Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Bismillah calligraphy.
Calligraphic rendition of the Bismillah
A calligraphic rendition of the Bismillah.
Mughal era calligraphy

In the Name of Allah (SWT) the Merciful, the Compassionate or Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem (Arabic: 'بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ) is an Arabic phrase meaning "in the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful", commonly titled the Basmalah. Bismillah is the abbreviated version of the phrase. Every chapter in the Qur'an, the Muslim holy book, starts with the Basmalah, other than chapter 9, which is called Surah At-Tawbah. It is also known from the hadith that the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, used to say the shorter form, "Bismillah", before starting any work, such as eating. In many works there are instructions to say or write "Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem". In legal terms, even if it is not mandatory, it is still Mustahab, meaning desirable.

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