A bit Fancy - A bit Dancy - Same Dilbar - Same Site with a New Look!

"The Etiquettes of Eating"
Courtesy: From ad-Dawal ila-Allah

HOW TO BEGIN:
When a Muslim begins to eat, he should begin with the name of Allah. As the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: 'When one of you eats, he should mention Allah's name (i.e. say 'Bismillah); if he forgets to mention Allah's name at the beginning, he should say (when he remembers): I begin in the name of Allah at the beginning and at the end of it (Bismillah awwalahu wa Akhirahoo)."
The Prophet (P.B.U.H) explained that shaitan partakes in the food if the name of Allah is not recited at the start of eating. However if one forgets in the beginning and then remembers and says the aforementioned du'aa shaitan is made to vomit out what he has eaten.

THE MANNERS OF EATING:
The best manner in which to eat food is with the fingers. The Companion, lbn Ka'ab ibn Maalik reported that he saw the Messenger (P.B.U.H) eating with three fingers and when he finished, he would lick them. [4] Sadly nowadays, the Muslims are choosing to imitate the disbelievers rather than the Prophet (P.B.U.H) and are choosing to eat with knives and forks rather than the fingers. Although it is not at all forbidden (haraam) to eat with a Knife and fork, to consider this a better and more cultured or civilized way to eat is definitely wrong, since this is to consider someone else's way to be superior to that of the Prophet's. It should also be mentioned that if one does choose to eat with a knife and fork, then they should make sure that the fork is in the right and not in the left hand as is the convention with the disbelievers. This is because to eat with the left hand is forbidden. The Prophet, (P.B.U.H) said: "Do not eat with your left hand for shaitan eats with his left hand."
Another thing which the Prophet (P.B.U.H) taught us about the manners of eating is that we should always eat from what is nearest to us and not from the middle of the plate. The reason for this is that the blessings come down upon the food in its middle, therefore it should be left to last.

THE MANNER OF SITTING WHILST EATING:
It would probably come as no surprise to us to learn that unlike the arrogant manner traditionally associated with the Greeks and Romans, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) would never eat from a reclining position.
His whole life was a model of modesty and humility and this was no less in his manner of eating. The Companion Anas, radhi Allahu Anhu' each reported that he saw Allah's Messenger squatting and eating dates. Other times, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) would sit on his knees, as reported by 'Abdullaah ibn Busr who said that the Prophet was sitting on his knees upon which a bedouin said: 'What is this sitting?' The Prophet (P.B.U.H) replied, "Allah has made me a respectable servant and He did not make me an obstinate tyrant.

DON'T CRITICIZE FOOD:
Aboo Hurairah, radhi Allahu 'anhu reported that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) never found fault with food. If he liked it, he would eat it, but if he disliked it, he just left it. This is how our Prophet was.

DON'T LEAVE FOOD FOR SHAITAAN:
As Muslims we must be aware that shaitaan is around us wherever we are and whatever we are doing. Even when we are eating shaitaan is in our presence, waiting to grasp any opportunity he can to fill his belly. This is why the Prophet, (P.B.U.H) commanded us never to waste food, because food that we waste is eaten by shaitaan. He (P.B.U.H) said: "The shaitaan is present with everyone of you in everything he does; he is even present when he eats food, so if any on of you drops a mouthful, he should remove away anything filthy on it and eat it and not leave it for the devil; and when he finishes, he should lick his fingers for he does not know in what portion of his food the blessing ties."
So here, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) enumerated another reason why we should not waste food i.e. we may deprive ourselves of the blessings which are contained in the food. this should be sufficient encouragement fares to appreciate the value of food and not waste it.

DON'T EAT TOO MUCH:
One of the worst habits we nave adopted as a result of our relatively luxurious lifestyle is the habit of overeating and not showing any restraint in that. How many times can we think of where we have eaten so much that we can barely breathe, or where we can feel the food coming up to our throats?! This eating pattern does not befit the Muslim, who should do all things in moderation, including his eating. The Prophet, (P.B.U.H) said: "A Believer eats in one intestine, whereas a non-believer eats in seven intestines"
Therefore it is not for us to eat till we are completely satiated; rather we should eat such that the hunger goes but there is still room for more.

AFTER EATING:
When we have finished eating, we should always remember Allah and be grateful to Him, for He is ar-Razzaaq, the Provider and our Sustainer We should express this gratitude in the manner in which the Prophet taught us. He said: "One who has eaten some food and then says: 'AlI praise is for Allah, who has given me this (food to eat) and provided me without any effort or power on my part', he will have his sins forgiven. (Alhamdulillaahil-lazee at'amanaa haadha warazaqeenee min ghairi hawlin minnee wala quwwah)."
Subhaan Allah! The reward for just saying this short du'aa is so great, too great to neglect. Can we afford to miss out on such opportunities of Allah's Mercy and Forgiveness?

May Allah grant us the ability to become of His thankful servants. Ameen.

Print │ Back│ Top

 

Coming Soon!