There are many different stories about the manner in of eating that The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) consumed food.
The proper manner of eating at a table is essential and could be divided into three distinct categories. These are (1) before having food, (2) while eating (3) after eating.
As you’ll discover that eating habits and Sunnah of eating is timeless and are still relevant to this day.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) declared in the Quran “I was sent to perfect good character.” [1].
SUNNAH OR ETIQUETTE OF EATING
1. Start with Purification (washing your hands).
If the Prophet had been in the situation in a state of Junub (being impure) Wudu was performed prior to eating. In another story, it was said that performing Wudu prior to and after eating would bring blessings. However, these hadiths are da’if (weak).
The story was told by ‘Aishah said: If the Prophet desired to eat, he would be impure, he washed his hands. [2]
Salmaan Faarisi Radiyallahu ‘Anhu says: “I have read in-the Tauraah that performing the wudu (washing hands) after eating boosts blessings. I’ve mentioned this to Rasulullah Sallailahu ‘Alayhi wasallam. Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wasallam stated: “Wudu before and after eating (washing the mouth and hands) boosts blessings. (Da’if)” [3]
2. Begin by beginning with Bismillah.
It was reported that ‘Aishah had said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was eating food with his companions, six when an Bedouin came in and ate the whole thing in two bites. It was said that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) declared that if he had been able to say Bismillah and said it, the message would have sufficed for to satisfy you (all). If any of you consumes food, let him say Bismillah and if the person forgets to say Bismillah at the beginning, let him utter Bismillah and awwalihi Akhirih (In Allah’s Name) Allah at the beginning and at the end. ).'” [4].
The Surah Al An’am verse 121 Allah provides clear instructions to be thankful and praise Allah before eating food.
وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا۟ مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِ ٱسْمُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَفِسْقٌ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَىٰٓ أَوْلِيَآئِهِمْ لِيُجَٰدِلُوكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ أَطَعْتُمُوهُمْ إِنَّكُمْ لَمُشْرِكُونَ
“And don’t eat anything from those foods on where the names of Allah is not spoken of, because it is a grave violation. In fact, the devils incite their allies among men to fight with you. If you chose to follow them, in fact you’d be a part of the group (of other people) with Him.”
3. Eat with your right hand and begin by eating the food closest to your plate.
Umar bin Abdul Salamah (May Allah be pleased with them) told me”I was a young boy under the supervision of the The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and as my hands began to wander about in the food and He (ﷺ) told me at one point, “Mention Allah’s Name (i.e., say Bismillah), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you.” (Al-Bukhari as well as Muslim[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. [5]
4. Sitting on the floor.
It was also reported by the man who said: “I eat as a slave eats and I sit as a slave sits.” [6]
I eat the same food as the servant eats, and take a seat as the servant. It is true that I am an employee. [7]
5. Blessings of Eating Together.
Salim is ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar stated: “I heard my father tell me: “I was listening to ‘Umar bin Khattab saying: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) told us to eat in a group and don’t take your food apart, as the best blessing comes from eating with one another.'” [8]
6. Eating With Three Fingers.
Ka’b bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I saw the Messenger from Allah (ﷺ) devouring food food with the three fingers (i.e. the thumb, index finger and middle finger) and then licking them off after he had finished eating. [Muslim]. [9]
7. Be thankful and try not to criticize the food you’ve been provided with.
Narrated by Abu Huraira: Prophet (ﷺ) never complained about the food (he was even invited to) but he did take a bite if he liked the food, but leave the food if he was not happy with it. [10]
8. Good compliments are a good thing when eating something you enjoy.
Jabir (May Allah be pleased with Jabir (May Allah be pleased with) said The Prophet (ﷺ) requested sauce, and was told there was nothing but vinegar. He demanded vinegar and then began eating from it, saying “How great vinegar is when consumed as a sauce! What a wonderful vinegar taste when consumed in the form of Udm!” [Muslim]. [11]
9. Don’t throw away food items.
Jabir told me: I was told by Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as declaring: Satan is with every person in whatever that he does. He is present even while he is eating food. So if person in your group takes an entire mouthful, he must wash all filth from it and then eat it, and not give it to the devil. And when he is finished (food) you should wash his hands, as it is not clear in which portion of his food the blessedness lies. [12]
10. Be mindful of your food intake, but avoid being overly indulgent.
It was reported that ‘Atiyyah bin’Amir Al-Juhani claimed: “I heard Salman, when he was forced to eat food, say: ‘It is sufficient for me that I heard the Messenger of Allah () say: The people who most eat their fill in this world will be the most hungry on the Day of Resurrection.'” [13]
11. Thank Allah and be grateful for the food that you have been served.
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) declared: Allah is pleased with His servant, who said: Alhamdulillah (all praise be to Allah) while eating the first bite of food and after drinking. [14]
Final Thoughts:
There are those who be able to see an issue with the Sunnah from the prophet (ﷺ) and are uncomfortable sitting on the ground instead of tables. Be aware that these are the ways of life that prophets (ﷺ) and in the event that we want to follow them in the exact same way, it is mustahab (recommended) however it isn’t mandatory. Doing not sit in a slumber or eating food that spills onto the floor is not unjust for believers. These are more of humbling or good deeds.
References:
[1] Shama’il Muhammadiyah Arabic reference: Book 27, Hadith 187[2] Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 593
[3] Shama’il Muhammadiyah English reference: Book 26, Hadith 178
[4] Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 3264 Classified as Sahih (Darussalam)
[5] Riyad As Salihin Arabic/English book reference: Book 3, Hadith 740
[6] Narrated by Abu Ya’laa, 8/318
[7] Shu’ab al-Iman 5519, Grade: Sahih
[8] Ibn Majah Hadith 3287 classified as Hasan (Darussalam)
[9] Riyad As Salihin Arabic/English book reference : Book 3, Hadith 749
[10] Sahih al-Bukhari 5409 and Jami at-Tirmidhi 2031
[11] Riyad As Salihin Arabic/English book reference : Book 3, Hadith 737
[12] Sahih Muslim 2033 d
[13] Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 3351 Classified as Hasan (Darussalam)
[14] Sahih Muslim 2734 a
