mention of Allah’s name over it. He brought this girl so that, through her, he could deem it lawful for himself, but I seized her hand. Then he brought this Bedouin so that, through him, he could deem it lawful for himself, but I seized his hand. By Him in whose hand is my soul, his hand is in mine together with hers.’”1.

It is also established in another hadith that when a Muslim fails to mention Allah’s name upon entering his home and at his meal, Satan says, “You have secured lodging and supper.” This shows that mentioning Allah’s name drives Satan away, preventing him from entering the home and sharing in one’s food and drink. It is sufficient for a Muslim to say in this situation, “In the name of Allah.” As for adding, “the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,” no hadith establishing this has been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

If a Muslim forgets to mention Allah’s name at the beginning of his meal, it is prescribed for him to say upon remembering, while still eating, “In the name of Allah at its beginning and at its end.” Abū Dāwūd, Ibn Mājah, and others narrated from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When any of you eats, let him mention the name of Allah Most High. If he forgets to mention the name of Allah Most High at the beginning, let him say: ‘In the name of Allah at its beginning and at its end.’”2.

This hadith indicates that the proper time to mention Allah’s name is before beginning to eat. If a Muslim forgets to do so at that point, it is sufficient for him to mention Allah’s name while eating, using the wording given in the hadith.

A hadith whose chain contains weakness states that Satan vomits what is in his stomach when a Muslim utters this invocation. This was narrated by Abū Dāwūd and al-Nasāʾī from Umayyah ibn