Bismillah At The Beginning Of Surah al-Tawbah

QUESTION:

Why does Surah al-Tawbah not commence with Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem?

ANSWER:

Various reasons have been mentioned as to why Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem is not mentioned at the beginning of Surah al-Tawbah.

Hadrat Uthmaan Radiallahu Anhu has stated that when the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam passed away, he had not clarified whether Surah al-Tawbah was a separate Surah or part of Surah al-Anfal. So, he assumed that they belonged together and joined them, but without writing Bismillah between them.

However, at the time of compiling the Quraan Sharif during the Khilaafat of Hadrat Uthmaan Radiallahu Anhu, there was a disagreement among the Sahabah Radiallahu Anhum. Some were of the opinion that Surah al-Tawbah and Surah al-Anfal were one Surah, while others said that they were two. So, a space was left between them indicating that it could be two separate Surahs, but they did not write Bismillah, indicating that it can possibly be one Surah. In this way, both views were respected.

Another view is that the beginning of Surah al-Tawbah speaks about the wrath of Allah Ta’ala, while Bismillah is the mercy of Allah Ta’ala. Hence, mercy and wrath do not come together.

However, the most correct view is that Bismillah was not revealed at the beginning of Surah al-Tawbah, as Jibril Alaihis Salaam did not come with it at the time of revelation, and the reason for this is only known by Allah Ta’ala.

وَالصَّحِيحُ أَنَّ التَّسْمِيَةَ لَمْ تُكْتَبْ لِأَنَّ جِبْرِيلَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ مَا نَزَلَ بِهَا فِي هَذِهِ السُّورَةِ قَالَهُ الْقُشَيْرِيُّ

(كتاب تفسير القرطبي = الجامع لأحكام القرآن 8/63)

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Muhammad Isa Ali

Date: 13 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1447 / 06 September 2025

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb