A simple, authentic dua after eating is "Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi at'amani hadha wa razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwah": praise be to Allah who fed me this and provided it without any might or power from me. Before eating, say Bismillah, and if you forget, say "Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu".
Key Takeaways
- Say Bismillah before eating, and if you forget, say "Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu" (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767, graded Sahih).
- After eating, one authentic dua thanks Allah for food provided without any might or power of our own (Sunan Abi Dawud 4023).
- The Prophet also used to say a longer praise when his meal was finished, recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 5458.
- These short duas turn every meal into a moment of gratitude.
- They're ideal first duas to teach children, since meals happen several times a day.
Before Eating: Bismillah
Before eating, say "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah). If you forget and remember partway through, the Prophet taught a simple alternative:
| Part | Dua |
|---|---|
| Arabic | بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ |
| Transliteration | Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu |
| Translation | "In the name of Allah at the beginning and at the end of it." |
| Source | Aisha reported the Prophet's instruction for anyone who forgets to mention Allah's name at the start of a meal (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767, graded Sahih by Al-Albani) |
After Eating: Dua 1
| Part | Dua |
|---|---|
| Arabic | الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا الطَّعَامَ وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلاَ قُوَّةٍ |
| Transliteration | Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi at'amani hadhat-ta'ama wa razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwah |
| Translation | "Praise be to Allah Who has fed me with this food and provided me with it through no might and power on my part." |
| Source | Mu'adh ibn Anas reported the Prophet saying that whoever says this after eating will be forgiven their previous sins (Sunan Abi Dawud 4023). Al-Albani graded it Hasan, without an additional phrase about later sins found in some wordings. |
After Eating: Dua 2
| Part | Dua |
|---|---|
| Arabic | الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ، غَيْرَ مَكْفِيٍّ، وَلاَ مُوَدَّعٍ وَلاَ مُسْتَغْنًى عَنْهُ، رَبَّنَا |
| Transliteration | Alhamdu lillahi kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fih, ghayra makfiyyin wa la muwadda'in wa la mustaghnan 'anhu, rabbana |
| Translation | Praise be to Allah, abundant, good and blessed praise, a praise that is never enough, never abandoned, and never dispensed with, our Lord. |
| Source | Abu Umama reported that whenever the Prophet finished his meal, he used to say this (Sahih al-Bukhari 5458) |
The English for the second dua is a close rendering, since some of its phrases carry layered meanings that scholars have explained in detail. Transliterations only approximate the Arabic, so check your pronunciation with a teacher.
Teaching These Duas to Children
- Start with Bismillah before every meal, said aloud together.
- Add the first after-meal dua once Bismillah is a habit.
- Explain the meaning simply: we thank Allah because He gave us the food.
- Keep a small card on the table until the words come naturally.
For more authentic duas with their sources checked, see our guides to duas for studying and exams and Dua Qunoot.
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