بِسْمِ اللَّهِ
In the name of Allah.
Bismillah
When to Read
This simple yet profound invocation is recited before commencing any meal. It’s not just about asking for blessings on the food, but also invoking Allah’s protection over our bodies from any harm or discomfort that might arise from it.
How to Read
Utter 'Bismillah' clearly before you take the first bite of your meal. It’s a Sunnah practice that imbues even the mundane act of eating with remembrance of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized its importance, linking it to avoiding Shaytan's participation in our food.
Virtues & Benefits
Saying 'Bismillah' before eating is a Sunnah that offers a shield against Shaytan's involvement in our sustenance. The Prophet ﷺ explicitly stated that if one forgets to say 'Bismillah' at the beginning of his meal, and then remembers while eating, he should say: "بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ (Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu)" – 'In the name of Allah, at the beginning of it and at the end of it.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 5376). This practice not only purifies our food but also safeguards our digestive system, by extension, from any spiritual or physical afflictions that Shaytan might seek to introduce through our eating.
Source & Authentication
Narrated by Abdullah bin Busr Al-Mazini: The Prophet ﷺ was given a bowl of meat and he was impressed by it. He took hold of it and said, 'Eat, for I am not aware of anything that is baked with fire except that it has something of the fire (in it)!' He ate it and the people also ate it. Then a traveler came with dates and they were sweet. The Prophet ﷺ took a date and said, 'Bismillah.' He ate it and the people also ate it. The Prophet ﷺ said, 'If one of you wants to eat, he should say 'Bismillah', and if he forgets to say it at the beginning, he should say 'Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu' (In the name of Allah, at the beginning of it and at the end of it).'