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The Blessings Of Saying Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

There are many blessings and virtues of saying “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim”. The following provides some of them from the Quran and hadith.

Bismillah – The First Verse of the Quran (Mushaf)
“Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim” is the first verse of the first chapter (Surah Al-Fatihah) of the Quran. The fact that the word of Allah, the Quran, starts with this first verse, alone signifies the importance of this verse and further emphasizes the need to start all our tasks in the name of Allah (God).

Amongst the many benefits that Sheikh Modudi states in hisQuranic Tafseer of this verse, here are some of them:

(Saying bismillah) allows one to restrain oneself from any misdeeds, since the habit of pronouncing the name of God is bound to make one wonder when about to commit some offense and how such an act can be reconciled with the saying of God’s holy name.

When a person begins something by pronouncing Allah’s (God’s) name (with sincerity in his heart), he will enjoy Allah’s support and succor; Allah will bless his efforts and protect him from the machinations and temptation of satan. For whenever man turns to Allah (God), Allah turns to him as well.

Starting with Bismillah
(In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.)

When one says “Bismillaah” before starting anything, it means, “I start this action accompanied by the name of Allah or seeking help through the name of Allah, seeking blessing thereby. Allah is God, the beloved and worshipped, to Whom hearts turn in love, veneration, and obedience (worship). He is al-Rahman (the Most Gracious) Whose attribute is vast mercy; and al-Raheem (the Most Merciful)Who causes that mercy to reach His creation.” (Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid)

Hence this name (al-Rahmaan) often appears after the name Allah, as in the Qur’anic verse below:

“Say (O Muhammad): Invoke Allah or invoke the Most Gracious [al-Rahmaan] (Allah)” [Quran, Surah al-Isra’ 17:110]

Ibn Jareer (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Allah, may He be exalted and His name sanctified, taught His Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.S.) proper manners by teaching him to mention His most beautiful names before all his actions. He commanded him to mention these attributes before starting to do anything and made what He taught him a way for all people to follow before starting anything, words to be written at the beginning of their letters and books. The apparent meaning of these words indicates exactly what is meant by them, and it does not need to be spelled out.”

First Revelation of the Quran (“Read in the name of your lord”)
We also observe that the first verse revealed to the prophet(S.A.W.S.) was “Iqra’ bismi Rabbika” (Read(or recite) in the name of your Lord – [Surah al-‘Alaq 96:1). The verse commands the prophet (S.A.W.S.) to read “in the name of Allah).

Bismillah in Other Chapters of the Quran
With the exception of Surah At-Tawbah (9), all Surahs (chapters)start with Bismillah. Furthermore, Surah An-Naml in the Quran has another verse(number 30) that mentions Bismillah. The Quran states:

(29) She (Sheba / Saba) said: “O chiefs! Verily! Here is delivered to me a noble letter,
(30) “Verily! It is from (Prophet) Sulaiman (Solomon), and verily! It (reads): In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the MostMerciful;

Quran, Surah An-Naml (27:29-30)

The Story of ‘Bismillah’ and the hairdresser of the pharaoh’s daughter and her children

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “On the night on which I was taken on the Night Journey(Isra’), a beautiful fragrance came to me. I said: O Jibreel, what is this beautiful fragrance? He said: This is the fragrance of the hairdresser of Pharaoh’s daughter and her children. I said: What is their story? He said: Whilst she was combing the hair of Pharaoh’s daughter one day, the iron comb fell from her hand and she said, ‘Bismillaah (in the name of Allah).’ The daughter of Pharaoh said: ‘My father?’ She said:‘No. My Lord and the Lord of your father is Allah.’She said: ‘I will tell him about that.’ She said:‘Yes.’ So she told him and he summoned her and said: ‘O So and so, do you have a Lord other than me?’ She said: ‘Yes, my Lord, and your Lord is Allah.’ He ordered that a Baqarah(lit. “cow”) made of copper be heated up, and then he ordered that she and her children be thrown into it. She said: ‘I have a request to make of you.’ He said: ‘What is your request?’ She said: ‘I would like my bones and my children’s bones to be gathered together in one cloth and buried.’ He said: ‘This will be done for you.’ He ordered that her children be thrown into it in front of her, one by one, until they came to the last one who was an infant boy who was still being breastfed. It was as if she wavered because of him, but he said: ‘O mother, go ahead, for the punishment of this world is easier to bear than the punishment of the hereafter.’ So she went ahead.” Ibn ‘Abbaas(may Allah be pleased with him) said: Four infants spoke: ‘Eesa ibn Maryam (peace be upon him), the companion of Jurayj, the witness of Yoosuf and the son of the hairdresser of Pharaoh’s daughter.

Narrated by Imam Ahmad in al-Musnad (1/309),al-Tabaraani (12280), Ibn Hibbaan (2903), and al-Haakim (2/496).

The Guidance to say Bismillah according to Hadith
We also observe that the prophet (S.A.W.S.) taught us to say bismillah at the start of many tasks such as the following:

BISMILLAH AT THE BEGINNING OF ABLUTION (WUDU)
Bismillah is recommended at the beginning of ablution, for Imam Ahmad and the Sunan compilers recorded that Abu Hurayrah, Sa’id bin Zayd, and Abu Sa’id narrated from the Prophet (There is no valid ablution for he who did not mention Allah’s Name in it.) This Hadith is Hasan (good).

SAYING BISMILLAH BEFORE EATING AND DRINKING
Also, the Bismillah is recommended before eating, for Muslim recorded in his Sahih that the Messenger of Allah said to `Umar bin Abi Salamahwhile he was a child under his care, (Say Bismillah, eat with your right hand and eat from whatever is next to you.)

Some of the scholars stated that Bismillah before eating is obligatory.

The Prophet (S.A.W.S.) said: “When one of you eats some food, let him say Bismillah, and if he forgets to do so at the beginning, let him say Bismillah fi awwalihi wa aakhirihi (In the name of Allah at the beginning and end). Narrated by at-Tirmidhi, 1781; classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allah have mercy on him).

BISMILLAH FOR BELITTLING THE SHAYTAN(SATAN)
Imam Ahmad recorded in his Musnad, that a person who was riding behind the Prophet (S.A.W.S.) said, “The Prophet’s animal tripped, so I said, `Cursed Shaytan.’ The Prophet said, (Do not say, ‘Cursed Shaytan,’ for if you say these words, Satan becomes arrogant and says, ‘With my strength, I made him fall.’ When you say, ‘Bismillah,’ Satan will become as small as a fly.)

HALAL MEAT
Allah says in the Quran: “Eat not (O believers) of that (meat) on which Allah’s Name has not been pronounced (at the time of the slaughtering of the animal)” Quran (Surah Al-Anaam, 6:121)

And the Prophet (S.A.W.S.) said: “If the blood (of the slaughtered animal) flows and the name of Allah is mentioned, then eat.”

PERFORMING RUQYAH
The Prophet (S.A.W.S.) said, “There is no ruqyah(treatment from evils) except in the case of the evil eye or fever.”(al-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood.) Angel Jibril (peace be upon him) used to do ruqyah for the Prophet (S.A.W.S.) and say, “Bismillahi arqeeka minkulli shayin yudheeka, min sharri kulli nafsin aw ‘aynin hasid Allaahuyashfeek, bismillahi arqeek (In the name of Allah I perform ruqyah for you, from everything that is harming you, from the evil of every soul or envious eye may Allah heal you, in the name of Allah I perform ruqyah for you).”

Conclusion
Let’s make it a point to bring “Bismillah” more into our lives and to start all our tasks in the name of Allah by saying “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim”

Courtesy: IqraSense

Food And Eating Habits According To The Sunnah

Comprehensive notes covering the most important qualities of the Prophet (Sallallaahu ’Alayhi wa Sallam) in regard to food and diet.

‘It is sufficient for the son of Aadam to eat a few mouthfuls, to keep him going. If he must do that (fill his stomach), then let him fill one-third with food, one-third with drink, and one-third with air. FOOD… [1]: When he put his hand in the food, he would say, “Bismillaah (with the Name of Allah),’’ and he told people to say this when eating. he said, “When any 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…
‘Bismillaahi fee Awwalihi wa Aakhirihi,’ (with the name of Allah, at its beginning and at its end).” [2] The correct view is that it is obligatory to mention the name of Allah (say ‘Bismillaah’) when eating. {The ahaadeeth that state this are Saheeh (authentic) and are clear, with no contradictions in them.} [2]: When he raised the food to his mouth, he would say…
“Al-hamdu lillaahi hamdan katheeran tayyiban mubaarakan feehi, ghayra [makfiyyin wa laa] muwadda’in, wa laa mustaghnan ’anhu Rabbanaa ’azza wa jall. Translation: [All praise is to Allaah, praise in abundance, good and blessed. It cannot [be compensated for, nor can it] be left, nor can it be done without, our Lord. [3] [3]: he never criticized food at all. If he liked it, he would eat it, and if he did not like it, he would leave it and not say anything. [4] or he would say..“I do not feel like eating this.” [5] [4]: Sometimes he would praise the food, as when he asked his family for food, and they said, “We have nothing but vinegar.” he asked for it and started to eat it, saying.
“ What good food is Vinegar.” [6] [5]: he used to talk whilst he was eating, as is seen from the report quoted above about vinegar. And he said to his stepson ..’ Umar Ibn Abee Salamah (radiyallaahu ’anhu) when he was eating with him.. “Say Bismillaah and eat from that which is
in front of you in the dish.’’ [7] [6]: He would repeatedly urge his guests to eat, as generous hosts do, and as is seen in the hadeeth of .. [Aboo Hurayrah (radiyallaahu ’anhu), related by al-Bukhaaree..]

About the story of drinking milk, where he repeatedly said to him… “Drink,” and he kept telling him to drink until he (the guest) said..“By the One Who sent you with the truth, I have no more room for it ”! [8] [7] When he ate with others, he would not leave until he had made Du’aa (supplication) for them. he made Du’aa in the house of ’Abdullaah Ibn Bishr,(Allah be pleased with him) and said…
“ O Allah, bless for them that which You have provided for them, forgive them, and have mercy on them.” [9] [8]: he commanded people to eat with their right hands and forbade them to eat with their left hands. he said… “ The Shaytaan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand.” [10]

Note: This implies that eating with the left hand is ‘Haram’ (unlawful), and this is the correct view, because the one who eats with his left hand is either a Shaytaan (Devil), or he is imitating the Shaytaan.
It was also reported in an authentic ‘Hadeeth’ that he told a man who was eating with his left hand in his presence…
“ Eat with your right hand! ”
The man said, “I cannot.” he said…
“ May you never be able to,” and the man never lifted his right hand to his mouth after that. [9]: he commanded those who complained that they never felt full to eat together and not separately and to mention the name of Allah (say ‘Bismillah’) over the food so that He might bless it for them. [12] [10]: It was also reported that he said…
“ I do not eat reclining.” [13] [11]: he used to eat using the first three (3)
fingers (of his right hand), which is the best way of eating ..!

The Prophet’s(Sallallaahu ’Alayhi wa Sallam) Guidance Regarding Eating
[1]: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to know what he was eating.
[2]: he used to eat whatever was good for him.
[3]: he used to eat enough to keep him going, but not so much as to make him fat.
Ibn ’Umar [Allah be pleased with him] related that…
Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said..
“The believer eats in one stomach whilst the disbeliever eats in seven !” [14] [4]: He taught his ‘Ummah’ something to protect them from diseases caused by eating and drinking.

Prophet(Sallallaahu ’Alayhi wa Sallam) said..
“The son of Aadam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Aadam to eat a few mouthfuls, to keep him going. If he must do that (fill his stomach), then let him fill one-third with food, one-third with drink, and one-third with air.” [15]

Footnotes: [1] Zaadul-Ma’aad (p. 2/397-406)
[2] Saheeh: Related by at-Tirmidhee (no. 1859) and Aboo Daawood (no. 3767).
[3] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 5142)
[4] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 3370) and Muslim (no. 2064).
[5] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 5076) and Muslim (no. 1946).
[6] Related by Muslim (no. 5052)
[7] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 5061) and Muslim (no. 2022).
[8] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 6087)
[9] Related by Muslim (no. 2042)
[10] Related by Muslim (no. 2020)
[11] Related by Muslim (no. 2021)
[12] Saheeh: Narrated by Abu Dawood (3764) and Ibn Maajah (3286).
[13] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 5083)
[14] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 5081) and Muslim (no. 2060).
[15]: Saheeh: Related by at-Tirmidhee (no. 1381)and Ibn Maajah (no. 3349). It was authenticated by Shaykh Muhammad Naasirud-Deen al-Albaanee in Silsilatul-Ahaadeethus-Saheehah (no. 2265).

Imam Ibnul-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah{Rahimhullah}

The Barakah And Blessings Of Bismillah

When Bismillah Was Revealed
Sayyidina Jaabir (RA) is reported to have said that when Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem revealed, the clouds gave way by moving to the East, the winds ceased blowing, the oceans became calm, the creatures prepared themselves to listen, the Shaytaan got pelted with fire from the heavens and Allah Ta’ala, swearing an oath by His honor, declared: Anyone who says this name of mine (ie. Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem) upon anything, I will surely impart barakah in that thing, (Durre Manthoor and Ibne Katheer)

Bismillah Before Wahee
In Durre Manthoor Sayyidina Ibne Umar (RA) is reported as saying that surely, whenever Jibreel (AS) used to bring Wahee to Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam), he used to first recite Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem .
The reason for the above is as follows: in Bismillah there are three names of Allah:
(1) Allah which is His personal name indicating that all projects can only be initiated by the will and wish of Allah.
(2) Rahmaan (Kind) which is His attributive name indicating that only Allah can keep that project intact and existent (guarding it against destruction).
(3) Raheem(Most Merciful) which is also His attributive name indicating that only Allah can, through His mercy and grace, enable any person to derive benefit from that project.

This clearly proves that any project begun with Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem will be granted barakah and blessings from the beginning till the end.

Bismillah Before Doing Anything
It is for this reason that Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu-alayhi- wasallam) used to recite Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem before doing any work. And he (sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) also advised the Ummah to do the same. For example, reading it before shutting the door for the night, before putting out the light, before taking meals, before drinking water, before boarding a conveyance, and when alighting any conveyance.

Remembering Allah Through His Three Thousand Names
It is mentioned in Tafseer Roohul Bayaan that Allaamah Sayyid Haqqi (RA) said that Allah Ta’ala has three thousand names. He revealed one thousand to the angels, one thousand to the Ambiya(AS), three hundred are mentioned in the Toraah, three hundred in the Zaboor, three hundred in the Injeel, and ninety-nine in the Holy Qur’an. One Name He has kept to Himself; He revealed it to no one. Also, He has condensed all His names into the three names contained in Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem. They are Allah, Rahmaan, and Raheem. Any person saying Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem; it is as though he has remembered Allah by all His names.

Bismillah – A Means Of High Status In The Hereafter
Rasoolullah (Sallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) is reported as saying that any du’a which is begun with is not rejected. Because of saying Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem the scales of my Ummah will become heavy on the Day of Qiyaamah. The other people will enquire: “Why are the virtues of the Ummate Muhammadiyyah so heavy?” Their prophets will say: “In the utterances of the Ummate Muhammadiyyah there is such an honourable name of Allah that if it is placed on the one side of the scale, and the sins of the entire creation is put onto the other side then the side with the virtue will be heavier.

Saying Bismillah Before Wudu
Rasoolullah (Sallailaahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “One who does not say Bismillah before wudhu, his wudhu is incomplete.” (Tirmizi). It is reported from Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (RA) that anyone who does not say Bismillah before wudhu, only the sins committed by the limbs which are washed in wudhu will be washed away; and one who says Bismillah before wudhu, the sins of the entire body will be washed away. (Mishkaat)

Saying Bismillah Before Meals
Sayyidina Umar Ibne Abee Salmah (RA) reports that Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) said to me: “Say Bismillah and eat with your right hand the food that is in front of you.” (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi)

Whoever used to eat without saying Bismillah, Rasoolullah(Sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) used to hold his hand and urge him to say Bismillah. (Zaadul Ma’aad,Uswah-e-Rasoole Akram).

The Ulama have said that it is preferable to say the Bismillah aloud so that it is a reminder for those who forget. Also, Ibne Habbaan is reported as saying that if Bismillah is said prior to utilising any bounty of Allah and Alhamdu- lillah is said after utilising it, the user will not be asked to give account for that bounty on the Day of Qiyamah.

When Undressing
Sayyidina Anas (RA) reports from Rasoolullah (Sallallaa- hu-alayhi-wasallam) that when a person undresses for the purpose of either relieving himself or bathing or having relations with his spouse then the Shaytaan interferes and plays with his or her private parts. But if he or she says Bismillah before taking off the clothes, then this serves as a barrier and safety against the Shaytaan and jinn. (Tirmizi)

Other Wonders Of Bismillah
Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) is reported as saying that as long as people keep on saying Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem it will be a means of safeguarding them against sicknesses; a means of granting riches to the destitute; a means of freedom against the Fire; a means of safeguard against being swallowed by the earth; a means of safety against faces becoming distorted; and a means of safety from stones raining down from the heavens. (Ghunyatut Taalibeen Page 157)

(2) Ayyaz breaks the precious jewel
Sultan Mahmood had a servant whose name was Ayyaz. Ayyaz was well known for his good manners and wisdom. Once, Sultan Mahmood was holding a precious jewel in his hand while sitting with his ministers. He told one of the ministers to break the jewel. Since the jewel was very expensive, the minister refused to break it. Then the Sultan told another minister to break it. He also denied breaking the jewel. One by one all the ministers refused to break the precious jewel due to its great value. Now, Sultan Mahmood passed the jewel to Ayyaz and told him to break it. Ayyaz immediately took the stone to his hand and threw it hard on the floor. The jewel shattered into pieces. The Sultan asked Ayyaz why he broke the jewel while others denied doing so. Ayyaz said, “The jewel is valuable, but your order is more valuable.”

We should learn from this story that even if the things of this world are very precious and valuable, the orders of Allah are much more valuable. So, we should follow them.

The Importance Of The Word Bismillah (In The Name Of Allah)

Bismillah, In the Name of God, is the beginning of all good things. So we too shall start with it. This blessed phrase is a sign of  Islam, and all creatures constantly recite it in their unique way. If you want to understand what an  inexhaustible source of strength and blessing bismillah is, then listen to the following allegory:

For a stranger who travels in the deserts of Arabia, it is necessary to get the protection of a tribal chief. Only then may he escape the mischief of robbers and be sure his needs will be met. Traveling alone would be a waste of time because of the enemies and unmet needs he must face.

Two men once set out on such a desert jour­ney. One was humble, the other arrogant. The humble man took the protection of a tribal chief, but the arrogant one didn’t. The former traveled everywhere in safety. Whenever he met a robber, he would say, “I’m traveling in the name of such and such chief,” and the robber would move on without molesting him. He would be treated with respect in every tent he entered because of that name. By contrast, the arrogant one suffered indescribable disasters throughout his journey. He trembled in constant fear and was obliged to struggle and beg for his every need. He became low and mean.

Man is a traveler in the desert of the world

O, arrogant soul! You are that traveler and this world is the desert. Your weakness and pov­erty know no bounds. You face countless enemies and privations. So, invoke the name of the Eternal Owner and the Everlasting Ruler of this world. Only then will you be saved from having to beg from others and from constantly living in fear.

The phrase bismillah is so blessed a treasure that, by connecting you to the infinite Power and Mercy of the  Omnipotent and Merciful.

One, it transforms your weakness and poverty into the most heeded of intercessors at His Exalted Court. The one who, uttering bismillah, acts in the name of God, is like the one who joins an army and then acts under the state’s name. He fears no one, does all things in the name of the law and the state, and persists against all odds.

Eating Habits And Diet Of The Prophet

The Prophet’s guidance with regard to food is perfect guidance. It was described by Ibn al-Qayyim as follows: When he put his hand in the food, he would say, “Bismillaah (in the Name of Allah), and he told people to say this when eating.

He said, “When any 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 Bismillaahi fi awwalihi wa aakhirihi (in the name of Allah at its beginning and at its end).”
Saheeh hadeeth, narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1859) and Abu Dawood (3767).

When he raised the food to his mouth, he would say,
“Al-hamdu Lillaahi hamdan katheeran tayyiban mubaarakan fihi ghayri makfiyyin wa laa muwadda wa laa mustaghni ‘anhu Rabbanaa azza wa jall (Allah be praised with an abundant, beautiful, blessed praise. He is the One Who is Sufficient, Who feeds and is never fed, The One Who is longed for, along with that which is with Him, and the One Who is needed. He is Our Lord, may He be glorified).
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5142).

He never criticized food at all. If he liked it, he would eat it, and if he did not like it, he would leave it and not say anything.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3370) and Muslim (2064).

Or he would say, “I do not feel like eating this.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5076) and Muslim (1946).

Sometimes he would praise the food, as when he asked his family for food, and they said, “We have nothing but vinegar.” He asked for it and started to eat it, saying, “What a good food is vinegar.”
Narrated by Muslim (2052)

He used to talk whilst he was eating, as is seen from the report quoted above about vinegar.

And he said to his step-son Umar ibn Abi Salamah when he was eating with him: “Say Bismillaah and eat from that which is in front of you in the dish*.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5061) and Muslim (2022).

[* At the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), people used to eat together from one dish, and children would sometimes forget the correct etiquette. – Translator]

He would repeatedly urge his guests to eat, as generous hosts do, and as is seen in the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah, narrated by al-Bukhaari, about the story of drinking milk, where he repeatedly said to him, “Drink!” and he kept telling him to drink until he (the guest) said, “By the One Who sent you with the truth, I have no more room for it!”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (6087).

When he ate with others, he would not leave until he had made dua for them.

He made dua in the house of Abd-Allah ibn Bisr, and said: “O Allah, bless for them that which You have provided for them, forgive them and have mercy on them.”
Narrated by Muslim (2042).

He commanded people to eat with their right hands and forbade them to eat with their left hands. He said, “The Shaytaan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand.”
Narrated by Muslim (2020).

This implies that eating with the left hand is haraam, and this is the correct view, because the one who eats with his left hand is either a Shaytaan (a devil), or he is imitating the Shaytaan.

It was also reported in a Saheeh hadeeth that he told a man who was eating with his left hand in his presence, “Eat with your right hand!”
The man said, “I cannot.”
He said, “May you never be able to!” – and the man never lifted his right hand to his mouth after that. Narrated by Muslim (2021).

If it was permissible (to eat with the left hand), he would not have prayed against him for doing so. It was the man’s stubborn arrogance that made him refuse to obey the command, and this is the utmost disobedience that deserved this prayer against him.

He commanded those who complained that they never felt full to eat together and not separately, and to mention the name of Allah (say Bismillaah) over the food so that He might bless it for them.”
Narrated by Abu Dawood (3764) and Ibn Maajah (3286). (See Zaad al-Maaad, 2/397-406)

It was also reported that he said, “I do not eat reclining.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5083.

He used to eat using the first three fingers (of his right hand), which is the best way of eating.
See Zaad al-Maaad, 220-222.

The Prophets guidance regarding diet:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to know what he was eating. He used to eat what was good for him. He used to eat enough to keep him going, but no so much as to make him fat.

Ibn Umar narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The believer eats in one stomach whilst the kaafir eats in seven.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5081) and Muslim (2060).

He taught his ummah something to protect them from diseases caused by eating and drinking.

He said: “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls, to keep him going. If he must do that (fill his stomach), then let him fill one third with food, one third with drink, and one third with air.”
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1381), Ibn Maajah (3349); classed as Saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah (2265).

And Allah knows best.

Saying Bismillah In The Hadith

Saying Bismillah Is Recommended Before Eating:
The Prophet (saw) said,
“Say Bismillah, eat with your right hand and eat what is in front of you.”
[Bukhari 7/88, Muslim 2/207, Ahmad 17/92, Muwatta Malik 10/32 and Ibn Majah 1/557]

Saying Bismillah Is Recommended When Drinking Water:
Ibn Abbas (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said,
“Do not drink in one gulp like a camel, but in two or three [Gulps]. Mention the Name of Allah when you start drinking and praise Him after you have finished Drinking.”
[Fath al-Bari 12/197 and Al-Trimidhi]

Saying Bismillah Is Recommended At The Beginning Of Ablution:
The Prophet (saw) said,
“Make Wudu [Ablution] in the name of Allah”
[An-Nasai 1/11 and Ibn Khuzaimah 1/84]

Saying Bismillah Is Recommended When Entering The House:
Jabir (ra) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) saying,
“If a person mentions the Name of Allah upon entering his house or eating, Satan says, addressing his followers: `You will find no where to spend the night and no dinner.’ But if he enters without mentioning the Name of Allah, Satan says [To his followers]; `You have found [A place] to spend the night in, and if he does not mention the Name of Allah at the time of eating, Satan says: `You have found [A place] to spend the night in as well as food.”
[Sahih Muslim 2/206]

Saying Bismillah Is Recommended When Leaving The House:
The Messenger Of Allah (saw) said,
“If anyone of you when leaving the house says In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah, there is no power and might except from Allah. Your needs shall be fulfilled, you shall be saved from difficulties and hardships. Shaitaan hearing these words leaves him.”
[Al-Trimidhi 2/493]