Best Dua Before & After Eating, Sunnah & Hadith About Eating

It is Sunnat to say Bismillah at the beginning of every work. It is sunnah to say Bismillah at the beginning of the meal. Taking the name of Allah Ta’ala at the beginning of every deed means acknowledging on behalf of the servant that, O Allah, whatever I have started eating is your gift. Your kindness and greatness, so I started eating in your name.

Dua Before Eating:

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite this prayer when he started eating.

بسم الله وعلى بركةالله بعالى

Pronunciation: “Bismillahi wa ala barkatillah.”

Meaning: I am starting to eat in the name of Allah and I am praying for the blessings of Allah.(Saalabi).

If you forget Bismillah, Pray in the middle of eating:

According to the hadith, if someone forgets to say Bismillah at the beginning of the meal, whenever he remembers it in the middle of the meal, this prayer will be recited immediately,

بسم الله اوله واخره

Pronunciation: “Bismillahi Awalahu wa Akherah.”

Meaning: I am starting to eat in the name of Allah. First of all, the name of Allah, then the name of Allah. (Abu Dawood, Ahmad, Al-Darimi).

So don’t think that Bismillah is forgotten at the beginning of the meal and then everything is over. No, in the middle of the meal, whenever you remember, take the name of Allah Ta’ala.

Read More Dua:

Dua after Eating:

After eating, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

الحمد لله الذى اطعمنا وسقانا وكفانا واواناوارواناوجعلنا من المسلمين

Pronunciation: Alhamdulillahi Atamana, Wasakana, Wakafana, Waiana, Wa Arwana, Waja Alana Minal Muslimeen.

Meaning: All praise is due to Allah Ta’ala who has fed us, made us drink, provided us with sufficient food, provided us with shelter, bestowed all kinds of blessings, and included us among the Muslims.

The remarkable thing is that when the food came in front of us, I prayed this prayer, thanks are to Allah Ta’ala who has given us sustenance, and here the prayer is being made, thanks and praise be to Allah Ta’ala, who fed us. This means that the two are different blessings. Giving sustenance is one blessing, feeding is another blessing.

Some Sunnah followed by The Prophet Muhammad (SAW):

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught his beloved Companions everything from the smallest to the largest. His every action and step is to be followed by humanity. The means of success, achievement, and the path of life. If we follow his method of action, the fruit of peace will flow in the life of the believer.

A brief discussion about how the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to eat food and what was his method of taking food.

Say Bismillah at the beginning of the meal:

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say ‘Bismillaah’ all the time before taking food.

He also encouraged his companions to say Bismillah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, ‘Eat in the name of Allaah and with your right hand. And eat from your side. (Bukhari, Hadith No. 517, Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 1913)

I forgot to say Bismillah:

Narrated Aisha: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “When you start eating, remember the name of Allaah. And if you forget to remember the name of Allah, then say, ‘Bismillahi Awalahu wa Akhirah. (Abu Dawood, Hadith No: 36, Tirmidhi, Hadith No: 1856)

Hand washing begins and ends:

Hands must be washed before eating or different types of diseases may occur. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ordered to wash his hands before eating. Narrated Ayesha: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to wash both hands up to the wrists before eating. (Musnad Ahmad)

According to another hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to do coolie and wash his hands after eating. (Musnad Ahmad and Ibn Majah)

Dastarkhan spread:

Anas (RA) said, ‘The Messenger of Allah (saw) did not eat in large pots with feet. Qatada (RA) was asked, then what did you eat? He said, ‘On the leather dastar khan. (Bukhari: 537)

Eating with the right hand:

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to eat with his right hand all his life. He forbade eating with his left hand. Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn’ Umar: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, Because Satan eats and drinks with his left hand. (Bukhari, Hadith No. 538; Muslim, Hadith No. 2022)

Licking hands while eating:

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) always licked his hands while eating. Never wipe hands until licked. Narrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, ‘When you eat, do not wash your hands until you have licked them. (Bukhari, Hadith No: 5245)

Picking up fallen food:

Sometimes one or two pieces of rice, a piece of bread or any other food falls from the dishes while eating. If possible, I want to pick them up and eat them clean.

If any food fell during the Prophet’s meal, he would pick it up and eat it. Narrated Jabir: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, ‘If lukma falls while eating your food, throw away the dirt and eat it. Do not leave it for the devil. (Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 1915; Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 3403)

Do not eat leaning:

He forbade eating food leaning on anything. Eating with lean food makes the stomach bigger. In many cases, arrogance is manifested. Narrated Abu Hudhaifah: I was in the court of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). “I don’t eat anything while I’m teased,” he told one person. (Bukhari, Hadith No: 5190, Tirmidhi, Hadith No: 198)

Do not catch the faults of food:

It is normal to have food defects in spite of hundreds of attempts. But it is very inappropriate to quarrel with the family. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) never blamed food. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) never found fault with food. He ate if he liked, and did not eat if he disliked. (Bukhari, Hadith No. 5196; Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 3372)

Do not blow on food:

Breathing in food and drink can cause many diseases. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade blowing on food. Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) never blew food. He did not blow anything while drinking. (Ibn Majah, Hadith No: 3413)

Praying at the end of the meal:

Allaah bestows great mercy on us through food. Gratitude for this kindness is part of civilization and etiquette. It is essential to give thanks to Allah after taking food.

At the end of the meal, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to give thanks and recite prayers in the court of Allah. Narrated Abu Umama (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to say after finishing the meal, He used to recite this prayer: ‘Alhamdulillahillaji Atamana Wasakana WaJaalana Minal Muslimeen.’ (Bukhari, Hadith No: 5456)

If the circumcisions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) can be implemented in life, then life will be beautiful and fulfilling. May Allah grant us Tawfiq.