Dua Before Eating and Dua After Eating

Eating dua

There are many Duas in Islam conserning all aspects of life among them dua that we say before and after eating that we know from the sunah. Our role as Muslims is to follow the guidance of Allah and his prophet, in this article we will learn what to say when eating and after.

Muslim saying before eating

The first thing you should do before you start eating is to say Bismillah, which means ‘In The Name of Allah’. 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.’”  

Dua when eating

There are many duas like dua for pious children, dua for eating, now we will learn what to say when we forget to say Bismillah (In The Name of Allah) and start eating. What if you started eating and forgot to say Bismillah (In The Name of Allah)? In that case you should say: بسم الله فى اوله و اخره Bismillah Fi Awwalihi WA Akhirih (In the Name of Allah in its beginning and its end.) Aishah narrated that the Allah Messenger (peace and blessing be upon him) said: “If he forgets in the beginning, then let him say: ‘Bismillah Fi Awwalihi Wa Akhirih (In the Name of Allah in its beginning and its end.)” There is a hadith about someone who started eating and forgot to say the name of Allah, but he remembered when there was only a morsel of food left. So before he ate it he said “Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirah (With the Name of Allah, in the beginning and in the end). The prophet saw that and he smiled and said:  “Satan had been eating with him but when he mentioned the Name of Allah, Satan vomited all that was in his stomach.” [Abu Dawud and An-Nasa’i]

After eating dua

Just like there is a dua to say before eating there is a dua to say when you finish your food "done eating dua" . It was narrated by Al-bukhari that everytime the prophet finish eating he says: Dua after eating was related in Al-bukhari by Abu Umamah, may Allah be pleased with him:

Muslim prayer before eating

“Al-hamdu lillahi hamdan kathiran taiyyiban mubarakan fihi, ghaira makfiyyin wa la muwadda`in, wa la mustaghnan `anhu, Rabbuna. (All praise is due to Allah, praise which is abundant, pure, and full of blessings, which is indispensable and to which one cannot be indifferent).”  [ Sahih al-Bukhari]

Dua after iftar

There are two Duas that you could say: 1-        ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ Dhahaba al-zama’ wa abtalat al-‘urooq wa thabata al-ajr in sha Allah(Thirst is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is certain if Allah wills.) 2-        اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْتُ وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa ala rizq-ika-aftartu (O Allah! For You I have fasted and upon your provision, I have broken my fast.) You can find out more about duas in Islamic books, and you will find all the books you need in the madina store. Not just duas books but you will also find kids Islamic stories and more Islamic books like the clear quran book.  

Hadiths and etiquette of eating

We follow the sunnah of the prophet peace and blessing be upon him, like saying al salam alaykom when entering the house or when meeting someone. We also learn from the sunnah what to do when eating and etiquette of eating, and here are some of them.

Before eating serve others first

Abu Qatadah narrated that the prophet of Allah said: “He who serves others with drinking water should be the last to drink himself.” [At-Tirmidhi].

On Criticizing Food

An-Nawawi said in his book ‘Riyad as-Salihin’ that the prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) has never criticized a food or complained. Abu Hurairah narrated that the prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) never found fault with food. If he had an inclination to eat it, he would eat; and if he disliked it, he would leave it. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] It was also narrated that the prophet wanted to eat sauce but there was only vinegar so he ate it and said: “How excellent is vinegar when eaten as sauce! How excellent is vinegar when eaten as Udm!” [Muslim].

Always accept an invitation for food:

Abu Hurairah narrated that the prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said: “When any of you is invited to a meal, he should accept the invitation. If he is observing Saum (fasting), he should supplicate for the betterment of the host and if he is not fasting, he should eat.” [Muslim]

What to do with Food that has been dropped on the Floor?

Jabir narrated that the prophet of Allah (peace and blessing be upon him) said: “When a morsel (small piece of food) of any of you falls, he should pick it up and remove any of the dirt on it and then eat it, and should not leave it for Satan.” [Muslim]  

You should share the food you are eating with others

Abu Hurairah narrated that the prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said: “The food of two persons suffices for three persons, and the food of three persons suffices for four persons.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Set when eating or drinking and drink slowly:

Anas narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) forbade us from drinking while standing. Qatadah reported: “We asked him: ‘What about eating?”‘ He said: “That is even worse, (or maybe he said) more detestable. [Muslim]. Ibn ‘Abbas narrated that the prophet peace and blessing be upon him said: “Do not drink in one gulp like a camel, but in two or three (gulps). Mention the Name of Allah (i.e., say Bismillah) when you start drinking and praise Him (i.e., say Al-hamdu lillah) after you have finished (drinking).” [At- Tirmidhi]. We should also eat halal food only.