Good Eating Habits in Islam: Show Re gard, Conserve Food and Prefer Others
Food is one of God’s abundant provisions for man. In Islam, we learn to show re spect and gratitude for it; avoid waste and to offer good manners at time of eating and serving meals to others. The etiquette for eating covers not just the manner of eating but our attitude while consuming food and interacting with others during meals.
The practice of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gives beautiful guidance during meal times. Among them are refraining from criticizing meals served, the avoidance of wasting any form of food and giving others priority in serving meals and drinks.
NEVER CRITICISE FOOD
Abu Hurairah (RA) says that the:
"Prophet(s) never complained of food. When he desired he ate and otherwise he left it."
(Bukhari:3563)
Here is another wonderful teaching which encourages good manners. When one is served food which he doesn't prefer, he should avoid insulting, ridiculing, ridiculing, laughing at or making fun of the food without necessity. While tastes differ; the quality of his remark must be respectful.
When Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) liked the food served; he ate it and when he didn't like it, he left it; without complaining in any of it, if it didn’t suit his personal palate, there wasn't a need for criticism, for it was enough that Allah (swt) didn't make them criticize, or mock, laugh at or speak lightly of it.
Kindly words at meal times can truly make the meal enjoyable for others dining at the table. Instead of claiming food is bad, a person can decline, through simple, positive comments and expressions which demonstrates gratitude and thoughtfulness for others.
DO NOT BE WASTEFUL
Allah says;
" Eat and drink and do not be immoderate, for He does not love the immoderate".
(Al-Qur'an :7 :31)
This aya indicates clearly that wastefulness should be prevented. Every item of food is a bounty from God and Muslims should take only what one reasonably intends to eat.
In a number of incidences food went to waste because an excess was taken to the plate, or was served in a larger helping than what was needed or leftovers were left behind without adequate reason. One would gradually cultivate a tendency to control his appetite just by observing.
Allah Says in another aya:
"... The wasteful are brothers of the devil, and the devil is ever ungrateful to his Lord".
(Al-Qur'an : 17 :27)
In both verses, clear warning is given by Allah (swt). For our part in making mealtimes a success story by not being careless with food: parents also need to instil these lessons in their children from the earliest days.
A young child can be trained to try a little at a time with the allowance that he could request for another helping if he's still hungry!
This does not imply abstaining from food altogether. All that can be involved is that a caution is applied to what one might choose to put into one's stomach; or as it ought to be presented/prepared.
THE SERVER ought to be the final person present with reference to drink/food.
Serving others also forms an important and essential Islamic etiquettes practice. Prophet Muhammad (saws) stated:
" The one who provides drink (the servant) will be the last one amongst them to drink."
Narrator: Abu Qatadah RA
Sources: Muslim: 1213, Tirmidhi.
This narration is the highest demonstration of giving precedence to others. The one responsible for serving drinks to a gathering of people offers a serving of water (or another beverage) to everyone present before taking a drink himself. This not only represents selflessness and humility, but the willingness to provide for others.
As a rule, one needs to give full consideration to everyone present during such a scenario, ensure everyone is given before helping himself.
This applies not just to family and meals but to drinks, fruits and food served amongst others on various family get-together, hospitality events and special functions. Patience and thoughtful regard can bring comfort, respect, harmony, bonding into lives and relationships.
SOME SIMPLE DAILY HABITS FOR EATING ETICATES:
* Don't be critical of or look down upon the food served.
* Decline the particular meal, if you cannot, but say something polite instead.
* Only put a manageable amount of food to one's plate.
* Do not throw away useful bits of food.
* Teach the youngsters to respect meals served, and be mindful of what they eat.
* If serving drinks to others, give preference to others before drinking yourself.
* And keep the appreciation and acknowledgment of the bountiful provisions of Allah in the heart, always.
CONCLUSION
Through the practice of these Islamic eating etiquettes; we train ourselves to imbibe goodness into our lives as far as consideration for others, self-respect for meals available, thankfulness for blessings received as well as a charitable deed by taking better care of our provisions as a whole.
Families will thus achieve harmony, intimacy, kindness and peace at home through the daily practise of Islamic mannerisms during meals which are actually an integration of fundamental Islamic characteristics in day to day actions.
This is only for Islamic knowledge informations not for hurting others