Dua Before and After Eating: Arabic, Transliteration, and Meaning
Dua before and after eating, The dua before eating is simple: say Bismillah (“In the name of Allah”). After eating, praise Allah and thank Him for providing your food.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught Muslims to remember Allah over their food. If you forget to say Bismillah at the beginning, you can say it when you remember.
Dua Before Eating
Arabic
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ
Transliteration
Bismillah.
Meaning
“In the name of Allah.”
Before beginning a meal, mention Allah’s name by saying Bismillah. The Prophet ﷺ instructed that Allah’s name should be mentioned when eating. This is reported in Sunan Abi Dawud 3767, graded Sahih by al-Albani on the cited page.
What if I forget to say Bismillah?
If you remember after you have started eating, say:
Arabic
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ
Transliteration
Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu.
Meaning
“In the name of Allah at its beginning and at its end.”
This wording is reported in the same narration. It teaches what to say if you forgot to mention Allah’s name at the start of the meal. Sunan Abi Dawud 3767
Dua After Eating
One supplication reported after eating is:
Arabic
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا الطَّعَامَ وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلَا قُوَّةٍ
Transliteration
Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi at‘amani hadha at-ta‘ama wa razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwah.
Meaning
“All praise is for Allah, who fed me this food and provided it for me without any might or power of my own.”
This supplication is reported in Sunan Abi Dawud 4023. The cited page notes al-Albani’s grading as Hasan without the additional phrase about future sins.
A shorter way to praise Allah is to say:
Arabic
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ
Transliteration
Alhamdulillah.
Meaning
“All praise belongs to Allah.”
The Prophet ﷺ taught that Allah is pleased when a person praises Him while eating or drinking. This is reported in Sahih Muslim 2734a.
Why Remember Allah Before and After Eating? Dua before and after eating
Food is a blessing, and remembering Allah connects an everyday meal with gratitude. Saying Bismillah before eating and praising Allah afterward are simple ways to acknowledge that provision comes from Him.
Read Also: Dua before sleeping
Read Also: Dua for entering and leaving home
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I say before eating in Islam?
Say Bismillah, meaning “In the name of Allah,” before beginning your meal.
What should I say if I forget Bismillah?
When you remember, say Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu, “In the name of Allah at its beginning and at its end.” This wording is reported in Sunan Abi Dawud 3767.
What is the dua after eating?
One reported supplication is Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi at‘amani hadha at-ta‘ama wa razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwah. It praises Allah for providing the food.
Can I simply say Alhamdulillah after a meal?
Yes. Alhamdulillah means “All praise belongs to Allah.” Sahih Muslim 2734a reports the Prophet ﷺ teaching praise of Allah while eating and drinking.
A Simple Meal-Time Habit Dua before and after eating
Before eating, say Bismillah. If you forget, say Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu when you remember. After the meal, praise Allah and thank Him for the food.
May Allah bless your meals and make us among those who remember Him with gratitude.