Imam Muslim reported in his Sahih on the authority of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah will be pleased with His Servant who praises Him (i.e., says Al-hamdu lillah) when he eats and praises Him when he drinks." [Sahih Muslim No. 2734].

It was reported in the Sunnah many phrases for praising and thanking Allah after eating, so if a Muslim could memorize them and say them after eating and drinking, it will be better because he follows the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him), however if he does not, he should not forget to say: "Al Hamdullilah," for it is a great, blessed, and lovable phrase to Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted).

Of the reported phrases for praising and thanking after eating is the Hadith that was reported by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhy on the authority of Mu`adh ibn Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "If anyone eats food and then says: Praise be to Allah Who has fed me this food and provided me with it through no might and power on my part, his former and later sins will be forgiven." [Sunan Abu Dawud No. 4023 and Sunan and At-Tirmidhy No. 3458, and Al Albany (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) graded it as good in Sahih Al Jami` No. 6086].

Of these phrases is the Hadith that was reported by Al Bukhari on the authority of Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: "Whenever the dining sheet of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was taken away (i.e., whenever he finished his meal), he used to say: "Al-hamdu lillah kathiran taiyiban mubarakan fihi ghaira makfiy wala muwada' wala mustaghna 'anhu Rabbuna [Praise be to Allah frequently and abundantly! Your Favor cannot be compensated, nor can be left, nor can be dispensed with, O our Lord!]" [Sahih Al Bukhari No. 5458].

The meaning of the Prophet's saying: "ghaira makfiy wala muwada' wala mustaghna 'anhu," that praise is abundant and everlasting.

Of the phrases of praising and thanking also is the Hadith which was reported by Imam Ahmad and others on the authority of `Abdur-Rahman ibn Jubayr who said that a man has served the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) for eight years told him that he heard when food was served to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), he used to say at the beginning: "Bismillah" and when he finished, he used to say: "O Allah, You have fed and watered, made rich and satisfied, guided and gave life, so you have all praise for what You have given." [Al Musnad 4/ 62, and Al Albany (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) graded it as authentic in Sahih Al Jami` No. 4768].

It is desirable for a fasting person when he finishes his breakfast food to say: "Thirst has gone, the arteries are moist, and the reward is sure, if Allah wills." Abu Dawud reported on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) who said: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) said when he broke his fast: Thirst has gone, the arteries are moist, and the reward is sure, if Allah wills." [Sunan Abu Dawud No. 2357, and Al Albany (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) graded it as good in Sahih Al Jami` No. 4678].

There were many invocations reported in the Sunnah to use for the people who invite you for food. It is desirable for a Muslim to memorize some of these invocations to say to his host or anyone serves food for him.

Of these invocations is the Hadith that was reported by Muslim in his Sahih on the authority of Al Miqdad (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: "I and two of my companions were so much afflicted by hunger that we had lost our power of seeing and hearing. We presented ourselves (as guests) to the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), but none amongst them would entertain us. So, we came to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him)...etc." Then he mentioned the Hadith in full where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "O Allah, feed who had fed us and water who has watered us." [Sahih Muslim No. 2055].

Of these invocations also is the Hadith that was reported by `Abdullah ibn Busr (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: "Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) came to my father and we brought to him a meal and a preparation from dates, cheese and butter. He ate out of that. He was then given dates which he ate but he placed their stones between his fingers, and he joined his forefinger and middle finger. Then a drink was brought for him and he drank it, and then gave it to one who was on his right side. He (the narrator) said: My father took hold of the rein of his riding animal and requested him to supplicate for us. Thereupon he said: O Allah, bless them in what You have provided them as a sustenance; and forgive them and have mercy upon them." [Sahih Muslim No. 2042].

Of these invocations also is the Hadith that was reported by Abu Dawud on the authority of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "May the fasting break their fast in your home, and may the dutiful and pious eat your food, and may the angels send prayers upon you." [Sunan Abu Dawud No. 3854, and Al Albany (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul) graded it as authentic in Sahih Sunan Abu Dawud No. 3263].

How beautiful that a Muslim take into consideration these proprieties and Adhkar of food and drink in order to be more blessing and healthy for him.

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