of the grammarians’ two views—or a verbal sentence. The implied wording is either “My slaughtering is in the name of Allah” or “I slaughter in the name of Allah.” The same applies when someone reciting the Quran says, “In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.” The implied wording is “My recitation is in the name of Allah” or “I recite in the name of Allah.” Some understand the implied wording in such cases to be “My beginning is in the name of Allah” or “I begin in the name of Allah.” The former interpretation is better, because the entire act is performed in the name of Allah, not merely its beginning. Thus, the otherwise implied wording is made explicit in His words:

“Read in the name of your Lord who created,”

and in His words:

“In the name of Allah is its course and its anchorage,”

and in the words of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“Whoever slaughtered before the prayer must slaughter another animal in its place. Whoever has not yet slaughtered should slaughter in the name of Allah.”

Another example is what the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to his stepson, ʿUmar ibn Abī Salamah, in an authentic hadith:

“Mention Allah’s name, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is nearest to you.”

What is meant is to say, “In the name of Allah,” not to mention the name alone. The same applies to his words to ʿAdī ibn Hātim in an authentic hadith:

“When you release your trained dog and mention Allah’s name, eat.”

Likewise, he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“When a man enters his home and mentions Allah’s name upon entering, upon leaving, and when eating, Satan says, ‘You have neither a place to spend the night nor an evening meal.’”

There are many similar examples. Likewise, the remembrance of Allah Most High prescribed for Muslims in their prayers, their call to prayer, their pilgrimage, and their festivals consists only of complete sentences, such as the words of the caller to prayer:

“Allah is the Greatest. Allah