بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَعَلَى بَرَكَةِ اللَّهِ
In the name of Allah and with Allah's blessing.
Bismillah wa 'ala barakatillah
When to Read
This dua is recited at the very beginning of eating. It's for any meal, big or small, shared or eaten alone. It’s a beautiful reminder to start everything with Allah’s name, acknowledging that all sustenance comes from Him and seeking His blessing in it.
How to Read
Simply say 'Bismillah wa 'ala barakatillah' before you take your first bite. It's a short, powerful invocation. If you forget to say it at the start, you can say it when you remember, even mid-meal. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us: 'When one of you eats, he should say Bismillah, and if he forgets to say Bismillah at the beginning, he should say Bismillah wa barakatillah when he remembers.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767).
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua isn't just a ritual; it’s a profound act of acknowledging Allah's provision and seeking His barakah (blessing) in our food. It connects us to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, fostering mindfulness and gratitude. When we eat with Allah's name and blessing, the food becomes purified, and we are protected from its potential harm. It transforms a mundane act into an act of worship, earning reward and closeness to our Creator.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by 'Umar bin Abi Salamah: I was a boy under the care of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and my hand used to roam about in the platter. So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'O boy, mention Allah's name, and eat with your right hand, and eat of the food that is nearest to you.' Then he said: 'When one of you eats, he should say Bismillah, and if he forgets to say Bismillah at the beginning, he should say Bismillah wa barakatillah when he remembers.'