Eating, Drinking & Hosting

Mention Allah’s Name Before Eating

Repetition guidance: 1x

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ.

Transliteration

Bismi-llāh.

Translation

In the Name of Allah.

Virtue and context

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed a person beginning a meal to mention Allah’s name. He also explained that when someone remembers Allah upon entering the home and before eating, Shaytan tells his companions that they have found neither lodging nor supper there. When Allah is not remembered at the entrance or at the meal, Shaytan announces that both lodging and food have become available. On another occasion, the Prophet ﷺ was eating with six Companions when a Bedouin arrived and consumed the food in two bites. He explained that had the man mentioned Allah’s name, the meal would have been sufficient for everyone.

Sources

Sunan Abi Dawud 3767 on Sunnah.com
Jami at-Tirmidhi 1858 on Sunnah.com
Sahih Muslim 2018a on Sunnah.com