Islamic Etiquette of Eating and Drinking

 The Islamic Etiquette for eating & drinking are everyday matters which the religion of Islam instructs Muslims to participate in with awareness and gratitude in an eating discipline. This Islamic mannerism of eating & drinking is part of the Sunnah (practice/way) of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The teachings of Islam for Islamic mannerisms within eating and drinking simply inform Muslims about our food and about being aware of our Blessings and also incorporate all Islamic ways and practices into the common actions in one life span.

 However, some other common Islamic mannerisms for eating and drinking are followed by almost all the Muslims on the day basis are explained below based on authentic Hadith.

Eat and Drink with Right Hand: One of the manners to follow when eating and drinking food is that you must do it in your right hand as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in regard to eating with your left hand: "When one of you eats, let him eat with his right hand. When he drinks, let him drink with his right hand for the Shaytan eats with the left hand and drinks with the left hand."

Narrated by Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with him): Sahih Muslim: 4108

This is a simple instruction to follow and is a sure shot way to adhere to Sunnah every day that no rocket science. A Parent can surely train a child about doing anything as such from their young days and one gets accustomed to it quite conveniently and perfectly well.

What to Do if food falls: If at all if even a morsel of food falls down then the instruction by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) to the community in this regard stated that there is no room for laziness nor food waste at all as narrated by Anas: "If a piece of morsel of food of one of you falls, he should pick it up and wipe of its dirt and eat it and leave it for the Shaytan." Sahih Muslim: 4138 

This command of Allah, just shows how he wants us to live as one united ummah and there should be no wastage of food because, our Beloved Prophet is showing and telling us the rights which food has upon us. At all times people should ensure that if food is edible after falling off your eating area then do ensure you adhere to the Sunnah instead throwing it away out of Laziness.

Avoid Eating While Reclining: As we have seen it in many contexts regarding Islamic mannerism when we considereating, so a few more guidelines of the Messenger Of allah were. It is not Sunnah to sit and eat while sitting completely back in a lounging posture.

 Hadith Abu Juhaifa(R.A) Narrates: The meaning of which is: I have not seen Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) eat lying down.

This shows the Islamic attitude to eating with good mannerism rather being careless on what and how you eat.

Avoid Drinking While Standing: Anas Bin Malik (R.A) Narrated the following about the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). " The Prophet (PBUH) forbade from drinking while standing..." Sahih Muslim: 4115

This just sums up how the great religious and spiritual leader of Muslims always considered eating/drinking a blessing from Allah that has some good manners about it and we ought to follow what the Prophet told us.

Conclusion: The manners for eating and drinking have some strict instructions to follow such as using right hand, avoiding throwing food in the floor and also a prohibition of eating in an improper position, and also drinking while standing for you can get into complications.