The Importance of "Bismillah"

In Islam, before performing an action, we are prescribed to say the word "Bismillah" out loud which directly translates as "in the name of God". Muslims say this before performing any action so we may start the action accompanied by Allah, seek help and blessings in whatever it is we are doing, and put mindfulness and appreciation into our actions. By starting each step in the name of Allah, it helps us have faith and confidence in everything we do and allows us to put our full intentions into what we are doing.

One of the most beneficial times to say "Bismillah" is before eating. Before taking our first bite or drink, it's important to remember that everything in front of us has been provided as a blessing through Allah and is not something that should be taken for granted. By saying "Bismillah" before our meal, it turns something as simple as eating into a form of worship and supplication where we take each bite with appreciation and gratitude in our hearts. Those who have been blessed with food and clean water at their disposal often go about their daily lives without realizing how lucky they are to go to bed every night with a full stomach. Too often do we consume our food without ever giving a second thought to how lucky we are to have it.

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It’s normal to struggle with remembering to say “Bismillah” before eating or performing any action. Many of us go about our days in auto-pilot mode and aren’t fully aware of our surroundings or our actions. For example, there are many times where I start consuming my food and it's not until my meal is almost completed that I realized I forgot to say “Bismillah” or even express gratitude for my meal. I think this only shows how frequently we let the small moments pass away and forget to realize all of the small things that make our lives wonderful.

I personally have found that when I take the time to say "Bismillah" throughout my day, it brings me into the present moment, allows me to realize the blessings that surround me, and put my full intentions into my actions. Even if you're not Muslim, you can use the same concept and take a second before anything that you do, such as eating or drinking, to show gratitude for what you've been given. When you being to show gratitude for the small things in life, you'll start to realize your life is filled with blessings and more things you should be thankful for.