Revival of Sunnah - #8 Saying Bismillah before eating

#8 Saying Bismillah before eating

Saying "Bismillah" before eating (Basmallah) is a Sunnah according to the following hadith, Umar ibn Abi Salamah said: "I was under the care of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), and as my hand used to roam about in the dish he said to me: «Boy, mention the name of Allah, and eat with your right hand and eat from what is near to you» (Bukhari and Muslim).

If you forget to say "Bismillah" before you started eating, you can make up for it during your meal. Aisha narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: «When one of you eats food, then let him say: 'Bismillah.' If he forgets in the beginning, then let him say: 'Bismillah Fi Awwalihi Wa Akhirih (In the Name of Allah in its beginning and its end.)'» (Al-Tirmithi and others).

Saying "Bismillah" gives us strength in our constant battles against the Shaytan! Jabir bin Abdillah reported that he heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say: «If a person mentions the Name of Allah upon entering his house or eating, Satan says, addressing his followers: 'You will find no where to spend the night and no dinner.' But if he enters without mentioning the Name of Allah, Satan says (to his followers); 'You have found (a place) to spend the night in, and if he does not mention the Name of Allah at the time of eating, Satan says: 'You have found (a place) to spend the night in as well as food.'» (Muslim). So the Shaytan cannot eat if a Muslim says Bismillah before eating and this weakens him and increases our chances of winning over him.

Basmallah also puts barakah in our food, not only in its benefit but also in its quantities. Aisha said: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was eating food with six of his Companions when a Bedouin came and ate it all in two bites. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: «If he had said Bismillah, it would have sufficed you (all). When any one of you eats food, let him say Bismillah, and if he forgets to say Bismillah at the beginning, let him say Bismillah fi awwalihi wa akhirih (In the Name of Allah at the beginning and at the end)’» (Al-Tirmithi and others).

And do not forget our slogan:

{وَإِنْ تُطِيعُوهُ تَهْتَدُوا }

Translation: {And if you obey him, you will be (rightly) guided} [An-Nur:54].