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Source: Abu Dawud 3767

Dua before eating

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ

Bismi’llāh. (If forgotten at the start, say: Bismi’llāhi awwalahu wa ākhirah.)

In the name of Allah. (If one forgets to say it at the beginning: In the name of Allah at its beginning and its end.)

When to say it

Said before beginning to eat or drink.

Virtue & benefit

The Prophet ﷺ instructed to say Bismillah and eat with the right hand; if forgotten, one says "Bismillāhi awwalahu wa ākhirah" when remembering.

Source

Sunan Abī Dāwūd (3767) and Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī (1858), from ʿĀ’ishah.

Frequently asked

What do you say before eating in Islam?

You say "Bismillāh" (In the name of Allah) and eat with the right hand.

What if I forget to say Bismillah before eating?

When you remember, say "Bismillāhi awwalahu wa ākhirah" — In the name of Allah, at its beginning and its end.

Make this dua a daily habit

SABR helps you memorise and retain your everyday duas with spaced repetition — so the words are ready on your tongue when you need them.