Bismillah and Alhamdulillah

Two very precious little words: they are words that Allah loves!

1. بِسْمِ اللَّهِ Bismillaah It means: "In the name of Allah." I say it at the beginning: before eating, before drinking, before getting dressed, before going into the house.

One day, a young boy, 'Umar, was eating with the Prophet ﷺ. His hand was going all over the dish. The Prophet ﷺ told him kindly: "Young boy, say Bismillah, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you." (Bukhari 5376, Muslim 2022)

2. الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ Al-ḥamdu lillaah It means: "Thanks and praise be to Allah." I say it at the end: after eating, after drinking, and when something good happens to me. I also say it when I sneeze! (Bukhari 6224)

The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah is pleased with the one who eats, then thanks Him, and who drinks, then thanks Him (Muslim 2734).

A little game: your parent says a moment, and you answer with the right word! • "I am going to eat": Bismillah! • "I have finished my meal": Alhamdulillah! • "Atchoo!": Alhamdulillah! • "I am putting my shoes on": Bismillah!

Understanding the lesson

Explanation When I say "Bismillah", I begin with Allah: I ask Him to help me and to put good (baraka) in what I do. When I say "Alhamdulillah", I say thank you to Allah. Everything I have, my meal, my home, my family, my eyes, Allah gave it to me. And what if I forget to say "Bismillah" at the start of the meal? It is all right: as soon as I remember, I say "Bismillaahi awwalahu wa aakhirah", "in the name of Allah, at the beginning and at the end" (Abu Dawud 3767, Tirmidhi 1858 [À VÉRIFIER : numéros et degré]).

Lessons to draw from it • I begin what I do with "Bismillah". • I finish with "Alhamdulillah": I say thank you to Allah. • I eat with my right hand, and I take what is in front of me.

Key points to remember • Bismillah: "In the name of Allah", at the beginning. • Alhamdulillah: "Thanks and praise be to Allah", at the end and when I sneeze. • The advice to young 'Umar (Bukhari 5376, Muslim 2022).

The main message With "Bismillah", I begin with Allah; with "Alhamdulillah", I say thank you to Him. They are two little words that Allah loves.