What is the ruling on writing "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful" at the beginning of articles, novels, stories, and poems?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The Basmala (Bismillah, "In the name of Allah") is permissible at the beginning of novels, articles, stories, and poems if their subject matter is good or permissible, in emulation of the Holy Quran and seeking blessings by mentioning the name of Allah. However, if the subject matter is forbidden, it is not permissible to write it, publish it, or read it, except for someone who denounces its falsehood. It is also not permissible to write the Basmala at its beginning, as this would be a degradation of the name of Allah the Almighty, and could even amount to mockery.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/25619
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 25619
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy