Beginning with “Bism Allah al-Rahman al-Rahim” is prescribed for every matter of consequence, for every work that carries weight and value, and for every letter or treatise.

Accordingly, those who do not open their books and letters with “Bism Allah al-Rahman al-Rahim” have abandoned the Prophetic sunnah and the example set by the Book of Allah. It may well be that, because of this omission, their writings are bereft of blessing and devoid of real benefit; when a work lacks “Bism Allah al-Rahman al-Rahim,” its benefit is stripped away.

Why have they left off saying “Bism Allah al-Rahman al-Rahim”? They have done so simply because it is a sunnah: either they themselves recoil from the sunnah, or they imitate others who recoil from it. One must be alert to such neglect.

The meaning of “Bism Allah al-Rahman al-Rahim” is to seek aid by means of Allah’s Name. The words “Bism Allah” form a prepositional phrase whose governing verb is omitted; the implicit sense is, “I seek help through the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy,” or, “I begin with the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy,” seeking blessing thereby and relying upon Allah—glorified and exalted is He.

Thus, it is a magnificent opening for speech, for books, and for letters. At the outset, a person seeks Allah’s assistance and invokes the blessing of His Name—exalted is He.