Short answer
When you remember, say: Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu (In the name of Allah, at its beginning and its end). The Prophet ﷺ taught this for anyone who forgot. Saying bismillah before eating is sunnah, so forgetting it is not a sin and the food stays halal.
Saying bismillah before eating and drinking is sunnah. If it is forgotten at the start, it is mustahabb to say Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu when you remember, even in the middle or near the end of the meal.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Bismillah over a meal is different from bismillah at slaughter. At slaughter, Allah's name is a condition for the meat to be halal in the Hanafi school (see bismillah when slaughtering). Over a meal it is a sunnah that brings blessing and keeps Shaytan from sharing your food. Your food does not become haram if you forget it.
The Prophet ﷺ told a young boy eating at his table: say Allah's name, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you. He also said that Shaytan treats food as his own when Allah's name is not mentioned over it.
What to say if you forgot: بسم الله أوله وآخره, Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu. Say it as soon as you remember, even with one bite left. The four schools agree that this is a recommended sunnah. The full duas are on dua before eating and dua after eating.
Some common situations:
- Eating with family or friends: say bismillah aloud so others are reminded.
- Snacking through the day: say it each time you start eating.
- Drinking water, tea or milk: the same sunnah applies (see dua for drinking milk).
- Teaching children: the hadith of the boy at the Prophet's table is the model, gentle and practical.
The evidence
Sunan Abi Dawud 3767
Grading to be checked... فليقل بسم الله أوله وآخره ...
"If he forgets to mention Allah's name at the start, let him say: In the name of Allah, at its beginning and its end."
The words to say when you remember.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5376
Sahih... يا غلام سم الله وكل بيمينك ...
"Young man, say Allah's name and eat with your right hand."
The sunnah of bismillah before eating.
Sahih Muslim 2017
Sahih... إن الشيطان يستحل الطعام أن لا يذكر اسم الله عليه ...
"Shaytan considers food lawful for himself when Allah's name is not mentioned over it."
Why bismillah matters at meals.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Kitab al-Karahiyya, chapter on eating and drinking. Saying bismillah at the start of eating is sunnah.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.