Food is one of the most profound and daily blessings (ni’mah) that Allah has bestowed upon us. It is not just sustenance; it is a sign of His infinite power, mercy, and provision. Allah Himself calls us to mindfulness in this regard, asking us to reflect:
(Then let mankind look at his food) [Abasa 80:24]
(And have you seen the water that you drink? Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down?) [al-Waqi‘ah 51:68-69]
Part of the perfect nature of Islam is that it provides guidance for every aspect of our lives, transforming even mundane actions into opportunities for reward. The etiquette (adab) of eating and drinking, as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), elevates this daily act from a physical necessity to a spiritual act of remembrance and gratitude.
Here is a guide to the beautiful Prophetic etiquette for every time we approach our food and drink.
The Etiquette of Eating
1. Begin with Cleanliness
Wash your hands before eating. This is a fundamental aspect of hygiene and also a Sunnah. It was the practice of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), particularly if he was in a state of junub (ritual impurity) and wished to eat.
2. Start in the Name of Allah (Bismillah)
Always begin your meal by saying “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah). This invites blessing (barakah) into your food.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
«When one of you eats, let him mention the name of Allah, and if he forgets to mention the name of Allah when he starts to eat, then let him say Bismillahi awwalahu wa aakhirahu (in the name of Allah at the beginning and at the end).» (Narrated by Ahmad and Abu Dawud)
While the majority of scholars consider this recommended (mustahabb), it is a powerful and essential practice.
3. Eat with Your Right Hand
This is one of the most emphasized etiquettes. The Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly forbade eating or drinking with the left hand, as it is the manner of the Shaytan.
«No one of you should eat with his left hand or drink with it, for the Shaytan eats with his left hand and drinks with it.» (Narrated by Muslim)
This applies whether you are eating with your hand, a spoon, or a fork. Unless one has a valid excuse (like an injury), the right hand must be used.
4. Eat What is Nearest to You
When eating from a shared dish, it is proper manners to eat from the portion that is directly in front of you. The Prophet (ﷺ) taught this to Amr ibn Salamah as a boy, saying: «Eat from what is nearest to you.» (Narrated by al-Bukhari)
5. Show Gratitude, Not Criticism
The Prophet (ﷺ) never criticized any food. If he liked something, he ate it. If he disliked it, he simply left it and remained quiet. (Narrated by Muslim)
This teaches us profound gratitude. To criticize food is to find fault with the blessing Allah has provided.
6. Practice Moderation and Humility
• How you sit: Sit humbly and avoid reclining while eating. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, «I do not eat whilst reclining.» (Narrated by al-Bukhari)
• How you eat: If eating with your hand, the Sunnah is to eat with three fingers. The Prophet (ﷺ) used to eat this way and would lick his fingers before wiping them, saying, «You do not know in what part of the food the blessing (barakah) is.» (Narrated by Muslim)
7. Avoid Haste and Heat
• Cool your food: It is recommended to let food cool down from being extremely hot. Asma bint Abi Bakr (RA) would cover food until it had cooled, saying she heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say «it increases the blessing.» (Narrated by Ahmad)
• Do not blow: The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade blowing on food and drink. This is both for etiquette and hygiene.
8. Don’t Waste a Single Morsel
The Prophet (ﷺ) taught us to value every piece of our provision.
«The Shaytan is present with any one of you… If one of you drops a morsel, let him remove any dirt that has gotten onto it, then eat it, and not leave it for the Shaytan…» (Narrated by Muslim)
9. Conclude with Praise (Alhamdulillah)
After finishing, express your gratitude to Allah. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
«Allah is pleased with a person who eats something and praises Him for it, or drinks something and praises Him for it.» (Narrated by Muslim)
A beautiful Sunnah supplication to say is:
«Alhamdu Lillahi katheeran tayyiban mubarakan fihi ghayra makfiyyin wa laa muwadda’in wa laa mustaghnan anhu rabbana» (Praise be to Allah, much good and blessed praise. You are not in need of anyone, and we cannot do without Your favour nor dispense with it, O our Lord). (Narrated by al-Bukhari)
The Etiquette of Drinking
The same core principles apply: say ‘Bismillah,’ drink with your right hand, and say ‘Alhamdulillah’ after. However, there are a few additional points of etiquette specific to drinking:
1. Drink in Three Sips The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to breathe three times while drinking (i.e., taking three separate sips, removing the vessel from his mouth each time). He said this method is «more thirst-quenching, healthier and more wholesome. » (Narrated by Muslim)
2. Do Not Breathe Into the Vessel The Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly forbade breathing or blowing into the cup or vessel from which one is drinking. (Agreed upon)
3. Drink While Sitting The preferred and better way to drink is while sitting. The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade drinking while standing. However, this is generally understood by scholars as a dislike, not a strict prohibition, because it is also authentically reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) did drink Zamzam water while standing. Therefore, sitting is the Sunnah and the best practice, but it is permissible to drink standing if needed.
From a Habit to an Act of Worship
These guidelines are not meant to be restrictive. They are a divine curriculum designed to transform one of our most common habits into a conscious act of dhikr (remembrance) and shukr (gratitude).
By implementing these simple etiquettes, we nourish not only our bodies but also our souls. We align ourselves with the practice of our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) and earn the pleasure of Allah with every single bite and sip.