Sharp-eyed children notice that one surah is missing the Bismillah. It is a good question.
The facts
- 113 surahs begin with بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ.
- Surah At-Tawbah (9) does not.
- Surah An-Naml (27) contains Bismillah twice: at the start and in verse 30, in Sulayman’s letter. So the total is still 114.
Why
The Companions wrote the Mushaf this way, following how it was taught. Scholars mention reasons, such as the surah opening with a strong declaration about breaking treaties with those who betrayed them, so the words of mercy were not placed at its start.
What your child should do
| Situation | What to say |
|---|---|
| Starting reading at At-Tawbah | A’udhu billah only, no Bismillah |
| Continuing from Al-Anfal into At-Tawbah | No Bismillah; the teacher will show the correct ways to join |
| Starting in the middle of At-Tawbah | A’udhu billah; follow the teacher’s guidance |
A fun fact for children
“Bismillah appears 114 times in the Quran, the same as the number of surahs, because At-Tawbah has none and An-Naml has two.”
Teacher’s tip: questions like this show your child is reading carefully. Praise the question, then look up the answer together.
Related: When to say Bismillah before a surah.
