Q: I read the following passage in an old book entitled: "Tadhkarat Dawwud fi al- ‘Ilaj bil a‘shab" and in other books:Whoever recites: "Bismillah Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim (In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful)"231 times over unmarketable goods, Allah will make it easy to sell them.Whoever recites it 31 times over a glass of water and then gives it to any person they love, Allah will implant love for them in their heart.Whoever recites it 50 times after Fajr (Dawn) Prayer in complete Khushu‘ (the heart being attuned to the act of worship) and submissiveness, Allah will make them see in their dreams what humans are not allowed to see.My question is:Is reciting "Bismillah Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim" in this way Halal (lawful) or Haram (prohibited)?Is it permissible to recite it over a glass of water and then give it to a dear friend who does not perform Salah (Prayer) or know little about the Din (religion), in the hope that Allah will guide them and open their heart to Iman (faith) and Salah?

A: Basmalah (saying, "Bismillah Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim") is a blessed form of Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah) and it is Mustahab (desirable) to recite it before every Surah (chapter) of the Qur’an, except Surah Bara’ah (i.e. Surah Al-Tawbah). It is lawful to recite it before starting any desired matter. However, reciting it a given number of times and with the intentions mentioned in the question has no origin in the Shari‘ah (Islamic law); therefore, it is not permissible to recite it in this way. (Part No. 1; Page No. 252) The book titled "Tadhkirat Ulu Al-‘Albab fi Al-Tib", commonly known as "Tadhkirat Dawud", after its author, Dawud ibn `Umar Al-Antaky, and then Al-Qahiri, who died in Makkah in 1008, is full of such sayings that have no origin in the Shari‘ah. We, therefore, advise you not to read it, and to read instead the books of the Sunnah (what was reported from the Prophet) and those written by the Salaf (righteous predecessors) of this Ummah (nation under one creed), such as the book titled "Al-Tib Al-Nabawy (Medicine of the Prophet)", by Ibn Al-Qayyim, Al-Dhahaby, and Ibn Muflih (may Allah be merciful to all of them). And Allah knows best.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.