Basmala
Basmala is a Muslim girl name meaning “Saying 'Bismillah'”.
| Meaning | Saying 'Bismillah' |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Arabic |
| Arabic spelling | بسملة |
| Pronunciation | BAHS-mah-lah |
| Muslim name? | Islamic / Arabic name |
Meaning and origin of Basmala
Basmala is the Arabic name for the formula Bismillāh al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm, 'In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful'. The word is made by a process Arabic grammarians call naḥt, in which a new word is coined from the letters of a phrase: b-s-m-l, from bi-smi-llāh. Similar words follow the same pattern, so basmala means 'saying Bismillah' just as ḥamdala means saying al-ḥamdu lillāh. As a name it expresses the wish that the child's life begins and continues in the name of God.
Muslims say the Basmala before eating, travelling, reading the Quran and starting almost any important task, and it heads every surah of the Quran except Surah al-Tawba. In the most widely used numbering it is the first verse of Surah al-Fatiha, and it also appears within Surah al-Naml, at the opening of the letter of the Prophet Sulayman. Using the word itself as a girl's name is a relatively modern practice found mainly in Egypt, where Basmala and Basmalah appear among children's names; it is uncommon in other countries. It is pronounced BAHS-mah-lah, with the stress on the first syllable.
Is Basmala a Muslim name?
Yes. Basmala refers to the phrase Bismillah and is used as a Muslim girl's name, mainly in Egypt.
Is Basmala in the Quran?
The Basmala itself opens the Quran: 'In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful' (Quran 1:1).
Where is the name Basmala used?
Mostly used in Egypt; uncommon elsewhere.
Gifts with the name Basmala
- Basmala name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Basmala baby gifts (Amazon)
- Islamic baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Basmala
More girl names like Basmala
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Basmala mean?
Basmala means 'Saying 'Bismillah''. It comes from Arabic.
Is Basmala a Muslim name?
Yes. Basmala refers to the phrase Bismillah and is used as a Muslim girl's name, mainly in Egypt.
How do you write Basmala in Arabic?
Basmala is written بسملة in Arabic script.
How do you pronounce Basmala?
Basmala is pronounced BAHS-mah-lah.
Is Basmala mentioned in the Quran?
The Basmala itself opens the Quran: 'In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful' (Quran 1:1).
How many times does the Basmala appear in the Quran?
The Basmala appears 114 times: at the head of 113 surahs and once within Surah al-Naml (27:30).