بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ
In the Name of Allah, at its beginning and at its end.
Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu
When to Read
We recite this dua when we are about to begin eating. It's especially recommended if you forgot to say a simple 'Bismillah' at the very start of your meal and remember mid-way through. This specific wording allows you to still invoke Allah's Name and blessings over your food, even if you made a slight oversight.
How to Read
As you prepare to take your first bite, say 'Bismillah' (In the Name of Allah) with sincere intention. If you realize you've already started eating without remembering to say 'Bismillah,' stop for a moment and then recite 'Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu' clearly. This verbal acknowledgment of Allah's provision should be a conscious act, reminding us of His bounty and seeking His blessings.
Virtues & Benefits
Invoking Allah's Name before eating carries profound benefits for our sustenance and our spiritual well-being: * **Invites Barakah and Blessings:** By starting with 'Bismillah,' we invite Allah's blessings (Barakah) into our food. This makes the food more nourishing, satisfying, and fulfilling, often with less quantity. The Prophet ﷺ taught us that when we mention Allah's Name before eating, Shaitan is prevented from sharing in our meal and removing its blessings. (Sahih Muslim 2018a) * **Ensures Spiritual Purity:** While 'Bismillah' doesn't magically make inherently forbidden food (like pork or alcohol) permissible, it certainly purifies and blesses food that is already halal. It ensures that our consumption is an act of worship, done with Allah's permission and for His pleasure, making the food spiritually pure for us. * **Protection from Shaitan's Influence:** Our Prophet ﷺ explained that if a person does not mention Allah's Name upon eating, Shaitan will join them in their meal. Reciting 'Bismillah' acts as a shield, preventing Shaitan from benefiting from or corrupting our provision. (Sahih Muslim 2018a) * **Rectifies Forgetfulness:** The expanded version, 'Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu,' is a special mercy for us. It means that even if we forget the initial 'Bismillah,' we can still correct our oversight and gain the blessings by invoking Allah's Name at the beginning and end of our meal, as soon as we remember.
Source & Authentication
> **Arabic:** حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ أَبِي سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِذَا أَكَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ طَعَامًا فَلْيَقُلْ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ نَسِيَ فِي أَوَّلِهِ فَلْيَقُلْ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ " . > > **Translation:** Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "When one of you eats food, let him say: 'Bismillah'. If he forgets to say it at the beginning, then let him say: 'Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu' (In the name of Allah at its beginning and at its end)." > > **Transliteration:** *Haddathana Muhammad ibn Kathir, haddathana Sufyan, an 'Uthman ibn Abi Sulayman, an Sa'id ibn al-Harith, an Jabir ibn Abdullah, qala: Qala Rasulullahi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam: "Idha akala ahadukum ta'aman falyaqul Bismillah, fa in nasiya fi awwalihi falyaqul Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu." > > — Sunan Abi Dawud 3767