Bismillahi Fi Awwalihi Wa Aakhirihi Meaning and Arabic Text

Did you forget to say Bismillah before eating? No worries! You can still recite ‘Bismillahi fi awwalihi wa aakhirihi’ to invoke Allah’s blessings. In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of this zikr in English, its Arabic text, the related Hadith, and more.”

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Bismillahi Fi Awwalihi Wa Aakhirihi Meaning in English

Bismillahi fi awwalihi wa akhirih means In the name of Allaah at the beginning and the end.

It is prescribed for the one who forgets to say Bismillaah when he first starts to eat to say when he remembers, Bismillaah awwalahu wa aakhirahu (In the name of Allaah at the beginning and the end) or to say Bismillaah fi awwalihi wa aakhirihi (In the name of Allaah at the beginning and the end).

Bismillahi Fi Awwalihi Wa Aakhirih in Arabic Text

Here is the Arabic text of this remembrance:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ فِي أَوَّلِهِ وَآخِرِه

Bismillaah Awwalahu Wa Aakhirahu Hadith

From Abdullaah bin Mas’ood (رضي الله عنه) who said the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever forgets to mention Allah when he first begins to eat should say when he remembers: ‘Bismillaah fee awwalihee wa Aakhirihee.’ (In the name of Allah in the beginning and the end); because after having said Bismillaah he is receiving new food, and preventing the evil Shaytaan from taking from the food.”
[Ibn Hibbaan (5213), Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in as-Saheehah (198).]

According to another version:

Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “When one of you eats, let him mention the name of Allah. If he forgets to mention the name of Allah at the beginning, let him say: In the name of Allah at the beginning and at the end (Bismillahi awwalahu wa aakhirahu).”
(It was narrated by Abu Dawood (3767), at-Tirmidhi (1858) and Ibn Maajah (3264) Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood

Commentary

According to scholars, if you forget to say Bismillah before eating, you can still say it while eating, after finishing, or shortly after. This applies to both food and drinks.

Saying ‘Bismillahi fi awwalihi wa aakhirihi’ (In the name of Allah at the beginning and the end) after finishing your meal is like saying Bismillah at the start. You’ll still get the reward for seeking Allah’s help.

If you forget to say Bismillah initially, say ‘Bismillahi fi awwalihi wa aakhirihi’ after finishing and then praise Allah. This way, you’ll follow the Prophet’s teachings and show gratitude to Allah.

You can say ‘Alhamdu lillah’ (Praise be to Allah) before or after saying ‘Bismillahi fi awwalihi wa aakhirihi’. Both are acceptable, and the aim is to remember and thank Allah.

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