10 Etiquettes of Eating and Drinking in Islam

Islam is famous for its acts to apply etiquettes in everyday lives. The etiquette that has been manifested by The Prophet Muhammad should be applied as the form of performing sunnah and approving self as a Muslim. One of the etiquettes listed is the etiquette of eating and drinking in Islam. Below is the short explanation about the 10 etiquettes of eating and drinking in Islam along with its hadith in the hope we can apply it into our daily lives.

1. Halal food and drinks

As a Muslim, it is mandatory to only eat halal food or drinks. Allah SWT has explained it in Surah Al-Baqarah, 168:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ

“O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (Al-Baqarah, 2:168)

2. Pronounce basmala

And the next thing we do after the meals served in front of us is to read basmala. Remember that we are told to always mention the name of Allah before we start anything, including eating or drinking.

Umar bin Abi Salama said, “I was under the care of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him), and as my hand used to roam about in the dish he said to me:  Boy, mention the name of Allah, and eat with your right hand and eat from what is near to you.:”  And that is how I eat since. (Hadith Muslim, 2022)

3. Using right hand

The Prophet always remind us to eat with our right hand. The Prophet narrated: 

“None of you should eat with his left hand and drink with that (left hand), for the Satan eats with left hand and drinks with that (hand).“

Syeikh Muhammad bin Shalih Al Uthaymeen narrated: “eat and drink with left hate while in udzur is not against Islamic law, however, forbidden other than that. For Allah’s Messenger forbid it:

إن الشيطان يأكل بشماله ويشرب بشماله

“for the Satan eats with left hand and drinks with that (hand).”

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4. Eat as soon as meals served

Eat the meals that has been served to you as soon as it served. Don’t let it get cold. Even after the sound of Adzan heard, it is better to proceed to eat first. And then, you can do salat.

Anas Ibn Malik narrated: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, If supper is served and the Iqama for (Isha) prayer is proclaimed, start with you supper first.”

The Prophet also narrated: 

“If dinner is in front of you, start eating before the evening prayer. Do not haste leaving your meal.”

5. Avoid the use of silver and gold

As a Muslim, we are prohibited from using dining utensils made of silver and gold. This has been explained by The Prophet for silver and gold is what the inhabitant of heaven will use.

And it was proven that he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever eats and drinks from vessels of gold and silver, is taking fire from Hell into his belly.”

لاَ تَشْرَبُوْا فِيْ آنِيَةِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ، وَلاَ تَأْكُلُوْا فِيْ صِحَافِهِمَا، فَإِنَّهَا لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا، وَلَكُمْ فِي الآخِرَةِ

The Prophet narrated, “The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Do not drink in gold or silver utensils, and do not wear clothes of silk or Dibaj, for these things are for them (unbelievers) in this world and for you in the Hereafter.”

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6. Took dropped food

For some people, a food that has been dropped is no longer viable, dirty, and should not be eaten. However, it is not applied in Islam. Islam teaches us to always appreciate food, though it is only a grain of rice. The Prophet narrated:

“When one of you eats his meal and a morsel falls. he must pick it up and remove the doubtful portion and eat the rest. He must not leave it for the devil.”

7. Pray before meals

Not only advised to pronounce basmala, but also to pray before we eat, a prayer before you touch your food is to show how grateful we are to Allah for his blessings upon us. The Prophet said:

 “When any of you want to eat, he should mention the Name of Allah in the beginning, (i.e., say Bismillah). If he forgets to do it in the beginning, he should say Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu (I begin with the Name of Allah at the beginning and the end).” (At Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud)

8. Enjoy meals together

The Prophet advised spending time eating together. Eating with others makes our food feels more blessed. If someone is not feeling full after he eats, perhaps, it caused by him eating alone. However, it will be different if you eat with others, he will feel fuller since the food is blessed abundantly by Allah.

The Prophet, peace, and blessings be upon him, said, “Perhaps you eat separately?” They said yes. The Prophet said, “Eat your meals together and mention the name of Allah over it, for you will be blessed in it.” (Abu Dawud, 3764)

9. Not exaggerating

Allah never likes someone who exaggerates, including on foods, Eat just enough and never take more than what you can. If not, it will be an act of mubadzir and too sumptuous. While being sumptuous is the act of Shaytaan. Allah SWT said:

“O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.”

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10. Pray after meals

To say prayer is not only done before you eat, but also afterhand. The Prophet narrated: 

Whenever the dining sheet of the Prophet (ﷺ) was taken away (i.e., whenever he finished his meal), he used to say: “Al-hamdu li l-lah kathiran taiyiban mubarakan fihi ghaira makfiy wala muWada` wala mustaghna’anhu Rabbuna.” (All praise is to Allah, praise in abundance, good and blessed. It cannot [be compensated for, nor can it] be left, nor can it be done without, our Lord)

Those are 10 etiquettes of eating and drinking in Islam. Wishing this article has broadened your knowledge of how a Muslim should pay attention to their manners in everyday lives. Aamiin.