Manners of Eating and Drinking

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered whoever eats not to wipe his hand or wash it until he licks it or has it licked. The reason for this, as some narrations state, is that one does not know where the blessing lies in the food. Therefore, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered licking one's fingers, because the blessing may be in the traces of food on fingers.

صحيح البخاري، تحقيق: محمد زهير بن ناصر الناصر، ط1، دار طوق النجاة (مصورة عن السلطانية بإضافة ترقيم: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي)، 1422هـ. صحيح مسلم، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، دار إحياء التراث العربي، بيروت، 1423هـ. الإلمام بشرح عمدة الأحكام، لإسماعيل الأنصاري، ط1، دار الفكر، دمشق، 1381هـ. تأسس الأحكام للنجمي، ط2، دار علماء السلف، 1414هـ. عمدة الأحكام من كلام خير الأنام صلى الله عليه وسلم، لعبد الغني المقدسي، دراسة وتحقيق: محمود الأرناؤوط، مراجعة وتقديم: عبد القادر الأرناؤوط، ط2، دار الثقافة العربية، دمشق، بيروت، مؤسسة قرطبة، 1408هـ. تيسير العلام شرح عمدة الأحكام، للبسام، حققه وعلق عليه وخرج أحاديثه وصنع فهارسه: محمد صبحي بن حسن حلاق، ط10، مكتبة الصحابة، الإمارات - مكتبة التابعين، القاهرة، 1426هـ.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about mead, an alcoholic drink made of honey, and his answer was complete and comprehensive, to the effect that the difference of names does not matter as long as the meaning and essence is the same. Every drink that causes intoxication is forbidden wine, regardless of its kind or name. This Hadīth constitutes one of the concise and profound statements made by the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) as he demonstrated the rulings laid down by his Lord. The period of his prophet-hood contained such knowledge that would render all humanity blissful in the worldly life and in the Hereafter.

- صحيح البخاري، تحقيق: محمد زهير بن ناصر الناصر، ط1، دار طوق النجاة (مصورة عن السلطانية بإضافة ترقيم: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي)، 1422ه. - صحيح مسلم، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، دار إحياء التراث العربي، بيروت، 1423 هـ - عمدة الأحكام من كلام خير الأنام صلى الله عليه وسلم لعبد الغني المقدسي، دراسة وتحقيق: محمود الأرناؤوط، مراجعة وتقديم: عبد القادر الأرناؤوط، ط2، دار الثقافة العربية، دمشق ، بيروت، مؤسسة قرطبة، 1408 هـ - تأسيس الأحكام للنجمي، ط2، دار علماء السلف، 1414هـ. - الإلمام بشرح عمدة الأحكام لإسماعيل الأنصاري، ط1، دار الفكر، دمشق، 1381ه - تيسير العلام شرح عمدة الأحكام للبسام، حققه وعلق عليه وخرج أحاديثه وصنع فهارسه: محمد صبحي بن حسن حلاق، ط10، مكتبة الصحابة، الإمارات - مكتبة التابعين، القاهرة، 1426 هـ.

‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him), standing on the Prophet's pulpit in his mosque, delivered a sermon in which he stated that wine is everything that intoxicates, not just wine that is made of grapes, rather, all intoxicating beverages made of dates, honey or wheat; are all considered wine. ‘Umar also mentioned in his sermon three problematic issues which he wished the Prophet had left a decisive ruling regarding them before his death. They are: the grandfather's share of inheritance, division of the estate of one who leaves neither ascendants nor descendants, and some questions related to usury. Praise be to Allah, the rulings on these three issues are known. This Hadīth does not mean that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not mention these issues at all, for he had indeed delivered the message and fulfilled the trust and conveyed from Allah matters that are less known and less significant than these three. However, ‘Umar only wished that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had left an explicit statement regarding them that would not be subject to Ijtihād (independent reasoning).

صحيح البخاري، محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري الجعفي، تحقيق: محمد زهير الناصر، دار طوق النجاة (مصورة عن السلطانية بإضافة ترقيم: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي)، الطبعة: الأولى 1422هـ. صحيح مسلم، مسلم بن الحجاج القشيري النيسابوري، تحقيق محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، دار إحياء التراث العربي، بيروت، الطبعة: 1423هـ. تأسيس الأحكام، أحمد بن يحيى النجمي، دار علماء السلف، الطبعة: الثانية 1414هـ. تيسير العلام شرح عمدة الأحكام، عبد الله بن عبد الرحمن البسام، تحقيق: محمد صبحي حلاق، مكتبة الصحابة، الإمارات، مكتبة التابعين، القاهرة، الطبعة: العاشرة 1426هـ. عمدة الأحكام من كلام خير الأنام -صلى الله عليه وسلم- لعبد الغني المقدسي، دراسة وتحقيق: محمود الأرناؤوط، مراجعة وتقديم: عبد القادر الأرناؤوط، دار الثقافة العربية، دمشق، بيروت، مؤسسة قرطبة، الطبعة: الثانية 1408هـ. المعجم الوسيط، مجمع اللغة العربية بالقاهرة، (إبراهيم مصطفى، أحمد الزيات، حامد عبد القادر، محمد النجار)، الناشر: دار الدعوة.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified here some manners as he forbade men from holding their penis with their right hand while urinating and forbade the act of removing impurity from the private parts, front or back, with the right hand because the right hand is meant to be used for noble matters. He also forbade breathing into the vessel from which one is drinking.

1. Demonstrating how Islam is in the lead when it comes to manners and cleanliness.
2. Avoiding filth, but if one has to touch it, then let him do so with his left hand.
3. Highlighting the nobility of the right hand and its superiority over the left one.
4. Perfection of the Islamic Shariah and comprehensiveness of its teachings.

صحيح البخاري (1/ 42) (154). صحيح مسلم (1/ 225) (267). تيسير العلام شرح عمدة الأحكام، للبسام (ص41). تنبيه الأفهام شرح عمدة الأحكام، لابن عثيمين (1/ 45).

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saw a man eating with his left hand, so, he ordered him to eat with his right hand. The man lied and said, out of arrogance, that he could not do this. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) supplicated against him to be deprived of the ability to eat with his right hand. Allah fulfilled His Prophet's supplication and the man's right hand was paralyzed and he could not raise it to his mouth after that with any food or drink.

1. It is obligatory to eat with the right hand and it is prohibited to eat with the left hand.
2. Disdaining to apply the Shariah rulings makes one worthy of punishment.
3. Allah Almighty honored His Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) by answering his supplication.
4. The legitimacy of enjoining good and forbidding evil in all situations even while eating.

صحيح مسلم (3/ 1599) (2021). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (1/ 239). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (1/ 183). كنوز رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (3/ 396).

Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that whenever they were present with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) at a meal, they would not stretch their hands to the food until the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) began and placed his hand first. He said: On one occasion, we were with him at a meal when a young girl came rushing as though she were being pushed, and she went to place her hand in the food. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) took hold of her hand. Then a Bedouin came as if he too were being pushed, and he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) took hold of his hand before it touched the food. Then the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Indeed, the devil can eat food when a person begins eating without mentioning Allah's name. He brought this girl to make the food permissible (for himself) through her, so I caught her hand. Then he brought this Bedouin to make it permissible through him, so I caught his hand. By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, the devil's hand is in my hand together with hers. Then he mentioned Allah's name and ate.

1. The Companions' respect for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and their politeness with him.
2. Among the etiquettes of eating is that the younger should wait until the elder or more virtuous person begins to eat.
3. The devil incites the heedless to acts he approves of, thereby achieving his aim, as seen in this Hadīth.
4. An-Nawawi said: The scholars said: It is recommended to say 'Bismillāh' (in the Name of Allah) aloud so that others may hear it and be reminded of it.
5. If someone came to eat and you did not hear him mention Allah's name, you can hold his hand until he mentions Allah's name.
6. The obligation to change evil through knowledge for the learned, and through physical intervention for those capable.
7. This Hadīth is among the signs of prophethood of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), as Allah Almighty informed him of what happened in this story.
8. The devil cannot partake of the food of the believers unless the name of Allah is not mentioned over it.
9. It is recommended to teach people the etiquette of eating and drinking in Islam.
10. It is recommended to swear an oath (by Allah) to emphasize a matter to the listener.
11. An-Nawawi said: Mentioning Allah's name when drinking water, milk, honey, broth, medicine, and all other beverages, just as mentioning Allah's name when eating food.
12. An-Nawawi said: If one intentionally, forgetfully, ignorantly, under compulsion, or due to some other impediment fails to mention Allah's name at the beginning of the meal but is later able to do so during eating, it is recommended to say: Bismillāhi awwaluhu wa ākhiruh (In the Name of Allah at its beginning and its end). This is based on the Prophet's saying: "When any of you eats, let him mention Allah's name. If he forgets to mention Allah's name at the beginning, let him say: In the Name of Allah at its beginning and end." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and At-Tirmidhi]

صحيح مسلم (3/ 1597) (2017). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (2/ 51). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (4/ 192). كنوز رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (10/ 202). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (1/ 600).

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was eating with six of his Companions. Meanwhile, a Bedouin entered and ate with them. He ate the rest of the food in two morsels. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If only he had mentioned the name of Allah, it would have been enough for all of you.” However, this man did not mention the name of Allah and that is why he consumed the remaining food in just two morsels and did not get satisfied. This indicates that failure to mention the name of Allah before eating renders the food bereft of blessing.

- سنن الترمذي لمحمد بن عيسى الترمذي، تحقيق وتعليق: أحمد محمد شاكر ومحمد فؤاد عبد الباقي وإبراهيم عطوة عوض -شركة مكتبة ومطبعة مصطفى البابي الحلبي، مصر الطبعة: الثانية، 1395 هـ - 1975 م - سنن ابن ماجه لابن ماجه أبو عبد الله محمد بن يزيد القزويني، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي- دار إحياء الكتب العربية - فيصل عيسى البابي الحلبي. - مسند الإمام أحمد بن حنبل المحقق: شعيب الأرنؤوط - عادل مرشد، وآخرون إشراف: د عبد الله بن عبد المحسن التركي مؤسسة الرسالة الطبعة: الأولى، 1421 هـ - 2001 م. - شرح رياض الصالحين؛ للشيخ محمد بن صالح العثيمين، مدار الوطن، الرياض، 1426هـ. - نزهة المتقين بشرح رياض الصالحين، تأليف مصطفى سعيد الخن-مصطفى البغا-محي الدين مستو-علي الشربجي-محمد أمين لطفي-مؤسسة الرسالة-بيروت –لبنان-الطبعة الرابعة عشرة 1407. - بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين لسليم بن عيد الهلالي دار ابن الجوزي، الطبعة الأولى 1418. - دليل الفالحين لطرق رياض الصالحين -المؤلف: محمد علي بن محمد بن علان الصديقي-اعتنى بها: خليل مأمون شيحا-دار المعرفة للطباعة والنشر والتوزيع، بيروت – لبنان-الطبعة: الرابعة، 1425 هـ - 2004 م. -المعجم الوسيط-المؤلف: مجمع اللغة العربية بالقاهرة- (إبراهيم مصطفى / أحمد الزيات / حامد عبد القادر / محمد النجار)-الناشر: دار الدعوة. - مختصر الشمائل المحمدية- محمد بن عيسى الترمذي، الناشر: المكتبة الإسلامية - عمان – الأردن- اختصره وحققه محمد ناصر الدين الألباني.

Some of the Companions asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), saying: We eat, but we do not get satiated. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to them: Perhaps you eat separately, and each of you eats alone. They said: Yes. He said: Gather together and do not eat separately, and mention the name of Allah when eating by saying: Bismillāh—it will be blessed for you, and you will feel satisfied.

1. Gathering for food and saying the name of Allah before eating are means of bringing blessings to the food and feeling satisfied with it.
2. Division is entirely evil, and unity is entirely good.
3. Encouragement to eat together and to mention Allah's name before eating food.
4. As-Sindi said: Through gathering (to eat), blessings descend upon the food provisions; and by mentioning the name of Allah Almighty, the devil is prevented from reaching the food.

سنن أبي داود (5/ 588) (3764). سنن ابن ماجه (4/ 418) (3286). مسند أحمد (25/ 485) (16078). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (4/ 217). نزهة المتقين بشرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (1/ 607). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (2/ 59).