The preponderant opinion is that invoking the Name of Allah before eating or drinking is obligatory; whoever neglects it incurs sin. For when a person fails to pronounce the basmalah, Satan joins him in eating and drinking.

Accordingly, when one intends to eat, he must say bismillah. If he forgets to do so at the start but remembers during the meal, he should say: “Bismillah—at its beginning and at its end.” If someone forgets and another reminds him, he should comply, for the Prophet ﷺ once reminded ʿUmar ibn Abī Salamah—his stepson through Umm Salamah—when the boy reached for the food. The Prophet said to him: “Young man, mention the Name of Allah, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is directly in front of you.” This ḥadith proves that when people eat together, each individual must say the basmalah; it is not enough for one person to do so on behalf of the whole group.

When one finishes, proper etiquette is to praise Allah for this blessing, for He alone has made the food accessible. Allah says: “Have you considered what you sow? Is it you who make it grow, or are We the Grower?” (Qur’an 56:63–64). And He says: “Have you considered the water that you drink? Is it you who sent it down from the clouds, or are We the Sender?” (Qur’an 56:68–69). Had Allah not nurtured the crop until it was complete and facilitated its arrival to your hands, you would have been unable to obtain it.

The same applies to water: were it not that Allah made it easy, sending it down from the clouds and channeling it as springs within