بِسْمِ اللَّهِ. اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ وَأَطْعِمْنَا خَيْرًا مِنْهُ.
In the name of Allah. O Allah, bless it for us and feed us better than it.
Bismillah. Allahumma barik lana feehi wa at'imna khayran minhu.
When to Read
This beautiful supplication is recommended when you are presented with food that is new to you, or perhaps unfamiliar in origin or preparation. It’s a moment to pause before indulging, acknowledging Allah’s provision and seeking His blessing in what you are about to consume. Think of it for that exotic dish on vacation, a special recipe you haven't tried, or even just a meal where the ingredients are unknown to you. It’s about showing gratitude and seeking protection from any potential harm.
How to Read
Begin by saying 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah) before you start eating. Then, recite the full dua: 'Allahumma barik lana feehi wa at'imna khayran minhu.' This is a personal supplication, so you can say it quietly to yourself as you look at the food. The intention is key: to recognize Allah's blessing and seek His goodness in this sustenance.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua before eating new food is a beautiful expression of faith and gratitude. It acknowledges that all sustenance comes from Allah (SWT), and by asking for His blessing ('barakah'), we invite His favor upon the meal. Asking for 'better than it' (khayran minhu) is a humble way of accepting Allah's decree, trusting that He knows what is truly best for us, whether it's this food or something else entirely. It fosters contentment and protects us from potential ill effects of unknown foods, by seeking Allah's refuge.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'When one of you eats food, he should say: Bismillah. And if he forgets to say it at the beginning, he should say: Bismillah fee awwalihi wa akhirihi (In the name of Allah at the beginning and at the end of it).' Relatedly, when presented with new food, the companions would often inquire about it. For instance, a narration mentions that when a dish of lizard was brought to the Prophet (peace be upon him), he didn't eat it and indicated his unfamiliarity with it. While not a specific dua for *new* food in this particular narration, it shows the Prophet's ﷺ awareness of what he consumed. The supplication 'Allahumma barik lana feehi wa at'imna khayran minhu' is specifically narrated in Sunan Abi Dawud (3767) in the context of seeking blessing in food, and is understood to apply when the food itself might be unfamiliar or when seeking a special blessing upon it.