Al ghamghamah by Maulana Abdul Jaleel Samrudi (الغمغمة)

Al ghamghamah (الغمغمة) in Arabic means “Mumbling”. This book (musnaf مصنف), a classic from Maulana Abdul Jaleel Samrudi, was written in 1918 on the issue of “Basmallah” (باسم الله). Maulana gave an comprehensive explanation of when Basmallah is said and when it is not.

This text, though lesser-known outside scholarly circles, offers a deep dive into the concept of “Basmallah” discussing various issues related to it. It delves into the significance of reciting “Basmallah” before any act, particularly eating, based on its deep roots in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). The “Basmallah” serves as an invocation of Allah’s name, a reminder of His presence, and a way to invoke blessings upon one’s food and daily actions.

In Al ghamghamah, author explains how this practice of saying Bismillah applies not only to eating but also to other routine actions such as drinking, dressing, or starting any other task. The book provides a detailed analysis of how these small yet meaningful practices contribute to a life of mindfulness and piety. Sheikh Samrudi emphasizes that these actions are not only about adhering to rituals but about keeping one’s consciousness constantly aligned with the Divine.

It was printed in India in sixteen pages, in which he mentioned Imam Nawawi’s words and Imam Hafiz Ibn Hajar’s commentary on it. Then he mentioned ten hadiths from the two Sahihs (Bukhari and Muslim) that indicate “التسمية” with the words “سموا الله” or “باسم الله” when riding, eating, hunting, and performing ablution, and in the Prophet’s (ﷺ) advice to the warriors: “اغزوا باسم الله”.

Then he elaborated by mentioning a number of hadiths from outside of the two Sahihs, narrated in this meaning, but in which there is no mention of the “البسملة”.

This book “الغمغمة في سنية التسمية عند الاطعمة و غيرها دون” (Al-ghamghamah in sunni tasmiyah at the time of consuming food or at other times) is the crux of the entire discussion.

Al ghamghamah is a crucial text that brings attention to the importance of the simple yet powerful act of saying Bismillah. By examining this small, but significant practice, Maulana highlights how it is deeply embedded in Islamic teachings and how it can transform the ordinary into the sacred. The book serves as a reminder that the daily acts of life can be a means to earn the pleasure of Allah if done with intention, gratitude, and the right spiritual awareness.

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Click here to read about: Sheikh Abdul Jaleel Samrudi