In Islam, every aspect of daily life can become a form of worship when done with sincerity and remembrance of Allah ﷻ. Eating—something we do multiple times a day—is no exception. When we begin our meals with gratitude, and end them with praise, the act of nourishment becomes an act of worship.
Food: A Divine Blessing
The Qur’an constantly reminds us of the countless blessings Allah has bestowed upon His creation. In Surah An-Nahl, Allah ﷻ says:
“And indeed, for you in livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from that which is in their bellies, and for you in them are numerous benefits, and from them you eat.”
— Surah An-Nahl (16:66)
Quran.com Reference
Every bite we take is a gift. And as believers, it is only fitting that we acknowledge the Provider of sustenance before and after we eat.
The Sunnah of Making Duʿāʾ Before Eating
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ consistently emphasized the importance of starting a meal by remembering Allah ﷻ. This not only serves as a spiritual reminder, but also a means of blessing and protecting the food from Shayṭān.
Dua for Eating | Audio
All Duaa for eating mentioned in this article can be found in this Audio; keep reading to follow with text and translation.
Dua for Eating | the Basic Opening
بِسْمِ ٱللّٰهِ
Transliteration: Bismillāh
Translation: In the name of Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When one of you eats, let him mention the name of Allah. If he forgets to mention the name of Allah at the beginning, let him say: ‘Bismillahi fī awwalihi wa ākhirihi’.”
— Sunan Abu Dawud, 3767
Sunnah.com
Dua for Eating | a Comprehensive Supplication
ٱللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيمَا رَزَقْتَنَا، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
Transliteration: Allāhumma bārik lanā fīmā razaqtanā wa qinā ʿadhāba al-nār
Translation: O Allah, bless us in what You have provided us and save us from the punishment of the Fire.
Context: This longer form combines gratitude with a plea for protection, showing that food is a means both of physical survival and spiritual awareness.
The Sunnah of Thanking Allah After Eating
Gratitude after finishing a meal was a constant Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. It serves to remind the believer that nothing—neither nourishment, nor safety, nor guidance—comes without Allah’s will.
Dua for Eating | Humble Gratitude
ٱلْـحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ ٱلَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَٰذَا، وَرَزَقَنِيهِ، مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِّنِّي وَلَا قُوَّةٍ
Transliteration: Al-ḥamdu lillāhi alladhī aṭʿamanī hādhā wa razaqanīhi min ghayri ḥawlin minnī wa lā quwwah
Translation: All praise is due to Allah who fed me this and provided it for me without any power or might from myself.
Narrated in Abu Dawud 3858, classified as Hasan
Sunnah.com Reference
Dua for Eating | Praising Allah for Food, Drink, and Islam
ٱلْـحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ ٱلَّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا وَجَعَلَنَا مُسْلِمِينَ
Transliteration: Al-ḥamdu lillāhi alladhī aṭʿamanā wa saqānā wa jaʿalanā Muslimīn
Translation: All praise is due to Allah who fed us, gave us drink, and made us Muslims.
Context: This beautiful duʿāʾ reflects a multi-layered gratitude—for food, drink, and the supreme gift of being guided to Islam.
Reported in Sahih Muslim 273
Sunnah.com Reference
Dua When Eating at Someone’s Home
ٱللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَهُمْ فِيمَا رَزَقْتَهُمْ، وَٱغْفِرْ لَهُمْ، وَٱرْحَمْهُمْ
Transliteration: Allāhumma bārik lahum fīmā razaqtahum, waghfir lahum, warḥamhum
Translation: O Allah, bless them in what You have provided for them, forgive them, and have mercy upon them.
Source: Sahih Muslim 2042
Sunnah.com Reference
Dua When Forgetting to Say Bismillah at the Start of the Meal
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ فِي أَوَّلِهِ وَآخِرِهِ
Transliteration: Bismillāhi fī awwalihi wa ākhirihi
Translation: In the name of Allah at its beginning and at its end.
Context: If one forgets to say “Bismillah” before eating, this dua is recited upon remembering, to seek Allah’s blessing even after starting the meal.
Source: Abu Dawud 3767 | Sunnah.com
Dua When Invited to Eat at Someone’s House
ٱللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَهُمْ فِيمَا رَزَقْتَهُمْ، وَٱغْفِرْ لَهُمْ، وَٱرْحَمْهُمْ
Transliteration: Allāhumma bārik lahum fīmā razaqtahum, waghfir lahum, warḥamhum
Translation: O Allah, bless them in what You have provided for them, forgive them, and have mercy upon them.
Context: This is the dua the Prophet ﷺ would make for hosts after being served food.
Source: Sahih Muslim 2042 | Sunnah.com
Dua When Eating with Others
أَفْطَرَ عِندَكُمُ الصَّائِمُونَ، وَأَكَلَ طَعَامَكُمُ الأَبْرَارُ، وَصَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُْ
Transliteration: Afaṭara ʿindakumu al-ṣāʾimūn, wa akala ṭaʿāmakumu al-abrāru, wa ṣallat ʿalaykumu al-malāʾikah
Translation: “May those who are fasting break their fast with you, may the righteous eat your food, and may the angels pray for you.”
Context: This dua is often recited as a form of appreciation and blessing after eating in a group setting or being invited to ifṭār.
Source: Abu Dawud 3854 | Sunnah.com
Dua for Eating Dates or Sweets (Optional Sunnah Etiquette)
ٱللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ وَزِدْنَا مِنْهُ
Transliteration: Allāhumma bārik lanā fīhi wa zidnā minhu
Translation: O Allah, bless it for us and increase us in it.
Context: This is a general supplication for any food you love and wish to enjoy in blessing and moderation. Especially beautiful when eating dates, fruits, or beloved dishes.
Dua for Eating Meat (Especially Goat or Lamb)
ٱللَّهُمَّ إِنَّهَا مِنْ نِعَمِكَ، فَبَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهَا، وَلَا تَجْعَلْهَا شَرًّا لَنَا
Transliteration: Allāhumma innahā min niʿamika, fa-bārik lanā fīhā, wa lā tajʿalhā sharran lanā
Translation: O Allah, indeed it is from Your blessings; so bless it for us and do not make it harmful to us.
Context: While not found as a fixed prophetic duʿāʾ, it is based on the general prophetic etiquette of acknowledging Allah’s favors and seeking safety from harm in what we consume.
Dua When Drinking Milk
ٱللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ وَزِدْنَا مِنْهُ
Transliteration: Allāhumma bārik lanā fīhi wa zidnā minhu
Translation: O Allah, bless it for us and increase us in it.
The Prophet ﷺ used to say this after drinking milk.
— Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi 3455 | Sunnah.com
Dua When Finding Food Insufficient
ٱللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ، وَأَطْعِمْنَا خَيْرًا مِّنْهُ
Transliteration: Allāhumma bārik lanā fīhi wa aṭʿimnā khayran minhu
Translation: O Allah, bless it for us and feed us something better than it.
Context: A way to express gratitude even when the meal is humble or scarce, while hoping for greater sustenance.
Etiquette of the Prophet ﷺ While Eating
- He ate with the right hand. “Eat with your right hand.” — Sahih Muslim 2020
Sunnah.com - He ate from what was in front of him. “Eat from what is directly in front of you.” — Sahih al-Bukhari 5376
Sunnah.com - He never criticized food. “The Prophet never criticized food. If he liked it, he ate it; if not, he left it.” — Sahih al-Bukhari 5409
Sunnah.com
Every Bite Is a Blessing
When we incorporate these duʿāʾs and etiquettes into our meals, we move beyond the simple act of eating—we are practicing remembrance (dhikr), gratitude (shukr), and humility. We remember that we are not independent beings but deeply reliant upon Allah ﷻ for every bite, every sip, and every breath.
Let your meals be not just nourishment for the body, but a cause for spiritual growth and awareness. Teach these duʿāʾs to your family, especially children, and bring the Sunnah into your daily table.
“Eat of what Allah has provided for you, lawful and good. And be grateful for the favor of Allah, if it is Him that you worship.”
— Surah An-Nahl (16:114)
Quran.com Reference
Read more: Dua For Rizq