--- title: "Dua Before Eating (Bismillah): Arabic, English Meaning &" description: "The simple Sunnah dua the Prophet ﷺ taught for the start of every meal — including the longer version to recite if you forgot to start with Bismillah." url: https://globalprayertimes.org/blog/dua-before-eating/ source: Global Prayer Times --- # Dua Before Eating (Bismillah): Arabic, English Meaning & The simple Sunnah dua the Prophet ﷺ taught for the start of every meal — including the longer version to recite if you forgot to start with Bismillah. Daily Duas · 25th April 2026 · 3 min read · Global Prayer Times Dua Before Eating (Bismillah): Arabic, English Meaning & What to Do If You Forget The simple Sunnah dua the Prophet ﷺ taught for the start of every meal — including the longer version to recite if you forgot to start with Bismillah. Quick Answer The simple Sunnah dua the Prophet ﷺ taught for the start of every meal — including the longer version to recite if you forgot to start with Bismillah. Eating is one of the most repeated acts of our day. The Prophet ﷺ turned it into worship by teaching us to begin in the name of Allah. — Global Prayer Times. Eating is one of the most repeated acts of our day. The Prophet ﷺ turned it into worship by teaching us to begin in the name of Allah and end in praise of Him. The dua before eating is one of the easiest Sunnahs to revive — and one of the first that parents teach their children. The dua before eating بِسْمِ اللَّهِ Bismillah. In the name of Allah. (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767 — narrated by Aisha (RA), graded Sahih by Al-Albani) If you forgot to say Bismillah The Prophet ﷺ also taught a short correction for whoever begins eating and only remembers Allah halfway through: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ فِي أَوَّلِهِ وَآخِرِهِ Bismillahi fi awwalihi wa akhirihi. In the name of Allah at its beginning and at its end. (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767, Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1858) The story behind the dua Aisha (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'When one of you eats, let him mention the name of Allah. If he forgets to mention the name of Allah at the beginning, let him say: In the name of Allah at its beginning and at its end.' The wisdom is striking — even our forgetfulness is given a path back to Allah's mention. Sunnahs of eating Wash your hands before and after eating. Sit on the floor where possible and eat from the side of the plate nearest to you. Eat with the right hand. Begin with 'Bismillah' and finish with 'Alhamdulillah'. Avoid criticising food — if you like it, eat it; if not, leave it. Hadith reference Reported by Aisha (RA) and recorded in Sunan Abi Dawud (3767) and Jami at-Tirmidhi (1858). Both are graded as authentic by major hadith scholars including Al-Albani. Share: WhatsApp X Copy link More from the Knowledge Hub Daily Duas Dua for the Deceased (Allahumma-ghfir lihayyina): Arabic, English Meaning & Janazah Hadith 5 min read Daily Duas Dua for Guidance (Allahumma ihdini wa saddidni): Arabic, English Meaning & Hadith from Ali (RA) 4 min read Islamic Knowledge Seerah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: The Complete Biography — Birth, Revelation, Hijra and Legacy 20 min read Community Muslims on the Frontline: How British Muslims Showed Up During the COVID-19 Pandemic 7 min read — Global Prayer Times. Source: https://globalprayertimes.org/blog/dua-before-eating/