The Sunnah dua before eating is simply بِسْمِ اللَّهِ (Bismillah), “In the name of Allah.” The Prophet ﷺ told a young boy, “Mention Allah’s name, eat with your right hand and eat from what is in front of you” (Sahih Muslim 2022). If you forget at the start, say بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ (Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu) as soon as you remember (Abu Dawud 3767, sahih).
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Dua Before Eating – Quick Reference
1. Before the First Bite
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ
Transliteration: Bismillah.
English meaning: In the name of Allah.
اردو ترجمہ: اللہ کے نام سے (شروع کرتا ہوں)۔
When to recite: Before every meal, snack or drink.
2. If You Forgot Bismillah
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ
Transliteration: Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu.
English meaning: In the name of Allah, at its beginning and at its end.
اردو ترجمہ: اللہ کے نام سے، اس کے شروع میں بھی اور آخر میں بھی۔
When to recite: The moment you remember during the meal. Tirmidhi 1858 reports it as Bismillahi fi awwalihi wa akhirihi, with the same meaning.
کھانا کھانے سے پہلے کی دعا (اردو خلاصہ): کھانا شروع کرنے سے پہلے “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ” کہیں، دائیں ہاتھ سے کھائیں اور اپنے سامنے سے کھائیں۔ اگر شروع میں بسم اللہ بھول جائیں تو یاد آتے ہی “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ” پڑھ لیں۔
Why Say Bismillah Before Eating?
Food is provision from Allah, and saying His name turns an ordinary meal into worship and gratitude. The Prophet ﷺ also said that when a person mentions Allah on entering home and at meals, Shaytan tells his companions there is no place to stay and no dinner for them (Sahih Muslim 2018). That is why the eating dua pairs naturally with the dua for entering home.
Sunnah Manners of Eating
- Wash your hands and sit down to eat calmly.
- Say Bismillah, and eat and drink with the right hand.
- Eat from the part of the plate in front of you (Muslim 2022).
- Do not criticise food; if you dislike it, simply leave it.
- Avoid waste and finish with praise of Allah – see the dua after eating.
Dua for the Host
When eating at someone’s home, the Prophet ﷺ prayed for his hosts (Sahih Muslim 2042):
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَهُمْ فِي مَا رَزَقْتَهُمْ وَاغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَارْحَمْهُمْ
Transliteration: Allahumma barik lahum fima razaqtahum, waghfir lahum warhamhum.
English: O Allah, bless them in what You have provided for them, forgive them and have mercy on them.
اردو ترجمہ: اے اللہ! جو رزق تو نے انہیں دیا ہے اس میں برکت دے، انہیں بخش دے اور ان پر رحم فرما۔
Teaching Children the Dua Before Eating
Because Bismillah is so short, it is the perfect first dua for children. Say it together at every meal, explain that we thank Allah for food, and praise them when they remember. In Ramadan, add the iftar dua and other Ramadan duas to the family routine.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping Bismillah when eating in a hurry or while using a phone.
- Eating with the left hand out of habit without need.
- Thinking a long special formula is required – Bismillah is enough.
- Ignoring the “forgot” dua when you remember mid-meal.
FAQ
What is the dua before eating?
Say Bismillah (In the name of Allah) before eating, as the Prophet ﷺ taught in Sahih Muslim 2022.
What if I forget to say Bismillah before eating?
Say Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu (In the name of Allah at its beginning and its end) as soon as you remember.
Khana khane se pehle ki dua kya hai?
Khana shuru karne se pehle sirf Bismillah kehna sunnat hai. Bhool jayein to Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu parhein.
Is “Bismillahi wa ‘ala barakatillah” the Sunnah wording?
Many people say it, and the meaning is good, but the wording confirmed in Sahih Muslim is simply Bismillah.
Related Reading
Source & review: Sahih Muslim 2022, Sunan Abi Dawud 3767, Tirmidhi 1858, Muslim 2018, Muslim 2042. References: Quran (quran.com), Hadith (sunnah.com). Content reviewed by Qilaj editorial team.
