Such a daily routine expressed with a simple Dua before and after eating turns this act into an act of gratefulness and consciousness.
These duas help remind us that food is a gift and blessing from Allah who appreciates what we have.
Whether you’re starting or ending your meal, a recitation of these minor prayers may bring further enlightenment to your faith.
In this article, we’ll go over the duas to say before and after eating, why they are important, and what to do in case you happen to forget to say them.
Dua Before & After Eating
Below is the dua to be taken before and after eating:
Dua Before Eating:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَةِ اللَّهِ
Transliteration: Bismillah wa barakatillah
Translation: In the name of Allah and with the blessings of Allah.
Or you can also say:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ
Transliteration: Bismillah
Translation: In the name of Allah.
Dua After Eating:
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا وَجَعَلَنَا مُسْلِمِينَ
Transliteration: Alhamdulillahil-ladhi at’amana wa saqana wa ja’alna muslimeen.
Translation: All praise is due to Allah who has given us food and drink and made us Muslims.
These are supplications read to thank God for the food and all the good provisions.
Why is Dua important after eating?
A Muslim reads and recites supplications even after his or her meals; this is for several reasons, which include:
1. Shukr and Appreciation:
The Dua after the food is an appreciation to the almighty for providing the food. It mentions that food and drink are blessings that have emerged from God; therefore, it becomes the base of faith by appreciating.
2. Thanking for the Favors
Reading the dua one notices that the act of eating and drinking, availability of food, and being fed are Allah’s blessings. This helps inculcate a feeling of meekness and reliance on Allah.
3. Spiritual Contemplation:
In doing so, eating becomes one of the daily reminders about Allah’s provision and mercy. The recitation of the dua spiritualizes the most homely of actions one can make on earth, making the ordinary earthly routine turn into an act of worship and retrospection.
4. Nurture Mindfulness:
Making dua after eating nourishes mindfulness in one’s deeds. In general, it reminds one that even if it is already done in the portion of his life that pertains to dining, it should be in the ways of Allah and the consciousness of Allah.
5. Protection and Barakah:
The dua after eating also asks for Allah to bless the food eaten with baraka, and to protect it from any harm that might come from it.
In such a manner, one ensures the continuation of Allah’s favor upon him since he derives benefits through the consumed food to his body and soul.
6. Building Habit of ‘Ibadah:
The normal habit of reciting duas for daily activities builds up a lifelong habit of establishing a constant remembrance of Allah.
This mannerism installs a lifestyle of faith and a sense of peace and contentment.
Summary: Reciting the Dua after consuming the food therefore becomes a way of associating a usually normal daily act with religious importance and therefore embedding the relation of a believer with Allah.
Now, if someone forgets to say “Bismillah” when embarking on a meal, then Islam has provided the remedy for the same through a simple dua, which is as follows:
Dua to Say if You Forgot:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ
Transliteration: Bismillahi
He just has to say this dua the very moment he remembers, even if he is in the middle of the meal or has almost finished the food.
That’s just another way of making up for the forgotten invoking of Allah’s name over the entire meal.
The importance of you stating “Bismillah” before you eat is that you are asking Allah to bless and protect the food you are going to take so that it is kept safe from all kinds of harm right away, and that food is indeed Allah’s provision.
Suppose, for instance, you forget to do it at first, and you say this dua later with your zikr, it is still sufficient to meet the sunnah of calling on Allah’s name over the food and asking Him to put barakah in it.
Does Eating Break Your Wudu?
No, eating will not break or reduce your wudu in Islam.
The wudu will be maintained even after eating unless you step forward to perform any of the nullifying activities such as:
- Passing urine or stool.
- Passing wind.
- Sleeping deeply to the extent that the person becomes unconscious.
- Unconsciousness for any reason
- Physical contact between the opposite sexes
However, a gesture to rinse the mouth out is sunnah after taking a meal particularly, where the food that has been taken is strongly aromatic, e.g., garlic or onions, or consists of elements that might have left a residue in the oral cavity.
Is It Ok to Read Dua in English?
It is allowed to recite Dua in English or any other language you feel comfortable speaking.
1. Khushu and Ikhlas:
The essence of supplication is the dialogue between the supplicant and Allah, and above all, there is sincerity and understanding of the supplicant regarding what he wants.
If one knows what he is asking for in his native language, that could make his supplication come from the depth of his heart.
2. Arabic for Formal Worship:
The invocations in formal acts of worship like Salah are supposed to be in the Arabic language as they are made up of particular Quranic verses and invocations that the Prophet Muhammad, PBUH used to recite. But anyway in the day, in your language and words, you can do dua to Allah.
3. Memorizing Arabic Duas:
And though there’s nothing wrong with making dua in one’s language, Arabic translations of common duas, and by that matter, those commonly used within the Islamic tradition, can be quite handy.
You are going to feel connected to the originally quoted words from the Prophet (PBUH) and the larger Muslim community.
You may use any language you wish in making dua, expressing your thoughts and needs, and in thankfulness within the order of regular prayer. Allah knows all languages and the sincerity of one’s heart is what matters most.
Very practically speaking, there is nothing at all wrong with your making your dua’ in English or any other language, for that matter, if it will serve to make you more comfortable and feel closer to your duas.
Like this post, and if you find it very helpful, you may want to share it with friends and family members; you may as well have time while viewing our other posts, which you are going to find very useful too.
If at all you have any questions, you can get in touch with us. We are all here for you.
