بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Etiquettes of Eating (2) — In the Light of Hadith

“Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘When one of you eats, he should not wipe his hands until he has licked his fingers or had them licked by someone else.’” (Sahih Bukhari)

“Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Allah Ta‘ala is pleased with His servant when he eats and praises Him for it, or drinks and praises and thanks Him for it.’” (Sahih Muslim)

“Qatadah heard from Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه who said: I do not know that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ever ate food placed on a tray, nor did he ever eat fine (soft) bread, nor did he ever eat at a table. The people asked Qatadah: Then on what did they place the food? He replied: On a dastarkhwan (cloth spread on the ground).” (Sahih Bukhari)

“Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘A believer eats with one intestine, while a disbeliever eats with seven intestines.’” (Sahih Bukhari)

“Hazrat Hudhayfah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Do not wear silk garments, and do not drink from vessels of gold and silver, nor eat from plates made of gold and silver; for these are for the disbelievers in this world and for us in the Hereafter.’” (Sahih Bukhari)

“Hazrat ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ loved sweets and honey.” (Sahih Bukhari)

“Hazrat Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ once went to visit a servant whom he had freed. He was a tailor. Pumpkin was brought before the Prophet ﷺ, and he began eating it with interest. Anas رضي الله عنه says: Since I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ eating pumpkin with such fondness, I too developed a love for it.” (Sahih Bukhari)

From other narrations in Sahih Bukhari, it is also understood that pumpkin was among the foods liked by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and he would eat it with pleasure.

It is also mentioned in Hadith that when the time for congregational Salah arrives and food is presented, one should first eat and then perform the prayer. If a person shows eagerness in following the Sunnah, he is granted the ability to fulfill the obligations properly. These matters are connected with sincere desire—divine عطا (granting) corresponds to one’s eagerness, and without Allah Kareem’s granting, no righteous deed can be performed by a person.

Therefore, seek Allah’s help in avoiding bad habits and evil deeds. إن شاء الله, He will grant the ability. Continue striving to stay away from sins—or at the very least, keep trying to avoid them.