Lesson 2: Etiquette (aadaab) of Eating Food

Food is among the greatest bounties of Allah to man. Therefore, we must always thank Allah for this important bounty. We must also thank our parents and others who prepare the food and serve it to us.

When we sit down to eat along with our parents, brothers, sisters and relatives, we experience a feeling of love and harmony. At the time of eating it is very important that we must remember and don’t neglect the aadaab of eating.

We must help our mother in setting the food, plates, etc. on the table. Similarly after completing the meal, we must help our mother in putting all the things back in their place. This way our mother’s work will become easy and she will not feel burdened with all the work.

We must wash our hands before and after eating food.

If we are seated on the floor while eating, we must shift the weight of our body on the left side

Before commencing our meals, we must always recite: بسم االله الرحمن الرحيم We must only take food that is placed in front of

us, and not in front of others. We must always make place for other people while eating.

We must not eat in haste, and chew the food properly.

We must never eat a lot. We must never eat to our fill. We must eat until we are still feeling a little hungry and stop eating after that.

We must talk less while eating.

We must never play with our food. We should not mess the tablecloth with food crumbs.

After completing the meal we should thank Allah thus: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ

We must be careful and never waste food. This is another way of thanking Allah.

Next: Safeguarding the tongue

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Islamic Library: Introduction to Islam