Good Intent
Jummah Mubarak, sis! This is the last Jummah of 2024 and you’re probably preparing for 2025 life events and goals. Starting with good intentions leads to blessings. For us, that means starting with Bismillahi Rahmani Raheem, "In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”. The Basmalah helps aligns ourselves with The Almighty and purifies our intentions. There is much beauty in Islam and the Basmalah is one of those easy wins we can practice in our daily intentions. Have you thought about how a cactus has sharp thorns to protect itself from predators and harsh elements. I encourage you to similarly think of the basmalah as imaginary thorns, acting as a protective shield. When we make good intentions and start with Allah swt, we are not only purifying our intentions, but we’re actively placing trust in Allah swt.
As you ponder over personal goals and values, setting clear intentions helps define boundaries and ensures that our energy is focused on what truly matters, keeping distractions or negativity at bay. As you embark on the new Gregorian year, remember the cactus. Just as a cactus thrives in harsh desert environments, often in the face of extreme conditions, intentions can help a person grow despite challenges. The cactus stores water, its source of life, in its thick stem, much like how intentions store the energy and focus needed to pursue one's goals, even when external circumstances are difficult.
Surah Al-Fatihah | 1:1
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
"In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.”
In the Age of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah), before the arrival of Islam, it was a common practice for people to begin all their actions with the names of their idols or gods. To abolish this custom, the first verse of the Holy Qur'an, revealed by the Archangel Jibra'il to the Holy Prophet ﷺ, instructed him to begin the Qur'an with the name of Allah: "Read in the name of your Lord."
The Holy Qur'an repeatedly instructs us to begin all our actions with the name of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) emphasized that no important task receives Allah swt's blessings unless it is started with His name. In another hadith, it is mentioned that everyday actions such as closing the door, putting out the lamp, and covering a vessel should all be done with the recitation of Bismillah. Both the Qur'an and the hadiths encourage us to say Bismillah when eating, drinking, performing wudu (ablution), and even when getting on or off a vehicle.
By instructing humanity to begin everything with the name of Allah, Islam aligns every aspect of a person's life towards The Almighty, reminding them with each action that nothing exists or happens without His will and help. This practice transforms even mundane, worldly activities into acts of worship. How simple the action may be—consuming neither much time nor energy—and yet, how immense the reward.
Yaqeen Institute - The Meaning of Bismillah | Episode 9
This video offers a beautiful explanation of the Basmalah. "Bismillah" is the phrase Allah uses to begin the most important source of guidance: the Qur'an. It serves as a means of seeking help, clarifying intentions, and starting any task, whether worldly or for worship. Discover the various forms of "Bismillah," when to use it, and the unique benefits and rewards it brings.
