Is it permissible to replace Allah's Most Beautiful Names in the Basmala, verbally and in writing, with other names from Allah's Most Beautiful Names?
The Sunnah regarding the Basmala is for it to be complete: "Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim" (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful), especially at the beginning of letters, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) did in his correspondence with kings. It may be abbreviated to "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah) in certain contexts, such as eating, drinking, slaughtering animals (dhakāt), and entering the restroom, or it may be followed by words other than "Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim," as in the saying: "Bismillah, Allahumma jannibna ash-shaytan" (In the name of Allah, O Allah, keep Satan away from us) or "Bismillahilladhi la yadurru ma' ismihi shay'un" (In the name of Allah, with Whose Name nothing can cause harm). It is obligatory for a Muslim to follow the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in using the Basmala, and there is no objection to following the majestic Name of Allah with other of His Beautiful Names appropriate to the context.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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