بِسْمِ اللَّهِ. اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ وَأَطْعِمْنَا خَيْرًا مِنْهُ.
In the name of Allah. O Allah, bless us in it and feed us better than it.
Bismillaah. Allaahumma baarik lanaa feehi wa at'imnaa khayran minhu.
When to Read
This beautiful dua is recited before partaking in any meal, especially communal ones like a Walimah (wedding feast), but also any gathering where food is shared. It's an acknowledgement of Allah's provision and a request for His blessing upon the food and those who partake in it.
How to Read
Begin by saying 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah) before you take your first bite. Then, recite the full dua: 'Allahumma barik lana feehi wa at'imna khayran minhu'. It's best recited before the meal commences, ideally by the host or the person closest to the food, but everyone present can and should say it individually or collectively. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us to begin all our actions with the name of Allah, seeking His blessings and protection. This dua specifically asks Allah to bless the food provided and to grant us sustenance better than it, implying a request for ongoing blessings and perhaps even paradise.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua before a meal has profound benefits: 1. **Seeking Allah's Blessing (Barakah):** The core of the dua is asking for 'Barakah' – Allah's continuous goodness and increase. This blessing transforms even simple food into something nourishing and spiritually beneficial. 2. **Acknowledging Allah as the Provider:** It's a constant reminder that all sustenance comes from Allah alone. This fosters gratitude and humbleness. 3. **Protection from Shaitan:** The Prophet ﷺ said, 'If a person says Bismillah before eating, Shaitan says, 'This food is for me and if he does not say Bismillah, then he (Shaitan) eats with him.' (Sahih Muslim 2017). Saying 'Bismillah' at the start, and this dua, keeps Shaitan away from our food and our mealtime. 4. **Fulfilling Sunnah:** It’s a beautiful practice of our beloved Prophet ﷺ, and following his Sunnah earns us immense reward and closeness to Allah.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us to say 'Bismillah' before eating, and if we forgot, to say it when we remembered. In another narration, concerning a meal where someone forgot to say Bismillah initially, the Prophet ﷺ said: 'The Shaitan has eaten with him, but when he mentioned Allah's name, whatever was in the Shaitan's stomach was expelled.' (Sahih Muslim 2017). For communal meals, a more comprehensive dua is taught. When food was placed before the Prophet ﷺ, he would often say: 'Bismillah. Allahumma barik lana feehi wa at'imna khayran minhu.' (O Allah, bless us in it and feed us better than it.) (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767, Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3456 - graded Hasan by many scholars). This dua encapsulates gratitude for the present meal and a hopeful request for continued blessings and better provision in the future, pointing towards the ultimate provision of Paradise.