4 supplications
Duas Before and After Eating
Saying the name of Allah before eating brings blessing to the food, and thanking Him afterwards brings forgiveness: “Whoever eats food and then says: Al-hamdu lillahil-ladhi at‘amani hadha… his past sins are forgiven” (al-Tirmidhi, graded hasan).
Before eating
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ — وَإِنْ نَسِيَ فِي أَوَّلِهِ فَلْيَقُلْ: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ فِي أَوَّلِهِ وَآخِرِهِ
Bismillah — if forgotten: Bismillahi fi awwalihi wa akhirih.
In the name of Allah. If you forget at the beginning, say: In the name of Allah at its beginning and at its end.
Source: Sunan Abi Dawud; Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi
After eating
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا، وَرَزَقَنِيهِ، مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلَا قُوَّةٍ
Al-hamdu lillahil-ladhi at‘amani hadha, wa razaqanihi, min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwah.
Praise be to Allah who fed me this and provided it for me, without any power or strength on my part.
Source: Sunan Abi Dawud; Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi
For the host
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَهُمْ فِيمَا رَزَقْتَهُمْ، وَاغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَارْحَمْهُمْ
Allahumma barik lahum fima razaqtahum, waghfir lahum warhamhum.
O Allah, bless them in what You have provided for them, forgive them and have mercy on them.
Source: Sahih Muslim
When breaking the fast with others
أَفْطَرَ عِنْدَكُمُ الصَّائِمُونَ، وَأَكَلَ طَعَامَكُمُ الْأَبْرَارُ، وَصَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ
Aftara ‘indakumus-sa’imun, wa akala ta‘amakumul-abrar, wa sallat ‘alaykumul-mala’ikah.
May fasting people break their fast with you, may the righteous eat your food, and may the angels pray for you.
Source: Sunan Abi Dawud
Etiquette of eating
The Prophet ﷺ told a boy at his table: “Mention the name of Allah, eat with your right hand and eat from what is in front of you” (al-Bukhari, Muslim). If you forget to say Bismillah at the beginning, say “Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu” when you remember (Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi).
He never criticised food: if he liked it he ate it, otherwise he left it (al-Bukhari, Muslim). He advised moderation, a third of the stomach for food, a third for drink and a third for breath (at-Tirmidhi), and to lick the fingers and clean the plate, because one does not know in which part the blessing lies (Muslim). Ending the meal with praise turns a daily habit into a source of reward and forgiveness.
The guest’s du‘a for the host
It is Sunnah for a guest to pray for the one who fed him, for example: “O Allah, feed the one who fed me and give drink to the one who gave me drink” (Muslim), and “May fasting people break their fast with you, the righteous eat your food and the angels pray for you” (Abu Dawud). The guest repays the kindness of his host with du‘a, the best thing he has to give.
Practical tips
- Say Bismillah aloud at family meals so children learn it.
- Eat with the right hand and take from the side of the dish in front of you.
- Share food: “Food for two is enough for three” (al-Bukhari, Muslim).
- Avoid wasting food and finish what is on your plate.
- End every meal with the du‘a of praise, even after a snack.
Duas Before and After Eating: questions and answers
Is there a du‘a for drinking milk?
Yes: “Allahumma barik lana fihi wa zidna minhu” — O Allah, bless it for us and give us more of it (Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi).
Should every person at the table say Bismillah?
Yes. It is recommended for each person; the Prophet ﷺ said Satan shares the food over which Allah’s name is not mentioned (Muslim).