Q: I noticed that Surah Taubah does not begin with bismillah. Is there a reason for this?
A: Two reasons are mentioned for this:
A: Two reasons are mentioned for this:
a) Surah Taubah is actually part of the previous Surah, thus no need for the Bismillaah here.
b) In this Surah (Taubah) Allah Ta'aala speaks of Jihad, etc., expressing His wrath and anger. Bismillaah is a means of drawing the mercy of Allah. Due to expressing respect for the Divine wrath at this juncture (Surah Taubah), we will not call upon Divine mercy at such a time.
Moulana Yusuf Laher
Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai
