He seized their hands so that the incident would remain a lesson for them, reminding them of this story and preventing them from forgetting to invoke Allah’s name in the future. Among the benefits of this ḥadīth is the emphatic requirement to pronounce the basmalah when one begins to eat. The correct view is that saying the basmalah is obligatory; whoever neglects it is disobedient to Allah and effectively consents to having his worst enemy—Satan—share in his food. Hence the basmalah is compulsory. If you forget to say it at the start and remember midway through the meal, then say: “Bismillah, at its beginning and at its end.”

732 – Umayyah ibn Makhshi, the Companion (may Allah be pleased with him), reported: The Messenger ﷺ was sitting while a man ate without mentioning Allah’s name, until only a single morsel was left. As the man raised it to his mouth he said, “Bismillah, at its beginning and at its end.” The Prophet ﷺ laughed and said, “Satan kept eating with him, but when he mentioned Allah’s name, Satan vomited up what was in his stomach.” Reported by Abū Dāwūd and al-Nasāʾī.

733 – ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ