How to eat in Islam

I still remember when my grandma told me not standing when you eat because it is not polite. She also told me not to leave any single rice in my plate because Dewi Sri the Gods of paddy will cry. Kinds of ridiculous reasons that do not make any sense but I believe the reasons behind all of this nonsense is for GOOD.

Eventually when I came on Islamic learning gathering in Syuhada mosque, I get the more acceptable reasons about the procedures of eating according to Islam….

1. Wash your hands before taking your meals. It is keeping with the rules of cleanliness and neatness that your mind should be satisfied about the cleanliness of your hands before starting the meal.

"Cleanliness is half of faith." (Narrated by Muslim)

2. Not excessive in consuming and not wasting it.
Overuse is a culture that Allah does not like. Wasteful acts are strictly prohibited in Islam, even identified as the brother of Satan. We should also eat and drink according to sufficient levels. 

“Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil ones and the Evil one is to his Lord (himself) ungrateful.” (Al Isra-The Night Journey : 27) 

 

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Limitation was taught by the Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasizes the importance of a Muslim to pay attention to those around him; it means we must understand the social realities that exist in our environment, in order to avoid social jealousy.

In another word the Prophet (peace be upon him) threatening to a person who only selfish in the food problem as a non-faction, namely; "Whosoever shall eat your fill while his neighbor moaning hunger, then he is not included my companion".

3. Start by reading ‘basmalah’ – in the name of Allah.

Satan will undoubtedly help to eat with him, and so is lost value of his worship if they do not mention the name of Allah.

From Jabir said; “I've heard the Messenger of Allah SAW said; "If someone entered his house by saying ‘bismillah’ (in the name of God) when in and when to eat, then the devil said to his companion: 'no shelter and no food for you here'. Meanwhile, when the man came without mentioning the name of God, the devil will say; 'you can stay overnight in this house'. Then if you do not mention the name of God when you eat, the devil said: 'You can stay and eat here'. "(Narrated by Muslim).

If you forget to pray at the beginning, then just say as soon as you remember.

Narrated from 'A'ishah, as follows; "If one of you about to eat then just say ‘bismillah’ (in the name of God), but if he forgot in the beginning, then just say ‘bismillahi awwaluhu wa akhiruhu’ (in the name of God from the beginning until the end). (Narrated by Turmidzi)

4. Should not criticize the food. Whatever is served in front of our eyes, the food is the sustenance of God.

Abu Hurairah said; "The Prophet (peace be upon him) never criticizes food forever. If he likes he eats, and if he does not like he’ll abandon it." (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

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5. Using your right hand, not with the left hand. Use three fingers while eating. If required, use four fingers except the little finger. Do not put your fingers in the food up to their roots.

"If one of you eat, then let him eat with his right hand, and if he was drinking, then drink with your right hand. For verily the devil eat with his left hand. "(Narrated by Imam Muslim)

6. Sitting down, and did not stand.

The Prophet has forbidden people to drink while standing.

From hadith, “…that (eating by standing) is more rotten and evil." (Narrated by Ahmad, Muslim and Turmidzi)

7. If a meal together, take the food that close to you and as far as can be reached by hand.

From 'Umar ibn Abi Salamah said; “When I was a child under the care of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), I could stick my hand into the food, the Prophet (pbuh) said; "O kid, say 'Bismillah' (in the name of God) and eat with your right hand, and eat from what is near to you ". (Narrated by Muslim)

In another hadith also says, "Verily, including waste (excessive actions and wrath of Allah) when you eat what you (desire) to eat it." (Narrated by Ibn Majah)

8. Relax, slowly and not in hurry. Do not be greedy so that your mouth looks full of bite and do not blowing on hot or simmering food or drinks that show impatience. The breath that we exhale is polluted and poisonous.

From Ibn Abbas, the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Do not drink in one gulp like a camel drinking, but drink with two or three gulps. Say 'bismillah' (in the name of God) if you drink and 'alhamdulillah’ (thanks God) if you finish drinking." (Narrated by Turmidzi).

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9. Taking just enough so that it can be consumed out, do not be left one bit, though just a grain of rice stuck to the fingers for example, because it becomes a prohibited form of overuses.

If the morsel drops from your hands pick it up and eat it after cleaning or washing it.

From Jabir said, the Prophet ordered to clean the remaining food on a plate or in finger as he said; "Surely you know not in what part food that contains a blessing." (Narrated by Muslim)

10. Unlawful use of gold and silver utensils.

11. End the meal and drink with the prayer as an expression of gratitude to God for sustenance has been given, so the body becomes healthy, and can perform other religious worship which God has entrusted it.

We read a brief prayer as the Prophet's sayings: "Alhamdulillaahilladzi att'amanaa wasaqaanaa waja'alana minal muslimiin" which means: "Praise be to Allah who has given us eat and drink, and make us as Muslims" (Narrated by Imam Ahmad )

Eating could also be the intention to maintain obedience to Allah, we hope that by eating remain consistent to the righteous. Eating is not only required to meet the biological needs and the needs of the world's pleasure only, but also as a means of worship.

And of course do not forget to eat the food that HALAL and GOOD....

bon apetite..... ^_^