Why does bi-smi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīmi not appear at the beginning of Surah At-Taubah?
Dear brothers and Sisters, it is widely popular that the bi-smi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīmi does not appear before Surah Toba because of the Surah Toba being that of anger. But, the truth isn’t as we broadly common.Mufti Mahmood Hasan was asked about this and he replied as follows:
Step 1-: When Hadhrat Uthman was asked why there was no bi-smi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīmi at the beginning of Surah At-Taubah in the manner that there is bi-smi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīmi at the beginning of other surahs, he replied that there was some doubt as to this surah being a separate surah, because Nabi salallahu alayhi wasallam passed away without explicitly mentioning anything regarding it.
This is why Surah At-Taubah was not written at the beginning of Surah Taubah. However, since its subject matter is similar to that of Surah Anfaal, it was placed after it and a space for bi-smi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīmi has been kept because it is possible that this is a separate surah. (Tirmizi, Vol 2, Pg.139)
In Bukhaari Shareef it is mentioned that this Surah At-Taubah was revealed to cancel the peace treaty.
In it appears the control of murdering the mushrikeen and also the saying Allah Ta`ala’s anger within them. Therefore, Surah At-Taubah was not written at the beginning of the Surah At-Taubah since bi-smi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīmi signifies peace and mercy.
It appears in Shaatbi:
(Surah At-Taubah does not appear at the beginning of this surah, because it was revealed in connection to war.)
Musnad Ahmad pp. 1/57 and 1/69; Abu Dawud, nos. 786-787; Al-Tirmidhi no.; Hadith”; Al-Mustadrak Al-Hakim p. 2/33; Sunan Al-Bayhaqi p. 2/42 and Al-Dala’il, vol. 7, no. 152; Ibn Abu Dawud [Al-Masahif] p. Al-Nasa’i in Al-Sunan, Ibn Majah, Ibn Al-Mundhir; Al-Nahas; Ibn Hibban;
May Allah grant us success in this world and the nest world May allah shower of blessing upon you and Your family.
- SWT = Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala
- SAW = Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam
- RA = Radhiyallaho anhu
- RAnha= Radhiyallaho anha