Speaking and Greeting During Meals in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdul Salam
Speaking and exchanging greetings during meals is a subject for which guidance can be derived from the Qur’an, the Hadith, and the practice of the noble Companions (RA).
The Qur’an contains general principles regarding the etiquettes of eating, such as:
Mentioning Allah’s Name:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّهِ (البقرہ: 172)
"O you who have believed! Eat from the good things We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah."
This verse encourages mentioning Allah’s name and expressing gratitude while eating.
❶ Greeting and Responding to Salām:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"If one of you is approached by someone while eating, he should say Salām to him; if the other responds, it is good, and if he does not, there is no harm."
(Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith: 4643)
From this, it is understood that it is permissible to say Salām during meals, and if a reply is not given, the person is excused.
❷ Speaking While Eating:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his Companions (RA) would speak while eating.
Hazrat Jabir (RA) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions (RA) would eat together and converse during the meal.
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 3263)
❸ Mentioning Allah During Meals:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"When one of you eats, he should say ‘Bismillah’; and if he forgets to say it at the beginning, he should say (upon remembering): ‘بسم الله أوله وآخره’"
(Sunan Abi Dawood: 3767)
This Hadith shows that making Dhikr and supplication during meals is recommended.
❶ Hazrat Umar (RA) and Conversation:
It is narrated about Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) that he would engage in social and scholarly discussions while eating.
❷ Hazrat Anas (RA) Narration:
Hazrat Anas (RA) said:
"We used to eat with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and converse during the meal."
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 5397)
❶ It is permissible to greet with Salām during meals, but if a reply is not given, there is no harm.
❷ Light conversation is allowed during meals, especially regarding knowledge, social matters, or righteous topics.
❸ Mentioning Allah’s name and showing gratitude are essential etiquettes of eating.
❹ One should avoid noise and meaningless talk so that the blessings of the meal remain.
These Ahadith and narrations collectively allow speaking and greeting in an appropriate manner during meals, as long as it does not contradict the etiquettes of eating.
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdul Salam
Speaking and exchanging greetings during meals is a subject for which guidance can be derived from the Qur’an, the Hadith, and the practice of the noble Companions (RA).
General Guidance from the Qur’an
The Qur’an contains general principles regarding the etiquettes of eating, such as:
Mentioning Allah’s Name:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّهِ (البقرہ: 172)
"O you who have believed! Eat from the good things We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah."
This verse encourages mentioning Allah’s name and expressing gratitude while eating.
Guidance from the Noble Hadith
❶ Greeting and Responding to Salām:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"If one of you is approached by someone while eating, he should say Salām to him; if the other responds, it is good, and if he does not, there is no harm."
(Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith: 4643)
From this, it is understood that it is permissible to say Salām during meals, and if a reply is not given, the person is excused.
❷ Speaking While Eating:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his Companions (RA) would speak while eating.
Hazrat Jabir (RA) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions (RA) would eat together and converse during the meal.
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 3263)
❸ Mentioning Allah During Meals:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"When one of you eats, he should say ‘Bismillah’; and if he forgets to say it at the beginning, he should say (upon remembering): ‘بسم الله أوله وآخره’"
(Sunan Abi Dawood: 3767)
This Hadith shows that making Dhikr and supplication during meals is recommended.
Practice of the Companions (RA)
❶ Hazrat Umar (RA) and Conversation:
It is narrated about Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) that he would engage in social and scholarly discussions while eating.
❷ Hazrat Anas (RA) Narration:
Hazrat Anas (RA) said:
"We used to eat with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and converse during the meal."
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 5397)
Conclusion
❶ It is permissible to greet with Salām during meals, but if a reply is not given, there is no harm.
❷ Light conversation is allowed during meals, especially regarding knowledge, social matters, or righteous topics.
❸ Mentioning Allah’s name and showing gratitude are essential etiquettes of eating.
❹ One should avoid noise and meaningless talk so that the blessings of the meal remain.
These Ahadith and narrations collectively allow speaking and greeting in an appropriate manner during meals, as long as it does not contradict the etiquettes of eating.
