The Prophet’s Guidelines on Eating
The eating habits of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) included a remarkable level of modesty and gratitude. He would not refuse food offered to him, nor would he ask for something that wasn’t available. He ate what was presented to him unless it was something he could not tolerate, in which case he would return it without disparaging it. The Prophet often ate while seated on the ground, demonstrating his humility by using only three fingers to consume his meals, and he would lick his fingers clean afterward. He made a point of consuming whatever food he found, even if it happened to be vinegar. If he had nothing to eat, he would go to bed hungry, sometimes tying a stone around his stomach to cope with hunger. The Prophet treated all food with respect, especially bread, and would wait for hot food to cool down before eating, avoiding the temptation to blow on it. If a fly fell into his drink, he would immerse the entire fly in the drink and then remove it, consuming the food without hesitation. He stated, “If a fly falls into the drink of one of you, let him dip it in, for one wing carries a disease and the other a cure.” The Prophet also encouraged generosity in sharing food and discouraged the consumption of garlic and onions, associating them with causing discomfort to others due to their strong smell. After finishing his meal, he would express gratitude by saying, “Praise be to Allah who has fed me this food and provided it for me without any strength or power from my own.” He also practiced the use of a miswak (tooth-stick).
Etiquette of Eating and Drinking
Islam does not leave any aspect of life unaddressed; this is one of the remarkable features of this religion. Among the various subjects it has elucidated are the etiquettes of eating and drinking. Below are several key principles:
- Making the intention (bismillah) before starting to eat or drink, as narrated by Amr bin Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him), where the Prophet (peace be upon him) advised him: “O boy, mention the name of Allah, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is near you.” If a Muslim forgets to mention the name of Allah initially, they should do so upon remembering, saying: “In the name of Allah at its beginning and its end.”
- Eating and drinking with the right hand, as using the left hand is akin to imitating the devil.
- Using three fingers to eat, as was the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
- Licking one’s fingers and the dish after finishing a meal; if there is still a small amount of food left, it is a Sunnah to consume it, as one cannot know where the blessings lie.
- Eating any food that has fallen on the ground; if food falls, one should pick it up, clean it, and eat it.
- Eating in the company of others, such as family or guests, as it brings blessings.
- Avoiding breathing into the dish or the drink; the Prophet (peace be upon him) discouraged this practice.
- Refraining from eating from the top or middle of a dish; if the dish contains only one type of food, it is recommended to eat from the side, but if it contains a variety, then eating from any part is permissible.
- Not drinking while standing; the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, according to a narration by Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), “None of you should drink while standing. If anyone forgets, he should vomit.”
- Eating moderately and avoiding extravagance; a person should allocate one-third for food, one-third for drink, and one-third for themselves. Imam Al-Ghazali, in his book “Ihya Ulum al-Din,” discussed the harms of overindulgence in food, which can lead to legal repercussions for indulging beyond limits set by the Prophet (peace be upon him), physical ailments caused by excessive food consumption, and negative impacts on the heart and mind that hinder one’s daily responsibilities.
The Impact of Eating and Drinking Etiquettes on Human Health
Throughout history, Muslim scholars have dedicated their efforts to discussing the soul and its well-being, as well as the ailments that disturb a person’s tranquility. However, few have paid attention to the human body and what nourishes or harms it, including dietary timing, quantities, and quality. Human health is of paramount importance in life and is intertwined with a person at all times, necessitating the establishment of principles that enable individuals to maintain optimal physical health. Below are some elaborated key points:
- Dietetics is foundational to maintaining human health; this involves taking care in food and drink consumption, regardless of whether one is healthy or sick. While this principle is emphasized more for the sick, the healthy should also adhere to it.
- Organizing meal times and avoiding snacking between meals, as the primary meals are typically breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The duration of digestion varies according to food type, necessitating one’s awareness of this when scheduling meals according to individual digestion times.
- Choosing high-quality foods while avoiding inferior options; the purpose of food is to strengthen the body and replenish it for the energy expended throughout various activities, ensuring proper growth and protection from illness, while providing the necessary strength for the body’s functions. Food is considered a means to an end, not an end in itself.