In Islam, we are taught dua for everything in our lives, even for eating food and drinking milk. Our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) used to make dua before eating food and even after finishing it. Reciting dua following the Sunnah of our Prophet (ﷺ) not only benefits us with rewards, but it also brings Allah's blessing upon your wealth and health. Reciting dua before eating is a way of expressing our sincere thanks to Almighty Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى for bestowing us with clean and healthy meals for our nourishment.
Dua before eating is taught by our beloved Prophet(ﷺ), and this hadith is narrated by Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا in Abi Dawood. She narrates that the Prophet (ﷺ) asked to mention the name of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى when eating food, and if one forgets to take Allah's name while starting food, he should say the dua "In the name of Allah at the beginning and at the end of it" (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767, Book 28, Hadith 32). A similar narration is also reported in Riyad as-Salihin (728, Book 2, Hadith 2) and At-Tirmidhi (1858, Book 25, Hadith 75).
Another dua taught by our Prophet (ﷺ) before eating food is:
Translation: "Whomever Allah has given food, should say: O Allah, bless us in it and provide us with better than it."
This dua is narrated by Abdullah Ibn Abba(رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ ) reported in Sunan Abi Dawood to recite this dua before eating food and drinking milk (Abi Dawood 3322, Book 29, Hadith 72). For a Muslim, the best practice is to spend his life according to the Sunnah taught by the Prophet (ﷺ).
Food & Drink Duas
Bismillaah.(1)Bismillaahifee 'awwalihi wa 'aakhirihi.(2)
With the Name of Allah.(1)(If you forgot) With the Name of Allah, in the beginning and in the end.(2)
Allaahumma baarik lanaafeehi wa 'at'imnaa khayranminhu.(1)Allaahumma baarik lanaa feehi wa zidnaa minhu.(2)
Whomever Allah has given food, should say: "O Allah, bless us in it and provide us with better than it".(1)Whomever Allah has given milk to drink, should say: "O Allah, bless us in it and give us more of it".(2)
Dua is a connecting tool that links a Muslim directly with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. Making dua does not need any specific etiquette, and dua can be made anytime, anywhere. Start by reciting a dua before eating, and then pick up food from your right hand, as it is considered pure and is a sign of a practicing Muslim. Always eat food in moderation, as excess food can create bloating, leaving you uncomfortable and distressed. When eating, keep your mouth closed while chewing, eat and drink in moderation, and recite dua with or without hands raised.
Making dua before anything is expressing gratitude to Almighty Allah for providing us with wealth, health, and happiness. Saying a dua before eating food will keep Shaitan away and protect you and the food from him. Dua brings blessings from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, benefiting not only the body but also the soul. Dua before eating helps us to follow the Sunnah by saying Bismillah before starting our meal.