Table Manners in Islam

ARTICLE 02 TABLE MANNERS IN ISLAM www.owhsomuslim.com

by OwhSoMuslim.com

TITLE: TABLE MANNERS IN ISLAM

ARTICLE 01 17/10/2010

CATEGORY: MANNERS

Please spread and share this article!

Please go to ww.owhsomuslim.com for further details on sharing policies. :)

DO NOT RE-PRINT FOR PERSONAL PROFIT MAKING OR FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES.

Illy Muzliza & Ummu Nana / Owh So Muslim


01 : To ensure that every food/drink is halal to consume

Most Muslims are unaware of this issue, but as Muslims, we must always be cautious when it comes to

the food that consume ourselves and the food that we serve to others. Make a point to check the Halal

sign or ingredients on food packaging before purchasing it, and to ensure we are served with halal food

at restaurants or cafes.

Related verses from the Quran:

O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Tayibaat (all kinds of Halal) [legal] foods which Allah has

made legal (meat of slaughtered edible animals, milk products, fats, vegetables, fruits, etc),

and do righteous deeds. Verily! I am Well-Acquainted with what you do [ Al-Muminuun

23:51 ]

On this day, all pure things are made lawful for you (as food) [ Al-Maida 5:5 ]


02 : To say Bismillah (in the name of Allah) before eating or drinking

Saying Bismillah (in the name of Allah) before eating or drinking is noble and loved by Allah. In this

manner, it is important because according to the Prophet (pbuh), the shaitaan shares food and drink

with those people who DO NOT mention the name of Allah (swt).

Related hadith:

Narrated by Aishah (r.a.): The Prophet (pbuh) said When any of you wants to eat, he

should mention the name of Allah in the beginning (Bismillah). If he forgets to do it in the

beginning, he should say Bismillah awallahu wa akhirahu (In the name of Allah in its

beginning and end) [ At-Tirmidhi & Abu Dawud ]

Notes:

- The Prophet (pbuh) informs us that shaitaan shares food and drink with those

people who DO NOT mention the name of Allah.

- The pronouncement of Allahs name beings blessing to the meal, and the omission

of His Name robs the blessing away.


03 : Eat/ drink with your right hand

If we are blessed with two hands; use them wisely! Use your right hand to eat and drink, because it is a

sunnah act from the Prophet (pbuh).

Related hadiths:

Narrated by Abu Salamh (r.a): The Prophet (pbuh) said to me, Mention Allahs name

(Bismillah) before starting to eat, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is near to

you [Bukhari & Muslim : Riyadhus Saliheen, chapter 100 #728 ]

Narrated by Jaabir Ibn Abdullah (r.a): I heard the Prophet (pbuh) saying, Do not eat with

your left hand because shaitaan eats and drinks with his left hand [ Muslim : Riyadhus

Saliheen, chapter 100 #1634 ]


04 : Be seated and avoid standing when eating or drinking

The Prophet (pbuh) intensely dislikes his ummah (us!) to eat or drink while standing! So whenever you

reward yourself with an ice cream or some milkshake; grab a chair and enjoy your share!

Related hadith:

Narrated by Anas (r.a): The Prophet (pbuh) forbade us from drinking while standing.

Qatadah reported: We asked him, What about eating? he said, That is even worse (or

maybe he said) more detestable [Muslim : Riyadhus Saliheen, chapter 114 #771 ]


05 : Eat healthily! Fill stomach with: 1/3 food, 1/3 water and 1/3 air

A humans body is like a container; it can only fit in certain things and its limited! So fill your stomach

with correct portions as taught by the Prophet (pbuh) so we can be healthy: 1/3 food, 1/3 water and 1/3

air for breathing. Moderation is the word!

Related hadith:

Narrated by Miqdaam Ibn Madee Karib (r.a): He heard the Prophet (pbuh) said A human

being has never filled a container that is worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of

Adam to have just that amount of morsels that cause his back to remain upright. But if there

is no escape (he wants more), then 1/3 for his food, 1/3 for his drink, and 1/3 for his

breathing [ At-Tirmidhee #2380 ]

Note:

- The lesson from this hadith is that eating too much leads to many diseases, can

cause laziness and makes a person feel its heaviness and burdensome to do deeds

of obedience to Allah, AND hardens a persons heart. And we seek refuge in Allah

from all of that! Keep to moderation in your food, for it will keep you away from

ungratefulness, healthier for the body and stronger to perform worshipping to Allah

swt.


06 : Avoid wastage of food and drinks

Wastage of food and drinks is not only the act of the shaitaan, but it makes us ungrateful, so lets try our

best to avoid that! So the next time when you consume your food, be sure to have an empty plate or

mug after eating!

Related verses from the Quran:

and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not Al-

Musrifuun (those who waste by extravagance) [ Al-Araf 7 :51 ]

Do not be a wasteful spender. Verily the spendthrifts are brothers of the shaitaan (devils)

and the shaitaan is ever ungrateful to his Lord [ Al-Isra 17 : 27 ]

Documents

Table Manners in Islam