Islam is a religion which is also a way of life. It guides the Muslims that how they can live their life in a good manner. Therefore, Islam has also provided the etiquettes of eating and drinking. These etiquettes guide the Muslims that how they should eat plus drink and how they should behave while eating plus drinking and what they should do before and after eating and drinking.
Islam guides the Muslims about all big to little things. From guiding about salat to salam and from roza to etiquettes of eating plus drinking, Islam is a complete code of life. Following are the etiquettes of eating and drinking in Islam;
Bismillah must be said before starting to eat. The Prophet (SAWW) said, “When one of you eats, he should mention Allah’s name (i.e. say Bismillah). If he forgets to mention the name of Allah at the start, he should say (when he remembers): I begin in the name of Allah at the beginning and at the end of it.”
One must say Bismillah before drinking the water and drink it in three breathes and say Shuker Alhamdulillah after drinking. It is better if one would drink the water while sitting.
Prophet (SAWW) as reported by Abu Hurairah (RA) never criticised the food. If he liked the food, then he would eat it and if he didn’t like the food then he would leave it. This shows that Islam teaches the Muslims to not to criticize the food in any case.
The manner of sitting while eating is also stated by Islam. The Prophet (SAWW) never used to sit in a reclining position when he used to eat; eating while sitting in reclining position was a sign of arrogance traditionally linked with Romans and Greeks. Rather, Prophet (SAWW) would sit on his knees while eating. Abdullah Bin Nusair said, “The Prophet (SAWW) was sitting on his knees and a bedouin asked upon this, ‘Why are you sitting like this?’ The Prophet (SAWW) answered, “Allah has made me a respectable servant and He did not make me an obstinate tyrant.”
The manners of eating food are also explained by Islam. Muslims should eat with right hand and from always the side which is near to them. Eating from the middle of the plate is not a good manner. Moreover, over eating is also against the manners and one must eat in a moderate way. The Prophet (SAWW) said, The Prophet (SAWW) said, “A believer eats in one intestine, whereas a non-believer eats in seven intestines.” (Muslim)
After eating the food, the Muslims must say shuker Alhamdulillah. One must show gratitude and thank Allah (SWT) for the food.
The Prophet (SAWW) said about finishing of food, “One who has eaten some food and then says: ‘All praise is for Allah, who has given me this (food to eat) and provided for me without any effort or power on my part’, his sins will be forgiven.”
Thus, Islam is a complete religion and code of life that guides the Muslims in all aspects of life that is in Ibadah, morals, manners and many other things.
