(100) Chapter: Saying Bismillah Before and Al-Hamdulillah After Eating

'Umar bin Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said to me, "Mention Allah's Name (i.e., say Bismillah before starting eating), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is near you."


[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: There are two things about this Hadith. First, we should start eating or drinking by pronouncing the Name of Allah. Second, we should eat from our side without stretching our hand to the side where someone else is eating. This may be the case when more than one or two people are eating the same kind of food from a single dish. Good manners do not allow it, yet in case a variety of food or fruit is lying before us on the table, we are free to take our pick.

(100) Chapter: Saying Bismillah Before and Al-Hamdulillah After Eating

'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When any of you wants to eat, he should mention the Name of Allah in the begining, (i.e., say Bismillah). If he forgets to do it in the beginning, he should say Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu (I begin with the Name of Allah at the beginning and at the end)."

[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

Commentary: This Hadith provides us a concession. If we have forgotten to pronounce the Name of Allah before beginning to eat, we can do it during eating or in the end.

(100) Chapter: Saying Bismillah Before and Al-Hamdulillah After Eating

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "If a person mentions the Name of Allah upon entering his house or eating, Satan says, addressing his followers: 'You will find no where to spend the night and no dinner.' But if he enters without mentioning the Name of Allah, Satan says (to his followers); 'You have found (a place) to spend the night in, and if he does not mention the Name of Allah at the time of eating, Satan says: 'You have found (a place) to spend the night in as well as food."'

[Muslim].


Commentary: Herein, we are told that in order to ward off Satan and his followers, we are supposed to remember Allah before entering our house and before beginning to eat. The remembrance of Allah implies those appropriate prayers of the Prophet (PBUH) which have been mentioned in Ahadith. For example, we are instructed to pronounce the Name of Allah before beginning to eat. On entering our house we recite the following Prophetic prayer:
"Allahumma inni as'aluka khairal-mawliji wa khairal-makhraji. Bismillahi wa lajna, wa bismillahi kharajna, wa `alAllahi rabbina tawakkalna.'' (O Allah! I ask you for what is good of entrance and what is good for exit. With the Name of Allah do we enter, and with the Name of Allah do we leave, and upon our Rubb Allah have we put our
trust).

(100) Chapter: Saying Bismillah Before and Al-Hamdulillah After Eating

Hudhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
When we attended a meal with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), we would not stretch forth our hands towards the food until he (ﷺ) would start eating first. Once, we were with him when a little girl rushed in as if someone was impelling her. She was about to lay her hand on the food when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) caught her hand. Then a bedouin came in rushing as if someone were pushing him. He (ﷺ) caught his hand also and said, "Satan considers that food lawful for himself on which the Name of Allah is not mentioned. He (Satan) brought this girl to make the food lawful through her but I caught her hand. Then he brought the bedouin to make it lawful through him but I caught his hand too. By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, now Satan's hand is in my grasp along with their hands." Then he mentioned the Name of Allah and began to eat.


Commentary: Here, too, we are told that if we do not pronounce Allah's Name, Satan and his minions will share our meal with us. So prior to eating, we must pronounce the Name of Allah. An incident is related in this Hadith. Once, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and his Companions were just to start taking their meal when an unknown girl and a bedouin burst upon the scene. Without seeking the formal permission and pronouncing the Name of Allah they hurriedly stretched their hands to eat. Yet, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) restrained them from doing so. Owing to Divine inspiration, he had seen the hidden hand of the Devil behind their abrupt actions. We have only one way to escape the Devil, that is, on such occasions we should first pronounce the Name of Allah. Second, this Hadith enlightens us on table manners calling for decency and decorum. It will be called an act of sheer indecency to voraciously pounce upon food as is commonly witnessed in feasts and weddings. Indeed, it is the result of deviation
from Islamic teachings that many Muslims have grown ignorant of the Prophet's manner of eating. Allah, too, has left them unrestrained in their beast-like hunger.

(100) Chapter: Saying Bismillah Before and Al-Hamdulillah After Eating

Umaiyyah bin Makhshi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was sitting while a man was eating food. That man did not mention the Name of Allah (before commencing to eat) till only a morsel of food was left. When he raised it to his mouth, he said: "Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu (With the Name of Allah, in the beginning and in the end)." Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) smiled at this and said, "Satan had been eating with him but when he mentioned the Name of Allah, Satan vomited all that was in his stomach."

[Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i].

Commentary: This Hadith also informs us that Satan shares food and drink with those people who do not mention the Name of Allah.

(100) Chapter: Saying Bismillah Before and Al-Hamdulillah After Eating

'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was eating with his six Companions when a desert Arab came and ate up the food in two mouthfuls. Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Had he mentioned the Name of Allah, it would have sufficed for all of you."

[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: The pronouncement of Allah's Name brings blessing to the meal, and the omission of His Name robs blessing away.

(100) Chapter: Saying Bismillah Before and Al-Hamdulillah After Eating

Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) finished a meal, he would say: "Al-hamdu lillahi hamdan kathiran taiyyiban mubarakan fihi, ghaira makfiyyin wa la muwadda`in, wa la mustaghnan `anhu, Rabbuna. (All praise is due to Allah, praise which is abundant, pure, and full of blessings, which is indispensable and to which one cannot be indifferent).''

[Al-Bukhari].


Commentary: This Hadith mentions a supplication which Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to recite after taking meal. The economy of words was the essence of the Prophet's (PBUH) eloquence as displayed here. To supplicate this Prophetic prayer after taking a meal is recommendable.

(100) Chapter: Saying Bismillah Before and Al-Hamdulillah After Eating

Mu'adh bin Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who has taken food and says at the end: 'Al- hamdu lillahi-lladhi at'amani hadha, wa razaqanihi min ghairi haulin minni wa la quwwatin (All praise is due to Allah Who has given me food to eat and provided it without any endeavour on my part or any power),' all his past sins will be forgiven."

At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: This Hadith tells us that if we praise Allah after taking a meal, all our minor sins committed in the past will be forgiven by Him.

(101) Chapter: Prohibition of Criticizing Food

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) never found fault with food. If he had inclination to eating it, he would eat; and if he disliked it, he would leave it.


[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith throws light on the Prophet's excellent manners which ought to be followed by all Muslims. It is a deplorable state of affairs that when we find a dish a bit unsavoury, we lose our temper and create quite a scene in the house. May we follow the excellent example of our Prophet (PBUH)!

(101) Chapter: Prohibition of Criticizing Food

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) asked for sauce and was told that there was nothing except vinegar. He asked for it and began to eat from it saying, "How excellent is vinegar when eaten as sauce! How excellent is vinegar when eaten as Udm!"

[Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith speaks about the simplicity and humility of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) with regard to food. As he abstained from a luxurious lifestyle, he hardly craved for delicious food. No mention of dainties, he would readily eat whatever was available to him.

(102) Chapter: Response to an Invitation Extended to a Man Observing Saum (Fasting)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When any of you is invited to a meal, he should accept the invitation. If he is observing Saum (fasting), he should supplicate for the betterment of the host and if he is not fasting, he should eat."


[Muslim].

Commentary: Shari`ah permits a person to break a voluntary fasting. The example of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) clearly shows that it is not binding on him to keep it again as a redeeming step. A man is, therefore, free to break his voluntary fasting and participate in the feast to which he is invited. However, if somebody is reluctant to break the fast, he should pray for the good and welfare of the host. But we should refuse to attend such treats which are flagrantly masked by extravagance and frivolous un-Islamic rites to the disobedience of Allah.

(103) Chapter: What should One say to the Host if an Invited Person is Accompanied by an Uninvited Person

Abu Mas'ud Al-Badri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
A man prepared some food especially for the Prophet (ﷺ) and invited him along with four others. But a man accompanied him. Having arrived at the door, Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to the host, "This person has followed us. You may allow him, if you like, and if you like he will return." He said: "O Messenger of Allah, I allow him, too."


[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: It will be considered an expression of bad manners if somebody participates in a feast as an uninvited, parasitic guest. Yet, he stands a chance in case he is allowed by the host. In this Hadith, there is a case when Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to the host that it was up to him to let the uninvited person to stay for food or go. However, the invitees may take along with them two or three uninvited guests if they believe that the host will not take it ill.

(104) Chapter: Eating from What is in Front of One

'Umar bin Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
I was a boy under the care of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and as my hand used to wander around in the dish, he (ﷺ) said to me once, "Mention Allah's Name (i.e., say Bismillah), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you."


[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: `Umar bin Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with them) had learnt table manners from Messenger of Allah (PBUH) who was his stepfather and guardian. Hence, everybody is morally bound to teach his wards or children good manners.

(104) Chapter: Eating from What is in Front of One

Salamah bin Al-Akwa' (May Allah be pleased with him) reported on the authority of his father:
A man ate with his left hand in the presence of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), whereupon he said, "Eat with your right hand." The man said: "I cannot do that." Thereupon he (the Prophet (ﷺ)) said, "May you not be able to do that." It was vanity that prevented him from doing it and he could not raise it (the right hand) up to his mouth afterwards.

[Muslim].

Commentary: This report has already been given earlier and is being repeated here owing to its relevance to the chapter. In the light of this Hadith, we are supposed to keep table manners in our focus and also to urge others to observe them. Furthermore, it is extremely undesirable to deny a reality out of sheer arrogance as it incurs the displeasure of Allah. We are also informed of a miracle of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) whose supplications were instantly answered.

(105) Chapter: Prohibition of Eating Two Dates Simultaneously

Jabalah bin Suhaim reported:
We were with 'Abdullah bin Az-Zubair (May Allah be pleased with them) in a time of famine, then we were provided with dates. (Once) when we were eating, 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) passed by us and said: "Do not eat two dates together, for Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prohibited it, unless one seeks permission from his brother (partner)."


[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith has a lesson for today's Muslims whose majority seems to be ignorant of good manners. It is commonly seen at feasts that somebody, unconcerned about others around him, will be engaged in filling his own plate with food. Such a greed of eating is against the Prophet's teaching and guidance which inspire us to have a due regard for others and not to serve our own purpose alone.

(106) Chapter: What Should a Person Say or Do When He Eats and is Unsatisfied

Wahshi bin Harb (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Some of the Companions of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "We eat but are not satisfied." He (ﷺ) said, "Perhaps you eat separately." The Companions replied in affirmative. He then said: "Eat together and mention the Name of Allah over your food. It will be blessed for you."


[Abu Dawud].

(107) Chapter: Eating from the Side of the Vessel

Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Blessing descends upon food in its middle, so eat from the sides of the vessel and do not eat from its middle."


[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

Commentary: This Hadith tells us that if a few people or members of the same family recite the Name of Allah and take meal at the same table, a two-fold benefit will accrue to them. Their hunger will be sated with their subsistence being given the Divine blessing. And if they do otherwise, the result will be otherwise too.

(107) Chapter: Eating from the Side of the Vessel

'Abdullah bin Busr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) had a large bowl called Al-Gharra', which would be carried by four men. One day, when the Companions finished their Duha (forenoon optional) prayer, Al-Gharra' was brought full of sopped bread, meat and broth, and they sat down around it. When their number increased, Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sat down on his knees and rested on the soles of his feet. A bedouin said to him: "What sort of sitting is that?" Thereupon Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Verily, Allah has made me a courteous slave not a fierce tyrant." Then he said, "Eat from the sides of the bowl and leave the central part of it so that your food will be blessed."

[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: Here, too, we are told to eat collectively and from our side of the table. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) calls it the blessed way. There is also a provision for sitting with bent knees (while resting on one's soles). Moreover, the excellence of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) as well as his humility are rought to our knowledge.

(108) Chapter: Undesirability of Eating in a Reclining Posture

Abu Juhaifah Wahb bin 'Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "I do not eat reclining (against a pillow)."


[Al-Bukhari].

Commentary: What is meant by reclining? There is a difference of opinion on it. Some say that it means leaning on one side, whether right or left, or against the wall. Imam Al-Khattabi takes it in this sense that somebody should lay out a mattress and sit on it comfortably as one sits cross-legged. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to take hardly an adequate meal. Ibn Hajar says that one should sit with the right knee drawn up and the left one bent down.

(108) Chapter: Undesirability of Eating in a Reclining Posture

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
I saw Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) eating some dates while sitting on his buttocks, with his legs raised.

[Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith sheds light on another sitting posture of Messenger of Allah (PBUH). But it betrays his uneasy state. In fact, when he was in a hurry he would be eager by eating a few dates so that he might be free to attend to some more important business. Also a report of Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) quoted by Muslim explains this state of mind of Messenger of Allah (PBUH).