بِسْمِ اللهِ. اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيمَا رَزَقْتَنَا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا.
In the name of Allah. O Allah, bless us in that which You have provided us, forgive us and have mercy upon us.
Bismillah. Allahumma barik lana fima razaqtana waghfir lana warhamna.
When to Read
This beautiful supplication is recited before starting any meal. By saying 'Bismillah,' we acknowledge that all sustenance comes from Allah and by asking for His blessing ('Allahumma barik lana...') in our food, we seek His help not just for nourishment, but also for its proper digestion and the strength it grants us.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity before you begin to eat. It's a simple yet profound way to connect with Allah at the very moment we receive His bounty. Imagine the blessings flowing into the food as you speak the words, and with them, the ability for your body to utilize this nourishment effectively. It's also recommended to say 'Bismillah' before taking each bite if you forget at the start, as taught by the Prophet ﷺ.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encompasses seeking Allah's blessing in our provision and His forgiveness and mercy. When we ask for blessing in our food, we are implicitly asking for Allah to make it beneficial for our bodies, aiding in digestion and providing strength. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us that no one has ever eaten a better meal than that which he ate from his own earnings, and the Prophet David (peace be upon him) used to eat only from what he earned himself. (Sahih al-Bukhari 2072). This implies that lawful and blessed sustenance is a means for good health and well-being, which includes proper digestion. By seeking Allah's blessing, we invite His divine assistance for our bodies to process the food correctly, preventing discomfort and ensuring we gain maximum benefit from it.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mughaffal (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Do not let any one of you precede me in entering the mosque.' He said: 'Or he said: Do not let any one of you precede me in (saying): "Bismillah" before eating.' and he mentioned that the Shaytan would join him in the food. And in another narration: 'Whoever does not say Bismillah before eating, Shaitan eats with him.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767, Sahih Muslim 2044). While this hadith primarily focuses on saying 'Bismillah' to ward off Shaitan, the accompanying supplication 'Allahumma barik lana fima razaqtana' is a general dua for blessing in food, which extends to all benefits derived from it, including healthy digestion.