بِسْمِ اللَّهِ
In the name of Allah.
Bismillah
When to Read
This essential dua should be recited at the very beginning of every meal, before you take the first bite. It's a moment to pause and imbue even this simple act with divine remembrance.
How to Read
Simply say 'Bismillah' with sincerity and clear intention before you start eating. You can say it aloud or silently. If you forget at the beginning and remember mid-meal, say 'Bismillahi awwaluhu wa akhiruhu' (In the name of Allah, at the beginning and at the end), as taught in a similar narration (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767).
Virtues & Benefits
Starting your meal with 'Bismillah' is a sunnah practice directly taught by our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It acknowledges that all sustenance comes from Allah and seeks His blessings upon the food. Forgetting to say 'Bismillah' means you've missed out on a simple yet profound opportunity to connect with your Creator in a daily activity. The Prophet ﷺ also taught that when a person says 'Bismillah' before eating, Shaytan exclaims, 'We have no way to eat with you tonight!' (Sunan Abi Dawud 3766). This humble utterance protects us and our meal from the whispers and interference of the accursed Shaytan.
Source & Authentication
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'When any one of you is going to eat, he should say Bismillah, and if he forgets to say Bismillah at the beginning, he should say Bismillah awwaluhu wa akhiruhu (In the name of Allah, at the beginning and at the end).'