Islamic "Devotions"

Bismillah verses...

‘Bismillah’ (In the Name of Allah), rather than ‘Befarmaid’:

In the smallest and finest details of affairs of life, Imam was not only particular about carrying out the compulsory acts and to shun the forbidden acts, but was just as particular about carrying out the recommended acts that are in the traditions and customs of Islam. Furthermore, between those acts that hold no reward or sin and recommended acts, he used to choose the best and most advisable act, and therefore acted on the recommended acts. On the whole it can be said his life was an incarnation of perfect Islamic lifestyle.

For example, going on the tens and hundreds of times that it occurred when we went to see him, it was necessary that we get permission to enter by knocking the door. Rather than use the word ‘Befarmaid’, Imam would say, ‘Bismillah.’ Despite the fact that ‘Befarmaid’ was agreeable and common, Imam used to say ‘Bismillah’ so that while doing dhikr of Allah, he would give permission to enter and couple the start of the meeting with the name of Allah.
It is this very Godly way and manner of Imam that led the society in the
direction of the rites and values of Islam. He spread the culture of Islam in even the most simplest of affairs.

The followers of his method chose the recitation of Takbirs and Salawats rather than clapping as a method of encouragement and confirmation,
‘Alhamdulillah’ (Praise be to Allah) rather than the foreign word ‘Merci ’ as a method of thanking, and adopted dhikr and praise of Allah andSal awa t rather than foreign acts.
--Hujjatul Islam Rahimian

Comprehensiveness of Bismillah

1) Acknowledgement of Allah as Lord and Master
2) Confession of one’s own helplessness
3) Belief in Allah as ever-living, all-knowing, almighty
4) Reliance on Allah as the Supreme Being, seeking His Pleasure and
Mercy

5) Conviction in Allah’s reply of Mercy

more here (not very long & great read, even if you skim through it)

Surah Fatiha

In The Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful Sura Al-Fatihah (The Opening) No. 1 (7 Verses) Introduction to Sura Al-Fatiha This chapter of the Holy Qur’an is divided into thematically divided into three major sections: 1. Praising Allah (swt)
2. (Re)establishing a covenant with Allah (swt)
3. Praying for Divine Guidance and Protection

A specific guidance which is due unto Allah (swt) Al-Imran (The Family of Imran) 3:102 This Sura, among all Suras of the Qur'an, has an extraordinary radiance which originates from the following merits: 1. The Tone of the Sura: -Poetically formulated -Uttered on behalf of the readerrs -teaches the readers how to ask from Allah (swt) without a mediator 2. Al-Fatihah, the Basis of the Qur'an : It is narrated that the Holy Prophet (saw) has said : "By the One, in Whose hand is my soul, Allah has not sent
down a similar Sura to this Sura (Al-Fatihah), neither in the
Torah, nor in the Gospel, nor in the Psalms, nor even in the
Qur'an, and it is Umm-ul-Kitab" (1) which means that it is the basis

and origin of all excellence. In fact, besides referring to the Resurrection, this Sura presents facts concerning the Unity of the Divine Essence, Unity of Attributes, Unity of Divine Acts, and
Unity of Worship. It is the essence of the whole meaning of the Qur'an. Surah al Fateha Tafseer Introduction to Al Fateha Friday Night Circle 3. Al-Fatihah, Magnificent Honor of the Prophet (saw) : Sura Al-Fatihah, more so than the other Suras in the Holy Qur'an, was
revealed to the Holy Prophet (saw) as a great bounty. It stands on a par
with the whole Qur'an. The seven verses in the Sura sum up the whole
Qur'an :

"And We have bestowed upon thee the Seven Oft-repeated (verses) and the Grand Qur'an " (Sura Al-Hijr, No. 15, verse 87). This meaning is also referred to in a narration from Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (a.s.) quoting the Prophet's (p.b.u.h.) tradition who said : "Verily, Allah, the Exalted, has bestowed (His) favors on me
particularly for ' The Opening ' (Al-Fatihah) and has positioned
it on a par with the whole Grand Qur'an, and surely Fatihat-ul-
Kitab (the Opening of the Qur'an) is the dearest (item) in the
treasures of the 'Arsh, (Throne of Heaven). (2)

4. The Importance of its Recitation : The recitation of this Sura, because of its extreme importance, is
frequently emphasized in Islamic traditions and narrations. As for its
virtue, it is narrated from the Holy Prophet(saw) that:

"The reward of any Muslim who recites the Sura 'Opening,' is like that of a person who has recited two thirds of the Qur'an, and so much reward would he receive as if he has given every believing Muslim, man or woman, a free will offering." (3)
5. The Titles of the Sura: There are ten titles given to this Sura, as taken from Islamic narrations and commentary books, thus: Fatihat-ul-Kitab, Umm-ul-Kitab, Umm-ul-Qur'an, Sab'-ul-Mathani, Al-Wafiyah, Al-Kafiyah, Ash- Shafiyah, Al-Asas, As-Salat, and Al-Hamd. (4) (1) Majm'-ul-Bayan, vol. 1, p. 17
(2) Al-Burhan Fi Tafsir-il-Qur'an, vol. one,p. 21; & Atyab-ul-Bayan, vol. 1,
p.83
(3) Majma'-ul-Bayan, vol. one, p. 17 .
(4) Rauh-ul-Janan, Abul-Futuh Razi, Commentary, vol. one, p. 16

from here
Alhamdulilah for people complying info. like this and those making it available for others to learn from. Love it <3