THE HOLY QURAN – PART 7 - ETIQUETTES OF QURAN: ISTI’ADHA & BASMALA

We are discussing the rules that have to be observed whilst reciting the Holy Quran. The first rule is of ‘Taharah’ (Purity), as discussed in the last issue of FLZ. The second rule is of ‘Isti’adha & Basmala’.

Isti’adha means seeking refuge in Allah (SWT) from Shaytan (Satan) and Basmala means to begin in the Name of Allah (SWT).

“When you recite the Quran, seek the protection of Allah against the outcast Shaytan. Indeed he does not have authority over those who have faith and put their trust in their Lord ”. (16:98-99)

Imam Ja’ffar as-Sadiq (as) has said, “Shut the doors of disobedience (to God) by seeking refuge (in Allah) and open the doors of obedience by beginning in the Name of Allah”. (Bihar al-Anwaar)

A person asked Imam as-Sadiq (as), “Should we seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan at the opening of any chapter (of the Quran)?” Imam (as) replied, “Yes!” (Bihar al-Anwaar)

Refuge in Allah (SWT) can be sought by recitation of: A-‘OODHU BILLAHI MINASH-SHAYTANIR-RAJEEM (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan).

After seeking refuge in Allah (SWT), the recitor of Quran should then begin the recitation in the Name of Allah by saying: BISMILLAHIR RAHMANIR RAHEEM (I begin in the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful).

BISMILLAH is part of every Surah (Chapter) of the Holy Quran except for the 9^th Chapter known as Surah al-Tawbah. Some Muslims believe that it is not part of every Surah except for Al-Fatiha. According to the teachings of Ahlul-Bayt (as), BISMILLAH is part of every Surah except al-Tawbah, and there are some traditions in this regard. Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi in his commentary ‘Payaam-e-Quran’, has related the following two traditions:

Ibn Ammar asked Imam as-Sadiq (as) whether he should say BISMILLAH at the beginning of Surah al-Fatiha when he stood for prayers? The Imam (as) replied, “Yes!” Ibn Ammar then asked if he should also recite BISMILLAH when Surah al-Fatiha ended and before reciting the next Surah? Imam (as) once again replied, “Yes!”.

Mulla Mujahidali Sheriff