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.
Bismillāh. Allāhumma bārik lanā fīhi wa at'imnā khayran minhu.
When to Read
This dua is recited before starting to eat any meal, whether it's a large feast or a simple snack. It's a beautiful way to acknowledge Allah's provision and ask for His blessings upon the food and for even better sustenance in the future.
How to Read
It is recommended to recite this dua with sincerity and presence of mind, acknowledging the bounty of Allah. Start with 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah) before the full dua. The intention is to seek blessings, good health, and strength from the food.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua before eating not only seeks Allah's blessings on the food itself but also asks for it to be a source of health and strength. It reminds us that all sustenance comes from Allah and seeking His barakah (blessing) can transform ordinary food into something that nourishes us physically and spiritually. It also expresses gratitude for the current meal and hope for even greater blessings in the future, fostering a mindset of contentment and reliance on Allah.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by 'Umar bin Abi Salama: I was a boy in the care of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). My hand used to wander around the platter. So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me: 'O boy, mention Allah's name, eat with your right hand, and eat from that which is near you.' So I did that. It was narrated from him that he said: 'For the Shaytan, he eats with his left hand and eats from that which is near him.' The wording of Abu Bakr is: '...and eat what is near you.' Al-Hasan bin 'Ali told us, on the authority of Abu Ishaq, on the authority of Al-Asbagh bin Al-Jawlā, on the authority of 'Abdullah bin Yasar, on the authority of Abu Salama bin 'Abdur Rahman, on the authority of Abu Hurairah, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'When any one of you eats, he should eat with his right hand and when he drinks, he should drink with his right hand, for the Satan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand.' (Note: While the primary hadith often cited for eating with the right hand is more widely known, this specific dua is narrated in the context of seeking blessings upon food, often associated with the general etiquette of eating taught by the Prophet ﷺ. The mention of blessings upon food is a crucial element of seeking good health and vitality from it.)