Etiquette of Eating and Drinking
A Muslim must eat and drink only what is pure and lawful. He should avoid all that is impure and unlawful, such as dead animals, pork, blood and alcoholic drinks. He should also avoid food and drink obtained by unlawful means, such as theft or deceit.
A Muslim must always eat and drink with the intention of gaining strength to worship Allah better. He must remember that the reason why Allah created him is to worship Him.
Islam calls to cleanliness, and so a Muslim must wash his hands before and after eating.
A Muslim must say “In the Name of Allah” every time he wants to eat or drink. If he forgets to say (Bismillaah) at the beginning of a meal, he should say, when he remembers,
Bismillaahi fee awwalihi wa aakhirihi “In the Name of Allah, at its beginning and at its end”.
He should also eat and drink with his right hand. The Prophet () once said that Satan eats and drinks with his left hand.
He should eat from the side of the plate that is in front of him if he is eating with people from the same plate. He should not eat from the top or the middle of the pile of food but from the sides. If he uses his hand, he should use three fingers to handle his food.
If, however, there are different plates, and the food consists of different types, he can move his hand around, like in the case of sweetmeats or fruits, where he may stretch his hand and choose.
He should not blow on hot food. Rather, he should wait patiently until it is easy to eat. If he wants to drink, he should do so with the right hand, say Bismillaah and drink in three breaths.
He should never criticise food. Criticising food, which is a blessing from Allah, means not appreciating Allah’s blessings. The Prophet () never criticised food; if he liked it, he would eat it; but if he did not like it, he would leave it.
It is bad manners to eat or drink in a reclining position. It was not the Prophet’s practice to do so. It is permissible to eat and drink while standing or at a table. Sitting down to eat, however, is highly recommended.
It is not permissible to eat or drink in plates or vessels of gold or silver. Once a person has placed a morsel in the mouth, he should not take it out again, unless it is too hot or spoiled. If it happens to be spoiled, he may spit it out without drawing people’s attention.
When passing food or drink to someone, he should start with the person sitting on his right. The Prophet () was once given some milk. On his right was a Bedouin and on his left was Abu Bakr . After the Prophet () had drunk, he passed the milk to the Bedouin and said, “Serve the person to the right first, then the next person to the right.” (Al-Bukhaaree)
It is bad manners to blow one’s nose at the table or talk with one’s mouth full. One can of course talk while eating, but only when a little or no food is left in the mouth.
A good Muslim always remembers to thank Allah after eating or drinking by saying Al-Hamdulillaah “Praise be to Allah”.
The Prophet () would say, Al-Hamdulillaahilladhee at’amanee haadhaa wa razaqana min ghairi hawlin minna walaa quwwah “Praise be to Allah Who fed me this and provided it for me without any strength or power on my part.”
He should not overeat. He should stop eating before he becomes full, following the Prophet’s example. If he happens to be somebody’s guest, he should recite the following du’aa for the host and his family: Allaahumma baarik lahum feemaa razaqtahum, waghfir lahum, war-hamhum “O Allah! Bless for them what you have provided them with, and forgive them and have mercy on them.”
Exercises
A. Are these statements true or false?
1 . It is all right to eat with the left hand once in a while.
2. It is all right to blow on hot food and drink.
3. It is healthy to drink water in one large gulp.
4. It is rude to blow one’s nose at the table.
5. We should not talk with our mouth full.
6. It is not bad manners to recline while eating.
B. Answer these questions.
1 . What should one say before and after eating?
2. What do you know about eating and drinking in anything made of gold or silver?
D. Activity
Memorise the du’aas in this lesson and recite them at their proper times.
The Friday Prayer
Salaatul Jumu’ah (the Friday prayer) is a special prayer which is offered in place of Salaat adh-Dhuhr on Friday. It consists of two rak’ahs and is preceded by a sermon – the khutbah.
Salaatul Jumu’ah brings together a large number of people from different places. This increases the sense of togetherness.
Salaatul Jumu’ah is an obligation. Allah says, “O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed for the prayer on Friday, come to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business. That is better for you if you only knew. ”
Salatul Jumu’ah is obligatory on every free, adult, non-travelling men who do not have a valid excuse, such as illness, for not attending. It is optional for women. If a woman decides to pray at home, or if anyone is prevented from attending Salatul Jumu’ah, he or she must pray the four rak’ahs of the Dhuhr prayer in the usual manner.
Friday is a noble and virtuous day. In fact, it is the best day of the week. The Prophet () said, “The sun has not risen on a day better than Friday. On it Adam was created; on it he was admitted into Paradise, and on it he was expelled from it. The hour will not occur except on Friday.” (Muslim)
The following are some of them:
1 . Taking a bath (ghusl)
The Prophet () said, “Taking a bath on Friday is obligatory for every male adult.” (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
2. Wearing clean clothes and fragrance
3. Leaving early to arrive before its time
4. Not to separate between two people who are sitting
5. Praying two rak’ahs before sitting down when one enters while the imam is delivering the sermon, he should perform two raka’hs briefly.
6. Listening attentively when the imam is giving the khutbah Muslims should listen attentively to the Friday sermon and remain silent throughout. Even telling others to be quiet is not allowed. The Prophet () said, “If one of you tells his (Muslim)
7. Reciting Surat al-Kahf
It is recommended to recite Surat al-Kahf (18th surah of the Qur’an) on Friday. The Prophet () said, “Whoever recites Surat al-Kahf on Friday, what is between the two Fridays will be illuminated for him by light.” (Ai-Haakim)
8. Invoking Allah’s peace and blessings on the Prophet ()
The Khutbah and Salaatul Jumu’ah
When the imam comes into the mosque, he greets the people with salaam and ascends the minbar. Then the mu’adh-dhin calls the adhan.
After the adhan, the imam stands up facing the worshippers and delivers the khutbah. He glorifies Allah and invokes Allah’s peace and blessings on the Prophet (). He then reminds the assembly of their duties towards Allah. He reminds them to follow what Allah has commanded and avoid what He has prohibited. He urges them to do good deeds and abandon evil ones. Then he sits down for a brief pause. He then stands up again to resume the khutbah. Finally, he prays for the congregation and for the entire Muslim community.
The mu’adh-dhin calls the iqaamah, and the imam then leads the congregation in salah. He recites the Qur’an in the two rak’ahs aloud.
Exercises
A, Name the following:
1 . The place where the imam stands to give the khutbah:
2. The person who calls the adhan:
3. The Arabic word for Friday:
4. The name of the surah which is recommended to be recited on Friday:
B. Fill in the blanks with suitable words.
1 . Muslims should
2 . The imam gives the khutbah after the
3. Salaatul Jumu’ah consists of two
C. Answer these questions.
1 . Who is obliged to attend Salatul Jumu’ah?
2. What should a person do if he is prevented from offering Salatul Jumu’ah?
3. What are the benefits of reciting Surat al-Kahf?
4. What should a person do when he enters the mosque while the imam is delivering the sermon?
As-Sunan ar-Raatibah are the established voluntary prayers which the Prophet ( ) regularly performed in combination with the five obligatory prayers. They are performed before and after the obligatory prayers, and offering them entails a great deal of blessings and rewards.
As-Sunan ar-Raatibah are as follows:
a. Two rak’ahs before the Fajr prayer: A’ishah reported that the Prophet () said, “The two rak’ahs of the Fajr are better for me than this world and all it contains.” (Muslim)
b. Four rak’ahs before the Dhuhr prayer and two after it.
c. Two rak’ahs after the Maghrib prayer.
d. Two rak’ahs after the Ishaa Prayer.
Umm Habeebah said that she heard Allah’s Messenger () say, “Whoever prays twelve rak’ahs in a day and night, a house will be built for him in Paradise. They are: four before Dhuhr, two after it, two after Maghrib, two after Isha and two before Fajr.” (At-Tirmidhee and Muslim)
Exercises
A. Are these statements true or false?
1 . As-Sunan ar-Raatibah entail great rewards from Allah.
2. As-Sunan ar-Raatibah are not important.
3. The Prophet () always prayed As-Sunan ar-Raatibah.
4. We should follow the example of the Prophet () by offering As-Sunan ar-Raatibah.
B. Answer these questions.
1 . Explain the term As-Sunan ar-Raatibah.
2. When are they performed?
