden in its mother and a seed in a tree before its appearance. If the Divine soul is Bismillah than all the other souls are al-Fatihah. Indeed, al-Fatihah is hidden in Bismillah which means that all the souls are hidden in the Divine soul. This subtle point can be understood as that all the souls are hidden in Divine soul, Divine soul is hidden in Mohammadan Light and Mohammadan Light is hidden in Divine Light. According to the same order, all the sura’s are hidden in sura al-Fatihah, al-Fatihah is hidden in Bismillah, Bismillah is hidden in letter B (ب) and letter B (ب) is hidden in the dot underneath it.    

Husayn ibn Ali says:

Bismillah is called the mother of mothers. It is also divided in two parts; that which is related to the Essence is in Bism and the other which is related to the attributes is ar-Rahman and ar-Raheem. What is between them is Ism-e-Allah Zaat which is comprehensive.

Divine Essence

In order to explain, Husayn ibn Ali divided Bismillah into two parts and these two parts are connected because of an isthmus present between them. Divine essence is placed in the second part. In the second part there are the attributes. These both combine at a point of isthmus which is the Universal Divine Man. This part is known as the name of Allah (Ism e Allah) and His character.

As Ibn Arabi says: Therefore, the perfect, universal and spiritual person is the one who progresses from the physical world to the Realm of Transcendent Unity and acquires all the attributes of Allah as the hadith commands, “Acquire the attributes of Allah.” Some attributes are of Divine beauty and some are of majesty. The perfect mystic is the mixture of both. However, this perfection belongs to the one whose name is Allah. This name is the composite off all the names and attributes. The application of the name, Allah among creatures is only valid for Prophet Mohammad because he is the complete reflection of Allah Almighty.

One related to the Essence is in Bism and the other related to the attributes is ar-Rahman and ar-Raheem. What is between them is Ism-e-Allah Zaat which is comprehensive and because of these three, Bismillah is known as the mother of mothers.

Allah’s creation

In Mirat ul Arifeen, the translator Ambreen Moghees Sarwari Qadri has explained the meaning of the saying of Husayn ibn Ali that Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem shows three parts of Allah’s creation. First are those who only know Allah by His name. Their knowledge about Allah is only that there is a being whose name is Allah, and is the creator and ruler of this universe. The second group includes those who recognize Allah by His attributes and see His attributes in every object of the universe.  The place where these two parts connect, i.e., the place of isthmus, which is represented by “Allah”, shows those special people among all who know Allah Almighty, who have attained the knowledge of this entity.  The ones who know the secret.

Allah, The Most Merciful

The derivation between Rahman and Raheem is because of the mercy. But there is no distinguishing feature in the two names. The name Rahman (Beneficent) is superior to all the other names. According to the theory of Oneness of Being, Allah is the main essence of everything. Allah is present in everything because of His name Rahman (Beneficent). He gives existence to everything.

 He is the guarantor of the sustenance of every soul, fulfills the needs of everyone, listens to prayers and supplications, everything in the world is related to Allah by virtue of this attribute of Beneficent (Rahman). Beneficence flowing from the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, is a common mean of connecting all beings with Allah. Husayn ibn Ali says: Therefore, Allah’s nature is Beneficent, which is kind to everyone. This beneficence is specific with the name Rahman, and that mercy is connected with the special name Raheem (Merciful). (Mirat-ul-Arifeen)

Allah’s name Rahman is only for Him and belongs to none other than Him. Quran says:

Ask all Our Messengers whom We sent before you whether We had appointed any deities beside the Beneficent One to be worshipped. (43:45)

Attributes of Allah

Why is attribute of ar Rahman only associated to Allah?

Sayyid Abdul Karim bin Ibrahim al-Jili writes:

Among the attributes of Allah, the main attribute is the name Rahman, because it is opposite to the name of Allah in inclusion and coverage, and the difference between the two is that Rahman is the manifestation of the attribute of Allah Almighty in terms of its comprehensiveness and generality. Know that Rahman is the name of knowledge for the highest rank of existence.

All beings are included in the blessings issued by Allah in His name Rahman (the Most Beneficent), while the mercy issued by the name of Raheem (Most Merciful) includes only the believers. By the manifestations of this name, the traces of other names and attributes also appear. Through this name, Allah connects His believers with Himself.

Husayn ibn Ali

Husayn ibn Ali says:

The mercy issued by the name Raheem is an existential mercy that is related to righteous deeds, so entitled is only a believer who does righteous deeds. (Mirat-ul-Arifeen)

Sayyid Abdul Karim bin Ibrahim al-Jili explains the difference between the name Rahman and the name Raheem and says:

Know that Raheem and Rahman are two names. They are derived from mercy, but Rahman is common and Raheem is the special one. The name of Allah is Rahman in terms of the mercy that includes all beings. Specialty of Raheem is because it is in terms of the mercy that is reserved only for the blessed people. (Insan-e-Kamil)

Note: This is English Translation of Urdu Article  ( شرح بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم )  This appeared in November 2023 issue of monthly magazine called Mahnama Sultan ul Faqr. Mrs Fatima Burhan Sarwari Qadri authored the original article. Rafay Malik Sarwari Qadri has translated it in English.