بِسْمِ اللهِ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ وَأَطْعِمْنَا خَيْرًا مِنْهُ.
In the name of Allah. O Allah, bless us in it and feed us better than it.
Bismillah, Allahumma barik lana fihi wa at'imna khayran minhu.
When to Read
This dua is beautiful to recite when preparing or offering food or drink to someone who is unwell. It’s a way to infuse their sustenance with blessings and seek Allah’s help for their recovery. You can say it just before the sick person begins to eat or drink, or even as you are preparing it for them.
How to Read
Begin with 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah) as is the Sunnah for all our actions, especially when seeking blessings. Then, recite the full dua. It's best recited with sincerity and a focused heart, visualizing the barakah and healing entering the food and then benefiting the person eating it. Make sure the sick person hears it if possible, or at least intend for the blessing to be upon their meal.
Virtues & Benefits
Reciting this dua invokes Allah's blessing ('barakah') upon the food or drink. This is not just about quantity, but about the quality of sustenance – that it brings goodness, nourishment, and aids in recovery. By asking Allah to feed us 'better than it', we acknowledge that true nourishment and healing come from Him alone, and that even this blessed food is a means, with Allah being the ultimate source of well-being. It shifts our focus from the physical food to the spiritual power behind it, especially crucial when dealing with sickness.
Source & Authentication
The narration that supports this is often linked to the general etiquette of eating. While this exact phrasing is a specific supplication for seeking more goodness and barakah, the core principle stems from the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ teachings on invoking Allah’s name over food and seeking His blessings. For instance, Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'When one of you eats food, let him say: Bismillah. If he forgets to say it at the beginning, let him say: Bismillah fi awwalihi wa akhirihi (In the name of Allah at the beginning of it and at the end of it).' (Sunan Abi Dawud 3764, Sahih). The dua provided is a more specific supplication for seeking intensified barakah and better provision, particularly relevant when offering food to someone in need of healing.