Observe the etiquettes of eating and drinking in the light of the Quran and Sunnah.
Definition of Food
Food refers to everything that is eaten as nourishment, such as wheat, rice, dates, and meat, etc.
The Command Regarding Eating
Islam has rights for the body and the soul. The human soul has been made lawful to preserve it and to enable it to perform religious obligations. Therefore, everything has been made lawful except those things whose prohibition has been stated because they are harmful to the human body.
(1) Allah Almighty says هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَسَوَّاهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
[Translation]
It is He who produced for you everything on earth.
(2) یٰٓــاَیـُّـہَا النَّاسُ کُلُوْا مِمَّا فِی الْاَرْضِ حَلٰلاً طَیِّبًا:
[Translation] O people! Eat from what is lawful and good on the earth.
(3) Umm Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Eat only lawful things and do righteous deeds.
Avoiding Eating the Prohibited is Necessary
(1). Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: Whoever’s meat is fed with unlawful wealth is more deserving of Hellfire.
(2). Masturad bin Shaddad, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Whoever ill-wishes a Muslim and eats even a morsel from him, Allah will feed him from the dishes of the Hellfire on the Day of Judgment.
(3). If a Muslim is invited to eat at someone’s home, he should not investigate whether the food is halal or haram.
Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: When you go to your brother and he offers you food, you should eat from it and not ask about its details (whether it was prepared from lawful earnings or unlawful), and if he offers you a drink, you should drink it and not investigate.
A believer is not always eating and drinking
A believer’s eating and drinking is not merely for the sake of eating and drinking, nor for pleasure and desire. That is why when he feels hungry, he eats, and when he feels thirsty, he drinks, as mentioned in
نبی صلى الله عليه وسلم قال له: نحن قوم لانأكل حتى نجوع، وإذا أكلنا لا نشبع
Translation
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: We do not eat without hunger, and when we eat, we do not fill our stomachs completely.
One should eat sitting humbly without leaning
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الصَّبَّاحِ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ مِسْعَرٍ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْأَقْمَرِ، عَنْ أَبِي جُحَيْفَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، قَالَ: لَا آكُلُ مُتَّكِئًا .
Translation
Abu Hujayfa, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: I do not eat while leaning.
عن عائشہ رضی اللہ عنہا قال قال رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم آکُلُ کَمَا یَأْکُلُ الْعَبْدُ،وَأَجْلِسُ کَمَا یَجْلِسُ الْعَبْدُ فَإِنَّمَا أَنَا عَبْدٌ‘
Translation Hazrat Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: I eat like a servant eats, and I sit like a servant sits, and I am indeed a servant.
Note
One should eat sitting on their knees and the backs of both feet with humility, or by standing on the right knee and sitting on the left foot while eating.
One should not find faults in the food
One should like the food served and not be critical. If one likes it, they should eat it; if for some reason they do not like it, they should leave it.
عن ابي هريرة ، قال:” ما عاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم طعاما قط إن رضيه اكله، وإلا تركه”.
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) never found fault with any food; if he liked the food, he would eat it, otherwise he would leave it.
Benefits and Issues
(1) If the cook makes any minor mistake in preparing the food, it should be tolerated. Losing temper over small matters is against good manners.
(2) Sometimes a person may not like the food; in such cases, it is not necessary to force oneself to eat, nor should one be upset with the person who served the food, questioning why this food was prepared.
It is preferable to eat together, however, eating separately is permissible
حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مُوسَى الرَّازِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنِي وَحْشِيُّ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، أَنَّ أَصْحَابَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، قَالُوا:” يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّا نَأْكُلُ وَلَا نَشْبَعُ، قَالَ: فَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَفْتَرِقُونَ؟، قَالُوا: نَعَمْ، قَالَ: فَاجْتَمِعُوا عَلَى طَعَامِكُمْ، وَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ يُبَارَكْ لَكُمْ فِيهِ”، قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُد: إِذَا كُنْتَ فِي وَلِيمَةٍ فَوُضِعَ الْعَشَاءُ فَلَا تَأْكُلْ حَتَّى يَأْذَنَ لَكَ صَاحِبُ الدَّارِ.
Translation
It is narrated from Wahshi bin Harb Habashi Hamasi, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Companions said: O Messenger of Allah! We eat food but our stomachs do not get full. So the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Perhaps you people eat separately?” The people said: Yes. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “You should eat together and say Bismillah (in the name of Allah), your food will be blessed.” Abu Dawood says: When you are at a feast and food is served, do not eat without the permission of the owner of the house (host).
(1) Our esteemed researcher has declared the mentioned narration weak in its chain, while other researchers have considered it good. Therefore, despite the narration being weak in its chain, it is actionable based on other evidence.
For more details, see:
Accordingly, eating together is a cause of blessing; however, eating separately is also permissible.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿لَيسَ عَلَيكُم جُناحٌ أَن تَأكُلوا جَميعًا أَو أَشتاتًا﴾
“There is no sin upon you whether you eat together or separately.”
Blowing on food and drink is prohibited
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ النُّفَيْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْكَرِيمِ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ:” نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ يُتَنَفَّسَ فِي الْإِنَاءِ أَوْ يُنْفَخَ فِيهِ”.
Translation
Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) forbade breathing or blowing into the vessel.
(1) This hadith is authentic that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade blowing into the vessel.
(2). It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Saeed (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade blowing into a drink.
Someone asked: If an undesirable thing (like a straw, etc.) is seen in the vessel, then what? He said: Pour it out. (Pour out a little water so that it also comes out.) He said: If I drink in one breath, I do not feel satisfied. He said: Remove the cup from your mouth.
From this, it is understood that one should remove the vessel from the mouth before breathing.
Statement about eating on a table and dining cloth
3292. حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ أَبِي الْفُرَاتِ الْإِسْكَافِ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ: مَا أَكَلَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَلَى خِوَانٍ، وَلَا فِي سُكُرُّجَةٍ، قَالَ: فَعَلَامَ كَانُوا يَأْكُلُونَ، قَالَ «عَلَى السُّفَرِ»
Translation
It is narrated from Hazrat Anas bin Malik (RA) that he said: The Prophet ﷺ never ate by placing food on a table, nor on a plate or tray. Qatadah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Then on what did people place food to eat? He said: On a dining cloth (dastarkhwan).
Anas (RA) stated that the Prophet ﷺ used to eat by placing food on the ground and accepted invitations from servants.
Your Food Should Enter the Stomach of a Pious Person
Make friendship only with a believer; your food should enter the stomach of a pious person.
عن ابي سعيد، انه سمع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: ” لا تصاحب إلا مؤمنا، ولا ياكل طعامك إلا تقي ” , قال ابو عيسى: هذا حديث حسن إنما نعرفه من هذا الوجه.
Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) says that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: “Do not associate with anyone except a believer, and let only the pious eat your food.” 1؎
Explanation:
1؎: This hadith indicates that a Muslim, while living in this world, should keep the company of good and righteous people, even when inviting others to eat, one should choose those who are pious and God-fearing, because invitations increase mutual affection and love, so the effort should be that the affection and love be with a pious person.
It is forbidden to obtain wealth by imposing conditions and then feed someone
Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنه states that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم forbade eating food prepared from wealth obtained through gambling (i.e., if a bet is placed and the wealth obtained by winning the bet is used to prepare food, such food should not be eaten because gambling is forbidden).
Eating is forbidden in two places
Salim narrates from his father رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that eating is forbidden in two places:
1) Sitting at a dining spread where alcohol is consumed.
The Prophet also forbade eating while lying on the stomach.
Food should be eaten after it has cooled down.
Jabir رضي الله عنه states that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said to eat food after it has cooled because there is no blessing in hot food.
Treatment of cough
Aisha رضي الله عنها narrated that whenever the household of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had a cough, he would order to prepare soup. When it was made, he would command them to drink it and he himself would also drink it.
The virtue of feeding and giving water to a Muslim
Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Whoever feeds his brother bread until he is full and gives him water until he is satisfied, Allah will distance him from Hellfire by seven trenches. The distance between two trenches is five hundred years.
Eating and wearing from lawful earnings is also charity
Abu Saeed Khudri رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Whoever earns lawful income and eats and wears from it, it is also considered charity for him, even if he does not give to others.
Eating a fallen morsel by picking it up
If a morsel of food falls down, the fallen morsel should be picked up, cleaned, and eaten.
Sahih Muslim:كِتَابُ الْأَشْرِبَةِ (بَابُ اسْتِحْبَابِ لَعْقِ الْأَصَابِعِ وَالْقَصْعَةِ، وَأَكْلِ اللُّقْمَةِ السَّاقِطَةِ بَعْدَ مَسْحِ مَا يُصِيبُهَا مِنْ أَذًى، وَكَرَاهَةِ مَسْحِ الْيَدِ قَبْلَ لَعْقِهَا)
Ruling: Ahadith Sahih Muslim كلها صحيحة
2034.و حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ وَأَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ نَافِعٍ الْعَبْدِيُّ قَالَا حَدَّثَنَا بَهْزٌ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ حَدَّثَنَا ثَابِتٌ عَنْ أَنَسٍ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ إِذَا أَكَلَ طَعَامًا لَعِقَ أَصَابِعَهُ الثَّلَاثَ قَالَ وَقَالَ إِذَا سَقَطَتْ لُقْمَةُ أَحَدِكُمْ فَلْيُمِطْ عَنْهَا الْأَذَى وَلْيَأْكُلْهَا وَلَا يَدَعْهَا لِلشَّيْطَانِ وَأَمَرَنَا أَنْ نَسْلُتَ الْقَصْعَةَ قَالَ فَإِنَّكُمْ لَا تَدْرُونَ فِي أَيِّ طَعَامِكُمْ الْبَرَكَةُ
Sahih Muslim: Book: Description of Drinks Introduction to the Book (Chapter: Licking fingers and eating utensils and the recommendation to clean and eat the morsel that falls down which is disliked, and before licking it, as the blessing may be in it, wiping the hands is disliked, and the Sunnah is to eat with three fingers)
2034. Bahz said: Hammad bin Salamah narrated to us, he said: Thabit narrated from Hazrat Anas (RA) that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ate, he would lick his three fingers at the end and said: The Prophet ﷺ said: “When any one of you drops a morsel, let him remove the disliked thing from it and eat it, and do not leave it for Satan.” And the Prophet ﷺ commanded us to clean the bowl and said: “You do not know in which part of your food the blessing lies.”
Eating as needed and cleaning the utensils
One should take only as much food on their plate as needed, and then thoroughly clean the plate at the end.
Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said that when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ate, he would lick his three fingers and say: “When any one of you drops a morsel, he should clean it and eat it; do not leave it for Satan.” Also, the Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded us to clean the plate and said: “None of you knows in which part of his food the blessing lies.”
حدثنا ابو بكر بن ابي شيبة , حدثنا يزيد بن هارون ، انبانا ابو اليمان البراء ، قال: حدثتني جدتي ام عاصم ، قالت: دخل علينا نبيشة مولى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ونحن ناكل في قصعة، فقال: قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم:” من اكل في قصعة فلحسها، استغفرت له القصعة”.
Translation
Umm Asim narrates that the servant of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Nabisha رضي الله عنه, came to us while we were eating from a large bowl. He said that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever eats from a large bowl and then licks it clean, that bowl will seek forgiveness for him.”
Note
Especially in today’s environment, where some people take more food on their plate and then eat only a little and waste the rest, this is a very bad habit. It shows disrespect for food. Wasting food unnecessarily is included in israf (extravagance), for which the Quran calls the perpetrator “the brother of Satan.” Islamic ethics require that while eating, one should take only as much food on the plate as needed and not save any unnecessarily. Any cooked food left over should not be thrown away but distributed among the needy, the poor, and neighbors.
The Master Eats Food Together with His Servant
As mentioned in
حدثنا الحميدي قال:ثنا سفيان، قال: ثنا ابو الزناد، عن الاعرج، عن ابي هريرة، قال: قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم: «إذا كفي احدكم خادمه صنعة طعامه، وكفاه حره ودخانه، فليجلسه، فلياكل معه، فإن ابي، فلياخذ لقمة فليروغها ثم ليعطها إياه» .
1101- Our master Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “When a person’s servant prepares food for him, that servant endures the heat and smoke for him, so it is incumbent upon that person to sit the servant with himself and feed him. If he does not do so, then he should take a morsel, dip it in the gravy, and then give it to the servant.”
Warning: Treating slaves and servants kindly and making every possible effort to please them is part of Islamic civilization and culture. Breaking their hearts, considering them insignificant, or humiliating them is a great sin which Sharia does not permit.
Hands should be washed
If the hands are dirty or there is a suspicion that they are not clean, wash the hands before starting to eat.
Eating while sitting on the ground and placing the food on a dining cloth is more humble; the Prophet ﷺ practiced this throughout his life.
Start eating by saying Bismillah
Umar bin Abi Salamah (may Allah be pleased with them both) said that I was a child and under the training of the Prophet ﷺ. My hand was moving around the plate on all sides, so the Prophet ﷺ said to me: “Boy! Say «بسم الله», eat with your right hand, and eat from what is near you.”
Warning
(1) Hazrat Abu Salamah Abdullah bin Abdul Asad was the son of the Prophet’s ﷺ paternal aunt, Barrah bint Abdul Muttalib.
They are among the foremost early Muslims.
(When he passed away in 4 AH, his wife Hazrat Umm Salama Hind bint Abu Umayya رضي الله عنها was honored with the title of Umm al-Mu’minin.
Thus, their son Umar bin Abu Salama رضي الله عنه and daughter Zainab bint Abu Salama رضي الله عنها came under the protection of the Messenger of Allah.
(2) If children make mistakes, they should be gently corrected.
(3) Children should be taught in a clear and simple manner, keeping brevity in mind.
(4) When there is only one type of food in the dish, everyone should eat from their own side. However, if there are different types of items (dates or sweets, etc.), one may take their preferred item from the other side as well.
One should eat from their own side
Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه reports that the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said: When food is placed on the dining spread, a person should eat from their own side and not from the side of their companion
واللہ اعلم
One should not eat from the middle of the dish
Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “When food is placed, eat from its edges and leave the middle, because the blessing descends in its middle.”
Note
This explains the etiquette and method of eating, that one should not eat from the middle but rather from the edge in front of oneself, because the blessing descends in the middle of the food, and so that everyone benefits from this blessing. Another point is that by doing so, the remaining portion of the food will remain clean and can be used by others, so this should be taken care of.
Food should be eaten with the right hand
«. . . ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ”إذا اكل احدكم فلياكل بيمينه وليشرب بيمينه، فإن الشيطان ياكل بشماله ويشرب بشماله . . .»
“… The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: When any one of you eats, let him eat with his right hand and (when he drinks) let him drink with his right hand, for Satan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand…”
Benefits:
➊ It is understood that eating and drinking with the left hand is prohibited without a valid excuse. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, forbade eating with the left hand and walking in one shoe. See:
➋ It is necessary to observe the etiquettes of Shariah in eating, drinking, and all worldly matters.
➌ Jinn devils eat and drink.
➍ Eating and drinking with the left hand without excuse is the way of Satan.
One should say Bismillah before starting to eat
If one forgets, then upon remembering, recite (بسم الله اوله وآخره) or (بسم الله فى أوله وآخره).
Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha رضي الله عنها says that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was eating with six of his companions when a Bedouin (villager) came and ate it in two bites. The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: “Listen, if this person had said «بسم الله», this food would have been sufficient for all of you. Therefore, when any of you eats, he should say ( «بسم الله»). If he forgets to say ( «بسم الله») at the beginning, then he should say: «بسم الله في أوله وآخره».”
(
When drinking water during or between meals, drink in three breaths
حدثنا ابو بكر بن ابي شيبة , حدثنا داود بن عبد الله , عن عبد العزيز بن محمد , عن الحارث بن ابي ذباب , عن عمه , عن ابي هريرة , قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:” إذا شرب احدكم فلا يتنفس في الإناء , فإذا اراد ان يعود فلينح الإناء , ثم ليعد إن كان يريد”.
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه says that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: “When any of you drinks, do not breathe into the vessel, and if you want to breathe, then remove the vessel from your mouth, then if you wish, you may drink again.”
Note
Taking three breaths means that after drinking a little water, the vessel is removed from the mouth, then water is drunk again three times. This is the Sunnah method.
This prayer should be recited after eating
Mu’adh bin Anas Jahni (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever eats food should recite this prayer:
الحمدُ للهِ الذي أطعَمَني هذا الطَّعامَ ورَزَقَنيه من غيرِ حولٍ مِنِّي ولا قوةٍ
Translation
“Praise and thanks are to Allah who has fed me this and provided it to me without any power or might from myself.” Then Allah will forgive his past sins.
It is narrated from Abu Umamah رضي الله عنه that when food was removed from in front of the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, he would recite this supplication ( الحمدُ للهِ حمدًا كثيرًا طيِّبًا مُبارَكًا فيه غيرَ مَكفيٍّ ولا مودَّعٍ ولا مستغنًى عنه )
“All praise is for Allah, very pure and blessed. We have not fully fulfilled the right of this food, and it has not been taken away forever (and this is said so that) we do not become heedless of it, O our Lord!”
This supplication ( اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَارْحَمْهُمْ وَبَارِكْ لَهُمْ وَارْزُقْهُمْ)» should be given to the family of the servant at whose house you have eaten.
أَخْبَرَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الْعَنْبَرِيُّ، ثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ السَّلَامِ، ثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَنْبَأَ عِيسَى بْنُ يُونُسَ، عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ عَمْرٍو السَّكْسَكِيِّ، ثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ بُسْرٍ، قَالَ: قَالَ أَبِي لِأُمِّي: لَوْ صَنَعْتِ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ طَعَامًا فَصَنَعَتْ ثَرِيدَةً تُقَلَّلُ فَانْطَلَقَ أَبِي فَدَعَاهُ فَوَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ: «كُلُوا بِسْمِ اللَّهِ» فَأَخَذُوا مِنْ نَحْوِهَا فَلَمَّا طَعِمُوا دَعَا لَهُمْ فَقَالَ: «اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَارْحَمْهُمْ وَبَارِكْ لَهُمْ وَارْزُقْهُمْ» هَذَا حَدِيثٌ صَحِيحُ الْإِسْنَادِ وَلَمْ يُخَرِّجَاهُ
Translation
“Hazrat Abdullah bin Basar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: My father said to my mother: If you prepare food for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ (then how good it is). She prepared a little Thareed (a special type of food). My father called the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and brought him, then placed his hand on it and said: Eat saying Bismillah. Everyone ate in this manner. When everyone had finished eating, the Prophet ﷺ prayed for them saying, ‘اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَارْحَمْهُمْ وَبَارِكْ لَهُمْ وَارْزُقْهُمْ» O Allah! Forgive them, have mercy on them, bless them, and provide for them.’ ** This Hadith is authentic in chain of narration but Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) and Imam Muslim (may Allah have mercy on him) did not narrate it.
Whenever you eat or drink anything, recite this supplication اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ الَّذِیْ اَطْعَمَ وَسَقٰی وَسَوَّغَہٗ وَجَعَلَ لَہٗ مَخْرَجًا without fail.
Abu Ayyub Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) ate or drank, he used to say:
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ الَّذِیْ اَطْعَمَ وَسَقٰی وَسَوَّغَہٗ وَجَعَلَ لَہٗ مَخْرَجًا
Translation:
(All praise is due to Allah who has fed us and given us drink and made it easy for us to digest and expel it.)
When eating at someone’s place, make supplication for them
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) came to Saad bin Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him), who brought bread and oil for him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) ate it and then recited this supplication: (( وأفطرَ عندَكُمُ الصَّائمونَ ، وصلَّت عليكُمُ الملائِكَةُ
)) May fasting people break their fast at your place, righteous people eat your food, and angels pray for you. “
It is permissible to eat and drink while standing
As Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, says that during the time of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, we used to eat while walking and drink while standing.
However, eating and drinking while sitting is preferable.
Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, states that the Messenger, peace be upon him, forbade drinking and eating while standing.
Permissibility of eating in the mosque
Abdullah bin Harith bin Juz’ al-Zubaidi, may Allah be pleased with him, says that during the time of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, we used to eat bread and meat in the mosque.
Sunan Ibn Majah,
After eating, one should clean the teeth.
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ تَمِيمٍ الْقَنْطَرِيُّ، ثَنَا أَبُو قِلَابَةَ، ثَنَا أَبُو عَاصِمٍ، عَنْ ثَوْرِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ حُصَيْنٍ الْحِمْيَرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخَيْرِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «مَنْ أَكَلَ فَمَا لَاكَ بِلِسَانِهِ فَلْيَبْلَعْ وَمَا تَخَلَّلَ فَلْيَلْفِظْ مَنْ فَعَلَ فَقَدْ أَحْسَنَ وَمَنْ لَا فَلَا حَرَجَ» هَذَا حَدِيثٌ صَحِيحُ الْإِسْنَادِ وَلَمْ يُخَرِّجَاهُ
Translation
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Whatever is on the tongue while eating, swallow it, and whatever gets stuck between the teeth, remove it. Whoever does this has done well, and whoever does not, there is no sin on him. ** This hadith is authentic in its chain of narration but Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) and Imam Muslim (may Allah have mercy on him) did not transmit it.
One should thank Allah after eating
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْعَبَّاسِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَعْقُوبَ، ثَنَا الرَّبِيعُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، ثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ بِلَالٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي حُرَّةَ، عَنْ حَكِيمِ بْنِ أَبِي حُرَّةَ، عَنْ سَلْمَانَ الْأَغَرِّ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: وَلَا أَعْلَمُهُ إِلَّا عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «إِنَّ لِلطَّاعِمِ الشَّاكِرِ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ مِثْلَ الصَّائِمِ الصَّابِرِ»
Translation
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said: Indeed, the one who eats and then gives thanks is like the patient fasting person.
Eating dinner is necessary
Jabir رضي الله عنه says that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: “Do not skip the evening meal even if its quantity is only a handful of dates, because not eating the evening meal causes old age.”
What should one do if a guest sees something un-Islamic during a meal invitation?
حدثنا مسعود بن جويرية، قال: حدثنا وكيع، عن هشام، عن قتادة، عن سعيد بن المسيب، عن علي، قال: صنعت طعاما , فدعوت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فجاء، فدخل فراى سترا فيه تصاوير فخرج , وقال:” إن الملائكة لا تدخل بيتا فيه تصاوير“.
Ali رضي الله عنه says that I prepared food and invited the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. When he came and entered, he saw a curtain with pictures on it ۱؎, so he went out and said: “Angels do not enter a house in which there are pictures.”
Benefits and Issues
1: If the pictures on this curtain are considered living beings, then tearing it down removes them and it becomes permissible to use the fabric for pillows, etc.
2: Hanging curtains on walls without purpose is wastefulness and extravagance, which is absolutely forbidden.
3: Keeping a dog for guarding is permissible, otherwise not.
4: It is forbidden to keep images of living beings or their idols in homes, shops, etc. Because of them, the angels of mercy do not enter.
5: This hadith also indicates that one should not respond to the greeting of a person who commits un-Islamic and reprehensible acts.
6: This hadith also signifies the greatness and virtue of the truthful and chaste daughter of the Truthful One, the Mother of the Believers, Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), who was always eager to please and satisfy the Messenger ﷺ, and that His satisfaction can only be attained through obedience to him.
We pray to Allah Almighty to grant us all the ability to live according to the Quran and Sunnah آمین ثم آمین یارب العالمین
