بِسْمِ اللهِ، اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهَا نِعْمَةً مِنَ النِّعَمِ الَّتِي تُبَارِكُ لَنَا فِيهَا، وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا مَا قَدْ أَكَلْنَا وَمَا لَمْ نَأْكُلْ
In the name of Allah. O Allah, make it a blessing from the blessings You bestow upon us, and forgive us for what we have eaten and what we have not eaten.
Bismillah. Allahumma-j'alha ni'matan min an-ni'ami allati tubariku lana fiha, waghfir lana ma qad akalna wa ma lam na'kul.
When to Read
This dua is recited just before partaking in a meal, after having said Bismillah. It's a beautiful supplication to acknowledge Allah's provision while also seeking His pardon for any past excess or shortcomings related to food.
How to Read
Begin by saying 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah). Then, recite the full dua while having the intention of seeking Allah's blessings on the food and His forgiveness for any gluttonous or wasteful habits from the past. It's an act of humility and gratitude before partaking in sustenance.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encompasses gratitude for the present meal and seeks forgiveness for past indulgence. It reminds us that even seemingly simple acts like eating are opportunities to connect with Allah, seek His blessings, and purify ourselves. It cultivates an awareness of His provisions and our responsibility to be mindful of them. While this specific wording isn't found in the most authenticated hadith collections, the spirit of seeking forgiveness and acknowledging blessings before eating is a profound part of Islamic practice. Many scholars have recommended similar supplications for seeking forgiveness in general, and applying that to our consumption is a logical extension of mindful worship.
Source & Authentication
Ibn Majah narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'When any one of you eats, let him say: Bismillah. If he forgets to say it at the beginning, let him say: Bismillah fi awwalihi wa akhirih.' (In the name of Allah at its beginning and its end.) (Sunan Ibn Majah 3265). While this hadith primarily focuses on remembering Bismillah, the act of supplication before eating, including seeking forgiveness, is encouraged and aligns with the general spirit of remembrance and seeking pardon in all aspects of life.