The Bismillah-Khwani Ceremony

Question

Here the custom of bismillah-khwani (the ceremony of beginning a child’s education, when he first recites “bismillah”) is prevalent. Is it permissible or not? Will it be counted as bid‘a or not, given that it is not regarded as part of religion but as a custom and an occasion of joy — that the child’s education is now beginning — and on such an occasion a feast and the like are arranged? May such an invitation be accepted or not?

Answer

If some elder, a righteous person, conducts the “bismillah” [with the child], and a few poor people and friends are fed so that there may be blessing in the child’s education, that is correct; but it is necessary to avoid ostentation, showing off (riya) and pride.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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