Dua Before Eating

September 4, 2026

Yemeğe Başlarken Okunacak Dua Okunuşu ve Anlamı

Explanation

This dua is recited when starting a meal. It asks for blessing in one’s provision (rizq) and for protection from punishment.

Dua Text

اَللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيمَا رَزَقْتَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ، بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ

Transliteration

Allahumma barik lana fima razaqtana wa qina ‘adhaban-nar, bismillah.

Meaning

O Allah! Bless what You have provided for us and protect us from the punishment of the Fire. I begin in the name of Allah.

What Is Asked in This Dua

In this short dua recited when starting a meal, the servant asks for two things. The first is that the food Allah has given as provision be blessed. Blessing (barakah) means that a little suffices for many and that what is eaten brings good to body and soul; the servant wishes not only that the food fill his stomach but that it be good for him. The second is protection from the punishment of the Fire: the one who sits down at the table does not separate the blessings of this world from concern for the Hereafter, and even at that moment remembers to seek protection from punishment.

The dua concludes with the basmala: “I begin in the name of Allah.” The source book states that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that a matter begun without the basmala is devoid of good, and that beginning a meal with the basmala is a sunnah. In this way, the dua brings together remembering the Owner of the blessing, asking for barakah and remembering the Hereafter in a single breath.

When and How to Recite

It is recited when starting a meal, before the first bite. The source book states that beginning a meal with the basmala is a sunnah; no specific number of recitations is mentioned.

It can be recited once at every meal, when sitting down at the table, while reflecting on its meaning. Wudu is not required. If you cannot remember the whole dua, simply saying the basmala fulfills the essential sunnah emphasized in the source book; those who find the Arabic difficult can also pray with its meaning in their own language.

Virtue

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Any matter begun without the basmala is devoid of good.” Beginning a meal with the basmala is a sunnah.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the dua before eating recited?

It is recited when sitting down at the table, before the first bite; the source book states that beginning a meal with the basmala is a sunnah.

What is the meaning of the dua before eating?

It asks Allah to bless the provision He has given and to protect us from the punishment of the Fire, and it begins the meal with the basmala.

Is saying Bismillah enough before eating?

The source book states that the essential sunnah is to begin with the basmala; if the whole dua is recited, the request for blessing and for protection from punishment is added as well.

Source

Majmu'at al-Ahzab, vol. 1, p. 612.

The text on this page was prepared by Dua Kitaplığı based on the work cited above. The Arabic text has been transcribed from the original with its vowel marks, and the transliteration in Latin letters and the English meaning are given separately. No virtue or number that does not appear in the source is added to this page. How do we prepare our content?

Published: 4 September 2026 · Last updated: 9 October 2026