Dua before eating and after eating
The dua before eating is one word, “Bismillah”, and after eating you thank Allah with “Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi at‘amani hadha…”. Here are both, with Arabic, transliteration and meaning, what to say if you forget, and the table manners of the Sunnah.
Last updated: 4 October 2026
The dua before eating
The hadith
إِذَا أَكَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ طَعَاماً فَلْيَقُلْ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، فَإِنْ نَسِيَ فِي أَوَّلِهِ فَلْيَقُلْ بسمِ اللَّهِ فِي أَوَّلِهِ وَآخِرِهِ
“When one of you eats, let him say “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah). If he forgets at the beginning, let him say “Bismillahi fi awwalihi wa akhirihi” (In the name of Allah at its beginning and its end).”
Source: Sunan Abi Dawud and Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi (graded sahih). Arabic text: Hisn al-MuslimSo the du‘a before eating is “Bismillah”. If you only remember part-way through the meal, say “Bismillahi fi awwalihi wa akhirihi”.
The dua after eating
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا، وَرَزَقَنِيهِ، مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلاَ قُوَّةٍ
Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi at‘amani hadha wa razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwah.
“All praise is for Allah who fed me this and provided it for me without any power or strength on my part.”
The Prophet ﷺ said whoever says this after eating has his past minor sins forgiven (Sunan Abi Dawud, Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi; graded hasan).
Source: Sunan Abi Dawud, Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi and Sunan Ibn Majah (graded hasan). Arabic text: Hisn al-MuslimAnother du‘a after eating
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَمْداً كَثِيراً طَيِّباً مُبَارَكاً فِيهِ، غَيْرَ [مَكْفِيٍّ وَلاَ ] مُوَدَّعٍ، وَلاَ مُسْتَغْنَىً عَنْهُ رَبَّنَا
“All praise is for Allah, abundant, good and blessed praise, praise that is never enough, never abandoned and never dispensed with, our Lord.”
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari. Arabic text: Hisn al-MuslimTable manners from the Sunnah
| Manner | Source |
|---|---|
| Say Bismillah | Before the first mouthful (Sahih al-Bukhari 5376). |
| Eat with the right hand | “Say Bismillah, eat with your right hand and eat from what is in front of you” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5376). |
| Do not criticise food | The Prophet ﷺ never criticised food: if he liked it he ate it, and if not he left it (Sahih al-Bukhari 3563). |
| Eat moderately | “A third for food, a third for drink and a third for breath” (Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 2380, graded sahih). |
| Praise Allah afterwards | Allah is pleased with a servant who praises Him after eating or drinking (Sahih Muslim 2734). |
Teaching children
Children learn these fastest at the family table: say “Bismillah” together before the meal and the after-eating du‘a together at the end. See duas for kids. During Ramadan, see the dua for breaking the fast, and for other daily du‘as, our dua collection. Our Islamic studies lessons teach daily manners and du‘as step by step.
Frequently asked questions
What is the dua before eating?
Simply “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah). If you forget at the start, say “Bismillahi fi awwalihi wa akhirihi” when you remember (Sunan Abi Dawud, Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi).
Is “Allahumma barik lana fima razaqtana” authentic?
This popular du‘a (“O Allah, bless what You have provided us…”) is reported with a weak chain. Saying it is not wrong as a general du‘a, but the established Sunnah before eating is “Bismillah”.
What is the dua after drinking milk?
The Prophet ﷺ taught: “Allahumma barik lana fihi wa zidna minhu” (O Allah, bless it for us and give us more of it) (Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 3455, graded hasan).
Daily duas and manners for children
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