Dua for Eating (Dua Before & After Eating Food)

dua before eating

The dua for eating is a short dua every Muslim should know. Saying the dua before eating reminds us that our food is a blessing from Allah, and the dua after eating food thanks Him for it. On this page you will find the dua for eating in Arabic with English meaning and transliteration — the dua before meal, the dua when eating food, and the dua after eating — all from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Dua for Eating in Arabic with English Meaning

1. Dua Before Eating

Arabic:

بِسْمِ الْلَّهِ وَعَلَى بَرَكَةِ الْلَّهِ

Transliteration:
Bismillahi wa ‘ala barakatillah.

English meaning:
“In the name of Allah and with the blessing of Allah.”

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 3767

This is the main dua before eating. Say it before you start your meal — before breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is the simplest dua for eating food, and even children can learn it in one day.

2. Dua If You Forget to Say Bismillah

Arabic:

بِسْمِ الْلَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ

Transliteration:
Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu.

English meaning:
“In the name of Allah, at the beginning and at the end.”

Reference: Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 1858

The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that if you forget the dua when eating at the start, say this dua as soon as you remember.

3. Dua After Eating

Arabic:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلً مِنِّي وَلَا قُوَةً

Transliteration:
Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi at’amani hadha wa razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwah.

English meaning:
“All praise belongs to Allah, who fed me this and provided it for me without any power or might from me.”

Reference: Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 3458; Sunan Abi Dawud 4023

This is the after eating food dua. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that whoever says this dua after eating will have his past sins forgiven. Teach it to your children after every meal.

4. The Short Dua After Eating

Arabic:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ

Transliteration:
Alhamdulillah.

English meaning:
“All praise belongs to Allah.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim 2734

If the long dua after eating is too hard to memorise at first, start with this short one. Allah is pleased with the servant who says ‘Alhamdulillah’ when he eats and when he drinks.

How to Say the Dua Before Eating

Say ‘Bismillah’ before you eat, and eat with your right hand — the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught: “When one of you eats, let him eat with his right hand, and when he drinks, let him drink with his right hand.” (Sahih Muslim 2020). Wash your hands before the meal, start with the dua for eating, and end with the dua after eating. Making these duas a habit at every meal — including breakfast — teaches children gratitude from a young age.

Dua for Breakfast

There is no separate dua for breakfast in the Sunnah — the same dua before eating applies to breakfast, lunch and dinner. Say ‘Bismillahi wa ‘ala barakatillah’ before your breakfast, and ‘Alhamdulillah’ — or the full dua after eating — when you finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the dua before eating?

The dua before eating is ‘Bismillahi wa ‘ala barakatillah’ — ‘In the name of Allah and with the blessing of Allah.’ (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767). You can also simply say ‘Bismillah’ before you eat.

What do you say after eating in Islam?

After eating, say: ‘Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi at’amani hadha wa razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwah’ — ‘All praise belongs to Allah, who fed me this and provided it for me without any power or might from me.’ (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 3458). Or simply say ‘Alhamdulillah’.

What if I forget to say Bismillah before eating?

If you forget the dua for eating at the start, say ‘Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu’ — ‘In the name of Allah, at the beginning and at the end’ — as soon as you remember. (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 1858)

Can children learn the dua for eating?

Yes — the dua for eating is one of the first duas children learn. Start with ‘Bismillah’ before meals and ‘Alhamdulillah’ after meals, then teach the full duas on this page.

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