What to say on the food?
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What to say on the food?
Peace
Many believers have the custom to say the word -bismiLlah- on the food.
The Koran seems to indicate that this is not correct.Following two verses state that the name of God has to be mentioned on the food.
6118 - So eat from that on which God's name has been mentioned, if you indeed acknowledge His signs. -
6121 - Do not eat from what God's name has not been mentioned, for it is vile ? -
To mention the name of God on the food as is indicated in the verses, is different from saying -in the name of God- (with or without the extra words ar-Rahman and ar-Raheem) on the food.
The names of God are different from the word for God -Allah-.
According to following verses ?Allah- is not a name of God, -Allah- means -the God- and God has several names.7180 - To God belong the beautiful names, so call Him by them; and disregard those who blaspheme in His names. They will be punished for what they used to do. -
17110 - Say, call on God or call on the Gracious. Whichever it is you call on, to Him are the best names ? -
208 - God, there is no god but He, to Him are the beautiful names. -
From the relevant verses we can learn that the believers have to mention one of the names of Allah over the food, for instance ar-Rahman ? the Gracious, ar-Razzaq ? the Provider etc.
Actually it could be better for human beings to avoid speaking the words ?bismiLlah-, except from reading the words in the Koran, since they mean literally that one intends to act in the name of God.
Only a messenger or prophet can speak or act in the name of God ? by the way of Godly inspiration.
The Koran mentions only once that the sentence ?bismiLlah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem- is spoken by a human being who is not a prophet or messenger.
According to verse 2730 the queen of Sheba tells that the letter she received was from the prophet Solomon and was written in the name of God, the Gracious and Merciful.
The words are not hers but are from the prophet Solomon.The words ?bismiLlah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem- can be seen as the divine seal, that mark the inspired words of the prophets and messengers ? the chapters of the Koran and for instance the letter of Solomon to the queen of Sheba.
Peace,
TruthseekerDisclaimer the study of the Koran is work in progress, every information in any posting on this forum should be controlled by the believers themselves in the best way - verse 1736.
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An esoteric perspective
God is also life. When you eat, you sustain yourself. And by immanence, you are God. And ones will is to survive. So this is Gods will. So uttering bismillah comes naturally, when killing for food, or eating.
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Salaam,
What to say on the food?
To mention the name of God on the food as is indicated in the verses, is different from saying -in the name of God- (with or without the extra words ar-Rahman and ar-Raheem) on the food.
The names of God are different from the word for God -Allah-.
According to following verses ?Allah- is not a name of God, -Allah- means -the God- and God has several names.The following aayat makes it clear the "Allah" is also a name.
17110
17110 Say Call upon Allah or call upon AlRahmaan; to whomever you call, to Him are the best names. And do not be too loud in making your contact prayer, nor too quiet; but seek a path in between.May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us all to His path pr
Mohammed M. Khan -
Salaam
The following aayat makes it clear the "Allah" is also a name.
17110
17110 Say Call upon Allah or call upon AlRahmaan; to whomever you call, to Him are the best names. And do not be too loud in making your contact prayer, nor too quiet; but seek a path in between.Following verses can show the way how we can read verse 17110.
7180 - To God belong the beautiful names, so call Him by them; and disregard those who blaspheme in His names. They will be punished for what they used to do. -
208 - God, there is no god but He, to Him are the beautiful names. -Both verses clearly state that to the God -Allah- belong the beautiful names.
For instance ar-Rahman is a beautiful name that belongs to -Allah-.Within this context this part of verse 17110,
- Say, call on God or call on the Gracious. Whichever it is you call on, to Him are the best names ? -
can better be understood as
The believers can call on the God or call on the Gracious. The believer can call on God, by calling on to Him using the word God or can call to Him using one of His names, as for instance the Gracious.
The main point remains only prophets of messengers may speak or act in the name of God by using the sentence -bismiLlah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem-, in the case of Godly inspiration.
The ordinary believers should better avoid the suggestion to speak or act in the name of God, when they are not Godly inspired - rather they are allowed only to mention the name of God on the food, or the animal that is to be slaughered - that is different from speaking or acting in His name.Peace,
TruthseekerDisclaimer the study of the Koran is work in progress, every information in any posting on this forum should be controlled by the believers themselves in the best way - verse 1736.
- Say, call on God or call on the Gracious. Whichever it is you call on, to Him are the best names ? -
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Salaam brother,
7180 - To God belong the beautiful names, so call Him by them; and disregard those who blaspheme in His names. They will be punished for what they used to do. -
208 - God, there is no god but He, to Him are the beautiful names. -Both verses clearly state that to the God -Allah- belong the beautiful names.
For instance ar-Rahman is a beautiful name that belongs to -Allah-.As per 7180 and 208, you may be right, but I am not sure and I may need sometime to know it better.
The main point remains only prophets of messengers may speak or act in the name of God by using the sentence -bismiLlah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem-, in the case of Godly inspiration.
The ordinary believers should better avoid the suggestion to speak or act in the name of God, when they are not Godly inspired - rather they are allowed only to mention the name of God on the food, or the animal that is to be slaughered - that is different from speaking or acting in His name.What? I don't think so, sorry, but at the moment I cannot agree with the highlighted part above. Can you please explain what you mean by "when they are not Godly inspired" ?
May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us all to His path pr
Mohammed M. Khan -
An esoteric perspective
God is also life. When you eat, you sustain yourself. And by immanence, you are God. And ones will is to survive. So this is Gods will. So uttering bismillah comes naturally, when killing for food, or eating.The Koran acknowledges a very structural difference between the Creator and the creatures - as for instance the human beings are.
The rulings of the Koran are directed to the human beings as servants and creatures of God.
It seems preferable to follow this clear truth from the Koran.According to the literal reading of the relevant verses, the believers should mention the name of God on the food and on the to be slaughtered animals.
That is different from using the words bismiLlah (ar-Rahman ar-Raheem), since these words indicate that one acts or speaks in the name of God, that can only be in the case of real Godly inspiration, as far as one can know from the Koran.Peace,
TruthseekerDisclaimer the study of the Koran is work in progress, every information in any posting on this forum should be controlled by the believers themselves in the best way - verse 1736.
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Peace brother
As per 7180 and 208, you may be right, but I am not sure and I may need sometime to know it better.
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The main point remains only prophets of messengers may speak or act in the name of God by using the sentence -bismiLlah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem-, in the case of Godly inspiration.
The ordinary believers should better avoid the suggestion to speak or act in the name of God, when they are not Godly inspired - rather they are allowed only to mention the name of God on the food, or the animal that is to be slaughered - that is different from speaking or acting in His name.
unquoteWhat? I don't think so, sorry, but at the moment I cannot agree with the highlighted part above. Can you please explain what you mean by "when they are not Godly inspired" ?
Regarding the words -bismiLlah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem- one can understand from the Koran that these words are a seal to mark the words that are Godly inspired - as the beginning of a chapter of the Koran or as the beginning of the letter of the prophet Solomon, verse 2730.
The words -bismiLlah- mark the words inspired by the Creator, they are not the private words of the prophet or the messenger.
So any other believer who is not Godly inspired should avoid the use of words that suggest that one is Godly inspired - by saying in the name of God.
Some believers even write -bismiLlah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem above letters, or say these holy words when they enter a house and so on.
The literal translation of the wording -bismiLlah- implies if used by an ordinary believer that one suggests to act or speak in the name of God, this seems not to be appropiate.Peace,
TruthseekerDisclaimer the study of the Koran is work in progress, every information in any posting on this forum should be controlled by the believers themselves in the best way - verse 1736.
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The Koran acknowledges a very structural difference between the Creator and the creatures - as for instance the human beings are.
The rulings of the Koran are directed to the human beings as servants and creatures of God.
It seems preferable to follow this clear truth from the Koran.According to the literal reading of the relevant verses, the believers should mention the name of God on the food and on the to be slaughtered animals.
That is different from using the words bismiLlah (ar-Rahman ar-Raheem), since these words indicate that one acts or speaks in the name of God, that can only be in the case of real Godly inspiration, as far as one can know from the Koran.Peace,
TruthseekerDisclaimer the study of the Koran is work in progress, every information in any posting on this forum should be controlled by the believers themselves in the best way - verse 1736.
Creatures? You mean creation? In case you missed the discussions on life/uncreated/god versus creation/body/object/jinn you can look them up in my posts. If you really see a difference between "mentioning the name of God" and uttering "in the name of God".. I think I expressed myself clearly enough in my last post. To further extend the esoteric view, one may view this expression, as an angel, taking the life of a being.
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Creatures? You mean creation? In case you missed the discussions on life/uncreated/god versus creation/body/object/jinn you can look them up in my posts. If you really see a difference between "mentioning the name of God" and uttering "in the name of God".. I think I expressed myself clearly enough in my last post. To further extend the esoteric view, one may view this expression, as an angel, taking the life of a being.
We can not know what the angel says in case of taking the life of a being - the Koran does not give information about this subject.
Human beings are creatures (a human being is also a creature, since he/she is a creation of God) that are created by God which have the special quality of the free will. Because of this free will the human being is not able to speak or act in the name of God - as in -bismiLlah-.
Only when the prophet or messenger is inspired by God, then the inspired words or inspired acts of the prophet or messenger are really in the name of God.
Regarding the beginning of the chapters of the Koran and the beginning of the letter of the prophet Solomon - verse 2730.
Ordinary believers should mention the name of God on the food - verse 6118 and on the animals that humans are provided with - verse 2234.
They can choose from the beautiful names of God a name and mention that name on the food or the animal.Peace,
TruthseekerDisclaimer the study of the Koran is work in progress, every information in any posting on this forum should be controlled by the believers themselves in the best way - verse 1736.
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We
ll just have to differ. I could answer, but Im a bit busy. I do believe anything really is "in the name of God". -
Oh yes this is very important..
Given 'the food' has ears.. and they could listen on what we say to them..
As thus we need to say it correctly... otherwise we might hurt their feelings..6118 - So eat from that on which God's name has been mentioned, if you indeed acknowledge His signs. -
6121 - Do not eat from what God's name has not been mentioned, for it is vile ? -
2234 - For every nation We have made a rite that they may mention God's name over what He has provided for them of the animal livestock ... -
The point is that the Koran tells the believers to mention the name of God on the food and on the to be slaughtered and may be also on the to be milked animals.
The believers have to remember God in the right way during several actions during the day, for instance with -salat- and according to the relevant verses at the moment of the beginning of eating and before the slaughtering and may be before the milking.These are rulings from the Koran - it seems to be inappropriate to decide for oneself if it is important enough or not, to try to fulfil these orders from the Koran in the best way, in the way that the Koran prescribes.
It is adviced not to be sarcastic about verses of the Koran.Peace,
TruthseekerDisclaimer the study of the Koran is work in progress, every information in any posting on this forum should be controlled by the believers themselves in the best way - verse 1736.
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6118 - So eat from that on which God's name has been mentioned, if you indeed acknowledge His signs. -
6121 - Do not eat from what God's name has not been mentioned, for it is vile ? -
2234 - For every nation We have made a rite that they may mention God's name over what He has provided for them of the animal livestock ... -
The point is that the Koran tells the believers to mention the name of God on the food and on the to be slaughtered and may be also on the to be milked animals.
The believers have to remember God in the right way during several actions during the day, for instance with -salat- and according to the relevant verses at the moment of the beginning of eating and before the slaughtering and may be before the milking.These are rulings from the Koran - it seems to be inappropriate to decide for oneself if it is important enough or not, to try to fulfil these orders from the Koran in the best way, in the way that the Koran prescribes.
It is adviced not to be sarcastic about verses of the Koran.Peace,
TruthseekerDisclaimer the study of the Koran is work in progress, every information in any posting on this forum should be controlled by the believers themselves in the best way - verse 1736.
Salam, Peace,
I totally agree with you, I am usually very disapointed when a "3alim" or Imam or whoever start a dsicours using the Bismillah, because what should come after the bismillah can only be The Gods's word!!!
You cannot speak in the name of someone else if you haven't been granted the permission to do so!!!! It is easy as simple as this.
Peace
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Salaam bro,
Regarding the words -bismiLlah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem- one can understand from the Koran that these words are a seal to mark the words that are Godly inspired - as the beginning of a chapter of the Koran or as the beginning of the letter of the prophet Solomon, verse 2730.
The words -bismiLlah- mark the words inspired by the Creator, they are not the private words of the prophet or the messenger.
So any other believer who is not Godly inspired should avoid the use of words that suggest that one is Godly inspired - by saying in the name of God.
Some believers even write -bismiLlah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem above letters, or say these holy words when they enter a house and so on.
The literal translation of the wording -bismiLlah- implies if used by an ordinary believer that one suggests to act or speak in the name of God, this seems not to be appropiate.I don't agree with your understand about BismiAllah AlRahmaan AlRaheeem
After going through the aayaats I understand that "Allah" is not the name but it is simple "Al + Ilaha" that means "The + God", and also "AlRahmaan" is not the name.
113 suras starts with "BismiAllah AlRahmaan AlRaheem", lets break it up and see...
Bi with
Ism name
Allah Allah
AlRahmaan AlRahmaan
AlRaheem AlRaheemThe word "Ism" is singular, so "AlRahmaan" and "AlRaheem" both cannot be the names. Furthermore...
17110
17110 Say Call upon Allah or call upon AlRahmaan; to whomever you call, to Him are the best names. And do not be too loud in making your contact prayer, nor too quiet; but seek a path in between.17110 makes it more clear that AlRahmaan is also not the name. So, in "BismiAllah AlRahmaan AlRaheem", only "AlRaheem" might be the name of Allah. Or "Allah", "AlRahmaan" and "AlRaheem" all might be the attributes NOT THE NAMES. You may be thinking then why it is said "BismiAllah" in the beginning, to understand it better, please take a look at 1141
1141
1141 And he said Ride in it, in the name of Allah shall be its running and its anchorage. My Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.He said "BismiAllah" with out taking any name of Allah .
BismiAllah is used similar to BismiRabbika in 961
961
961 Read with the name of your Lord who has created.As "Rabb" is not the name but it means "Lord", similarly "Allah" is not the name but it means "The God". At the moment, this is how I understand.
So, finally I was looking for the names of Allah, what are they?
5924
5924 He is Allah; the Creator, the Initiator, the Designer. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Glorifying Him is everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the Noble, the Wise.I found only three names that is in 5924 i.e., "AlQaaliq", "AlBaariy" and "AlMusawwir" and all are unique, and it has to be unique because...
1965
1965 Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them. So serve Him and be patient in His service. Do you know anyone who has Name similar to Him?Names of Allah are unique and beautiful.
This is my current understanding about Allah and His names.
May Allah forgive us if we are mistaken and increase us in knowledge and guide us all to His true path pr
Mohammed M. Khan -
I think there is no special "statement" required to say before eating food,the way i understand it is that we should choose good,wholesome,natural foods,and if we eat meat,we should choose the animals that have been slaughtered in the most merciful way.
I think meal time is a spiritual time,a time when we are in a state of humbleness and gratitude for these provisions that sustain us and help us perform our duties.
If there was a special "statement" to utter,we would have known from the Quran, and to my knowledge,there is none.Peace to you all
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And thus,I agree totally with Paradox, that God is life, and that it is natural to mention his name and attributes,and to be in gratitude for his provisions that sustain us.
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Yes. Adding the attributes is further acknowledging the real God. Which btw there was an interesting discussion on, about whether it meant compassionte or almighty. There can be only one almighy God, that is logical. So if there is a submeaning or meaning of almighty, that further strengthens the monotheistic perspective.
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Salaam brother
I don't agree with your understand about BismiAllah AlRahmaan AlRaheeem
After going through the aayaats I understand that "Allah" is not the name but it is simple "Al + Ilaha" that means "The + God", and also "AlRahmaan" is not the name.
113 suras starts with "BismiAllah AlRahmaan AlRaheem", lets break it up and see...
Bi with
Ism name
Allah Allah
AlRahmaan AlRahmaan
AlRaheem AlRaheem
The word "Ism" is singular, so "AlRahmaan" and "AlRaheem" both cannot be the names. Furthermore...It seems that -in the name- of God as in -bismiLlah- refers to the word Allah and not to the two names or attributes.
The prophet or messenger speaks or acts -in the name of God- because this person has been inspired by the Creator.
There is a difference between to speak or act -in the name of God- (the Gracious, the Compassionate) and to mention the name of God on the food or on the to be slaughtered (or may be to be milked) animal.17110
17110 Say Call upon Allah or call upon AlRahmaan; to whomever you call, to Him are the best names. And do not be too loud in making your contact prayer, nor too quiet; but seek a path in between.17110 makes it more clear that AlRahmaan is also not the name. So, in "BismiAllah AlRahmaan AlRaheem", only "AlRaheem" might be the name of Allah. Or "Allah", "AlRahmaan" and "AlRaheem" all might be the attributes NOT THE NAMES. You may be thinking then why it is said "BismiAllah" in the beginning, to understand it better, please take a look at 1141
In this verse the word -ar-Rahman- can be seen as an example of the names or attributes of Allah.
For now I see no difference between a name or attribute of Allah.
In the Koran more than 100 names are mentioned, they also can be regarded as attributes.1141
1141 And he said Ride in it, in the name of Allah shall be its running and its anchorage. My Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.He said "BismiAllah" with out taking any name of Allah .
The fact that according to verse 1141 the messenger-prophet Noah spoke these words further support that only the inspired prophets and messengers where allowed to speak these holy words, in conveying a text or related to an action.
As is the case with the beginning of the letter of the prophet Solomon, verse 2730.
With the permission of God the prophets and messengers where allowed to speak the words in the name of God.
Ordinary believers are advised to only recite these words from the Koran and not to use them privately, for instance when entering a house.Peace,
TruthseekerDisclaimer the study of the Koran is work in progress, every information in any posting on this forum should be controlled by the believers themselves in the best way - verse 1736.
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I think there is no special "statement" required to say before eating food,the way i understand it is that we should choose good,wholesome,natural foods,and if we eat meat,we should choose the animals that have been slaughtered in the most merciful way.
I think meal time is a spiritual time,a time when we are in a state of humbleness and gratitude for these provisions that sustain us and help us perform our duties.
If there was a special "statement" to utter,we would have known from the Quran, and to my knowledge,there is none.Salaam Sa'adah
53 - Forbidden to you is what is already dead, and the blood, the meat of pig, and animals sacrificed to other than God ... -
6145 - Say, I do not find in what is inspired to me forbidden except that it be already dead, or blood poured forth, or the meat of pig, for it is foul; or what is corruptly dedicated to other than God ... -
These verses show that the polytheists dedicated food and animals to the idols.
From this we may get the understanding of next verses6118 - So eat from that on which God's name has been mentioned, if you indeed acknowledge His signs. -
6121 - Do not eat from what God's name has not been mentioned, for it is vile ? -
2234 - For every nation We have made a rite that they may mention God's name over what He has provided for them of the animal livestock ... -
These verses inform the believers that they have to mention the name of God on the food and on the to be slaughtered (may be also on the to be milked) animals. These verses seem to be very clear, there seems not to be a reason to read these verses in a symbolical way.
Especially verse 6121 is very compelling to read it literal, the verse forbids to eat from any food on which the name of God has not been mentioned.The quality of the food is dealt with in other verses
588 - Eat from what God has provided for you, good and lawful; and be aware of God in whom you acknowledge. -
2168 - O people, eat of what is in the earth as good and lawful, and do not follow the steps of the devil; he is to you a clear enemy. -
Peace,
TruthseekerDisclaimer the study of the Koran is work in progress, every information in any posting on this forum should be controlled by the believers themselves in the best way - verse 1736.
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Salaam,
I think there is no special "statement" required to say before eating food,the way i understand it is that we should choose good,wholesome,natural foods,and if we eat meat,we should choose the animals that have been slaughtered in the most merciful way.
I think meal time is a spiritual time,a time when we are in a state of humbleness and gratitude for these provisions that sustain us and help us perform our duties.
If there was a special "statement" to utter,we would have known from the Quran, and to my knowledge,there is none.Yes, correct, but it is said
6118
6118 So eat from that on which the name of Allah has been mentioned, if you indeed believe in His revelations.6121
6121 And do not eat from that which the name of Allah has not been mentioned, for it is wickedness. And the devils they inspire their supporters to argue with you; and if you obey them, then you are polytheists.It is not for you, the Name has to be taken by the one who slaughters and it is compulsory as per 6121.
May Allah guide us all to His true path pr
Mohammed M. Khan