Etiquette of Eating in islam
With billions of people worldwide, eating habits and styles vary widely. However, the best and healthiest way of eating is the one Islam has taught us. In Islam, there are manners and guidelines on eating that offer both spiritual and physical benefits. For example, food travels from the mouth to the stomach through the esophagus (food pipe). If this food is forced back up, it can cause several issues, including heartburn and other digestive problems.
The Islamic etiquettes of eating, including the position and way we sit, help prevent such issues. For instance, sitting at a 90-degree angle as per the Sunnah helps ensure that food remains in the stomach and does not reflux into the esophagus. This prevents common problems like heartburn and allows for better digestion. Thus, the way Islam teaches us to eat offers benefits for both this life and the hereafter.
Allah says in the Quran:
“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example…”
(Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:21)
This verse reminds us that the lifestyle of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ provides us the best example in every aspect of life, including eating. Now, let’s look at the etiquettes of eating as taught by the Quran and Hadith.
“Islamic etiquette of eating”
Consuming Lawful Provision from Allah:
Allah says in the Quran:
“O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:172)
Avoiding Extravagance:
Allah commands in the Quran to refrain from wastefulness:
“And eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.”
(Surah Al-A’raf, 7:31)
Saying Bismillah before Eating:
Before beginning to eat, it is Sunnah to say “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah)
It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) that he heard the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ say: “When a person enters his house and mentions the name of Allah upon entering and upon eating, Satan says (to his companions), ‘You have no place to spend the night nor any dinner here.’ But if he enters without mentioning Allah’s name, Satan says, ‘You have found a place to spend the night,’ and if he does not mention Allah’s name while eating, Satan says, ‘You have found both a place to spend the night and dinner.’”
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Food, Chapter on Saying Bismillah on Food)
If a person forgets to say “Bismillah” at the beginning, they can say “Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu” (In the name of Allah, at the beginning and at the end) when they remember during the meal.
Eating with the Right Hand:
It is narrated from Ibn Umar (RA) that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ 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 indeed Shaytan eats and drinks with his left hand.”
(Sahih Muslim, Book of food bab aklu bil yamen)
Eating from the food in front of you:
One of the etiquettes of eating from the food in front of you is narrated from Umar bin Abi Salama, who said, “I was under the care of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and my hand would move around the dish. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to me, ‘O young boy, mention the name of Allah, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you.'”
(Source: Sahih Muslim, Book of Foods, Chapter on Eating From What Is In Front of You)
Eat with three fingers:
One of the Islamic etiquettes of eating is to eat with three fingers. Kab bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would eat with three fingers, and before wiping them, he would lick them.
(Source: Sahih Muslim, Book of Foods, Chapter on Eating with Three Fingers)
It is understood from this that licking the fingers after eating is also a Sunnah.
If food falls onto the table or dining mat, what should be done?
If food falls onto the dining mat, according to Islamic etiquette, one should pick it up, clean it, and eat it. As narrated from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him), he said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: ‘Indeed, Shaytan is present with each one of you in all his affairs, even when he is eating. So if a morsel of food falls from any of you, he should remove any dirt from it and eat it, and not leave it for Shaytan. And when he finishes, he should lick his fingers, for he does not know in which part of his food the blessing lies.'”
(Source: Sahih Muslim, Book of Foods, Chapter on Picking Up and Eating a Fallen Morsel)
Momin eats in one intestine, while a disbeliever eats in seven.
Momin eats in one intestine, while a disbeliever eats in seven. Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “A believer eats in one intestine, while a disbeliever eats in seven intestines.”
(Source: Sahih Muslim, Book of Foods chapter momin eats in one intestine, while a disbeliever eats in seven)
This hadith indicates that a momin eats moderately. One reason for this is that a momin says the name of Allah before eating, which brings blessings to their food, whereas there is no blessing in the food of a disbeliever.
The food of two people is sufficient for three:
The food of two people is sufficient for three, and the food of three is sufficient for four. Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “The food of two people is enough for three, and the food of three is enough for four.”
(Source: Sahih Muslim, Book of Foods, Chapter on the Sufficiency of Food for Companions)
This hadith teaches us that if there is food for two people, a third person can be included, and it will suffice for all. Therefore, one should not be stingy; it’s possible to accommodate others with the available food.
After eating, one should say “Alhamdulillah”
After eating, one should say “Alhamdulillah” (All praise is due to Allah). Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Indeed, Allah is pleased with a servant who praises Him when he eats and praises Him when he drinks.”
(Source: Sahih Muslim, Book of Foods, Chapter on Praising Allah After Eating and Drinking)
One should not find in faults food:
One should not find faults in food. Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated, “I never saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) finding fault with any food. If he liked it, he would eat it, and if he did not like it, he would remain silent.”
(Source: Sahih Muslim, Book of Foods, Chapter on Not Finding Fault with Food)
