The Etiquette of Dining

عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنَ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ يَقُولُ كُنْتُ غُلَامًا فِي حَجْرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَكَانَتْ يَدِي تَطِيشُ فِي الصَّحْفَةِ فَقَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَا غُلَامُ سَمِّ اللَّهَ وَكُلْ بِيَمِينِكَ وَكُلْ مِمَّا يَلِيكَ فَمَا زَالَتْ تِلْكَ طِعْمَتِي بَعْدُ

Umar bin Abi Salamah narrated, “I was a boy under the custody of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and my hand would reach beyond the dish (while dining). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, ‘O boy! Mention Allah’s name and eat with your right hand, and eat of what is nearer to you.’ Since then, I have followed what was told to me.” 

Narrated in Sahih Bukhari

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Reflections:

1. Islam teaches its followers the etiquette of dining.

2. Amongst its teachings are

a. Starting with reading the basmalah (name of Allah)

b. Using the right hand

c. Taking from the food that is closest

3. Shaytaan feasts on food upon which Allah’s name is not mentioned. Rasulullah (ﷺ) said,

إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَيَسْتَحِلُّ الطَّعَامَ الَّذِى لَمْ يُذْكَرِ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ 

“Satan considers lawful the food over which Allah’s name is not uttered.”

Narrated in Sunan Abi Dawud

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

4. Should one forget to read Allah’s name before eating and only remembers it halfway through, it should still be done. Rasulullah (ﷺ) said,

فَإِذَا نَسِيَ أَنْ يَذْكُرَ اسْمَ اللهِ فِيْ أَوَّلِهِ فَلْيَقُلْ: بِسْمِ اللهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ

“If Allah’s name is forgotten at the beginning (of a meal), the following should be read: ‘Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu (In the name of Allah at the beginning and at the end).’”

Narrated in Sunan Abi Dawud

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

5. A Muslim should endeavour to acquire and eat of what is halal (permissible) and devoid of elements of haram (the impermissible), as per Allah’s command:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ

“O ye who believe! Eat of what is good from what we have provided you…”

Quran Al-Baqarah 2:172