بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيمَا رَزَقْتَنَا وَاقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
In the name of Allah. O Allah, bless us in what You have provided us and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
Bismillah, Allahumma barik lana fima razaqtana waqina 'adhaban-nar.
When to Read
This beautiful supplication is recited before beginning any meal. It's a moment to pause, acknowledge Allah's blessings, and seek His protection over the sustenance He has given us. Imagine sitting down to a meal with family or friends. Before you even pick up your fork or dates, you take a breath and make this dua. It transforms a simple act of eating into an act of worship, infusing it with barakah (blessing) and safeguarding us.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and presence of mind before you start eating. Utter the words clearly, focusing on their meaning: acknowledging Allah's name at the start, asking Him to bless the food, and seeking protection from the Hellfire. It's a short but powerful way to connect with Allah before partaking in His provision.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encompasses several profound benefits. 'Bismillah' is a recognition of Allah's name and power in all our actions, inviting His blessing and protection. Asking Allah to 'barik lana fima razaqtana' (bless us in what You have provided us) is a plea for increase and purity in our sustenance, ensuring it nourishes us in body and soul. Crucially, seeking protection from the Hellfire ('waqina 'adhaban-nar') reminds us of our ultimate accountability and the importance of living a life pleasing to Allah, even in the seemingly mundane act of eating. This dua, when consistently recited, helps foster gratitude and mindfulness, turning every meal into an opportunity for spiritual growth.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'When any one of you eats food, he should say: Bismillah. If he forgets to say Bismillah at the beginning, he should say: Bismillah fi awwalihi wa akhirih (In the name of Allah at the beginning and at the end).' Another narration by 'Abdullah bin Busr (may Allah be pleased with him) states that when food was brought before the Prophet ﷺ, he would say: 'O Allah, bless for us in this food, and increase it for us, and make it a means of submission to Your obedience.' And when he ate, he would say: 'Praise be to Allah, Who fed us and gave us drink, and made us Muslims.' This specific wording: 'Allahumma barik lana fima razaqtana waqina 'adhaban-nar' is taught as a comprehensive supplication to be said before eating, particularly emphasizing the blessing in provision and seeking refuge from the Fire.