Pronouncing God's Name Before Eating or Drinking . . .

The pronouncement of God's (Allah) name before eating or drinking is with a twofold purpose. Firstly, as a recognition of God's countless blessings upon us, and secondly as a supplication for the continuation and abundance of these blessings in future. The Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have stressed strict adherence to this etiquette in a number of sayings ascribed to him. The Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said:

Whenever anyone of you eats, he should say: '[I begin] with the name of God'. If he forgets, he should then say: 'With the name of God, at the beginning as well as at the end".