Table sitting manners and etiquettes in Islam:

For us as Muslims however, Allah (swt) has given us through his messenger a flawless
example of how one should eat, and the mannerisms involved in eating. A few among these
would be saying ‘Bismillah’ before starting to eat and to say ‘Alhamdulillah’ when we’re
done. Washing our hands before and after each meal. Eating what is in front or nearer to us
and always using our right hand.

Always say Bismillah (In the name of Allah):

The noble prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to always use his right hand when
eating and advised others to do the same.It was narrated from Umm Kalthoom
from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allaah
(PBUH) said:

“When any one of you eats, let him mention the name of Allaah. If he
forgets to mention the name of Allaah at the beginning, then let him say
‘Bismillaahi awwalahu wa aakhirahu (In the name of Allaah at the
beginning and at the end).”

Make sure the food is Halaal (Lawful):

Here Halaal means two points have to be noted. First one, the food should be obtained or
bought through lawful (halaal) earnings or ways. (E.g. – Not stolen, not bought from the
earnings of interest income); Next, the food is not prohibited according to Islamic law (E.g. –
Pork)

Since, if we eat Haraam (unlawful) food, then our prayers will not be accepted.

The Beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬has condemned the consumption of the Haraam

(Unlawful) in many hadiths:
“Then he (The Beloved Prophet ‫ ) ﷺ‬mentioned (the case of) a man who,
having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky
saying, 0 Lord! 0 Lord! Yet his food is unlawful, his drink unlawful, his clothing
unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, how can he be answered?”  

Cover your head with head scarf:

It is a good moral practice of a Muslimah to cover her head before eating.

Wash both hands and mouth before and after having food (if can, do
miswak as well):
Anas Bin Malik (RadhiAllahu Anhu) narrates that the Beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said,
"Whoever wants that Allah Ta'ala increase blessings and goodness in his home then he
should do wudu when the food is presented in front of him and do wudu when it is
picked i.e., wash the hands and the mouth.  

Eat together with your family or friends or guests:

Wahshi Bin Harb (Radi Allahu Anhu) narrates that the Beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said,
"Eat together and read Bismillah, in this, there is blessing for you." (Musnad Ahmad,
Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah)

Spread a table cloth down and place the foods on it:

It is a sunnah of our Beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬to sit down while eating. Also spreading
a table cloth down and keeping the foods on the table cloth.

Sit down in any of the following methods:

Sit in a humble position with your knees raised or legs crossed or with one knee prostrate and
the other one raised.

Recite the following Dua (supplication) before eating:

"Bismillah wa’ ala barkatillah."
"In the name of Allah and with the blessings of Allah."

Or at least say ‘Bismillah” (In the name of Allah).

If we forget to recite Bismillah before eating, and if we recall while eating, then recite
this Dua
‘Bismillaahi awwalahu wa aakhirahu ‘
(In the name of Allah at the beginning and at the end).

Beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said:

"When one of you eats food, then let him say: 'Bismillah.' If he forgets in the beginning,
then let him say: 'Bismillahi Awwalahu Wa Aakhirahu (In the Name of Allah in its
beginning and its end.)"

Eat food with your right hand:

Abdullah Bin Umar (Radi Allahu Anhu) narrates that Beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said:
"When one eats then he should eat with the right hand and when one drinks then he
should drink with the right hand.

Eat from nearer foods:

Narrated `Umar bin Abi Salama (Radi Allahu Anhu):

I was a boy under the care of Beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬and my hand used to go
around the dish while I was eating. So Beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said to me, 'O boy!
Mention the Name of Allah (i.e. Bismillah) and eat with your right hand, and eat of the dish
what is nearer to you." Since then I have applied those instructions when eating.

Do not eat very hot food or drinks:

A Muslimah should not eat very hot food or drinks since beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬has
forbade it.

Jabir Bin Abdullah and Asma (Radi Allahu Anhu) narrate that beloved Prophet
‫ ﷺ‬said, "Cool your meal because there is no blessing in hot food.

Do not blow on food or drinks:

It is not permitted and unethical to blow our breath into food or any drinks.

Abdullah Bin Abbas (Radi Allahu Anhu) narrates the beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said,
"Do not blow from your mouth into food and water."
Food has to be picked up:

While you are eating or once we finished eating, if any food had fallen on our table cloth,
pick them up and eat. It is the sunnah of our Beloved Prophet ‫ﷺ‬

Aisha Siddiqa (Radi Allahu Anha) narrates that beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬entered the
house and saw some fallen bread. He picked it up, wiped it, and ate it. Afterwards He said,
"Aisha, respect good things. When this thing (bread) runs away from a nation it doesn't
return." (Ibn Majah)

Once we finished eating, thank Allah by reciting this Dua (supplication):

Dua to be recited after eating:

Alhamdulillahil-ladhi ath’amanaa wasakaanaa waja’alanaa min al muslimeen
All the praises to Allah who gave us food and drink and made us among muslims.

Abu Saeed Khizri (Radi Allahu Anhu) narrates that the beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬used
to recite " Alhamdulillahil-ladhi ath’amanaa wasakaanaa waja’alanaa min al muslimeen"
after eating food.

Lick fingers and dish before washing the hands:

Once you finished eating, you should lick your fingers properly and should wipe the dish the
fingers and lick them as well.

Do not criticize the food:

We should not criticize the food which was presented to you. If you like, eat it, don’t like,
then leave it.

Abu Hurayrah (Radi Allahu Anhu) narrated that beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬never
criticized any food. If he liked it he would eat it and if he did not like it he would leave it. (

Do not eat or drink in Gold and Silver vessels:

It is prohibited to eat and drink in gold and silver plates or vessels. Our beloved Prophet
‫ ﷺ‬said: “Do not wear silk or brocade, and do not drink from vessels of gold
and silver, or eat from plates thereof. They are for them in this world and for us in the
Hereafter.”
ETIQUETTES AND MANNERS OF DRINKING:

Sit and drink:

It is sunnah of our beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬to sit and drink.

Anas (Radi Allahu Anhu) reported beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬disapproved the drinking
of water while standing.

Take the cup in your right hand and drink:

Abdullah Bin Umar (Radi Allahu Anhu) narrates that Beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said:
"When one eats then he should eat with the right hand and when one drinks then he
should drink with the right hand.

 Say Bismillah before drinking

 Do not drink in one gulp. Drink in three gulps.

 Say Alhamdulillah after drinking

Beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said, "Do not drink in one gulp like a camel, but in two or
three (gulps). Mention the Name of Allah (i.e., say Bismillah) when you start drinking
and praise Him (i.e., say Al-hamdu lillah) after you have finished (drinking)."

Do not breath inside the vessels while drinking:

Abu Qatadah (Radi Allahu Anhu) reported:

The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬forbade breathing into the vessel while drinking.

Do not drink in gold or silver vessels:

Our beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said: “Do not wear silk or brocade, and do not drink
from vessels of gold and silver, or eat from plates thereof. They are for them in this
world and for us in the Hereafter.”