Surah At-Tawbah (also known as Surah Bara’ah) is the only chapter in the Quran that does not begin with “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim”. Scholars have given two main explanations for this unique exception.
The first explanation is that the Companions thought Surah At-Tawbah and Surah Al-Anfal were one single surah. Since there was no clear revelation separating the two with “Bismillah”, they were written together without the phrase between them. Caliph Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) confirmed this during the compilation of the Quran.
The second explanation is that Surah At-Tawbah was revealed in the context of warfare, announcing the end of treaties and calling for the confrontation of disbelievers. “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim” conveys mercy and peace, which does not align with the stern tone of this chapter. As such, the absence of Bismillah matches its strong message.
In summary, the omission of Bismillah in Surah At-Tawbah was either due to its similarity to the previous surah, or because its content focused on disavowal and divine judgment, which did not suit the phrase of mercy.
In contrast, Surah At-Tawbah (The Repentance), the 9th surah of the Quran, is notable for not beginning with “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim.” This omission has intrigued scholars and believers for centuries, prompting various interpretations and discussions.
One prominent explanation is that Surah At-Tawbah serves as a declaration of disassociation from the disbelievers and a call to repentance. The absence of the phrase “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim,” which emphasizes Allah’s mercy and compassion, aligns with the surah’s stern tone and subject matter. It is seen as a reflection of the surah’s context of addressing issues of conflict and establishing justice.
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