Of table manners in Islam
TABLE manners, unfortunately, is the least talked subject in our society. People in our social setup are hardly found concerned with the etiquettes and manners of dining.
Consequently, we find enormous mishandling and mismanagement of food not only in our daily life but also on occasions of festivities.
However, Islam lays a great stress on adopting appropriate mannerism while eating.
It outlines a viable blueprint regarding how to start and how to end dining coupled with apt behaviour to be adopted while sitting on the dining table.
In this very piece, some of such manners of eating as advised by our Holy Prophet (SAWW) are highlighted.
The Holy Prophet (SAWW) always used his right hand when eating and advised others to do the same.
He used to recite “Bismillah” before eating. It is narrated from Aa’isha (RA) that the messenger of Allah said: “When any one of you eats, let him mention the name of Allah.
If he forgets to mention the name of Allah at the beginning, then let him say ‘Bismillaahi awwalahu wa aakhirahu (In the name of Allaah at the beginning and at the end).“
(Tirmidhi 1858).
It is also advised that when eating with our right hands, we should use three fingers with small bites, the 3 fingers being your thumb, index finger and middle finger.
This method enables man to lift the food gently with ease to our mouths. It is further advised to chew our food well before swallowing and to eat at a slow and balanced pace allowing the food to transfer into our stomach with ease. Eating in haste, on the other hand, causes heartburn and indigestion.
Moreover, it is also discouraged in Islamic way of dining to slurp or load chewing noises etc while having meal, closing the mouth while eating minimizes the sound effects and also prevents anyone being put off their food while seeing yours in your mouth. It is also disliked in Islam to express disapproval for certain foods.
Abu Huraira (RA) reports that the Holy Prophet (SAWW) never expressed his dislike of a food. If he liked it he will eat it; if he disliked it, he will set it aside.’
In addition, it is also discouraged in Islam to serve yourself more than what you want. Leftovers could be thrown away; this should be avoided as food must not be wasted.
Put smaller portions twice rather than one large portion that you will not eat.
The Holy Prophet (SAWW) did not approve of leaving any food in a plate since he said ‘You don’t know which portion is blessed’.
Food is a blessing of Allah, to misuse it is contrary to Islam. Do not forget the poor and the needy that do not have the portion you are throwing away.
Moreover, it is also Sunnah for a person to eat from the food that is directly in front of him, and not reach out to take food that is directly in front of others, or from the middle of the platter because the Holy Prophet (SAWW) 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.”
(Bukhari, 3576).
Apart from this, the etiquette of eating also includes: eating with others be it friends, family or shared tenants; not keeping a particular food to oneself unless there is a reason for that, such as it being for medicinal purposes – we should offer the best food to others first, such as good pieces of meat and soft or good bread.
If the guest has had enough and stops eating, his host should say, “Eat!” and repeat it, so long as he does not think that his guest has had enough, but he should not repeat it more than three times.
Part of the etiquette of eating is also moderation in eating and not filling the stomach.
The most that a Muslim is permitted to do in this regard is to divide his stomach into three thirds: one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air; it is reported in the book of traditions that Holy Prophet (SAWW) said: “A man does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat enough to keep him alive.
But if he must do that, then one-third for his food, one-third for his drink and one-third for his air.”
(Tirmizi, 2380)
Holy Prophet (SAWW) also expressed his displeasure on practice of breathing into the drinking vessel.
Abu Qatada reports that the holy Prophet (SAAW) said: “When one of you drinks (from a vessel), let him not breathe into it.”(Bukhari). Finally, Holy Prophet (SAAW) used to advise his companions to make Dua (prayer) for the host at end of dining.
As it is reported by Muslim that Al-Migdad ibn Al-Aswad reported that the Prophet (PBUH) used to say, ‘May Allah feed those who have fed us, and provide drinks to those who provided us with it.’
You can also say:‘ O Allah, bless for them, that which You have provided them, forgive them and have mercy upon them.’
