بسم الله
bismillah
The Arabic phrase for "in the name of God" is بسم الله (bismillah).
Muslims say بسم الله before performing routine daily tasks, such as eating, drinking or starting a journey, to seek God's blessing. It is also used as an expression of surprise or to ward off perceived evil or bad luck, much like how an English speaker might say "Good heavens" or "God forbid."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the prefix بِـ meaning "with" or "in" and the word اسم meaning "name".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egypt and Levantine countries, the longer form بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم is often used formally.
How do you pronounce it?
bismillah
Did you know?
- Arabic uses the same word الله to refer to God regardless of whether the speaker is a Muslim, a Christian, or a Jew in the Arab world.
- The phrase بسم الله is often written in artistic calligraphy as a decorative talisman or ornament to bring protection to a home.
- The term الله likely evolved from a Proto-Semitic root *ʔil- that meant 'deity'.
Examples in context
- بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم.In the name of God, The most Gracious, The most Merciful.This sentence shows the full formal version: بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم.Tatoeba #433388 by motaamel, translation #434108 by motaamel
- بسم الله, إحمني من هذه المرأة المجنونة!In the name of God, protect me from this crazy woman!This sentence shows how to use بسم الله to express a plea for protection.Tatoeba #1929436 by Asma, translation #1929135 by Scott
- بسم الله, سأبدأ الآن.Bismillāh, sa'abda'u al-ān.In the name of God, I will start now.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ahmed is about to start eating a meal prepared by Sarah.
- سارة Saraأحمد, هل أنت جائع؟Ahmad, hal anta jā'i'?Ahmed, are you hungry?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، بسم الله.Na'am, bismillāh.Yes, in the name of God.
- سارة Saraبالهناء والشفاء.Bil-hanā' wal-shifā'.Enjoy your meal.
- أحمد Ahmedشكراً لكِ يا سارة.Shukran laki yā Sarah.Thank you, Sarah.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries الله, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
