Invoking the name of God before you do anything used to have two intentions.
The first one being an acknowledgement of lacking control over all variables. A statement of knowing one's limitations and helplessness. So ask God to interfere where you cannot.
The second being a statement about worship in action. And this is the most important part. It is a statement to equate the action you are about to take to worship of a perfect being ,and in the same sense it has to be an embodiment of striving to perfection. No corruption, no injustice, no ugliness reflected in that action. It has to be as close to wholeness as possible to be worthy as an act of worship.
This second part doesn't exist in a social level in the Islamic world anymore. And without the second part, the first part is just an empty ritual. I hear "Bi Ismi Allah" all the time echoing all around me and never followed by its purpose. Just like "In sha'a allah".
The second being a statement about worship in action. And this is the most important part. It is a statement to equate the action you are about to take to worship of a perfect being ,and in the same sense it has to be an embodiment of striving to perfection. No corruption, no injustice, no ugliness reflected in that action. It has to be as close to wholeness as possible to be worthy as an act of worship.
This second part doesn't exist in a social level in the Islamic world anymore. And without the second part, the first part is just an empty ritual. I hear "Bi Ismi Allah" all the time echoing all around me and never followed by its purpose. Just like "In sha'a allah".
