In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

‘Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s), his blessed descendents and noble companions.’

                                                                     -Aameen.

   SUNNATS OF EATING

S.1. To wash the hands before and after eating. (Shamdil - S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 64)

S.2. It was the Sunnat of all the prophets to wash their hands before eating. This action removes poverty. (Mujma 'uz Zawaid - S.K. - Vol 1 : Pg. 63)

Note 1: Washing of hands before and after meals is a means of greater goodness in one’s home. (Ibn Majah - S.K. - Vol. 1: Pg. 63)

Note 2: It is also a means of one’s sustenance increasing.

(Kanzul 'Ummal - S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 63)

Note 3: It is a Sunnah to wash both hands before eating. The Sunnah will not be fulfilled if only one hand is washed.

S.3. To make intention: that I am eating to gain strength for making Allah’s ibadat (worship).

S.4. Our Nabi (S.A.W) used to induce people to be sparing in their eating and he used to say let one third of the stomach be for food, one third for water, one third be left for the stomach itself (i.e. be empty). Our Nabi (S.A.W) inflate only when he was hungry and stopped eating when he could still eat - i.e. he never ate to his fill. (S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 200)

S.5. To eat with the right hand - (similarly when taking food from or when giving to someone the right hand should be used). (Bukhari-S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 68)

S.6. Not to eat with the left hand as Satan eats and drinks with the lefthand. (At-Targhib-S.K-Vol 1 : Pg. 68)

Note: Satan also joins and partakes in the food that is eaten with the left hand. (Ahmad -S.K. - Vol. 1: Pg. 68)

S. 7. To eat together and not individually. (At-Targhib - S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 101)

Note: To remain absolutely silent whilst eating is Makrooh (Shami).

However, one should not speak of nauseating things or grief as it may cause others to loose their appetites.

S.8. The greater the number of people eating together shall mean greater blessings and barakat. (‘Umdatoel Qari - S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 101)

S.9. When eating together the most pious person should be made to begin. (Majma ‘uzZawaid-S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 98-99)

But our Nabi (S.A.W) was invariably the last person to start eating.

S.10. To remove shoes before eating. (Majma ‘uz Zawaid- S.K. - Vol. 1: Pg. 85)

S.11. It is not makrooh (disliked) to eat bareheaded. (S.K.-Vol. l:Pg . 255)

S.12. To sit on the floor and eat in one of the following postures

a) To squat with the buttocks away from the ground.

b) To sit on one leg having the other knee raised.

c) To sit on both legs as in tashahhud posture.

( ‘Umdatoel Qari)

S.13. Our Nabi (S.A.W) never leaned against anything whilst eating. (Kanzul 'Ummal - S.K. - Vol. 1 :Pg. 82)

Note: Eating in any one of the following postures is also considered as leaning and hence discouraged.

a) Sitting crossed legged.

b) Sitting with one hand resting on the ground.

c) Sitting leaning to any one side.

d) To lean against a wall, pillow, etc. (S.K. - Vol. 1: Pg. 82)

S.14 In all conditions we should be satisfied and content with the food we get no matter what the quantity or type is. We should always be happy and regard it as a bounty from Allah. (Malik)

S.15. One should not criticize any permissible (halal) food. If one likes it one should eat it otherwise abstain without comment. (Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 91)

S.16. Not to disrespect food by wasting, discarding and throwing away. (IbnMdjah-S.K.-Vol. l:Pg.91)

S. 17. To recite the following du‘a before eating

Bismillahi Wa ‘Ala Barakatillahi.

"In the Name of Allah and with the blessings of Allah.”

(Hisn - S.K. - Vol. 1: Pg. 225)

Note: According to Allamah Shami (A.R.) ‘Bismillah’ should be read slightly audibly. (Shami, Vol.5)

S.18. Food eaten without having read ‘bismillah’ is devoid of ‘barakah' and blessings. (Kanzul ‘Ummal-S.K.-V61.1 :Pg.66)

8.19. It is reported that Nabi (S.A.W) used to say “Ya WAA SI ‘UL

MUGFIRAH” after eating the first morsel – Which means, “O! The one whose forgiveness is all encompassing.” (Muslim - S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 227)

S.20. If one can easily eat with three fingers then one should do so and not unnecessarily use the fourth, simply speaking fingers should be used as per need. (At-Targhib - S.K.-Vol. 1: Pg. 73)

S.21. It is prohibited to eat with only one or two fingers.

(Jum ‘oel Wasail -S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 74)

S.22. To eat less. This is a hallmark of a Believer.

(Bukhari-S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 104)

S.23. To begin and end one’s meal with something salty.

(Matdlib-e-Aliyah - S.K.-Vol. 1 : Pg. 107)

S.24. To end one’s eating with something sweet is also reported as an action of Nabi (S.A.W), although it was coincidental.

(Tirmidhi-S.K. - Vol. 1 :Pg. 107)

S.25. Nabi (S.A.W) prohibited the smelling of food as this is the habit of animals. (Kanzul ‘Ummal-S.K.-Vol. Pg. 88)

S.26. Once the bread is placed on the ‘dastarkhan’ i.e. tablecloth to begin eating and not wait for the curry. (Hakim - S.K.-Vol. 1 : Pg. 95)

S.27. To diet and abstain from certain foods due to medical reasons is not contrary to ‘tawakkul’ (reliance on Allah). (Jum ‘oel Wasail — S.K. -Vol. 1 : Pg 149)

S.28. The last meal which Nabi (S.A.W) had, before he departed from this world contained cooked onions also. {Abu Dawud - S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 150}

Note: Nabi (S.A.W) never ate raw onions and raw garlic.

S. 29. Not to omit the supper as it hastens old age. {Tirmidhi- S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 90;}

S.30. Our Nabi (S.A.W) ate with relish the food left over in the pot. (Mishkat)

Note: This was the selfless spirit of our beloved Nabi (S.A.W) that he preferred others for the choice part of the food and he himself ate the lesser part.

S.31. For husband and wife to share utensils and chew off meal from the same bone, in fact from the same spot is Sunnah.

{Muslim - S.K. - Vol. 1 :Pg. 991}

S.32. Nabi (S.A.W) enjoyed food that was prepared with spices especially black pepper.

{Shamail-e-Tirmidhi- S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 136-137}

S.33. To avoid eating food given by any doubtful or unknown person. However, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) ate from it after the one presenting the gift had eaten. {Bazzar-SK.-'Vol 1 . Pg. 103}

S.34. If a big chunk of meat is served then it is permissible to slice with a knife. (Bukhari-Muslim)

S.35. Small pieces of meat should not be cut with a knife, but should rather be shred with the teeth, this assists in digestion.

S.36. If one forgets to read Bismillah before eating then if he remembers whilst eating he should recite the following Du‘a :

♦

Bismillahi Awwalahu Wa Akhirahu

“In the name of Allah at the beginning and end of it.”

{Abu Dawud-S.K. - Vol. 1 : Pg. 227-228)!

Note: If the name of Allah is taken before meals then shaitan says to his subordinates, ‘ There is no food for you here ’ and according to another narration if the name of Allah is not taken then shaitan gets the opportunity of joining in the meals.

S.37. If several (two or more) people are eating together from the same plate then each person should eat that food which is closest to him. It is incorrect to eat that which is in the middle or in front of others. (Bukhari-S.K.-Vol. 1 : Pg. 69-70)

S.38. If a variety of dishes are served then it is permissible to stretch one’s hands to reach out for that which he wishes to eat i.e. which may not be directly in front of him. (S.K.-Vol. 1 : Pg. 70)

S.39. Nabi (S.A.W) said that eating in the market place is immodesty. (Majma ‘uzZawaid-S.K. - Vol. 1: P.g. 85)

Note: This prohibition does not apply to eating in any building within the market place, however, the modern trend of “eating out” is not encouraged.

S.40. The most common food of our Nabi (S.A.W) was barely roti (bread). (Shamdil-e-Tirmidhi- S.K.-Vol. 1 :Pg. 143)

Note: Barely flour used to be not sifted. The husks were blown of.

*****

A/N

:))))) I am still in the mood of food…hope all these Sunnahs were enlightening.

…With Duas and Salaam,

    abdurRahman (Gudi;))