The perfect table manners
Friday, August 3, 2007
MANY people say that "you are what you eat." Judging from the many diseases afflicting people today, we have eaten too much of that which is not good (tayyib) for us. According to Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah, Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessing be upon him, had the most perfect eating habits even by the standard of "modern" medical science.
Mentioning 'Allah'
When he put his hand into the food, the Prophet would say, "Bismillaahh (in the Name of Allah)." He told people to do the same, and said, "When any of you forget to mention the name of Allah at the beginning, let him say 'Bismillaahi fi awwalihi wa aakhirihi (in the name of Allah at its beginning and at its end)'."
He always ended his meal with the following prayer "Praise be to Allah who has provided us with food and drink and made us Muslim."
No criticism
The Prophet never criticised his food. If he liked it, he would eat it, and if he did not like it, he would leave it and not say anything. One day he asked for some food, and his family said "We have nothing in the house but vinegar," he said he would have it and say, "Good food is vinegar."
Take the nearest
He told his step-son 'Umar ibn Abi Salamah when he was eating with him, "Say Bismillaah and eat from that which is in front of you in the dish."
Guest first
One day the Prophet had a guest. He repeatedly told his guest, "Drink!" and offered him a cup of milk. He kept telling the guest to drink until the latter said, "By the One Who sent you with the truth, I have no more room for it!"
Right hand
The Prophet said, "The Shaytan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand."
Together
He commanded those who complained about not having enough food for all when they ate together, to mention Allah's name over the food so Allah might bless it for them.
No to Haram
The Prophet made sure he knew what he was eating and what was good for him.
Three parts
He said, "The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls, to keep him going. If he must (fill his stomach), then let him fill one third with food, one third with drink and one third with air."
Islam QA
Mentioning 'Allah'
When he put his hand into the food, the Prophet would say, "Bismillaahh (in the Name of Allah)." He told people to do the same, and said, "When any of you forget to mention the name of Allah at the beginning, let him say 'Bismillaahi fi awwalihi wa aakhirihi (in the name of Allah at its beginning and at its end)'."
He always ended his meal with the following prayer "Praise be to Allah who has provided us with food and drink and made us Muslim."
No criticism
The Prophet never criticised his food. If he liked it, he would eat it, and if he did not like it, he would leave it and not say anything. One day he asked for some food, and his family said "We have nothing in the house but vinegar," he said he would have it and say, "Good food is vinegar."
Take the nearest
He told his step-son 'Umar ibn Abi Salamah when he was eating with him, "Say Bismillaah and eat from that which is in front of you in the dish."
Guest first
One day the Prophet had a guest. He repeatedly told his guest, "Drink!" and offered him a cup of milk. He kept telling the guest to drink until the latter said, "By the One Who sent you with the truth, I have no more room for it!"
Right hand
The Prophet said, "The Shaytan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand."
Together
He commanded those who complained about not having enough food for all when they ate together, to mention Allah's name over the food so Allah might bless it for them.
No to Haram
The Prophet made sure he knew what he was eating and what was good for him.
Three parts
He said, "The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls, to keep him going. If he must (fill his stomach), then let him fill one third with food, one third with drink and one third with air."
Islam QA
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