EATING CORRECTLY ACCORDING TO SUNNAH
ISLAMIC ETIQUETTES OF EATING AND MASNOON DUAAS
1. It is Sunnah to wash both hands before meals.
2. Say 'BISMILLAH' before commencing to eat. The food
on which 'BISMILLAH' is not recited, Shaytaan also partakes of it.
3. When one has forgotten to say 'BISMILLAH'. He should say
BISMILLAH AWWALUHU WA AAKHIRUHU when he remembers during the meal.
4. When invited out, before beginning to eat one should say
'BISMILLAH WA ALA BARAKATILLAH'.
5. It is Sunnah to have the head covered when having meals.
6. It is Sunnah to sit on the floor and eat, the sitting
posture should be that of the Tashahhud in Salaat, or with one thigh raised or
to squat.
7. Allah showers His Blessings on those who have their meals
in company.
8. The food should be on the dining place before sitting down
for meals.
9. It is Sunnah to eat with the right hand. One should not
eat with the left hand without a valid reason, for it is said the Shaytaan eats
with the left hand.
10. It is Sunnah to eat with three fingers i.e. the thumb,
the index finger and the middle finger. The fourth finger should be used when
eating very soft foods.
11. Begin by helping yourself or eating from the food that is
in front or nearest to you. One should not begin by taking from the centre of
the plate. Where there is a variety of food, sweetmeats and fruit in one utensil
one may select and eat from wherever one wishes.
12. To eat very hot steaming food is against the Sunnah.
13. To blow in to the food to cool it is against the Sunnah.
14. To lean against the wall, or to recline while having
meals is against the Sunnah.
15. When one does not like some types of food, dislike for it
must not be expressed. It is better to remain silent and abstain from eating
disagreeable foods.
16. When one has eaten food which has an unpleasant or strong
smell e.g. raw onion or garlic etc, the mouth must be thoroughly cleaned so that
no offensive smell is left, especially when in company.
17. If one eats with a person with an infectious disease this
Duaa should be read:
'BISMILLAHI THIKATAN BILLAHI WATAWAKULAN ALAIHI'
Trans: In the name of Allah, with confidence in Allah and
humbly trusting Him.
18. If there is a little food left in the plate, it should be
all eaten.
19. If a morsel has fallen from the hand, and it is possible
to eat it, one should do so.
20. After meals the fingers should be licked. First the
middle finger, then the index and lastly the thumb.
21. It is Sunnah to wash the hands after meals.
22. This duaa should be said after eating:
'ALHUMDULILLAHIL LAZI AT AAMANA WASAKANA WA JA ALNA MINAL
MUSLIMEEN
Trans: Praise be to Allah, who fed us and gave us drinks and
made us Muslims.
23. It is Sunnah to use a tooth pick after meals.
24. Guests should recite this Duaa for the host after the
meals:
'ALLAHUMMA BARIK LAHUM FEEMA RAZAKATAHUM FAGHFEER LAHUM
WARHAM HUM'.
Trans: O! Allah. Bless them in that which You have provided
them. And forgive them and have Mercy on them.
25. It is Sunnah to accompany the departing guests to the
door.
26. Before drinking milk read this Duaa:
'ALLAHUMMA BARIKLANA FEEHI WAZIDNA MINHU'.
Trans: O! Allah. Bless us in this (food) and increase us
there from.