Du'a before eating
The du'a before eating is “Bismillah”, which means “In the name of Allah”. Children say it just before their first bite — it is usually the very first du'a little ones learn.
Teacher review under way.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ
Bismillah
“In the name of Allah.”
What it means
“I start my food with Allah's name.”
When we say it
Just before the first bite or sip — at every meal and every snack.
Learn the word: Bismillah
How to teach it in 3 steps
Step 1: Say it out loud yourself at every meal, so your child hears it before you ask them to say it.
Step 2: Make it the starting signal: hands washed, sit down, “Bismillah” — then the first bite.
Step 3: Cheer the try, not perfection. A whispered “Bismillah” from a two-year-old is a big win.
Questions parents ask
What if my child forgets to say Bismillah?
No problem — when they remember, they say “Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu”. See the du'a for forgetting Bismillah.
Do we say it before drinking too?
Yes. “Bismillah” before a drink, then “Alhamdulillah” after — the “Sit, Sip, Smile” song practises it.
At what age can children start?
As soon as they eat with the family. Toddlers love copying a word they hear every day, long before they understand it.
Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 5376 · Hisn al-Muslim 178
Families and madhhabs differ on some details — ask your teacher.
Keep learning
Every Bite's a Gift
Open →
Dua Before Eating Card for Kids
6 before eating du'a cards on one sheet: the Arabic on its own line, then the transliteration and the meaning.
Open →Eating manners
Bismillah, right hand, eat from what's near you, Alhamdulillah.
Open →Du'a for Every Moment
Tap a moment to hear its du'a, track what your child knows, pick a du'a of the week and print personalised cards.
Open →What do we say?
Pick the right words!
Open →
Date Palm
A tall date palm full of sweet dates, with a basket ready for iftar.
Open →