Drinking Etiquette in Islam
Author: Imran Ayyub Lahori
The Sunnah teaches that drinking should be done in three breaths, with the right hand, and preferably while sitting.
Drinking in Three Breaths
Narration from Anas (RA):
"The Prophet ﷺ would take three breaths in the vessel while drinking."
[Bukhārī: 5631, Muslim: 2028, Tirmidhī: 1884, Abū Dāwūd: 3727]
Another narration adds:
"It is more thirst-quenching and more satisfying."
[Muslim: 2028]
Explanation: The breaths were taken outside the vessel, not inside while drinking.
Using the Right Hand
- The Prophet ﷺ told ʿUmar ibn Abī Salamah (RA):
"Eat with your right hand."
[Bukhārī: 5376, Muslim: 2022]
- Ibn ʿUmar (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"None of you should eat or drink with his left hand, for Shayṭān eats and drinks with his left hand."
[Muslim: 2020]
Sitting While Drinking
- Abū Hurayrah (RA) narrated:
"None of you should drink standing, and whoever forgets should vomit."
[Muslim: 2026]
- Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī (RA) and Anas (RA) narrated similar reports.
Apparent Contradiction & Reconciliation
Some narrations show the Prophet ﷺ drank standing:
- From Zamzam water (Ibn ʿAbbās RA) [Bukhārī: 5617, Muslim: 2027]
- ʿAlī (RA) and ʿUmar (RA) also drank standing.
Scholarly Reconciliation:
- Ibn Ḥajar: Standing is makrūh (disliked), not ḥarām; allowed in certain circumstances.
- Ruling (Rājiḥ): It is Sunnah to drink sitting, but permissible to drink standing without sin.
Giving Preference to the Right Side
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Give to the one on the right, then to the one on the right."
[Bukhārī: 5619, Muslim: 2029]
- When a boy was sitting to his right and elders to his left, the Prophet ﷺ sought permission from the boy to give the elders first. The boy refused, and the Prophet ﷺ gave him the drink. [Bukhārī: 5620, Muslim: 2030]
Serving Others First
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The one who serves the people should drink last."
[Ibn Mājah: 3434, Tirmidhī: 1894]
Imām al-Shawkānī commented: This is a lesson for leaders to prioritize the needs of others over themselves.
Conclusion:
- Before drinking: Say Bismillah
- Drink: In three breaths, with the right hand, preferably sitting
- Serving: Start from the right side, server drinks last
