بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، وَعَلَى بَرَكَةِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهَا نِعْمَةً دَائِمَةً وَأُخُوَّةً وَاصِلَةً وَاجْمَعْ أُمُورَنَا عَلَى طَاعَتِكَ وَأَصْلِحْ قُلُوبَنَا وَأَلْفِ بَيْنَنَا.
In the name of Allah, and by the blessings of Allah. O Allah, make it a lasting blessing, and a continuous bond of brotherhood/sisterhood, and unite our affairs in obedience to You, and set our hearts right, and bring us together (in affection).
Bismillahi, wa 'ala barakatillah. Allahumma ij'alha ni'matan da'imatan wa ukhuwwatan wasilatan, wajma' umurana 'ala ta'atika wa aslih qulubana wa allif baynana.
When to Read
This beautiful dua is recited before starting the evening meal. It's a moment when the family gathers, a time of shared sustenance and connection. Reciting this dua sets a beautiful intention for the meal and for the family's ongoing relationship, asking Allah to bless the food and foster unity.
How to Read
Begin by saying 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah) before taking the first bite. Then, recite the full dua with sincerity, directing your heart towards Allah. It's best to say this aloud so everyone at the table can hear and take heed, or at least say it silently with intention. Ensure you face the Qiblah if possible, and eat with your right hand, following the Sunnah.
Virtues & Benefits
This dua encompasses profound requests for the family. It asks for Allah to make the blessings of the meal 'lasting' and the family bond a 'continuous connection,' moving beyond mere physical sustenance to spiritual and emotional ties. It also seeks Allah's help in uniting the family in obedience to Him, ensuring their collective actions are pleasing to the Creator. The plea to 'set our hearts right' and 'bring us together' is a powerful request for internal harmony and mutual affection, preventing disputes and fostering love.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'When one of you eats, he should say: 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah). And if he forgets to say it at the beginning, he should say: 'Bismillahi fi awwalihi wa akhirih' (In the name of Allah at the beginning and at the end of it). And the Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach them all the needs of the matter, and he mentioned a similar narration for drinking. It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'If any one of you eats, he should eat with his right hand, and if he drinks, he should drink with his right hand, for Satan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand.' (Narrated by Abu Dawud, 3766; Tirmidhi, 1791). The dua mentioned in the main entry is specifically found in Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir for the meal, emphasizing unity and continuous blessings.