Back to Eating and Drinking

Aadaab of Eating

Allah (swt) said: “Oh messengers, eat from what Allah has made lawful. And do the good deeds” [Surah mu’minun: 51]

Allah (swt) said: “And (remember) when Musa asked for water for his people, we said: “Strike the stone with your stick.” Then gushed forth therefrom twelve springs. Each (group of people) knew its own place for water. “Eat and drink of that which Allah has provided and do not act corruptly, making mischief on the earth."” [2: 60]

The Prophet (saw) said: “Oh child, say Bismillah and eat with your right hand, and eat from what is near to you.” Bukhari 5376, Muslim 2022

1 - IT IS FORBIDDEN TO EAT FROM ANY UTENSILS MADE FROM GOLD OR SILVER

Reported by Hudhaifah
The Prophet (saw) said: “Do not wear silk, do not wear dibaj, do not drink from any cup made from gold and silver, and do not eat from dishes of gold or silver, these are for the kuffar in the dunya, and for the believers in the hereafter” Bukhari 5426, Muslim 2067, Musnad 22927

The Prophet (saw) said: “The one who drinks from a cup of silver, he is the one whose tummy will boil in the hellfire,” Bukhari 5634, Muslim 2065, Musnad 26028

Hudhaifah narrated: “The Prophet forbade us to drink out of gold and silver vessels, or eat in it, and also forbade the wearing of silk and Dibaj or sitting on it.” Bukhari 7/728

Bara’ bin Azib narrated: “Raulullah (saw) ordered us to do seven things and forbade us from seven. He ordered us to visit the sick, to follow funeral processions, (to say) to a sneezer, yarhamukallah (May Allah bestow His Mercy on you, if he says, Praise be to Allah), to accept invitations, to circulate the Salam, to help the oppressed and to help others to fulfill their oaths. He forbade us to wear gold rings, to drink in silver (utensils), to use Mayathir (silken carpets placed on saddles), to wear Al-Qissi (a kind of silken cloth), to wear silk, Dibaj or Istabraq (two kinds of silk). Bukhari 7/539

Bara’ bin Azib narrated: “The Prophet (saw) forbade us to use seven things: He forbade using gold rings, silk, Istabraq, Dibaj, red Mayathir, Al-Qassiy, and silver utensils. He ordered us to do seven other things. To pay a visit to the sick; to follow funeral processions; to say, “May Allah be merciful to you” to a sneezer if he says “Praise be to Allah”; to return greetings, to accept invitations; to help others to fulfil their oaths and to help the oppressed ones.” Bukhari 7/753

Ijma’ of all fuquha that it is known by necessity not to eat or drink from gold or silver utensils

2 - IT IS FORBIDDEN TO EAT WHILE LYING DOWN OR LYING ON YOUR STOMACH

The Prophet (saw) said: “I do not eat while lying down or sleeping on my face.” Bukhari 5399, Musnad 18279, Ibn Majah 3439

The fuqaha said:

If they are able to sit properly and eat, it is forbidden, if they cannot for illness etc, there is a permit.

It is makrouh to rest on one hand and eat with the other.

Narrated by ibn Umar
The Prophet (saw) said: “Do not eat on a table where people drink alcohol, and do not eat while on your tummy” Abu Dawood 3774, Ibn Majah 3070

The Prophet (saw) used to sit on his knees, with the left leg resting on the right.

Reported be anas bin maalik
“I saw the Prophet (saw) sit sitting on his bottom and put his legs crossed” Muslim 2044, Musnad 12688, Abu Dawood

Reported by

The Prophet (saw) was offered meat; he sat on his knees and started to eat. A Bedouin asked “what type of sitting to sit on your knees?” The Prophet (saw) said: “Allah made me a humble servant and did not make me an arrogant aggressor” Ibn Majah 3263, Al Albaani silsalah 2658, Abu Dawood 3773

“Do not put food in front of your feet”

3 - IT IS THE SUNNAH IF YOU HAVE SALAH AND FOOD, TO EAT FIRST

“When the food arrives, let the food take priority”

Reported by anas bin maalik

The Prophet (saw) said: “If the food is ready and the (iqamah for) salah starts, start with the food.” Bukhari 5464, Muslim 557, Musnad 12234

Ibn Umar said
The Prophet (saw) said: “If the Dinner is ready and iqaamah for salaat has started, eat and don’t hurry and then go to salah”. Bukhari 674, Muslim 559, Musnad 5772, Tirmizi 354

Narrated by an nafi’ (his servant) about Ibn Umar

“Ibn Umar used to send me while he was fasting, and I used to prepare for him food, and when the salah started, and he could hear the salah started, he used not to pray, he used to finish eating properly and then pray.” Musnad 6323

Sa’id narrated: Ibn Abbas and Abu Huraira were eating together, the man came to make azhan, ibn Abbas told to him: “wait a bit so that in our hearts there is nothing about food.”
(ibn Abu shaeeba said in order not to be thinking about food.)

Narrated by A’isha (ra)
The Prophet (saw) said: “There is no salaat when food is present nor if resisting the two khabith” Muslim 560, Musnad 23664, Abu Dawood 89

“It is permissible to eat before salaat if his nafs wants food, but recommended if you it is not and you do it to follow the Sunnah.”

Hasan bin ‘Ali and Ibn Abbas said:

“The food before the salat will abolish any nafs lawwama (The one which keeps saying I wish I did so)”

4 - IT IS RECOMMENDED TO WASH THE HANDS AFTER THE FOOD AND IT IS THE SUNNAH OF RASULALLAH (SAW)

There is dispute whether mandoub or not, because there is no hadith marfoo’ saying to do so.

Imam baihaqi said it is hasan to wash before and after the food.

Abu Huraira reported that

“The Prophet (saw) used to wash his hands after the food.”

(there is no text about washing before)

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal said
“it is makrouh to wash before the food (if you do it is a Sunnah), and it is permissible to wash your hands before the food (if you do it because it is permissible).”

Imam maalik said:
“it is only permissible if it is to clean the dirt”

Abu Hanifah said:
“it is preferable (not mandoub) to wash your hands before eat” [Kitaab ul-Adab ul Shari’ah vol 2, p.212, 214]

Abu Huraira said,
The Prophet (saw) said: “whoever sleeps and there are remains of food on his hands, if anything happens to him blame nobody but himself.” Musnad 7515, Tirmizi 1860, Abu Dawood 3852

Abu Huraira said: “The Prophet (saw) eat from the shoulder, then he washed his mouth and his hands, and then went to pray.” Musnad 27486, Ibn Majah 493

Ibn Uthman said “Uthman ibn Affan ate bread and meat, and washed his hands, mouth and then wiped his face with his hands” Musnad imam maalik 53

Washing the hands after food is recommended and waajib if food is greasy/dirty etc.

Reported by A’isha: “The Prophet (saw) always make sure he had wudu’ when he wanted to eat, sleep, etc. if he wanted to sleep when he was in janaba, he used to make wudu’ for sleep. Bukhari 286, Muslim 305, Musnad 24194

Nafi reported that ibn Umar used to when he wanted to go to sleep while in janaba he used to wash hands, face..etc (make wudu)’

5 - TO SAY BISMILLAH BEFORE FOOD AND ALHAMDULILLAH AFTER

Sunnah Mu’akkadah of Rasulullah (saw)

Hanbali - Fard
Maaliki - Mandoub
Hanafi - makrouh to eat without to say “bismillah” (Makrouh Tahrim if you do it on purpose)

Hudhaifah said: “we were with the Prophet (saw) when we were eating, and we never used to eat before he started, a servant girl came and put her hand to eat, he stopped her, and a Bedouin came and he stopped him aswell, he said: “the Shaytan will become lawful to come to eat with anyone who eats without to say Bismillah…” Muslim 2017, Musnad 23738, Abu Dawood 3766

The Sunnah is to say “Bismillah” not “Bismillahir rahmanir rahim”

The Prophet (saw) said: “oh Young child…eat with your right hand and say bismillah...” Muslim 2022

Imam Nawawi said, “anyone who says bismillahir rahmanir rahim, has fulfilled the Sunnah and gets the reward for saying “arrahmanir rahim"."

The Prophet (saw) said: “whosoever forgets to say Bismillah before food, let him say it anytime during the food, the shaytan will vomit anything he ate.” Musnad 25558, Ibn Majah 3264, Abu Dawood 3767

Evidence to Say Alhamdulillah

Anas bin maalik reported:
The Prophet (saw) Said: “Allah will be pleased with the servant who whenever he eats he says Alhamdulillah, and whenever he drinks he says Alhamdulillah.” Muslim 2734, Musnad 11562, Tirmizi 1816

(Du’a after completion of a meal: Alhamdulillahi-llazee at’amana wa sakaani)

The Prophet (saw) said: “Whosoever says Alhamudlillah …. (Another complete Du’a, different from the one above) after eating, Allah will forgive all his past sins” Ibn Majah 3285, Tirmizi 3458, Al Albaani silsalah 3348

6 - TO EAT WITH THE RIGHT HAND AND THE PROHIBITION TO EAT WITH THE LEFT HAND

The Prophet (saw) said: “Don’t eat with your left hand, the shaytan eats with the left hand.” Muslim 2019, Musnad 14177

Ibn Umar narrated from Umar that
The Prophet (saw) said: “If someone drinks he should use his right hand, and if he eats he should eat with the right hand, because the shaytan eats and drinks with the left hand.” Muslim 2020, Musnad 4523, Tirmizi 1800

Why it is HARAM?

The Prophet (saw) said: “the one who says that ‘I cannot eat with the right hand’ is khabith (and Arrogant)”

Salama ibn Aqwa: “a man ate in front of the Prophet (saw) with his left hand, The Prophet (saw) said “eat with your right hand”, the man said ‘I cannot’ the Prophet (saw) said “you can, but it is only arrogance that stops you”. After that he never ate with his left hand again.” Muslim 2021, Musnad 16064

7 - EAT FROM WHAT IS CLOSE TO YOU

Anas reported: “a tailor called the Prophet (saw) for food, I went with him, and he (saw) was eating from his side but the masalah was on the other side, and he went to the other side.”

(THIS IS THE ONLY TIME HE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO GO ON THE OTHER SIDE OF WHATS CLOSE TO HIM)

8 - IF THE FOOD IS PILED UP, DO NOT EAT FROM THE TOP. EAT FROM THE BOTTOM

Ibn Abbas reported
The Prophet (saw) said: “Do not eat from the top, eat from the bottom, the barakah is there.” Musnad 2435, Tirmizi 1805, Abu Dawood 3772

9 - IT IS RECOMMENDED TO EAT WITH THREE FINGERS AND TO LICK THE FINGERS AND HAND BEFORE WASHING

ka’ab ibn maalik said: “Rasoolullah (saw) used to lick his fingers before he washed them” Muslim 20232, Musnad 26626, Abu Dawood 3848

Ibn Abbas said: “The Prophet (saw) never wiped his hand before he licked it or have it licked.” Bukhari 5456, Muslim 2031

10 - IT IS RECOMMENDED TO TAKE THE SAME BITE OF FOOD IF IT FALLS DOWN, TO WIPE IT AND EAT IT

Jabir ibn Abdullah
The Prophet (saw) said: “If the food falls down, let someone take it, wipe it and eat it, and don’t give it to shaytan.”

“the shaytan will come to you when you it, and he will try to distract you to make you drop it, anything that drops he will take it, if it drops then pick it up, wipe it and eat it. And let him lick his fingers, because he does not know which finger has the barakah.” Muslim 2033, Musnad 14218

11 - IT IS FORBIDDEN TO EAT TWO DATES (OR CHERRIES, OR SIMILAR THINGS) AT THE SAME TIME

- The strongest evidence is that it is makrouh to eat two dates at the same time
- Because it may cause you harm
- Imam Josie said that if he takes more than two dates, he must ask permission from his brother, (this is about when you are eating together.)
- In this case it is not regarding two in the mouth at the same time, but eating more than your share. If you want to eat excess of your share, then you should ask permission from the others that are present.
- Two dates in your mouth at the same time, is a sign of greediness

“The Prophet (saw) has forbidden to eat more then once from a plate” (that is, when eating collectively. Especially if the items are separated.)

- This is not makrouh, but it is Haram
- But similar to the 2 dates, as 2 dates at the same time is a sign of greed
- Muslims should share

The Prophet (saw) said: “Do not eat like the shaytan, so eat slow, not at high speed. Take a rest between bites, breathe and enjoy it” Bukhari 2455 , Muslim 2045 , Musnad Imam Ahmad 5017 , Tirmizi 1814

“The Prophet (saw) forbade us to eat more than one share when in eating in groups, they are split for you, and the other is not to eat two dates in your mouth (or any food)”
- The Prophet (saw) was talking about a date, what about apples?
- Its not only for dates, in the hadith says iqran is forbidden meaning having more than one.
- Therefore anything you eat in jama’ah ask permission before you take another piece, as somebody may still be hungry or have his nafs on it or one may not have eaten.
- It is the Sunnah to eat last, ask your brothers to eat first
- Offer to all before you eat, and eat last.

12 - IT IS RECOMMENDED TO EAT THE FOOD AFTER IT IS COOLED DOWN

It is makrouh to eat it while it is smoking hot.

The Prophet (saw) forbade us to blow on our food, because the Shaytan blows on his food.

Asmaa’ bint Abu Bakr said: “Whenever I cooked I used to leave it and cover it so the heat can leave, but keep it warm, the Prophet (saw) said that will have greater taste” Bukhari 2047 , Musnad Imam Ahmad 26418

“The food should not be eaten till the smoke is gone” Baihaqi vol 7 No. 2580 , Albaani 1978

- if you eat, and you start to blow, then it is too hot, wait for it to cool down
- Jews believe that you must eat while it is still very hot.

13 - IT IS FORBIDDEN TO INSULT THE FOOD OR TO BELITTLE THE FOOD

Abu Huraira said: “The Prophet (saw) never disrespected the food nor insulted the food, even if he didn’t like it he ate it”

- If somebody says “this apple is horrible”, and the apple has no defection at all, it is Makrouh
- To insult it, is Haram

“Don’t swear at the sun or the mountain or the sea … or the food …” Bukhari 5409 , Muslim 2064 , Musnad Imam Ahmad 9882

- If you don’t like a type of food that’s fine
- But don’t say it is disgusting
- Don’t curse it
- Don’t complain about it

“They offered the Prophet (saw) lizard, he said: “I do not eat lizard"”

“I reject it because my nafs has never had it before” Muslim 1946 , Musnad Imam Ahmad 2679

- We understand the following that:
- The Prophet (saw) said “I do not eat the lizard” in other narrations he says “I am free from it”, another said “I never eat this meat before”
- So why didn’t he eat it? Is it an insult?
- No it is not, the Prophet (saw) said why he does not eat the lizard, he said “I reject it because my nafs has never had it before”,
- Like the rabbit he never ate it before nor did the people [vol 7 sec 14 point 22 Imam Nawawi]

14 - WHAT IS THE HUKM TO STAND AND EAT AND DRINK?

There is dispute among the Fuqaha
- Some say that you mustn’t do it
- They refer to Imam Maalik

The Prophet (saw) said: “Shout at those who stand and eat”

“The Prophet forbade the people to drink standing” Imam Maalik , Saheeh Muslim 2024, Musnad Imam Ahmad 11775 , Tirmizi 1879

- eating and drinking are mentioned together as “drink”

“The Prophet (saw) forbade those standing up” Muslim 2025 , Musnad Imam Ahmad 10885

Abu Huraira said: “No one of you should drink standing and if you forget than let him vomit” Saheeh Muslim 2026, Musnad Imam Ahmad 8135 (this narration does not mention vomiting)

- Other Fuquha say it is ok

“The Prophet (saw) drank zamzam while standing up” Bukhari 1637, Muslim 2027 , Musnad Imam Ahmad 1841, Tirmizi 1882

“Ali said, “what will you say if you see me drinking standing up? I do because Muhammad (saw) did it; I sit to drink as he did that too” Musnad Imam Ahmad 797 , Bukhari 5615 , An Nasaa’i 130

ibn Umar said: “we used to be at the time of the Prophet (saw) and eating and drinking while moving” Musnad Imam Ahmad 4587 , Albaani 3364

Aisha said: “we do not see that a person to drink while standing is a problem, I saw Abul Umar and Zubair standing up and drinking” Muwatta’ Imam Maalik 1720 and 1721 and 1722

katara reported: “The Prophet (saw) forbade us to stand up when drinking, and they asked about eating. he said “that is more evil then eating"”

- The only example they had of the Prophet (saw) was him standing and drinking zamzam
- The reason was for the water, the messenger drank at the time of hajj, they were moving, they could not sit, and this was before he passed away. It was the last thing the Prophet (saw) said, he did not eat or drink standing, only zamzam in this case,
- So it is only permissible when in need, and you cannot sit
- Some fuqaha said “stand to drink zamzam it is from heaven”,
- Some fuqaha say he drank standing so do it
- One is the Prophet saying and one is action
- The saying is stronger it is powerful. this one was the Prophet (saw) saying to the Ummah.
- ibn Taymiyyah said it is haram
- Imam Ahmad said it is haram
- Imam Shafi’i said disliked except for need, like travelling
- We believe the Shafi’i opinion, so it is disliked because we combine the hadith Ali did do it and some Sahabah and so did Aisha and Zubair and Abbas, therefore the Sunnah is to sit down, and if the circumstances require it do it, if not it is disliked
- Hanafis believe it is makrouh
- We believe it is recommended to sit, and permissible to stand in certain circumstances

15 - TO BLOW ON THE FOOD IS PROHIBITED

Don’t eat while the food is smoking hot, as this is the way the shaytan eats (according to the Hadith of Muhammad (saw))

The Prophet (saw) saw people blow on their food, and he (saw) said “Don’t”

Abu Qatada said “The Prophet (saw) said, “If any of you drinks then don’t blow"” Bukhari 5630 , Muslim 267 , Musnad Imam Ahmad 22059 , Tirmizi 1889

ibn Abbas said: “The messenger (saw) forbade us to breath on our plate and to blow on it, or to take water in and throw it back, or to blow on the food, wait for the smoke to finish, then eat.” Tirmizi 1888 , Abu Dawood 3727 , Albaani (saheeh) 3429

16 - DRINK THREE TIMES WITH ONE BREATH OR DRINK ONCE

It is the Sunnah to take three (quick) consecutive sips.

The hadith says he (saw) used to drink, then breathe, drink, then breathe, drink, then breathe in short breaths (for the quick sips).

He (saw) said: “it is better for you and it is more healthy for you and easier for you to digest”

- Breathe while water is away from your mouth
- Don’t breath on the water

Refer to:
Hadith narrated by anas bin Maalik Bukhari 5631 , Muslim 2028 , Musnad Imam Ahmad 11776

It is also permissible to drink in one breath

“When I entered on the Khalifah, he said “did you hear the Prophet (saw) has forbidden you to blow?”
He said, “I cannot be satisfied from one breath”,
“In this case move the cup far from your mouth and breathe”
“What if I see something bad in it?”
He said, “ok, throw it.” Tirmizi 1887 , Musnad Imam Ahmad 10819 , Muwatta’ Imam Maalik 1718

- ibn Taymiyyah says it is not permitted
- However Imam Maalik outweighs him as he is from the salaf

The Prophet (saw) said: “Drink the water and do not rise the water up and pour in your mouth, (but rather) suck the water.”

17- WHAT IS THE HUKM OF PASSING WATER AROUND AND DRINKING FROM THE MOUTH OF THE BOTTLE

It is Makrouh

The Prophet (saw) said: “Do not drink from the mouth of the bottle, if you pour into the mouth do not do it from a distance, put it on the tip of the mouth and then suck it (don’t suck bottle top)” Bukhari 5627, Musnad Imam Ahmad 7113 , Muslim 1609

“We were asked not to suck water without putting our mouths on the cup” Bukhari 5629 , Musnad Imam Ahmad 1990 , Tirmizi 1825

- Like in the park you suck it from the fountain
- Pour it in the cup first
- Some Fuqaha say it is Mubah not to pour into a cup
- Some say it is makrouh
- Some say it is haram (they are the hanabilah)
- They say it is haram to pour into the mouth, as we may breathe into the water as we are waiting for the water to come down.
- Also you cannot see if there is anything in the water (dirt, insects etc)
- The Shafi’i opinion and the strongest opinion is that it is Makrouh

18 - IT IS RECOMMENDED THE ONE WHO BRINGS THE WATER TO DRINK LAST

“I was with Muhammad (saw), he (saw) asked for water and he (saw) gave to everybody and i took it and offered to them, then the messenger (saw) and I were left (yet to drink), I offered to him (saw) first, the Prophet (saw) said “no, I offered the water, therefore I am last to drink” Muslim 681 / 1894, Musnad Imam Ahmad 2040

- It is recommended
- There is no indication to say there is an obligation

19 - IT IS RECOMMENDED TO SPEAK WHILE YOU ARE EATING

ibn Abbas said: “The Prophet (saw) used to eat and speak to be opposite to the non muslims”

“Speak, even about how much your weapon is worth” Adarami 2135 , Imam Ghazali vol 2 pg 11

- Hindus don’t speak while eating,
- But in islam you speak and eat

Imam ibn Muflih said: “I had dinner with Imam Ahmad and his family, (Imam ibn Muflih was not speaking and eating), he (Imam Ahmad) said “eating and embracing god is better then silence"” Kitaab Adab ul Shari’ah vol 3 page 163

- Imam Ahmad was blessing god at the same time as eating,
- So talk when you are eating,
- He said talking in the food is the Sunnah of the Salaf.

20 - TO EAT TOGETHER IN A GATHERING IS RECOMMENDED

Jabir said: “The Prophet (saw) said the food of one person is enough for two, and the food of two is sufficient for 4, and 4 for 8, 8 for 16, etc. the more people who come, Allah sends more food”

The Prophet (saw) said: “Eat altogether and don’t be separated. The food of one is good for the two and …” Muslim 2059 , Musnad Imam Ahmad 13810, Tirmizi 1820 , ibn Majah 3254

Abul Umar said: “Eat altogether, the food of one is good for two and the barakah is always on the gathering” Kitaab Fath ul Bari col 9, 446

The companions of the Prophet (saw) said: “oh Muhammad (saw), … we aren’t satisfied,”
“Gather all of you in your food and say bismillah and Allah will give you barakah” Abu Dawood 3764 , Musnad Imam Ahmad 15648 , Ibn Majah 3286

- the reason they were not satisfied was that they ate all alone.
- From the Sunnah is to have a big plate among you,
- When it is all in one place you find more food is still there after you are full
- If separated you find your self not full as it is separate and the food is wasted on another’s plate whom never finished their food.

21- IT IS DISLIKED TO EAT A LOT AND TO EAT TOO LITTLE

- It is disliked to eat in excess of what you need until you are so full that you burp etc
- It is not allowed to burp in public
- It is disliked to leave food when you are still hungry

Numuktam reported: “I heard the Prophet (saw) say, “There is nothing more evil then the tummy of a man, it is enough for the son of Adam to eat in order to survive, (i.e. until you are able to stand and are no longer hungry) he must have third for food third for drink and third for breathing” Tirmizi 2380 , Musnad Imam Ahmad 16735 , Albaani 2720

- The Salaf spoke about this;
- “Be careful not to fill your tummy and it will keep evil from you and you wont be lazy to pray, and nobody will be failure until his desire takes over his deen”

Umar ibn Khattab said: “People who eat too much it is wrong, people who eat too little and they are not full it is wrong, we are not people who are satisfied fully nor do we starve” Adab ul Shari’ah vol 3 pg 183 to 185

22 - IT IS NOT ALLOWED TO SIT ON A TABLE WHERE YOU KNOW PEOPLE DRINK ALCOHOL, OR TO SIT WITH PEOPLE DRINKING ALCOHOL

“Allah forbids you to eat on a table of alcohol and to eat when lying down and on your tummy”

“Don’t sit on a table where people serve Alcohol even if you are not drinking”

Umar ibn Khattab said, “The Prophet (saw) forbade it” Abu Dawood 3774 , Ibn Majah 370 , Muslim , Musnad Imam Ahmad 14241 , Tirmizi 2801

This includes two:
- It is haram to sit at a table if people are drinking alcohol even if you don’t drink
- It is haram to go to a place to where people are known to drink, like at a pub, or even a table outside a pub
- Even if nobody is there it is haram
- You are in the domain of the kufr
- Any imitation of the kuffar (i.e. the pub or prostitute clothes for wife is not allowed if you do you are one of them)

From alghurabaa.co.uk