Etiquettes of eating
The Islamic Etiquettes of eating and drinking.
In this Article I will describe the etiquettes of one eating and drinking by both oneself and whilst attending a dinner invitation.
Firstly it is always better to try to eat with others if that is
possible because Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him), said: "Gather around your food so that it may be blessed." (Abu Dawood and Tirmidhi).
If one is invited for food then he should go by himself (unless
it is a family invitations). If you want to bring a friend then you
should seek the hosts permission first. Abu Mas'ud Al-Badri, may Allah
be pleased with him, said : "A man invited Allah's Prophet peace be upon
him, to a meal along with four other people. A man followed the Prophet.
At the door, the Prophet peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him, said
to the host which meaning of is translated as: "This man has come with
us: If you'd permit, he will come in; if not he will go back." The host
said: I give him my permission, O Allah's Messenger." (Bukhari &
Muslim).
As a guest you should not criticize the food by saying it is
things such as it is of poor quality or poor taste etc. If you are do
not like it just do not eat it. Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with
him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) never criticized any food. If he liked it he would eat it and if he
did not like it he would leave it. (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3370;
Muslim, 2046)
Also if you are a guest ask what the dish is as
the Prophet peace be upon him used to ask. It may not be something which
you may find repulsive or may even be allergic too.
Khaalid ibn al-Waleed
said that he and the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) entered upon Maymoonah, who was his [Khaalid’s] maternal
aunt and the maternal aunt of Ibn ‘Abbaas, and found that she had some
roasted lizard that her sister Hafeedah bint al-Haarith had brought from
Najd. She offered the lizard to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him), but he would rarely stretch forth his
hand to food until he had been told what it was. The Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) stretched forth his hand,
then one of the women who were present said, “Tell the Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that what has been
offered to him is lizard.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) withdrew his hand from the lizard, and Khaalid
ibn al-Waleed asked, “Is lizard haraam, O Messenger of Allaah?” He said,
“No, but it is not found in the land of my people and I feel that I
would have no liking for it. Khaalid said, Then I chewed it and ate it,
and the Messenger of Allaah was looking at me. (Bukhari)
As a host you Muslim host should be hospitable to his hosts. You
should not be offended if the guests do not like your food. If the do
then you should encourage them to eat because Abu Hurayrah told a story
about drinking milk, where the Prophet repeatedly said to him, “Drink!”
and he kept telling him to drink until he (the guest) said, “By the One
Who sent you with the truth, I have no more room for it!” Narrated by
al-Bukhaari (6087).
A Muslim must not not eat nor drink from
vessels made of silver or gold. the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not wear silk or brocade (specific to men
only), and do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, or eat from
plates thereof. They are for them in this world and for us in the
Hereafter.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5426; Muslim, 2067)
Also Umm Salamah reported that the Prophet said: “The one who
eats or drinks from a vessel of gold or silver is putting fire from Hell
into his stomach.” (Reported by Muslim, 3/1634).
A person can talk whilst eating obviously whilst using common sense as to not looking bad because Abu Hurayrah said: One day some meat was brought to the Messenger of Allaah (S) and the foreleg, which he used to like, was offered to him. He took a bite, then he said: “I will be the leader of mankind on the Day of Resurrection. Do you know why that is? … Then he quoted the lengthy hadeeth about intercession. (al-Bukhaari (3340) and Muslim (194)
A Muslim should not recline whilst eating because the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I do not eat whilst I am
reclining.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5399).
It is recommended for a Muslim sit whilst eating and drinking. But on some occasions one may need to stand or walk whilst drinking or eating
It is narrated from Anas and Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased
with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
forbade drinking whilst standing. (Muslim 2024, 2025)
The Hadiths below prove that on occasions one may need to stand whilst drinking and walk whilst eating and in such circumstances it is allowed but if there is no need then one should sit.
Ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I brought water
to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) from
Zamzam and he drank whilst standing. Al-Bukhaari (1637) and Muslim (2027)
It is narrated that ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him)
drank whilst standing, and the people looked at him as if they objected to
that. He said: “What are you looking at? If I drink whilst standing, I saw
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) drink whilst
standing, and if I drink sitting, I saw the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) drink whilst sitting.” Ahmad (797) Ahmad Shaakir said in
Tahqeeq al-Musnad: its isnaad is saheeh. (also similar hadith report
narrated in bukhari 5615)
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “We used to eat at the
time of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
whilst walking, and we used to drink whilst standing.” Al-Tirmidhi (1881)
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.
When getting ready to eat you should wash your hands to remove
any dirt. Before you start to eat you should say “Bismillaah (in the
name of Allaah) and eat with your right hand. If you forget to mention Bismillah at the beginning then say
Bismillaahi awwalahu wa aakhirahu (In the name of Allaah at the
beginning and at the end). Start eating the food that
is directly in front of you and not from from the middle nor from
someone else's plate. If you have injury and cannot use your right hand
or only have one hand then Allah does not burden a person beyond their
means and there would be no sin in eating with left hand. If you are
drinking from a large vessel which requires two hands to lift then (and
only then) you use both hands to drink something. The Sunnah whilst
eating food is to use three of the right hand fingers.
It is a habit
of Muslims in one particular Muslim country to hold a glass of water
with their left hands and lift it to their mouth and push the glass or
left hand with right hand to enable the water to go into their mouths.
This is not allowed and haram. They do this because they do not want to
make the glass greasy. When they see someone eating rice with a spoon
they will brag that they are doing a Sunnah by eating with their hands
rather than a spoon and how pious they are for doing that. Reality is
the trying to trick Allah by doing this and they are disobey a command
of the Prophet peace be upon him to eat and drink (i.e. He commanded us
to eat and drink with our right hands) whilst following a non commanded
Sunnah. They would be better of letting the glass get greasy and washing
it latter or if they still have an issue about grease then use a spoon
rather than disobey the Prophet peace be upon him using trickery.
When a man ate with his left hand in his presence, the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Eat with your right hand.”
He said, “I cannot.” He said, “May you never be able to!” Nothing was
stopping him but his stubborn arrogance, and he never raised his right
hand to his mouth after that. (Reported by Muslim, 3776). According to a
report narrated by al-Daarimi, “his right hand never reached his mouth”.
This man suffered paralysis because of the du’aa’ of the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
It was narrated from Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with
him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon
him) said: “Do not eat with the left hand, for the Shaytaan eats with
the left hand.”
Narrated by Muslim, 2019.
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the
Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “When
one of you eats, let him eat with his right hand, and when he drinks, let
him drink with his right hand, for the shaytaan eats with his left hand and
drinks with his left hand.”
Narrated by Muslim, 2020
It was narrated from Umm Kalthoom from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be
pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “When any one of you eats, let him mention the
name of Allaah. If he forgets to mention the name of Allaah at the
beginning, then let him say ‘Bismillaahi awwalahu wa aakhirahu (In the
name of Allaah at the beginning and at the end).’” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi,
1858; Abu Dawood, 3767; Ibn Maajah, 3264. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani
in Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood, 3202).
And ‘Umar ibn Abi Salamah said: I was a young boy in the care of
the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and
my hand used to wander all over the platter (of food). The Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to me, “O young
boy, say Bismillaah, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is
directly in front of you.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3576; Muslim,
2022).
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him)
that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No
one among you should eat with his left hand, or drink with it, for the
Shaytaan eats with his left hand and drinks with it.” (Narrated by
Muslim, 2020).
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said to ‘Umar ibn Abi Salamah, “O young boy, say Bismillaah, eat with
your right hand, and eat from what is directly in front of you.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3576; Muslim, 2022).
Ibn ‘Abbaas narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “The blessing descends in the middle of the
food, so eat from the edges and do not eat from the middle.” (Narrated
by al-Tirmidhi, 1805; Ibn Maajah, 3277. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani
in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 829).
.
Also do not breath or blow into a
dish. If the food is too hot just let it cool down by itself. One should
not waste food if a piece of food falls on the floor you should remove
the dirt from it and eat it. Some of you may have seen videos from
countries affected from draught were the children search for grains of
food on the soil.
Ibn Abbas the Prophet peace and bleassings of Allah
be upon him, said which meaning of is translated as: Forbade breathing
or blowing into the dish. (Al Tirmidhi).
Anas ibn Maalik
narrated that when the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) ate, he would lick his three fingers. Anas said:
“And he said, ‘If any one of you drops a piece of food, let him remove
any dirt from it and eat it, and not leave it for the Shaytaan.’ And he
commanded us to clean the plate, and said, ‘For you do not know where in
your food the blessing is.’” (Narrated by Muslim, 2034).
A Muslim should not be greedy and should eat in moderation. A
Muslim should divide his stomach into 3 parts. One third for drink one
third for food and one third for air.
Ibn ‘Umar narrated that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The believer
eats in one stomach whilst the kaafir eats in seven.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari
(5081) and Muslim (2060).
Prophet peace be upon him said: “The son of Adam does not fill
any vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam
to eat a few mouthfuls, to keep him going. If he must do that (fill his
stomach), then let him fill one third with food, one third with drink
and one third with air.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1381), Ibn Maajah
(3349); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah
(2265)
Ibn ‘Umar narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “The believer eats in one stomach whilst the
kaafir eats in seven.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5081) and Muslim (2060).
After eating one should praise Allah and make dua.
It was narrated from Anas ibn Maalik that the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allah is pleased with
His slave when he eats something and praises Him for it, or drinks
something and praises Him for it.” (narrated by Muslim, 2734).
The
following duas can be said.
Abu Umaamah said: When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) finished eating, he would say, “Al-hamdu Lillaah hamdan
katheeran mubaarakan fihi ghayra makfiyyin wa laa muwadda’in wa laa
mustaghnan ‘anhu rabbana (Praise be to Allaah, much good and blessed
praise. O our Lord, You are not in need of anyone, and we cannot do
without Your favour nor dispense with it).” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari,
5458).
Ibn Hajar said: “ ‘ghayra makfiyyin (You are not in need of
anyone)’ means that He has no need of any of His slaves but He is the
One Who feeds His slaves and suffices them.”
And whenever he ate food other than milk, the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) would say, “Allaahumma baarik lana fihi,
wa at’imna khayran minhu (O Allaah, bless it for us and feed us with
better than it).” And when he drank milk he would say, “Allaahumma
baarik lana fihi wa zidna minhu (O Allaah, bless it for us and give us
more.).” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3377; classed as hasan by al-Albaani
in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 381).
Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that
the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “Whoever is fed by Allaah, let him say, ‘Allaahumma baarik lana
fihi, wa at’imna khayran minhu (O Allaah, bless it for us and feed us
with better than it).’ And whoever is given milk to drink by Allaah, let
him say, ‘Allaahumma baarik lana fihi wa zidna minhu (O Allaah, bless it
for us and give us more)’.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3455; classed as
hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 2749).
It was
narrated from Mu’aadh ibn Anas that his father said: The Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever eats
some food then says, ‘Al-hamdu Lillaahi allahi at’amani haadha wa
razaqnihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa laa quwwata (Praise be to Allaah
Who has fed me this and provided me with it with no power or strength on
my part),’ his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi,
3458; Ibn Maajah, 3285; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi,
3348).
It was narrated that Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari (may Allaah be pleased
with him) said: “When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) ate or drank anything, he would say, ‘Al-hamdu
Lillaah alladhi at’ama wa saqaa wa sawwaghahu wa ja’ala lahu makhrajan
(Praise be to Allaah Who has given food and drink,made it easy to
swallow and provided an exit for it).’” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, 3851
and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani).
It was narrated from ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Jubayr that a man who
served the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) for eight
years told him that he used to hear the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) saying, when food was brought near him, “Bismillaah.”
And when he had finished eating he would say, “Allaahumma at’amta wa
asqayta wa hadayta wa ahyayta, fa laka’l-hamd ‘ala ma a’tayta (O Allaah,
You have fed, given to drink, guided and brought to life, so praise be
to You for what You have given).” (Narrated by Ahmad, 16159; classed as
saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 1/111)
If you
are eating at a hosts house then you should pray for him or her.
Anas narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) came to Sa’d ibn ‘Ubaadah who brought him some bread and oil,
and he ate. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “May fasting people break their fast with you, may the righteous
eat your food, and may the angels send blessings upon you.”
(Narrated by Abu Dawood, 3854; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh
Sunan Abi Dawood, 3263).
It is recommended to to wash hands and
rinse mouth after eating
Basheer ibn Yassaar narrated that Suwayd ibn al-Nu’maan told him
that they were with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) in al-Sahba’ – which is some distance from Khaybar – and the time
for prayer came. He called for food, but he did not find anything but
some saweeq (barley mush). So he ate some and we all ate with him. Then
he called for water and rinsed out his mouth, and then he prayed, and we
prayed, and he did not do wudoo’.
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5390).
The above are the Islamic Etiquettes of eating and drinking.
there is a final point which is concerns hosting a meal. You should be
aware that people countries different to you may have habits which might
be against Islamic Etiquettes or may be in compliance but may seem rude
if one does not understand the reasons behind then
For instance in Arab countries it is part of an etiquette to for the host to hasten to offer food. It is also part of etiquette for the guests to hasten to start eating on being offered food so as to honour the guest to reassure the guest that the food is good and that they are not just saying that the food looks nice to be polite. This also is in line with Islamic etiquettes. Unfortunately those who do not know the reasons behind this rush to the food may find it strange or even very bad manners.
One should also be aware that many Muslim countries have old non Islamic etiquettes of hosting a dinner.
For instance in the western Part of one Muslim country the Muslims there have pre-Islamic customs were the host lays out all the food in a room and the host does not eat with the guests. He in fact leaves the guests and only returns when the guests have finished eating. If the guests do not eat his food he will get very offended. This is not Islamic etiquettes and needs to be changed but it will take time
In the Eastern part of the same country the hosting etiquettes are opposite and very unIslamic or at least they used to. For instance a person goes to their house. The host is obliged to offer food. If he does not the guests will find him an uncultured person. The guests however are obliged to refuse and the host is supposed to keep asking and the guests keep refusing and this carries on for a while until finally the guests are supposed to say agree. If they say yes on the first occasion then they are considered greedy guests. Then when they sit down for the meal the guests are only supposed to eat when the guests asks them to please take the food and even they they are not supposed to rush to the food. In addition they are not supposed to eat too much or they will be labelled as greedy. All this is against the etiquettes of Islamic way of hosting. They need to change their habits.
AbuUbaida
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