In a world where 25,000 people die from hunger every day, food is considered a blessing. God’s gift to his creation is vital; we should thank him. Every religion has its way of thanking God for food.
Most Christians, Muslims, and Jews thank God at their dinner table. In this blog, we will explore the most prominent duas designated to thank Allah for the food he has given us. We will discuss the dua before food and the duas we should recite after consuming it.
What is Dua before eating in Islam?
Muslims generally recite ‘Bismillah al Rehman al Rahim’ before they start eating their meal. The idea is that you add Allah’s blessings and mercy when eating food and show thankfulness.
This is one of the best ways to thank Allah for the blessings he bestowed upon us. However, this dua is not the only way to do that. We have searched the Quran and Hadiths and created a collection of duas you should say before eating food.
In Surah Ash-Shuara, Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) is arguing with disbelievers and saying that it is Allah who has created me, guided me and provided me with food and drink — Verse 78.
Dua before eating in Hadith
Every Muslim should say ‘Bismillah’ before eating food. This has been prescribed by the Holy Prophet (PBUH), and the life of our Holy Prophet (PBUH) is the best example to follow. He described how a Muslim should begin eating his food in Allah’s name.
Narrated by Umar bin Abu Salamah (RA), Messenger of Allah (PBUH), said to me, “Mention Allah’s Name (i.e., say Bismillah before starting eating), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is near you.” — Riyad as-Salihin 727
What do I do if I forget to say Bismillah at the start?
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has prescribed another dua for those who forget to say ‘Bismillah‘ before eating.
Bismillāhi fī awwalihi wa ākhirih
Narrated by Aisha (RA), The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: When one of you eats, he should mention Allah’s name; if he forgets to mention Allah’s name at the beginning, he should say: “In the name of Allah at the beginning and the end of it.” — Sunan Abi Dawud 3767
What is the Dua after eating food?
So far, we have mentioned the dua before eating food. Here is the dua prescribed in the Hadiths to recite after eating food.
When the Holy Prophet (PBUH) finshid eating food he recited this dua, Alhamdu lillāhi ‘l-ladhī aṭ`amanī hādhā. wa razaqanīhi min ghayri ḥawlin minnī wa lā quwwah.
Here is the Hadith, Narrated by AbuSa’id al-Khudri: When the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) finished his food, he said: “Praise be to Allah Who has given us food and drink and made us Muslims.” — Sunan Abi Dawud 3850
English transliteration of dua after eating
Alhamdu lillāhi ‘l-ladhī aṭ`amanī hādhā. wa razaqanīhi min ghayri ḥawlin minnī wa lā quwwah.
English translation of dua after eating
The dua after eating is translated as “Praise be to Allah, Who has given us food and drink and made us Muslims.”
Abu Hurairah narrated another Hadith from Ibn Majah: “One day, some hot food was brought to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and he ate. Then, when he had finished, he said: ‘Praise is to Allah, no hot food has entered my stomach since such and such a time.’” — Sunan Ibn Majah 4150
Dua after eating food in Arabic
الْحَمْـدُ للهِ الَّذي أَطْعَمَنـي هـذا وَرَزَقَنـيهِ مِنْ غَـيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلا قُوَّة
Conclusion
We have searched several Hadiths to find the correct dua after eating and before consuming food. We can conclude that a Muslim should begin eating food with Bismillah and end it with Alhamdulillah.
We have also mentioned the full duas of before and after eating food.
How to eat food according to Hadiths
Eating food is essential for human beings and is included in our daily routines. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was sent to earth as a role model of life. He has shown us everything we need to live a prosperous life.
We have discussed the duas before and after eating food. Here are a few Hadiths regarding consuming food.
Eat less
Today, we fill our bellies with everything we can. We love to eat burgers, nuggets, and French fries, and we drink Coca-Cola to quench our thirst. However, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) prescribed Muslims to eat less.
According to Abu Huraira, a man used to eat a lot, but when he embraced Islam, he started eating less. That was mentioned to the Prophet (PBUH), who then said, “A believer eats in one intestine (is satisfied with a little food) and a Kafir eats in seven intestines (eats much). ” — Sahih al-Bukhari 5397
Eating & drinking with the right hand
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) advises us to consume food with our right hand. He also said to eat food before us instead of climbing to the next corner of the table.
Narrated by Umar bin Abi Salama, I was a boy under the care of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) and my hand used to go around the dish while I was eating. So Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said to me, ‘O boy! Mention the Name of Allah and eat with your right hand, and eat of the dish what is nearer to you.” Since then I have applied those instructions when eating. — Sahih al-Bukhari 5376
Ibn ‘Umar reported Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) as saying: When any one of you intends to eat (meal), he should eat with his right hand. and when he (intends) to drink he should drink with his right hand, for the Satan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand. — Sahih Muslim 2020a
Eating food with three figures
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) used his right hand and three figures to eat a meal. We should copy every action our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) performed to gain Allah’s blessings. Here is the Hadith related to this.
Ka’b b Malik said that the Prophet (PBUH) used to eat with three fingers and not wipe his before licking it. — Sunan Abi Dawud 3848
Eating from the sides of the plate
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to eat from the sides of the plate instead of from the center. We should copy this act of our Holy Prophet (PBUH) and include it in our daily food consumption styles.
Narrated by Anas bin Malik, A tailor invited Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) to a meal which he had prepared. I went along with Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) and saw him seeking to eat the pieces of gourd from the various sides of the dish. Since that day I have liked to eat gourd. `Umar bin Abi Salama said: The Prophet, said to me, “Eat with your right hand.” — Sahih Bukhari 5379
Don’t eat while you are leaning (On something)
In today’s world, we have dining tables with comfortable chairs and high backs. However, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) did the opposite. He never ate food on a dining table or consumed a meal while leaning against something.
Abu Juhaifa, Narrated Allah’s Messenger (PBUH), said, “I do not take my meals while leaning (against something). — Sahih Al Bukhari 5398
Cutting meat with teeth
It is widely believed in a few Muslim countries that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) used his figures to pluck meat attached to a bone and then eat it. However, the truth is he used his teeth to do it.
The Prophet (PBUH) ate of the meat of a shoulder (by cutting the meat with his teeth), and then got up and offered the prayer without performing the ablution anew. — Sahih al-Bukhari 5404
Eating meat (Shoulder piece)
It is mentioned in several Hadiths that the Holy Prophet liked to eat the shoulder cut of mutton. Almost everyone has tried mutton; now try out the should mutton piece because your Prophet (PBUH) loved it.
Narrated by Amr bin Umaiyya, he saw the Prophet (PBUH) holding a shoulder piece of mutton in his hand and cutting part of it with a knife. Then he was called for the prayer, whereupon he put down the shoulder piece and the knife with which he cut it and then stood for prayer without performing ablution again. — Sahih al-Bukhari 5408
Dont criticize food
A believer given food by Allah should not criticize it, no matter what. If it’s not your favorite dish, eat it quietly. Leave the table or dining sheet without saying anything if it’s the dish you dislike the most.
Narrated by Abu Huraira (RA), The Prophet (ﷺ) never criticized any food (he was invited to), but he used to eat if he liked the food and leave it if he disliked it. — Sahih al-Bukhari 5409
Never eat with your left hand
A believer should follow the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) teachings. He should always eat with his right hand (three fingers preferred) and never use his left hand to eat. Because it is Satan eats with his left hand.
Jabir b. ‘Abdullah reported Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) having said: Do not eat with your left hand, for Satan eats with his left hand. — Sahih Muslim 2019
Lick your hands and fingers
Some of us have this habit of licking our fingers while or after eating a meal. It is often considered uncivilized in today’s time, and the person doing this is looked down upon. This activity is prescribed by our Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Ibn ‘Abbas reported Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) as saying: When any one of you eats food, he should not wipe his hand until he has licked it or have it licked. — Sahih Muslim 2031b
Dont breathe out in the glass of water
Today, we use bottled water to satisfy our thirst. However, if you use a glass or a similar container to drink water, avoid breathing out in that container while drinking water from it.
Abu Qatada reported on the authority of his father that Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) forbade breathing in a vessel. — Sahih Muslim 267d
What a Muslim can’t eat?
A Muslim can eat whatever is prescribed by the Quran and the Hadiths. However, there are some restrictions, which we will discuss below.
- A Muslim should avoid eating mean to domestic asses. — Sahih Muslim 561d
- A Muslim should not eat carrion, blood, swine, and what is slaughtered in the name of any other than Allah. Here is our guide on why Muslims don’t eat pork.
- A Muslim can not eat dead animal meat.
- A Muslim can only eat animals who chew their cud and have split in their hoofs.
- Others
Wrap Up
So far, we have discussed the dua after eating food and before it. After reviewing thousands of Hadiths, we have also mentioned the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) way and instructions on eating food.
We will keep this blog updated and add new information with examples so you can better understand the Islamic way of eating food and dua before eating it.
FAQs
What is the short before eating dua?
A Muslim should say Bismillah before eating food.
What is the short after-eating dua?
A believer should say Alhamdulillah after eating his meal.
Can we use the same dua before eating food in Ramadan?
Ramadan is a blessed and special month in Islam. Before breaking fast, Muslims should say the dua of Iftar. They can also say ‘Bismillah’ after the dua of Ifrar. Here is a guide on why Muslims fast during Ramadan.
Do Muslims pray over food?
In Islam, it is not advised to pray over food. Muslims, however, say the name of Allah as the dua before eating and thank Allah after eating their meal.
Dua after eating in English
Here is the English transliteration of dua after eating food.
Alhamdu lillāhi ‘l-ladhī aṭ`amanī hādhā. wa razaqanīhi min ghayri ḥawlin minnī wa lā quwwah.
This is the best dua for thanking Allah for the food he provided.
What did the Prophet (PBUH) say before eating?
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said Bismillah before eating food. He advised others to do the same.
What is the prayer before eating in the Quran?
No direct verse is mentioned in the Quran that we can recite before eating food. However, starting anything with the name of Allah adds his blessing and mercy to it. It is also prescribed by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that we should start eating our meals, saying Bismillah.
What dua should you say after eating good food or your favorite food?
A Muslim should say Alhamdulillah after eating food. However, if that was your favorite meal and you loved it, you can say Subhalallah.
Can Muslims eat during the eclipse?
Islam imposes no restrictions upon eating food during an eclipse. However, you should pray two-rakat Salat during the eclipse and ask Allah’s forgiveness during the eclipse. Here is a detailed explanation of whether Muslims can eat during an eclipse.
What else should you know?
Here are some other duas and prayers that you should know.
