Before bismillâh sacrifice yourself utterly; else, when you lie dead, how will you attain the Name of God?
(Rumi)
Masterfully written in Perso-Arabic nastaliq script, the following artwork is a reproduction of a classical piece containing the basmala; 'بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ'. The calligraphy is surrounded by intricate, yet subtle, floral imagery reflecting the gardens of paradise.
The basmala is a Divine formula used by Muslims to consecrate all legitimate actions since, from an Islamic perspective, all things should be performed for the sake of God. From this angle, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has said, “Any important matter not begun with the Name of God shall be cut off”. According to a Quran commentary, Kashf al-Asrar by Rashid al-Din Maybudi, the Basmalah can be understood as God saying, “I began through My Name, was united with My Name, and have commenced in My Name, so begin through My Name, unite with My Name, and commence in My Name”.