Gatherings, feasts, and events are integral parts of social life. In Islam, it is commendable for Muslims to come together over wholesome food. Accepting invitations is a Sunnah and a hallmark of Islam. It is the right of a Muslim upon another to accept their invitation.
Special attention is given to the celebration of wedding feasts (Walima). The importance of these invitations is highlighted in the following Hadiths:
It is narrated from Sayyidina Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When any of you is invited to a feast such as a wedding, let him accept it.”
[Sahih Muslim: 100/1429]
Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Among the worst food is that of a wedding banquet to which only the rich are invited, while the poor are left out. Whoever refuses an invitation has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 5177, Sahih Muslim: 1432]
Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When you are invited, accept the invitation. If you are fasting, then pray for the host, and if not, then eat.”
[Sahih Muslim: 1431]
It is regrettable that Muslims often disregard the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during these gatherings. In imitation of non-Muslims, they neglect the Islamic etiquettes of dining. Wedding ceremonies are held in public places like squares, intersections, streets, and alleys, which is inappropriate and causes inconvenience.
Sayyidina Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Avoid sitting in the pathways.” The companions replied, "O Messenger of Allah, we have no alternative but to sit there to converse." He (peace be upon him) said: “If you must, then fulfill the rights of the road.” They asked, "What are the rights of the road?" He replied: “Lower your gaze, remove harmful objects from the way, respond to greetings, enjoin good, and forbid evil.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 6669, Sahih Muslim: 2121]
In light of this prophetic command, we must introspect on how much we adhere to these noble teachings. Unfortunately, paths are blocked, causing inconvenience to passersby. Nails are driven into the road, damaging them, and loudspeakers disturb the peace of decent people. The mingling of men and women leads to shameless scenes, and activities like taking pictures, singing, dancing, and fireworks harm public property. Even aerial firing occurs, causing fatalities, and vulgarity and nudity reach their peak.
Excess and wasteful spending establish a relationship of fraternity with the devil. Western culture is adopted, and Islamic values are challenged.
Guidelines for Invitations:
“O son! Begin with the name of Allah, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 5376, Sahih Muslim: 2022]
Sayyidina Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that whenever they ate with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), they would not begin until he started eating. Once, a girl rushed to the food as if being pushed and tried to eat. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) held her hand. Then, a Bedouin came and tried to do the same; the Prophet held his hand too. The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said: “Indeed, Satan considers the food lawful for himself when Allah’s name is not mentioned over it. He came with the girl, so I took hold of her hand, and then he came with the Bedouin, and I took hold of his hand. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, Satan’s hand was with theirs.”
[Sahih Muslim: 2017]
From this Hadith, we learn that if scholars and virtuous people are present, they should begin eating first, followed by others. If children are present, they should be included in the meal, not given separate portions, as it can lead to waste.
If one forgets to say "Bismillah" at the start, upon remembering, they should say:
"Bismillah Awwaluhu wa Akhirahu"
[Musnad Ahmad: 207/6, Sunan Abu Dawood: 3767, Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 1858, Mustadrak Hakim: 108/4]
Eating with the right hand is an essential etiquette. Sayyidina Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Do not eat with your left hand, for Satan eats with the left hand.”
[Sahih Muslim: 2019]
Unfortunately, many Muslims neglect this practice, following non-Muslims in using their left hand to eat and drink. This deviation from Islamic teachings is a serious issue, and promoting left-handed eating and drinking can be seen in some places, which is a deviation from Islamic values.
Avoid Overeating:
Take only as much food as needed. It is better to take small portions and, if necessary, take more. Overfilling plates leads to waste. Maintain patience and composure. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“The food of one person is sufficient for two, the food of two is sufficient for four, and the food of four is sufficient for eight.”
[Sahih Muslim: 2059]
Wasting food is ingratitude for the blessings of Allah. It is important to finish all food taken and clean the plate thoroughly. Sayyidina Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When a morsel of food falls, pick it up, clean it, and eat it. Do not leave it for the devil. Do not wipe your hands with a towel until you have licked your fingers, for you do not know in which portion of the food the blessing lies.”
[Sahih Muslim: 134/2033]
This Hadith teaches us the importance of not wasting food. It is even prohibited to wipe fingers before licking them, as one might waste blessed food.
Sayyidina Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When any of you eats, let him not clean his fingers until he has licked them or given them to someone else to lick.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 5456, Sahih Muslim: 129/2031]
This is an unparalleled example of social harmony, showing that a Muslim should have such a pure heart towards another that licking their fingers would not be felt as repulsive.
If the food is of one kind, it should be eaten from the edge of the plate. Sayyidina Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When any of you eats, let him eat from the edges of the dish and avoid eating from the middle, for the blessing descends in the middle.”
[Sunan Abu Dawood: 3772]
Take small bites, chew the food thoroughly, and chew with a closed mouth. Avoid eating food that is too hot. Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“Do not eat food while it is steaming.”
[Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 280/7]
It is considered bad manners to clean one's hands with the food. Eating should be done while sitting, although it is permissible to eat or drink while standing.
Sayyidina Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would drink water in two or three breaths.
[Sahih Bukhari: 5631, Sahih Muslim: 2028]
It is prohibited to breathe into the vessel or blow into it while drinking.
[Musnad al-Humaydi: 525, Sunan Abu Dawood: 3728, Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 1818, Sunan Ibn Majah: 3429]
Do not find faults with the food. Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) never criticized food. If he liked something, he would eat it, and if he did not like it, he would leave it.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 5409, Sahih Muslim: 2064]
After eating, praise Allah, as it brings His pleasure. Recite the supplications taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Sayyidina Mu'adh bin Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever eats food and then says, 'All praise is due to Allah, who fed me this and provided it to me without any power or strength on my part,' all his previous sins will be forgiven.”
[Amal al-Yawm wal-Layla by Ibn al-Sunni: 466]
Also, pray for those who have served or provided the food.
Special attention is given to the celebration of wedding feasts (Walima). The importance of these invitations is highlighted in the following Hadiths:
It is narrated from Sayyidina Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When any of you is invited to a feast such as a wedding, let him accept it.”
[Sahih Muslim: 100/1429]
Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Among the worst food is that of a wedding banquet to which only the rich are invited, while the poor are left out. Whoever refuses an invitation has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 5177, Sahih Muslim: 1432]
Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When you are invited, accept the invitation. If you are fasting, then pray for the host, and if not, then eat.”
[Sahih Muslim: 1431]
It is regrettable that Muslims often disregard the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during these gatherings. In imitation of non-Muslims, they neglect the Islamic etiquettes of dining. Wedding ceremonies are held in public places like squares, intersections, streets, and alleys, which is inappropriate and causes inconvenience.
Sayyidina Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Avoid sitting in the pathways.” The companions replied, "O Messenger of Allah, we have no alternative but to sit there to converse." He (peace be upon him) said: “If you must, then fulfill the rights of the road.” They asked, "What are the rights of the road?" He replied: “Lower your gaze, remove harmful objects from the way, respond to greetings, enjoin good, and forbid evil.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 6669, Sahih Muslim: 2121]
In light of this prophetic command, we must introspect on how much we adhere to these noble teachings. Unfortunately, paths are blocked, causing inconvenience to passersby. Nails are driven into the road, damaging them, and loudspeakers disturb the peace of decent people. The mingling of men and women leads to shameless scenes, and activities like taking pictures, singing, dancing, and fireworks harm public property. Even aerial firing occurs, causing fatalities, and vulgarity and nudity reach their peak.
Excess and wasteful spending establish a relationship of fraternity with the devil. Western culture is adopted, and Islamic values are challenged.
Guidelines for Invitations:
- Keep Invitations Simple: Limit the menu to one or two dishes to avoid extravagance, which also allows for more guests to partake.
- Avoid Excess: Invite both rich and poor equally. Strive to have righteous and honorable individuals partake in your meal. Avoid extravagance and ostentation, keeping the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in mind, and host for the sake of Allah. This will earn the pleasure and satisfaction of Allah, strengthen mutual love and affection, and cultivate a spirit of sacrifice and generosity.
- Proper Etiquette: Guests should approach the food respectfully, giving precedence to others. Begin eating with the recitation of "Bismillah" and serve oneself modestly.
“O son! Begin with the name of Allah, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 5376, Sahih Muslim: 2022]
Sayyidina Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that whenever they ate with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), they would not begin until he started eating. Once, a girl rushed to the food as if being pushed and tried to eat. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) held her hand. Then, a Bedouin came and tried to do the same; the Prophet held his hand too. The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said: “Indeed, Satan considers the food lawful for himself when Allah’s name is not mentioned over it. He came with the girl, so I took hold of her hand, and then he came with the Bedouin, and I took hold of his hand. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, Satan’s hand was with theirs.”
[Sahih Muslim: 2017]
From this Hadith, we learn that if scholars and virtuous people are present, they should begin eating first, followed by others. If children are present, they should be included in the meal, not given separate portions, as it can lead to waste.
If one forgets to say "Bismillah" at the start, upon remembering, they should say:
"Bismillah Awwaluhu wa Akhirahu"
[Musnad Ahmad: 207/6, Sunan Abu Dawood: 3767, Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 1858, Mustadrak Hakim: 108/4]
Eating with the right hand is an essential etiquette. Sayyidina Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Do not eat with your left hand, for Satan eats with the left hand.”
[Sahih Muslim: 2019]
Unfortunately, many Muslims neglect this practice, following non-Muslims in using their left hand to eat and drink. This deviation from Islamic teachings is a serious issue, and promoting left-handed eating and drinking can be seen in some places, which is a deviation from Islamic values.
Avoid Overeating:
Take only as much food as needed. It is better to take small portions and, if necessary, take more. Overfilling plates leads to waste. Maintain patience and composure. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“The food of one person is sufficient for two, the food of two is sufficient for four, and the food of four is sufficient for eight.”
[Sahih Muslim: 2059]
Wasting food is ingratitude for the blessings of Allah. It is important to finish all food taken and clean the plate thoroughly. Sayyidina Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When a morsel of food falls, pick it up, clean it, and eat it. Do not leave it for the devil. Do not wipe your hands with a towel until you have licked your fingers, for you do not know in which portion of the food the blessing lies.”
[Sahih Muslim: 134/2033]
This Hadith teaches us the importance of not wasting food. It is even prohibited to wipe fingers before licking them, as one might waste blessed food.
Sayyidina Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When any of you eats, let him not clean his fingers until he has licked them or given them to someone else to lick.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 5456, Sahih Muslim: 129/2031]
This is an unparalleled example of social harmony, showing that a Muslim should have such a pure heart towards another that licking their fingers would not be felt as repulsive.
If the food is of one kind, it should be eaten from the edge of the plate. Sayyidina Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When any of you eats, let him eat from the edges of the dish and avoid eating from the middle, for the blessing descends in the middle.”
[Sunan Abu Dawood: 3772]
Take small bites, chew the food thoroughly, and chew with a closed mouth. Avoid eating food that is too hot. Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“Do not eat food while it is steaming.”
[Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 280/7]
It is considered bad manners to clean one's hands with the food. Eating should be done while sitting, although it is permissible to eat or drink while standing.
Sayyidina Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would drink water in two or three breaths.
[Sahih Bukhari: 5631, Sahih Muslim: 2028]
It is prohibited to breathe into the vessel or blow into it while drinking.
[Musnad al-Humaydi: 525, Sunan Abu Dawood: 3728, Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 1818, Sunan Ibn Majah: 3429]
Do not find faults with the food. Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) never criticized food. If he liked something, he would eat it, and if he did not like it, he would leave it.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 5409, Sahih Muslim: 2064]
After eating, praise Allah, as it brings His pleasure. Recite the supplications taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Sayyidina Mu'adh bin Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever eats food and then says, 'All praise is due to Allah, who fed me this and provided it to me without any power or strength on my part,' all his previous sins will be forgiven.”
[Amal al-Yawm wal-Layla by Ibn al-Sunni: 466]
Also, pray for those who have served or provided the food.