The Sunnah of Eating: A Guide to Eating in the Islamic Way

The Sunnah of Eating: 9 Etiquette Tips to Improve Your Mealtime Experience

1 EATING WITH RIGHT HAND

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

"When any one of you intends to eat (meal), he should eat with his right hand. and when he (intends) to drink he should drink with his right hand, for the Shaitan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand."

Muslim 2020

2 MENTION THE NAME OF ALLĀH

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

"When any one of you eats food, let him say بِسْمِ اللَّهِ

[Bismillah [In the name of Allah)]

and if he forgets to say Bismillah at the beginning, let him say بِسْمِ اللَّهِ فِي أَوَّلِهِ وَآخِرِهِ

[Bismillah fi awwalihi wa akhirih (In the Name of Allah at the beginning and at the end)]."

Ibn Majah 3264 | Sahih

3 EAT WHAT IS INFRONT

Umar bin Abu Salamah (رضي الله عنه‎) said:

“I was a boy in the care of the Prophet (ﷺ) and my hand used to wander all over the plate.

He (ﷺ) said to me: ‘O boy! Say the Name of Allah, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you."

Muslim 2022

4 PICK UP THE FOOD IF DROPPED

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

"When a morsel of any of you falls, he should pick it up and remove any of the dirt on it and then eat it, and should not leave it for Shaitan nor should wipe his hand with towel until he has licked his fingers, for he does not know in what portion of the food the blessing lies."

Muslim 2034

5 LICKING FINGERS AND DISH

Jabir (رضي الله عنه‎) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded the licking of fingers and the gleaning of the dish, saying: "You do not know in which portion the blessing lies."

Muslim 2033

6  BE GRATEFUL TO ALLĀH

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

"The one who eats and is grateful (to Allah) is similar in status of the one who fasts and is patient."

Ibn Majah 1764 | Hasan

7  DUAA AFTER EATING

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever eats food and says:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلاَ قُوَّةٍ

[Alhamdulillahil-ladhi at’amani haza wa razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa la quwwatin (Praise is to Allah Who has fed me this and provided it for me without any strength or power on my part)]

his previous sins will be forgiven."

Ibn Majah 3285 | Hasan

8  NEVER CRITICIZE ANY FOOD

Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه‎) narrated:

The Prophet (ﷺ) never criticized any food (he was invited to) but he used to eat if he liked the food, and leave it if he disliked it.

Bukhari 5409

9 DO NOT EAT TOO MUCH

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

"The human does not fill any container that is worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat what will support his back. If this is not possible, then a third for food, a third for drink, and third for his breath."

Tirmidhi 2380 | Sahih

#Sunnah_Of_Eating 

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