Among all the religions, Islam emphasizes the most to remember the Creator and keep thanking Him in every blissful moment of life, even very trivial moments like dua before eating and dua after eating, remembering Him before and after sleeping etc.
Dua before Eating
Islam recommends remembering Allah before every meal or appetite and starting every good and permitted action deed with His glorious name, as it is narrated:
‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “When any of you wants to eat, he should mention the Name of Allah in the beginning, (i.e., say Bismillah بِسْمِ اللَّهِ،). [Tirmidhi]
Dua after Eating
Not only before eating but Prophet ﷺ to thank and remember Allah after every meal, as narrated:
Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) finished a meal, he would say:
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَمْداً كَثِيراً طَيِّباً مُبَارَكاً فِيهِ، غَيْرَ [مَكْفِيٍّ وَلاَ ] مُوَدَّعٍ، وَلاَ مُسْتَغْنَىً عَنْهُ رَبَّنَا
(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).” [Al-Bukhari].
In another narration, it says:
Narrated Mu’adh ibn Anas:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: If anyone eats food and then says:
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا الطَّعَامَ وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلاَ قُوَّةٍ
“Praise be to Allah Who has fed me with this food and provided me with it through no might and power on my part, his former and later sins will be forgiven. If anyone puts on a garment and says:
“Praise be to Allah Who has clothed me with this and provided me with it through no might and power on my part, his former and later sins will be forgiven. [Abu Dawud]
Benefits of before and after Eating Dua
There are multiple benefits of reciting this supplication:
- You remain safe from arrogance, as thanking Allah reminds you that any blessing is from Allah, not your efforts.
- You realize for others who can’t afford the two-time meal or food.
- It motivates you to thank your Creator even more, as He provides you with the best dishes to eat and enjoy.
- This supplication makes you spiritually stronger.
- It encourages you to work hard to achieve Jannah because blessings there are far more greater than here.
- It protects you from devil/satan as he tries to eat with you.
What If Someone forgets to recite Dua?
If some one forgets to recite dua he can recite in the middle as narrated:
‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “When any of you wants to eat, he should mention the Name of Allah in the begining, (i.e., say Bismillah). If he forgets to do it in the beginning, he should say:
بسمِ اللهِ أوَّلَهُ وآخِرَهُ
(I begin with the Name of Allah at the beginning and at the end).”
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].
What to Say If Someone feed You
If some one invites you for food then you have to thank him too, as narrated:
’Abd Allah b. Busr from Banu Sulaim said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to my father and he was a guest with him. He offered food to him and brought hais. He then brought a drink which he drank and he gave it to the one on his right. He ate dried dates and began to put the kernels on the back of his ring finger and middle finger. When he got up, my father also got up, and held the rein of his mount. He said :
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَهُمْ فِيمَا رَزَقْتَهُمْ وَاغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَارْحَمْهُمْ
Pray to Allah for me. He said : O Allah, bless them in what you provided them, and have mercy on them. [Abu Dawood]
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