Basmala (Arabic بسملة) is an Arabic language noun which is use as the collective name of the whole of the recurring Islamic phrase bismi-llāhi ar-raḥmāni ar-raḥīmi. This phrase constitutes the first verse of every "sura" (or chapter) of the Qur'an (but one), and is used in a number of contexts by Muslims. It is recited several times as part of Muslim daily prayers, and it is usually the first phrase in the preamble of the constitutions of Islamic countries.