Do You Need to Say Bismillah Before Wudu? The Explanation You're Looking For

Hi again! Bismillah is a sentence that is very synonymous with Islam. The writing is بِسْمِ اللهِ. The meaning is "in the name of Allah". In general, Muslims say this sentence before reading the Quran, eating, drinking, and so on. But, do you need to say Bismillah before wudu?

Whatever your reason for reading this article, I am very sure you are looking for an explanation about the answer to the question (do you need to say Bismillah before wudu?). Trust me! I will not let you down today. That's what I will explain now. You just need to read this article to the end!

The Virtues of Saying Bismillah Before Doing Something in Islam

Hi! First of all, I will explain the virtues of saying Bismillah before doing something in Islam. I want you to understand that first because it is a basic point in this discussion that is not well understood by some Muslims. And I don't think you want to be like them, do you?

Before I explain the virtues of saying Bismillah before doing something in Islam, I will explain one hadith which is the basis of the argument for all discussions about it. Pay attention to the hadith below:

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : كُلُّ أَمْرٍ ذِيْ بَالٍ لَا يُبْدَأُ بِاسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَانِ الرَّحِيْمِ فَهُوَ أَبْتَرُ

The Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “All good activities that do not start by saying “Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَانِ الرَّحِيْمِ)” will be cut off from blessings.

The Prophet Muhammad, in the hadith above, explained one of the virtues of saying Bismillah before doing something. According to him, if someone does something but does not say Bismillahirrahmanirrahim before doing it, then what he has done will not be a blessing. Do you know why?

If you say Bismillah before you do something, then it has many meanings:

1. You realize that you can't do anything without Allah's help.
2. You say dhikr before doing something.
3. You pray to Allah that something you do will be a blessing for you, and so on.

That is a common reason why Muslims are strongly advised to say Bismillah before they do anything. Of course, what is meant here is something good, not something bad.

One example is that Muslims are strongly advised to say Bismillahirrahmanirrahim before reading the Quran, whether reading the Quran during prayer or at other times. You can find this explanation in the two hadiths below:

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ : إِذَا قَرَأْتُمْ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ , فَاقْرَؤُوْا بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَانِ الرَّحِيْمِ , إِنَّهَا أُمُّ الْقُرْآنِ , وَأُمُّ الْكِتَابِ , وَالسَّبْعُ الْمَثَانِيُّ , وَبِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَانِ الرَّحِيْمِ أَحَدُ آيَاتِهَا

From Abu Hurairah radliyallahu anhu, from Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, that he said, "If you read الْحْمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ (surah al-Fatihah), then read Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَانِ الرَّحِيْمِ). In fact, it (surah al-Fatihah) is the Ummul Quran, the Ummul Kitab, and as-Sab'u al-Matsaniy. And بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَانِ الرَّحِيْمِ is one of the verses."

عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَفْتَتِحُ الصَّلَاةَ بِبِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَانِ الرَّحِيْمِ

From Ibn Abbas radliyallahu anhuma, that the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam started prayer by reading Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَانِ الرَّحِيْمِ).

Do You Need to Say Bismillah Before Wudu?

Now I will explain the main topic in this discussion: do you need to say Bismillah before wudu? I want you to understand the explanation below very well so that you will have no more questions about it after reading this article. Of course, don't forget! If you still have questions about it, please write them in the comment column! I am very happy to be in dialogue with you.

If you read some literature on Islamic law regarding wudu, you will not find an explanation that Muslims are required to say Bismillah before wudu. Their obligation is to perform all the obligations in wudu: washing the face, saying Niyyah for wudu when washing the face, washing the two hands, wiping part of the head, wiping the two ears, and washing the two feet.

So, do you need to say Bismillahi before wudu?

Of course, the answer to that question is “Yes. You need to say Bismillah before wudu.” The reason is because it will add to the blessings of wudu for you. Wudu has many benefits for Muslims. Of course, these blessings will increase if you say Bismillah before wudu.

The Virtues of Saying Bismillah Before Wudu

Hi! Are you still with me? At the end of this discussion, I will explain the virtues of saying Bismilllah before wudu. You have to understand that all so that you can get a lot of understanding about the main topic in this discussion after you read this article.

• Saying Bismillah before wudu means that you realize that you will not be able to perform wudu without Allah's help.
• Saying Bismillah before wudu means you say dhikr before doing something. Of course, it will be an additional reward for you
• Saying Bismillah before wudu means that you pray to Allah that the wudu you are doing will be a blessing for you.

Those are the three virtues of saying Bismillah before wudu which is the most important in my opinion. Of course, it has many other virtues besides these three things.

Do you have questions? Please write in the comment column!