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'''Bismillah ceremony''', also known as '''Bismillahkhani''',<ref>{{cite Banglapedia|article=Bismillahkhani|author=Rafiq, Rafiqul Islam}}</ref> is a cultural ceremony celebrated mostly by [[Muslims]] from [[the subcontinent]] in countries such as [[Bangladesh]], [[India]] and [[Pakistan]]. It marks the start for a child in learning to recite the [[Qur'an]] in its Arabic script. It is not actually part of Islam. The ceremony marks how a child should read the [[Qur’an]] and say prayers properly.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.thefridaytimes.com/31122010/page29.shtml|title= A Song of Hyderabad|author= Bilquis Jehan Khan|publisher= thefridaytimes.com|accessdate= 28 January 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140222064747/http://www.thefridaytimes.com/31122010/page29.shtml|archive-date= 22 February 2014|url-status= dead}}</ref> The ceremony is named after the [[Basmala|''bismillah'']] ("In the name of [[Allah|God]]"), the beginning words in the Qur'an.
{{Short description|Cultural ceremony of South Asian Muslims}}
'''Bismillah ceremony''', also known as '''Bismillahkhani''',<ref>{{cite Banglapedia|article=Bismillahkhani|author=Rafiq, Rafiqul Islam}}</ref> is a cultural ceremony celebrated mostly by [[Muslims]] from [[the subcontinent]] in countries such as [[Bangladesh]], [[India]] and [[Pakistan]]. It marks the start for a child in learning to recite the [[Qur'an]] in its Arabic script. It is not a religiously prescribed milestone. The ceremony marks how a child should read the [[Qur’an]] and say prayers properly.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.thefridaytimes.com/31122010/page29.shtml|title= A Song of Hyderabad|author= Bilquis Jehan Khan|publisher= thefridaytimes.com|accessdate= 28 January 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140222064747/http://www.thefridaytimes.com/31122010/page29.shtml|archive-date= 22 February 2014|url-status= dead}}</ref> The ceremony is named after the [[Basmala|''bismillah'']] ("In the name of [[Allah|God]]"), the beginning words in the Qur'an.  


==The ceremony==
==The ceremony==
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==See also==
==See also==
* [[Religious initiation rites]]
* [[Religious initiation rites]]
* [[Islam in South Asia]]
* [[Islam in Bangladesh]]
* [[Bengali Muslims]]
* [[Bishwa Ijtema]]
* [[Haal Khata]]
* [[Pohela Boishakh]]
* [[Shakrain]]
* [[Nouka Baich]]
* [[Mezban]]
* [[Furir Bari Iftari]]
* [[Jari gan]]
* [[Lathi Khela]]
* [[Sholakia]]
* [[Gor-E-Shahid Eidgah Maidan]]
* [[Dhanmondi Shahi Eidgah]]


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Islamic culture]]
[[Category:Islamic culture]]
[[Category:Indian culture]]
[[Category:Culture of India]]
[[Category:Ceremonies]]
[[Category:Ceremonies]]
[[Category:Rites of passage]]
[[Category:Childhood rites of passage]]
[[Category:Islam in India]]
[[Category:Islam in India]]
[[Category:Islam in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Islam in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Educational rites of passage]]

Latest revision as of 22:30, 31 March 2025


Bismillah ceremony, also known as Bismillahkhani,[1] is a cultural ceremony celebrated mostly by Muslims from the subcontinent in countries such as Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. It marks the start for a child in learning to recite the Qur'an in its Arabic script. It is not a religiously prescribed milestone. The ceremony marks how a child should read the Qur’an and say prayers properly.[2] The ceremony is named after the bismillah ("In the name of God"), the beginning words in the Qur'an.

The ceremony[edit | edit source]

It is held for both boys and girls between the age 4 and 5, sometimes when the child turns four years, four months and four days. The child is dressed in a traditional dress and jewelry and is made to recite the opening phrase of the Qur'ran, Bism illāh ir-raḥmān ir-raḥīm (In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful) (786).[3]

It is traditionally a grand evening affair with family and friends. Lavish food is served for dinner and guests exchange hugs and gifts.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Rafiq, Rafiqul Islam (2012). "Bismillahkhani". In Islam, Sirajul; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  2. Bilquis Jehan Khan. "A Song of Hyderabad". thefridaytimes.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  3. "Life & Death". Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.