Eating Manners in Islam
Eating Manners in Islam
As with all other aspects of a Muslim’s life, the way we must eat is also carefully laid out in the words of Allah and the practices of Prophet Muhammed (sal). According to Qur’an and Hadeeth, here are the etiquettes of eating.
Getting Ready for a Meal:
1) Wash your hands before sitting down for a meal.
2) Sit up straight, do not lean back or eat while lying down, as this is said to be a show of arrogance. The messenger of Allah is narrated to have said: “I do not eat whilst I am reclining.” – [Sahih-al-Bukhari]
3) Sitting on the ground with your knees bent or legs folded is a Sunnah. This is an act of humbleness. Although it is not obligatory, this is the way that Prophet Muhammed (sal) ate his meals, and we must make sure to follow his examples whenever possible.
Make Sure the Food is Halal
Rules Of Eating
1- Eating that which is good and halal
2- Washing hands before eating
3- Mentioning the name of Allah
4- Eating with the right hand
5- Eating that which is nearest to us
6- Eating with 3 fingers
7- Not criticizing the food
8- Eating a piece of food that falls on the floor
9- Finishing the food on the plate
10- Sitting upright while eating, and not reclining
11- Not blowing or spitting into food and drinks
12- Sharing and eating food with others
13- Eating in moderation
14- Licking the fingers before washing hands
15- Praising Allah
16- Rinsing the mouth
The fards of eating and drinking:
1. To know that it is from Allahu ta’ala to be satiated when one eats and to be quenched when one drinks,
2. To eat and drink from halal sources,
3. To spend one’s time in servitude to Allahu ta’ala until the energy one has gotten from that food dissipates,
4. To be content with whatever you get.
The harams of eating and drinking:
1. To continue to eat though one’s hunger has been satiated [if one has a guest, one should pretend to be eating so that one may not cause the guest to stop eating the meal],
2. To have a musical instrument, non-mahram woman, alcohol, gambling, or any other forbidden thing at the place where the meal is eaten,
3. To be wasteful in eating, [Victuals should be bought moderately, as much as needed, and undue amounts and excess should be avoided. It will be israaf (wastefulness) to do otherwise.]
4. To say the Basmala when unrightfully eating something that is in another person’s possession,
5. To go to a feast without being invited to it,
6. To eat something that is in another person’s possession without asking permission,
7. To eat that which will make one sick,
8. To eat the meal that has been prepared for ostentation,
9. To eat the food that one has vowed (nazr).
The mustahabs of eating and drinking:
1. To place the meal on the ground,
2. To sit for the meal with clean clothes on,
3. To eat barley bread,
4. To divide bread into pieces with the hand, [The bread may be sliced with a knife, but the slices should not be chopped into morsels with it. However, a person who prepares food for another person or for an old one may make it bite-sized pieces. The cooked meat should not be cut into pieces with a knife.]
5. Not to waste breadcrumbs,
6. To eat vinegar,
7. To take small morsels,
8. To chew morsels well.
The makruhs of eating and drinking:
1. To eat and drink using the left hand,
2. To smell the meal one will eat,
3. Not to say the Basmala [one should say the Basmala even if one remembers it during the meal],
4. Not to talk anything when eating [which is a habit of fireworshipers; pleasant chats should be had],
5. To put a saltshaker or dishes on bread or to wipe hands or knives with pieces of bread [it will not be makruh if the pieces of bread are eaten after use],
6. To eat or drink mouldy bread, fetid food, or stinking water.
