I wanted to ask wether it is allowed to say “Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem” instead of “Bismillah” before one eats.
There was a discussion between a sister and me, and i said it is a Bidaa, but the sister insisted that there is nothing wrong with that.

What is the right ruling on this issue?.


Praise be to Allaah.

The phrase that is prescribed for mentioning Allah when
eating is to say “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah), because of the report
narrated by ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), that the Prophet
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) 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). 

The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) differed
concerning saying Bismillah ir-Rahmaan ir-Raheem (in the name of Allah, the
Most Gracious the Most Merciful). Most of the scholars are of the view that
there is nothing wrong with this addition. 

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him)
said: If one says when eating, Bismillah ir-Rahmaan ir-Raheem, that is good
and more perfect. End quote from al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 5/480 

It says in al-Mawsoo‘ah al-Fiqhiyyah, 8/92: The
fuqaha’ are of the view that mentioning the name of Allah when beginning to
eat is a Sunnah, and the phrase to be used is Bismillah or Bismillah
ir-Rahmaan ir-Raheem. End quote. 

An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: It is more
important to note the phrase to be used when mentioning the name of Allah. …
The best is to say Bismillah ir-Rahmaan ir-Raheem, but if one says
Bismillah, that is sufficient and fulfils the Sunnah. End quote from
al-Adhkaar, 1/231 

Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) followed
that with his comment: I have not seen any particular evidence to support
what he claims about it being better. End quote from Fath al-Baari. 

Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allah have mercy on him) said: And I
say: There is nothing better than his Sunnah (blessings and peace of Allah
be upon him). The best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (blessings
and peace of Allah be upon him) and if nothing is proven concerning
mentioning the name of Allah when eating except to say “Bismillah,” then it
is not permissible to add anything to it, let alone suggest that the longer
phrase is better than it, because saying such a thing is contrary to what is
referred to in the hadeeth: “The best of guidance is the guidance of
Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).” End quote from
as-Silsilah as-Saheehah, 1/343 

Based on this, it is better to limit it to saying Bismillah
when starting to eat, and not add anything to it. But if one does add to it
by saying Bismillah ir-Rahmaan ir-Raheem, there is nothing wrong with that
according to the majority of scholars. 

And Allah knows best.