Etiquette of Eating : What we need to know!!

Main teachings of the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him), Hadith, about food,

from the book of “Riyadh Assaliheen,” by Imam Nawawi, (Pp. 213-222):

1. Muslims should mention the name of Allah (God) before they start eating  or drinking and thank Him when they finish.
2. If you forget to mention the name of Allah (God) at the beginning, mention it whenever you remember, even at the end.
3. Mentioning the name of God on food repels the devil from getting into it.
4. Mentioning the name of God on food blesses it, making it healthier and better in sufficiency and effect.
5. Muslims are not arrogant in all aspects of life, including food. There is no superior or inferior food. If you like food, eat it. If you don’t like it, don’t eat it.
6. It’s an Islamic courtesy to accept invitations on food, if you are hungry or if you like the food. If you are fasting, thank the inviter and pray while people are eating.
7. If somebody invites you for food, in a party or a banquet, and you want to bring a friend with you, you have to ask the host’s permission first before you bring anybody with you.
8. Use your right hand while eating, and eat from what has been assigned to you or from which is directly in front of you. Don’t eat from what has been assigned to others or from which is direct to them.
9. Eating with a group, a family or friends, is more blessed than eating alone.
10.  Eat and drink while you are sitting down in an upright position. Don’t eat or drink while you are lying down or leaning toward one side or another, in a resting position.
11.  Don’t eat or drink while standing or walking, unless you have to, like in a place where there is no space for sitting down or when traveling.
12.  Don’t be wasteful in food. Don’t throw food away if it is good. Keep it for another time, give it to somebody else, or give it to birds or animals.
13.  It is recommended that you drink in several sips, not in a one-time and a long drink.
14.  The host should serve guests with food or drinks starting from his/her right if guests are close in age. Otherwise, the elderly should be served first, even if they are sitting on the left.
15.  The host eats or drinks last, after serving all guests.
16.  Muslims are humble. They should avoid showing off their wealth by using utilities (jugs, cups, plates, etc.) made of gold or silver. Gold, though, can be used by women as ornaments.

Allahu A'alam

* In our race to jannah, let us make sure that we are using these simple instructions  taught by our beloved Prophet sal allahu alayhi wa salam while we are nourishing our ourselves and others;  in order to get all the blessings from the food and the pleasure of Allah Subhanah wa Ta'ala.