Sunnats and Aadaab of Eating – Part 9

1.  After eating, one should lick his fingers.

عن ابن عباس أن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم قال : إذا أكل أحدكم طعاما فلا يمسح يده حتى يلعقها أو يلعقها (ابن ماجة رقم  3269)

Hadhrat ibn Abbaas (Radhiallahu Anhuma) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “When any of you eat any food, then he should not wipe his hands until he does not lick his fingers, or gets someone to lick it for him (e.g. his wife etc. if they do not mind).

عن أبي هريرة قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم إذا أكل أحدكم فليلعق أصابعه فإنه لا يدري في أيتهن البركة (ترمذي رقم 1801)

Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “When any of you eat any food, then he should lick his fingers, as he does not know which morsel of food contains the special blessings of Allah Ta’ala

2.      One should not over eat. Rather one should maintain moderation in one’s eating habits.

عن المقدام بن معديكرب قال سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يقول : ( ما ملأ آدمي وعاء شرا من بطن . حسب الآدمي لقيمات يقمن صلبه . فإن غلبت الآدمي نفسه فثلث للطعام وثلث للشراب وثلث للنفس (ابن ماجة رقم  3349)

Hadhrat Miqdaam (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “A person cannot fill any utensil which is worse than his stomach. A few morsels of food that allow the back to remain straight (and continue fulfilling the worship of Allah Ta’ala) is sufficient for a person. However if a person’s desire to consume food overpowers him , then one third should be for food, one third for drink and one third for air.

Note: The stomach has been referred to as the worst utensil as other utensils are meant for filling food, whereas the stomach is not meant to serve as a drum, instead one should suffice on that amount which will assist him to carry out the worship of Allah Ta’ala.
3.       Eating together is better than eating individually if one is able to.

عن وحشي رضي الله عنه أنهم قالوا يا رسول الله إنا نأكل ولا نشبع . قال  : فلعلكم تأكلون متفرقين ؟ قالوا نعم. قال  فاجتمعوا على طعامكم واذكروا اسم الله عليه يبارك لكم فيه. (ابن ماجة رقم  3286)

Hadhrat Wahshi (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that the Sahaabah once complained to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): “O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), we eat but do not feel satisfied.” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) asked: “Perhaps you are eating individually?” The Sahaabah replied in the affirmative. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) advised them saying: “Eat together and take the name of Allah Ta’ala, Allah Ta’ala will place barkat in your food.