Saying Bismillah or Bismillahirrahmanirrahim Before Eating: Ulama's Explanation and the Evidence

In observing daily dining etiquette, Muslims often face a simple yet fundamental question: is it sufficient to say ‘Bismillah’ alone, or is it more virtuous to complete it as ‘Bismillahirrahmanirrahim’? This question arises because, in several textual narrations of the hadith, the Prophet Muhammad SAW explicitly mentioned the concise phrase. The discussion regarding the tasmiah (mentioning Allah’s name) before eating is not merely a linguistic debate, but involves a deep understanding of the sunnah and how the great ulama interpret the Prophet’s SAW instruction. Let us dissect it thoroughly based on authoritative texts as explained by Ustaz Ajir Ubaidillah on his YouTube channel. The primary basis for this etiquette is a hadith narrated by Imam Tirmidhi (No. 1858). The Messenger of Allah SAW said: ‘If one of you eats a meal, then let him say, ’Bismillah’. If he forgets at the beginning, then let him say, ‘Bismillah fi awwalihi wa akhirihi’ (In the name of Allah at its beginning and its end).’ Textually, this hadith indeed stops at the phrase ‘Bismillah’. However, does this mean that adding ‘Bismillahirrahmanirrahim’ is a mistake or even a bid’ah (innovation)? Ulama across various schools of thought have provided very detailed explanations on this matter. Al-Imam Abu Zakaria Yahya bin Sharaf an-Nawawi, a great scholar whose works are a global reference, discussed this issue in his book Al-Adzkar min Kalami Sayyidil Abrar. He explained: ‘Among the important matters worth knowing is the nature of the tasmiah. The most afdal (virtuous) is for a person to say ’Bismillahirrahmanirrahim’. However, if he only says ‘Bismillah’, that is sufficient and he has attained the sunnah.’ Imam Nawawi’s view confirms that the addition of Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim is a form of perfection in remembering Allah before eating, even though the minimal phrase is already fulfilled with ‘Bismillah’. On the other hand, Al-Imam Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani, in his commentary on Sahih Bukhari, provided a critical but harmonious note. He mentioned, ‘I have not seen specific evidence regarding this virtue (the addition of the phrase).’ It should be noted that Ibn Hajar did not prohibit or declare the addition a bid’ah. He merely stated that he had not specifically found evidence commanding the addition. However, in general, both methods are considered good and in accordance with the spirit of the sunnah. Often in the modern era, a meddlesome attitude emerges, or one is quick to fault the practices of others with accusations of bid’ah or not conforming to the sunnah simply because of a difference in phrasing. Yet, an ulama of the calibre of Imam Nawawi, whose books such as Riyadhus Shalihin and Arba’in Nawawiyah are studied across various circles, permits and even prioritises the complete phrase. It is not appropriate for a Muslim to belittle the opinion of the ulama or to declare a fellow believer an innovator merely because of differences in matters that have been resolved by our noble predecessors.