بِسْمِ اللهِ، اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهَا نِعْمَةً مَغْنُومَةً، وَاجْعَلْهَا صِلَةً مَوْصُولَةً، وَاجْعَلْهَا نِعْمَةً دَائِمَةً، اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهَا نِعْمَةً لَا تُغَيَّرُ وَلَا تُبَدَّلُ وَلَا تُزَالُ بِالنِّعَمِ بَعْدَهَا
In the name of Allah. O Allah, make it a gainful blessing, and make it a connected bond, and make it a lasting blessing. O Allah, make it a blessing that is not changed, nor altered, nor is it removed by blessings after it.
Bismillah, Allahumma ij'alha ni'matan maghnumatan, waj'alha silatan mawṣulatan, waj'alha ni'matan da'imatan, Allahumma ij'alha ni'matan la tughayyaru wa la tubaddalu wa la tuzalu bin-ni'ami ba'daha.
When to Read
This beautiful dua is recited before starting to eat. It's an acknowledgment of Allah's blessings and a plea for His continued grace, asking Him to preserve the food He has provided and prevent it from being wasted or changing for the worse.
How to Read
Recite this dua sincerely before you begin your meal. Utter the Arabic words with a humble heart, reflecting on the meaning. It's a request to Allah not just for the food before you, but for the continuation of His favors in your life.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encompasses several profound requests. Firstly, it asks Allah to make the food a 'gainful blessing,' meaning it benefits us in health and strength. Secondly, it seeks a 'connected bond,' perhaps referring to the connection with those we share the meal with, or the continuous chain of Allah's blessings. Most importantly, it asks for the blessing to be 'lasting,' not temporary, and that it not be 'changed, altered, or removed by blessings after it,' which is a plea for enduring contentment and a life free from hardship and loss of favors. It directly combats the attitude of taking blessings for granted, which can lead to their removal.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught them this supplication to say before eating: 'Bismillah, Allahumma ij'alha ni'matan maghnumatan, waj'alha silatan mawṣulatan, waj'alha ni'matan da'imatan, Allahumma ij'alha ni'matan la tughayyaru wa la tubaddalu wa la tuzalu bin-ni'ami ba'daha.' (Meaning: In the name of Allah. O Allah, make it a gainful blessing, and make it a connected bond, and make it a lasting blessing. O Allah, make it a blessing that is not changed, nor altered, nor is it removed by blessings after it.)