بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيمَا رَزَقْتَنَا وَاقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
In the name of Allah. O Allah, bless what You have provided us and save us from the punishment of the Fire.
Bismillahi, Allahumma barik lana fima razaqtana wa qina 'adhaban-nar
When to Read
This beautiful dua is recited just before starting to eat. It's a simple yet profound way to acknowledge Allah's blessings and seek His help in enjoying His provision in a way that pleases Him, and importantly, protects us from the Fire, a consequence of our deeds, including how we manage our desires.
How to Read
Recite this with sincerity and presence of mind just as you are about to take your first bite. Start with 'Bismillah' (In the Name of Allah) as is our habit before any good deed, and then utter the supplication asking for blessing in the food and protection from Hellfire. It's often said with hands raised slightly, though this is not a strict condition for this specific dua. The true etiquette lies in the intention and the heartfelt plea to Allah.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua carries immense blessings. By asking Allah to 'barik lana' (bless what You have provided us), we invite His favor upon the food, making it nourishing not just physically but spiritually too. It helps cultivate gratitude, reminding us that all sustenance is from Him. Crucially, asking to be saved from the Fire ('wa qina 'adhaban-nar') connects our worldly actions, like eating, to our ultimate accountability. By seeking moderation and acknowledging our reliance on Him, we are in essence asking for help to control our desires, which can lead us astray if unchecked. This humble request is a powerful shield against heedlessness and excess.
Source & Authentication
Narrated 'Umar bin Abi Salamah: I was a boy under the care of Allah's Messenger ﷺ and my hand used to wander all over the platter. So Allah's Messenger ﷺ said to me: "O boy! Mention Allah's Name, eat with your right hand and eat from what is in front of you." So I did that afterwards. (Sahih al-Bukhari 5376, Sahih Muslim 2022) In a related narration, when this particular dua was taught, it was in the context of seeking Allah's protection from the Fire, emphasizing the spiritual dimension of even our daily actions. (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767)