2. My father said: Sa`d ibn `Abd Allah said, on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad, on the authority of al-Qasim ibn Yahya, on the authority of his grandfather al-Hasan ibn Rashid, on the authority of `Abd Allah ibn Sinan that I asked Abut `Abd Allah al-Sadiq about the meaning of Bismillah al-Rahman alRahim; hence, he responded, The Ba * is the brilliance {baha] of Allah. The sin * is the splendor [sama] of Allah. The mim * is the magnificence [majd] of Allah, and some have related that it is the Kingdom [mulk] of Allah. Allah is the God of Everything. AlRahman is the Beneficent to all His creation, an al-Rahim is the One who is Merciful to the Believes specifically.

3. Muhammad ibn al-Hasan ibn Ahmad ibn al-Walid said: Muhammad ibn al-Hasan alSaffar said, on the authority of al-`Abbas ibn Ma`ruf, on the authority of Safwan ibn Yahya, on the authority of the person who told him that Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq was asked about the meaning of Bismillah al-Rahman alRahim. Thus, he answered: The ba * is the brilliance [baha] of Allah. The sin * is the splendor [sana] of Allah. And the min * is the Kingdom [mulk] of Allah.” I asked, “What about Allah?” He replied, “The A * is the blessins [ala] of Allah over His Creatures from the bounty of our Guardianship [wilayah]. The l * is the obligation of our Guardianship which Allah demand of His Creation. I further asked, “And the h *?” He answered, “It stands for the abasement of those who oppose Muhammad and his Progeny, blessings of Allah be upon them.” I enquired, “What about al-Rahman?” He responded, “Beneficent for the entire universe.” I asked, “And al-Rahim?” He replied, “The Most Merciful towards the Believers specifically.”

4. My father said: Sa`d ibn `Abd Allah said, on the authority of Salamah ibn al-Khattab, on the authority of al-Qasim ibn Yahya, on the authority of his grandfather al-Hasan ibn alRashid that I asked Abu al-Hasan Musa ibn Ja`far about the meaning of Allah. He answerd, “He overwhelms both the mighty and subtle.”

5. Muhammad ibn al-Qasim al-Jurjani the Commentator (of the Qur’an) said: Abu Ya`qub Yusuf ibn Muhammad ibn Ziyad; and Abu al-Hasan `Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Sayyar, both were Imami Shi`ah through their parents, said. Al-Hasan ibn `Ali ibn Muhammad was asked about the word of Allah, the Mighty and High, Bismallah al-Rahman al-Rahim [In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful]. He replied: Allah is He in whom all take refuge in times of need and difficulty after having lost hope in all but Him, and after having broken relations from all but Him. A person says: `In the name of Allah’ i.e. I seek help in all my affairs from Allah, the Only One worthy of service. He is the Helper when help is sought. He is the Answerer when He is called upon. It is also what al-Sadiq said to an man when asked: “O son of the Messenger of Allah! Those who debate with me have confused me. Guide me to Allah. What is He?” Hence, he replied to him, “O servant of Allah! Have you ever ridden a boat? The man said: “Of course.” The Imam responded, “Then did it ever sink, leaving you without a boat to rescue you, and insufficient strength to swim? He answered, “Yes.” The Imam asked, “At that moment, did you heart have faith in something. All-Powerful that could rescue you from your difficult situation?” Thus, the man replied, “Certainly.” Al-Sadiq said: “Then that thing is Allah, the All-Powerful, the One who Rescues when there is no rescuer, and the One who helps when no help is available.” Al-Sadiq then added, Sometimes, some our Shi`ites forget to begin their action with “In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.” As a result, He tries them with mishaps to caution them to be grateful to Him, the Blessed and Exalted, so that they may praise Him, and so that they may learn that it is a mistake to leave out the statement “In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. Al-Hasan ibn `Ali ibn Muhammad further said: “A man stood up before `Ali ibn al-Husayn and asked, “Inform me about the meaning of `In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.” Consequently, `Ali ibn al-Husayn replied, My father related to me, on the authority of his brother, al-Hasan, on the authority of his father, the Commander of the Faithful that a man stood before him and asked: “O Commander of the Faithful, inform me about the meaning of `In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.’” Thus, he responded, “Verily, the word `Allah’ is the greatest of the names of Allah, the Mighty and High. It is a name that cannot be given to other than Allah. Creatures are not named by it.” At that time a man enquired that what is the explanation of the word “Allah?” The Commander of the Faithful explained, Allah is He in whom all take refuge in times of need and difficulty, after having lost hope in all other but Him, and after breaking ties with all other than Him. Regardless of how great, powerful, and wealthy a leader may be in this world, and regardless of how much others depend on him, there will always be things over which they leader has no power. Likewise, the leader himself may have needs that he cannot fulfill. Hence, in moments of need, he breaks away from all others, and turns towards Allah until his problem is resolved. And then he returns to his previous infidelity. Do you not hear the Word of Allah, the Mighty and High: Say: Tell me if the chastisement of Allah should overtake you or the hour should come upon you, will you call (on others) besides Allah, if you are truthful? Nay, Him you call upon, so He clears away that for which you pray if He pleases and you forget what you set up (with Him). Hence, Allah, the Mighty and High, says to His Servants: O those in need of My Mercy, I have indeed compelled you to turn to Me for all your needs, and at all times, in complete submission. Therefore, rush towards Me for mercy in every endeavor you seek to commence, and which you seek to complete. Verily, if I intend to give you something, no one has the power to prevent Me. And If I intend to deny you something, no one has the power to give it to you. I am the Most Worthy of your supplications, and the Most Worthy of your implorations. Therefore, say at the commencement of every action, both small and big: “In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful” [Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim], i.e. I seek help in this matter from Allah, the Sole Worthy of Service. He is the Helper when help is sought. He is the Answerer when He is called upon. He is the Most Compassionate, the Provider of sustenance. He is the Most Merciful in this world and the Hereafter. He made this religion easy and simple for us. He has shown mercy towards us by distinguishing us from His Enemies. He then added, The Messenger of Allah said: Whoever is distressed in pursuit of any activity and says: “In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,” sincerely, embracing it in his heart, then one of two outcomes will take place: either his wish will be fulfilled in this world, or it will be granted to him by His Lord in the next world. And whatever lies with Allah is better and more permanent for the Believers.