اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ وَأَطْعِمْنَا خَيْرًا مِنْهُ
O Allah, bless us in it and feed us better than it.
Allahumma barik lana feehi wa at'imna khayran minhu
When to Read
This dua is recited before eating a meal. It is a supplication asking Allah to bless the food and grant something even better in return, acknowledging the temporary nature of this provision and the hope for greater sustenance in the hereafter. It also serves as a moment to pause and reflect on the immense blessings of food, a provision that many go without.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity and presence of mind before partaking in any meal. It is ideally recited before starting to eat, and can be a quiet, personal reflection or said aloud if with family or companions. The key is to remember the meaning behind the words – gratitude for the present meal and hope for more in the future.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua embodies gratitude and contentment. By asking for Allah's blessing in the food we have, we acknowledge it as a gift from Him. The second part, 'and feed us better than it,' shows our reliance on Allah for all sustenance, both in this life and the next. It fosters an attitude of thankfulness, which is a key virtue in Islam, reminding us not to take the basic necessities for granted.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Anas that the Prophet ﷺ used to say when a dining sheet was raised: 'Praise be to Allah, abundant, pure, and blessed praise, which is not to be renounced, nor is it to be done without, nor can it be done without, O our Lord.' When the dining sheet was raised, he would say: 'Praise be to Allah.' He did not say (more than that). And it was narrated from him (Anas) that the Prophet ﷺ said: 'Allah is pleased with His servant, or is content with His servant, to praise Him when he eats something and praises Him for it, or drinks something and praises Him for it.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767). While this hadith doesn't contain the exact words of the prompt, the underlying principle of praising Allah for food is present. Another related concept is the dua for breaking fast, which also acknowledges sustenance as a blessing from Allah.