Meal Supplications
📿 أَدْعِيَةُ الطَّعَامِ — Meal Invocations
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: "Bismillāhi fī awwalihi wa ākhirihi" » [Abū Dāwūd: 3767]
📖 The Invocations in This Lesson
🤲 ① Invocation 1: Bismillāh (Before Eating)
🟢 بِسْمِ اللَّهِ 🟢
📖 Reference: [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5376]
🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1)
And if one adds: « بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ » (Bismillāhi ar-Raḥmāni ar-Raḥīm), it is good.
English Translation
« In the name of Allah » or « In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate »
📚 Source
| Reference | Number | Authenticity |
|---|---|---|
| Sahih al-Bukhārī | 5376 | ✅ Authentic |
| Sahih Muslim | 2017 | ✅ Authentic |
| Sunan Abī Dāwūd | 3767 | ✅ Authentic |
💎 Merit of Mentioning Allah's Name
From 'Umar ibn Abī Salamah — may Allah be pleased with him — who said:
I was a young boy under the care of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and my hand used to wander around the dish. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me: « O young boy, mention the name of Allah (say Bismillāh), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is nearest to you. »
[Reported by al-Bukhārī: 5376, Muslim: 2022]
⚠️ Ruling on the Basmala
| School of Thought | Ruling | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Ḥanafī | Obligatory | Due to the prophetic command |
| 🟡 Mālikī | Strongly recommended Sunnah | The command is for recommendation |
| 🔵 Shāfi'ī | Strongly recommended Sunnah | The command is for recommendation |
| 🟣 Ḥanbalī | Obligatory | Due to the prophetic command |
The most correct opinion: Strongly recommended Sunnah, and the safest approach is to always maintain it.
🤲 ② Invocation 2: If One Forgets the Basmala
🔵 بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ 🔵
📖 Reference: [Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 3767]
🔢 Repetitions: 🔵 Once (×1)
English Translation
« In the name of Allah at its beginning and its end. »
📚 Source
| Reference | Number | Authenticity |
|---|---|---|
| Sunan Abī Dāwūd | 3767 | ✅ Authentic |
| Sunan at-Tirmidhī | 1858 | ✅ Authentic |
| Musnad Ahmad | 26049 | ✅ Authentic |
Authenticated by al-Albānī in Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd.
💎 The Wisdom
From 'Ā'ishah — may Allah be pleased with her — the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
« When one of you eats, let him mention the name of Allah the Most High. If he forgets to mention the name of Allah the Most High at the beginning, let him say: "Bismillāhi fī awwalihi wa ākhirihi" (In the name of Allah at its beginning and its end). »
[Reported by Abū Dāwūd and authenticated by al-Albānī]
🤲 ③ Invocation 3: Al-ḥamdu lillāh (After Eating)
🟡 الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا، وَجَعَلَنَا مُسْلِمِينَ 🟡
📖 Reference: [Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 3850]
🔢 Repetitions: 🟡 Once (×1)
Arabic Text with Complete Tashkīl
« الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا، وَجَعَلَنَا مُسْلِمِينَ »
English Translation
« Praise be to Allah who fed us and gave us drink, and made us Muslims. »
📚 Source
| Reference | Number | Authenticity |
|---|---|---|
| Sunan Abī Dāwūd | 3850 | ✅ Authentic |
| Sunan at-Tirmidhī | 3456 | ✅ Good and authentic |
| Musnad Ahmad | 17763 | ✅ Authentic |
💎 Gratitude for the Blessing
From Abū Umāmah — may Allah be pleased with him:
The Prophet ﷺ, when his meal was cleared away, would say: « Al-ḥamdu lillāhi alladhī aṭ'amanā wa saqānā, wa ja'alanā muslimīn »
[Reported by Abū Dāwūd, at-Tirmidhī, and authenticated by al-Albānī]
🤲 ④ Invocation 4: Al-ḥamdu lillāhi ḥamdan kathīran
🟣 الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ، غَيْرَ مَكْفِيٍّ وَلَا مُوَدَّعٍ وَلَا مُسْتَغْنًى عَنْهُ رَبَّنَا 🟣
📖 Reference: [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5458]
🔢 Repetitions: 🟣 Once (×1)
Arabic Text with Complete Tashkīl
« الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ، غَيْرَ مَكْفِيٍّ وَلَا مُوَدَّعٍ وَلَا مُسْتَغْنًى عَنْهُ، رَبَّنَا »
English Translation
« Praise be to Allah, abundant, good, and blessed praise. [A praise that is] not to be parted with nor dispensed with, nor forgotten, O our Lord. »
📚 Source
| Reference | Number | Authenticity |
|---|---|---|
| Sahih al-Bukhārī | 5458 | ✅ Authentic |
💎 Blessed Praise
From Abū Umāhah — may Allah be pleased with him — who said:
The Prophet ﷺ, when his meal was cleared away, would say: « Al-ḥamdu lillāhi ḥamdan kathīran ṭayyiban mubārakan fīhi, ghayra makfiyyin wa lā muwadda'in wa lā mustaghnan 'anhu rabbanā »
[Reported by al-Bukhārī: 5458]
📖 Meanings of the Supplication
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| غَيْرَ مَكْفِيٍّ | We do not consider Your praise sufficient from obedience to You |
| وَلَا مُوَدَّعٍ | We do not bid farewell to Your praise and leave it |
| وَلَا مُسْتَغْنًى عَنْهُ | We are never free of need for Your favor |
🤲 ⑤ Invocation 5: For the Host
🟢 اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَهُمْ فِيمَا رَزَقْتَهُمْ، وَاغْفِرْ لَهُمْ، وَارْحَمْهُمْ 🟢
📖 Reference: [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2042]
🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1)
English Translation
« O Allah, bless for them what You have provided them, and forgive them, and have mercy upon them. »
📚 Source
| Reference | Number | Authenticity |
|---|---|---|
| Sahih Muslim | 2042 | ✅ Authentic |
💎 Supplication for the Host
From 'Abdullāh ibn Busr — may Allah be pleased with him:
The Prophet ﷺ came to stay with his father, so they brought him food and watbah (a milk dish). He ate from it, then dates were brought and he would eat them, placing the stones between his two fingers (the index and middle fingers together). Then a drink was brought and he drank it, then passed it to the one on his right. When he stood to leave, my father took hold of his mount's bridle and said: "Supplicate to Allah for us." He said: « Allāhumma bārik lahum fīmā razaqtahum, waghfir lahum, warḥamhum »
[Reported by Muslim: 2042]
🤲 ⑥ Invocation 6: For the Fasting Person When Present at a Meal Without Breaking Fast
🔵 السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ 🔵
📖 Reference: [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2043]
🔢 Repetitions: 🔵 Once (×1)
Arabic Text with Complete Tashkīl
« أَفْطَرَ عِندَكُمُ الصَّائِمُونَ، وَأَكَلَ طَعَامَكُمُ الأَبْرَارُ، وَصَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ »
English Translation
« May those who are fasting break their fast with you, may the righteous eat your food, and may the angels send prayers upon you. »
📚 Source
| Reference | Number | Authenticity |
|---|---|---|
| Sunan Abī Dāwūd | 3854 | ✅ Authentic |
| Sunan Ibn Mājah | 1747 | ✅ Authentic |
| Musnad Ahmad | 11811 | ✅ Authentic |
Authenticated by al-Albānī in Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd.
💎 The Fasting Person's Supplication for the Host
From Anas ibn Mālik — may Allah be pleased with him:
The Prophet ﷺ came to Sa'd ibn 'Ubādah who brought bread and olive oil. He ate, then the Prophet ﷺ said: « Afṭara 'indakumu aṣ-ṣā'imūn, wa akala ṭa'āmakumu al-abrār, wa ṣallat 'alaykumu al-malā'ikah »
[Reported by Abū Dāwūd and authenticated by al-Albānī]
🎓 Etiquettes of Eating in the Sunnah
📌 Etiquettes Before Eating
| Etiquette | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Wash the hands | Cleanliness is part of faith |
| Say the Basmala | « Say Bismillāh » |
| Eat with the right hand | « And eat with your right hand » |
| Eat from what is nearest | « And eat from what is nearest to you » |
| Do not criticize food | « He never criticized food » |
📌 Etiquettes During Eating
| Etiquette | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 🍽️ Eat with the right hand | Strongly recommended Sunnah |
| 👄 Take small bites | Chew well |
| 🤐 Do not speak with a full mouth | From good manners |
| 👥 Eat with others | There is blessing in it |
| 🧹 Lick the fingers | « For he does not know in which part the blessing lies » |
From Jābir — may Allah be pleased with him — the Prophet ﷺ said:
« When one of you eats, let him lick his fingers, for he does not know in which part the blessing lies. »
[Reported by Muslim: 2031]
📌 Etiquettes After Eating
| Etiquette | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Praise Allah | Gratitude for the blessing |
| Lick the dish | The blessing |
| Wash the hands | Cleanliness |
| Rinse the mouth | Remove food remnants |
📚 Evidence from the Qur'an and Sunnah
From the Noble Qur'an
﴿ فَكُلُوا مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَاشْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ ﴾
« So eat of that which Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And be grateful for the favor of Allah, if it is [indeed] Him that you worship. »
[An-Naḥl: 114]
﴿ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ ﴾
« O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship. »
[Al-Baqarah: 172]
From the Prophetic Sunnah
From Anas ibn Mālik — may Allah be pleased with him — the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
« Indeed Allah is pleased with a servant who eats a meal and praises Him for it, or drinks a drink and praises Him for it. »
[Reported by Muslim: 2734]
🌍 Practical Application
📋 Checklist for Every Meal
| ✅ | Action |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Washed my hands |
| ☐ | Said Bismillāh |
| ☐ | Ate with my right hand |
| ☐ | Ate from what is nearest to me |
| ☐ | Licked my fingers |
| ☐ | Praised Allah |
🏡 Teaching Children
| Age | What to Teach |
|---|---|
| 2-3 years | Saying "Bismillāh" |
| 4-5 years | Eating with the right hand |
| 6-7 years | All meal etiquettes |
| 8+ years | Complete supplications |
💡 Practical Tips
| Situation | Advice |
|---|---|
| Forgot the Basmala | Say immediately: « Bismillāhi fī awwalihi wa ākhirihi » |
| At a restaurant | Say the Basmala quietly or silently |
| Guest at a non-Muslim's | Say the Basmala and you are excused from upbringing |
| Doubtful food | Seek Allah's guidance and be cautious |
⚠️ Precautions and Common Mistakes
🚫 Common Errors
| Error | Correction |
|---|---|
| ❌ Eating without Basmala | ✅ « Bismillāh » |
| ❌ Eating with the left hand | ✅ Eat with the right hand |
| ❌ Not praising Allah after eating | ✅ « Al-ḥamdu lillāh » |
| ❌ Throwing away food | ✅ Respect the blessing |
| ❌ Extravagance in food | ✅ Moderation |
📖 Allah the Most High Says
﴿ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ ﴾
« And eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess. »
[Al-A'rāf: 31]
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
« Must I say Bismillāh for every bite? »
Answer: No, it suffices at the beginning of the meal, but if you forget, then say: « Bismillāhi fī awwalihi wa ākhirihi ».
« If I eat with a non-Muslim, should I say the Basmala? »
Answer: ✅ Yes, say the Basmala even if silently.
« Is it permissible to eat with the left hand due to an excuse? »
Answer: Yes, for a valid excuse (injury, illness), otherwise eating is with the right hand.
« What should I say if I am offered food I don't like? »
Answer:
- Best: Do not criticize the food « The Prophet ﷺ never criticized food »
- If you like it: Eat it
- If you don't like it: Leave it without comment
[Reported by al-Bukhārī: 5409, Muslim: 2064]
🎯 Weekly Application
📌 This Week's Challenge
Goal: Maintain meal supplications for 21 meals (3 daily × 7 days).
📋 Tracking Table
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Monday | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Tuesday | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Wednesday | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Thursday | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Friday | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Saturday | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
📝 Summary of Meal Invocations
| # | Invocation | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Bismillāh | Before eating |
| 2️⃣ | Bismillāhi fī awwalihi wa ākhirihi | If forgotten |
| 3️⃣ | Al-ḥamdu lillāhi alladhī aṭ'amanā | After eating |
| 4️⃣ | Al-ḥamdu lillāhi ḥamdan kathīran | After the meal is cleared |
| 5️⃣ | Allāhumma bārik lahum | For the host |
| 6️⃣ | Afṭara 'indakumu aṣ-ṣā'imūn | Fasting person at host's |
| 7️⃣ | Allāhumma bārik lanā fīhi wa zidnā minhu | When drinking milk |
📚 Sources and References
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī — Book of Food
- Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim — Book of Drinks
- Sunan Abī Dāwūd — Book of Food
- Ḥiṣn al-Muslim — Sa'īd ibn 'Alī al-Qaḥṭānī
واللهُ أعلم
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيمَا رَزَقْتَنَا، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
« O Allah, bless for us what You have provided us, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire »
Completed by the grace of Allah