بِسْمِ اللَّهِ. اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيمَا رَزَقْتَنَا وَاقْفِظْنَا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا.
In the name of Allah. O Allah, bless us in what You have provided us, protect us, and forgive us and have mercy upon us.
*Bismillaah. Allahumma baarik lanaa feemaa razaqtanaa wa-qfithnaa waghafir lanaa warhamnaa.*
When to Read
This dua is recited before starting any meal, whether you are eating alone or with others. It is a beautiful Sunnah that acknowledges Allah as the provider and seeks His blessings upon the food and upon ourselves.
How to Read
Recite 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah) before starting. Then recite the full dua. It is recommended to eat with the right hand and to start from the part of the dish nearest to you. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also taught us to eat with our companions, as it brings more blessings, but this dua applies regardless of the number of people present.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting 'Bismillah' before eating protects from Shaytan (Satan). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Indeed, Shaytan makes permissible for himself that food over which Allah's name is not mentioned." (Sahih Muslim 2017). This dua seeks Allah's blessing (barakah) in the food, which means an increase in goodness and sufficiency. It also includes seeking forgiveness and mercy, encompassing the spiritual aspects of this daily act.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "When any one of you eats, he should say Bismillah, and if he forgets to say Bismillah at the beginning, he should say: 'Bismillaahi fee awwalihi wa aakhirihi' (In the name of Allah at the beginning of it and at the end of it)." (Sahih Muslim 2017). Another narration mentions a specific dua for when eating: It was narrated from 'Umar bin Abi Salama that he was with the Prophet ﷺ and he mentioned the name of Allah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Say Bismillah and eat with your right hand, and eat from whatever is nearest to you." He said: So I did that. My wife said to me: The Prophet ﷺ kept on eating and I kept on eating. Then the Prophet ﷺ said: "Eat, but do not fill your stomach, for it is a very bad thing to fill the stomach." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5376, Sahih Muslim 2044). The specific dua 'Allahumma baarik lanaa...' is generally understood to be an invocation for blessings upon the food provided, suitable for any eating occasion.