Question

Is the du’a “Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu” authentic?

Answer

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has mentioned that if one forgets to recite “Bismillah” before eating, then he should recite the du’a in question while eating.

This Hadith has been recorded in the following Hadith collections with slight variation in the wording: [Some versions have “Bismillah fi awwalihi wa akhirihi”]

1. Sunan Abi Dawud, 3761
2. Sunan Tirmidhi, 1858
3. Sunan Ibn Majah, 3264
4. Musnad Ahmad, vol. 6, pg. 143 and 265
5. Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 5213-5214

Imam Tirmidhi and Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahumallah) have declared the Hadith authentic.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar