When eating any meal, Muslims are instructed to recognize that all of their blessings come from Allah. Throughout the world, Muslims say the same personal supplication (du'a) before and after meals. For members of other faith, these acts of du'amay seem similar to prayers, but strictly speaking, Muslims see these acts of supplication and invocation as a means of communicating with God that is decidedly different than the five daily prayers that Muslims routinely practice. For Muslims, a prayer is a set of ritual moves and words repeated at fixed times of the day, whereas du'ais a way of feeling a connection to God at any time of the day.
Unlike the "grace" prayers said before meals in many cultures and faiths, the Islamic Du'a supplication for meals is not communal. Each individual says their own personal Du'a silently or quietly, whether eating alone or in a group.These du'a are recited whenever food or drink passes the lips--whether it be a sip of water, a snack or a full meal. There are several different types of Du'a to be recited in different circ*mstances. The words of the various du'a are as follows, with the Arabic transliteration followed by the meaning in English.
Before Eating a Meal
Brief Common Version:
Arabic: Bismillah.
English: In the name of Allah.
Full Version:
Arabic: Allahomma barik lana fima razaqtana waqina athaban-nar. Bismillah.
English: Oh Allah! Bless the food You have provided us and save us from the punishment of the hellfire. In the name of Allah.
Alternative:
Arabic: Bismillahi wa barakatillah.
English:In the name of Allah and with the blessings of Allah.
When Finishing a Meal
Brief Common Version:
Arabic: Alhamdulillah.
English: Praise be to Allah.
Full Version:
Arabic: Alhamdulillah.
English:Praise be to Allah.)
Arabic:Alhamdulillah il-lathi at'amana wasaqana waja'alana Muslimeen.
English: Praise be to Allah Who has fed us and given us drink, and made us Muslims.
If One Forgets Before Beginning the Meal
Arabic: Bismillahi fee awalihi wa akhirihi.
English:In the name of Allah, in the beginning and the end.
When Thanking the Host for a Meal
Arabic: Allahumma at'im man at'amanee wasqi man saqanee.
English: Oh Allah, feed the one who has fed me, and quench the thirst of the one who has given me drink.
When Drinking Zamzam Water
Arabic: Allahumma innee asalooka 'ilman naa fee-ow wa rizq-ow wa see-ow wa shee-faa amm min kool-lee daa-een.
English: Oh Allah, I ask you to grant me beneficial knowledge, abundant sustenance, and cure for all diseases.
When Breaking the Fast of Ramadan
Arabic: Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa alayka tawakkaltu wa 'ala rizq-ika aftartu.
English: Oh Allah, I have fasted for You, and believe in You, and put my trust in You, and I break my fast from the sustenance given by You.
FAQs
When any of you wants to eat, he should mention the Name of Allah (Bismillah) in the beginning. If he forgets to do it in the beginning, he should say (I begin with the Name of Allah at the beginning and at the end)." “O Allah! Bless us in what You have provided us with and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
What is the personal prayer before eating? ›
Bless us, O God. Bless our food and our drink. Since you redeemed us so dearly and delivered us from evil, as you gave us a share in this food so may you give us a share in eternal life.
Why should a Muslim recite the dua before eating? ›
Making dua before eating is a highly recommended practice in Islam that holds great significance. It serves as a means of expressing gratitude, seeking Allah's blessings and protection, and fulfilling the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
What is du a prayer? ›
In Islam, duʿāʾ (Arabic: دعاء IPA: [duˈʕæːʔ], plural: ʾadʿiyah أدعية [ʔædˈʕijæ]) is a prayer of invocation, supplication or request, asking help or assistance from God.
How do you pray before and after eating? ›
O Christ our God, bless the food, drink, and fellowship of Thy servants, for Thou art holy always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. AFTER MEALS: We give thanks to Thee, O Christ our God, that Thou hast satisfied us with Thy earthly blessings; deprive us not also of Thy Heavenly Kingdom.
What is a prayer before a meal called? ›
A grace is a short prayer or thankful phrase said before or after eating. The term most commonly refers to Christian traditions. Some traditions hold that grace and thanksgiving imparts a blessing which sanctifies the meal. In English, reciting such a prayer is sometimes referred to as "saying grace".
What is the personal prayer? ›
Personal prayer is the prayer of an individual. It wells up from the depths of the heart of the person. It can indeed be inspired by liturgical or community prayer. But it is personal and peculiar to that person.
Do you pray before each meal? ›
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, the simple act of sitting down for a meal can sometimes become a rushed and mechanical routine. However, many cultures around the world emphasize the importance of pausing to pray or express gratitude before partaking in a meal.
What prayer to read before eating? ›
“Dear Lord, thank you for this food we are about to eat. We are grateful for Your provision. We ask that You would bless this food and continue to guide our family along Your path. In the name of Your son Jesus, amen.”
What do Muslims say before sleeping? ›
As the hadith narrated from Aisha (R.A) which means: “When you go to your beds, say: 'Allahu Akbar (i.e. Allah is Greater)' for 33 times, and 'Al hamdu Li llah (i.e. all the praises are for Allah)' for 34 times, and Subhan Allah (i.e. Glorified be Allah) for 33 times.
"If anyone of you sneezes, he should say 'Al-Hamduli l-lah' (Praise be to Allah), and his (Muslim) brother or companion should say to him, 'Yar-hamuka-l-lah' (May Allah bestow his Mercy on you).
When forgetting to recite the dua before eating? ›
If you forgot to say "Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem" when you start eating, what should you say? As Salam Aleykum. Say Bismillah even in the middle of eating (better to say Bismillahi a walahu wa Akheerahu), which means ”in the name of Allah from the beginning to the End”.
What is the most important dua? ›
It is established in the Sunan of At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The best remembrance is La ilaha illallah (There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah), and the best supplication is Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah)." Alhamdulillah is considered the best ...
What is an example of dua? ›
Dua when one feels lonely
O Allah, it is Your mercy that I hope for, so do not leave me in charge of my affairs even for a blink of an eye, and rectify for me all of my affairs. None has the right to be worshiped except You. Allahumma Rahmataka Arjuu.
What do you say when you eat in Islam? ›
Muslim saying before eating
Umm Kulthum narrated that Aishah told here that the Allah prophet said: Narrated Umm Kulthum: From 'Aishah that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “When one of you eats food, then let him say: 'Bismillah. '”
What does mashallah mean? ›
The literal meaning of Mashallah is "God has willed it", in the sense of "what God has willed has happened"; it is used to say something good has happened, used in the past tense. Inshallah, literally 'if God has willed', is used similarly but to refer to a future event.
What is the Sunnah before eating? ›
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would say the following dua before eating: "Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim." It means "In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate." This Sunnah not only reminds us of the blessings of Allah but also protects us from the harms of Satan.
