بِسْمِ اللَّهِ. اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ وَأَطْعِمْنَا خَيْرًا مِنْهُ.
In the name of Allah. O Allah, bless for us in it and feed us better than it.
Bismillah. Allahumma barik lana feehi wa at'imna khayran minh.
When to Read
This dua is recommended to be recited before starting any meal, whether it's a small snack or a full feast. It's an acknowledgment of Allah's provision and a request for His blessing in the sustenance you are about to consume.
How to Read
Recite this dua with sincerity before you begin eating. It's a simple yet profound way to connect with Allah even during the act of eating. Ideally, it should be said before taking the first bite. If you forget, you can say the dua for when you forget to say it at the beginning of the meal: 'بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ' (Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu) - 'In the name of Allah, at the beginning and at the end.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 3768)
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua before eating is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It teaches us gratitude for the blessings of food, which are easily taken for granted. By invoking Allah's name and asking for blessings, we transform a mundane act into an act of worship. This practice helps us remember that all sustenance comes from Allah, fostering humility and thankfulness. It also serves as a reminder to be mindful of those less fortunate and to avoid waste.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from 'Umar bin Abi Salamah that the Messenger of Allah (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 awwalahu wa akhirahu' (In the name of Allah, at the beginning and at the end)." (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767, 3768)