If … bismillahirrahma nirraheem..is recited 786 times over water, and then
the water is given to the opponent (i.e. enemy),he will cease his enmity, and will begin to love instead. If the
same is served to a friend to drink, the friendship will becomestronger. (Jannatī Zaīwar, p. 578)

Summary of Fatiha

This is also the summary of the first Chapter of the Quran Al-Fatihah: The call for help in Bismillah (In the name of God) in truth stands together with iya-ka na`badu wa iya-ka nasta`in which means “thee do we worship and thee do we ask for help”. The attribute Rahman contains the prayer ihdina sirat al-mustaqim which means guide us on the correct path. And it is apparent that this correct path is found through correct and complete knowledge which is necessary stipulation of the attribute Rahman. The attribute Rahim contains the blessing of the prayer sirat alladhina an`amta `alaihim, that is, make our works and action so perfect that we become part of those people who are blessed by God. So when any person at the time of recitation of the Quran, or at the time of any work, requests from God a perfect knowledge of the correct path and for the ability to achieve excellence in works and requests that these actions would provide successful results, it is apparent that such a person has found the purpose of the Quran. He is happy in this world and he is assured of success in the hereafter. This is because the Quran was revealed so that mankind could achieve excellence in both knowledge and works and it is on this excellence of knowledge and works that success in this world and hereafter is based.

So in this way Bismillah ar-rahman ar-rahim is not only a summary of the Chapter Fatiha but is a summary of the whole Quran. Whoever recites Bismillah ar-rahman ar-rahim asks for complete and correct knowledge as well as perfection in works which produce excellent results. In other words he asked for knowledge of the Quran and good works and further requested perfection in these. One who receives the correct and complete knowledge of the Quran and furthermore is blessed with excellence in works is successful and achieves goodness in this world and the hereafter.