Parenting Perspective 

The act of eating together offers one of the easiest and most natural opportunities to nurture a sense of gratitude in children. Every single bite can become a reminder of Allah’s care when it is consciously linked with thankfulness. Rather than simply limiting the phrase ‘Alhamdulillah’ to the end of a meal, you can build small, meaningful routines that help to make gratitude a joyful family habit, not a forced or empty ritual. 

Begin Every Meal with ‘Bismillah’ Together 

You can make the beginning of every meal a conscious moment of pause. Saying ‘Bismillah’ together with a warm smile before the first bite teaches children that thanking Allah is the very first step in enjoying the gift of food. 

Create a Small ‘Gratitude Circle’ 

During your meal, you could take turns naming one specific blessing related to the food you are eating. This could be thanking the farmer who grew it, the rain that nourished it, or the person who cooked it. After each mention, you can all respond with ‘Alhamdulillah.’ This simple practice helps to show children that our thankfulness extends beyond the food on our plate to the entire chain of blessings that brought it to us. 

Highlight the Variety in Your Food 

When you are offering your child snacks or fruits, you can take a moment to notice the variety in what Allah has provided. Saying, ‘Look at all the different colours and tastes that Allah has given us to enjoy, Alhamdulillah!’ keeps the feeling of gratitude alive even in the smallest of bites. 

End Meals with Sincere and Affectionate Words 

At the end of the meal, you can recite the formal dua, such as, ‘Alhamdulillah alladhi at’amana…’ or simply say, ‘Alhamdulillah, that was a delicious blessing from Allah.’ It is helpful to pair this with a smile so that children form a strong connection between the feeling of gratitude and warm family closeness. 

Connect Gratitude with Special Treats 

When you are giving your child a special treat, you can say, ‘Let us thank Allah for this lovely treat before we enjoy it.’ Linking the feeling of excitement with the act of gratitude helps to make the phrase ‘Alhamdulillah’ feel natural and joyful. 

Through these simple routines, the act of eating can become more than just filling the stomach; it can be transformed into a beautiful act of worship, love, and remembrance. 

Spiritual Insight 

The Quran on Eating with Gratitude and Mindfulness 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al An’aam (6), Verses 141: 

‘…Eat of its harvest when it bears fruit, and donate the due (portion to the poor) on the day of its harvest, and do not be extravagant (wasteful of resources in any of your actions); indeed, (Allah Almighty) does not like those who are extravagant.’ 

This verse reminds us that the act of eating is deeply connected to the qualities of thankfulness, generosity, and mindfulness. Teaching this to our children shows them that an essential part of how we honour the gift of food is by being grateful for it and not being wasteful. 

Prophetic Guidance on Remembering Allah at Mealtimes 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 728, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘When one of you eats, let him mention the name of Allah. If he forgets to mention the name of Allah at the beginning, let him say: “Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu.”’ 

This hadith shows us that remembering Allah while we are eating is what keeps our food blessed. By weaving the phrases ‘Bismillah’ and ‘Alhamdulillah’ into your family mealtimes with a sense of joy and warmth, you can help your children to see their food not just as nourishment for the body, but as a daily opportunity to connect with Allah through gratitude.