Etiquette of Food and Drink Based on Islamic Teachings

1. WASH YOUR HANDS

“Cleanliness is part of Faith”

This hadith was narrated by Imam Ahmad, Imam Muslim, and Imam Tirmidhi.
Through this hadith we can see how Islam teaches people to always maintain cleanliness. Starting from personal hygiene, environmental cleanliness, spiritual cleanliness, cleanliness of the residence, including the cleanliness of food and drinks that will be consumed. In discussing the etiquette of eating and drinking, Muslims are encouraged to wash their hands properly before and after eating. This is useful so that the food that is fed into the mouth by hand is kept clean. And when finished eating, the leftovers do not stick to the hands so that a Muslim is safe to continue his activities.

I personally remember how since childhood, both at home and in elementary school, we were always taught to wash our hands before and after eating. And it was proven when Covid19 hit the world, the habit of maintaining hand hygiene was very helpful in undergoing these difficult times. On the other hand, the habit of “ablution” is also a powerful activity to maintain overall personal hygiene.

In daily life, Moslem also know “wudhu”. “Wudhu” is the activity of cleaning some parts of the body using water. The part to be cleaned starts from the face, right hand, left hand, hair (head), right ear, left ear, and is closed by washing the right foot and then the left foot. Wudhu is also one of the conditions for valid prayer. Therefore, when a Muslim is required to pray five times a day, automatically personal hygiene is also maintained.

2. SAY TASMIYAH

Tasmiyah is the reading of “bismillah” which means “in the name of Allah”
Muslims are encouraged to say tasmiyah when they want to eat.
However, if a Muslim forgets to say it at the beginning, it is permissible to say it while eating by saying:

“Bismillaahi awwalahu wa aakhirohu (in the name of Allah at the beginning and at the end)”

Saying “bismillah” is also recommended to be said every time you will do other activities. This represents the consciousness of a Muslim who does everything with the intention of Allah (God).

3. EAT AND DRINK WITH THE RIGHT HAND

“If anyone of you eats, he should eat with his right hand. If he drinks he should also drink with his right hand, because Satan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left too.”　(Hadith narrated by Muslim)

In daily life, the Prophet Muhammad taught about the virtues of the right hand and foot. He gave an example of starting all activities by prioritizing the right hand and right foot, except when going to the toilet or when cleaning himself after defecating and urinating.

4. EAT FROM THE SIDE OF PLATE

The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said:

“The blessing comes down in the middle of the food, so start eating from the edges and don’t start from the middle.”

In Islam, eating and drinking is not only an activity to fulfill needs when hungry and thirsty that is physical, but also an intake of the mind and soul. Therefore, eating and drinking is seen as an activity that has a deeper meaning, namely to obtain blessings that are more essential for humans.
With our habit of putting the rice in the middle and the side dishes on the edge of the plate, we can start by taking a few side dishes from the side and mixing it with rice and then feeding it to the mouth.

5. DON’T EAT LEANING

In addition to being recommended to eat and drink while sitting, the Prophet Muhammad also recommended not to eat in a reclining position.

“I do not eat leaning,” said the Prophet Muhammad.

This can be viewed from the side of science, that eating and drinking while sitting makes food and drink flow well to avoid the risk of stomach disease. Acidic gastric fluid will actually easily rise if food and drinks reach the stomach suddenly, and this can really happen if we eat in a standing position.

I remember how my mother told my older sisters who have young children not to get used to feeding them while standing or walking or playing, as some other young mothers usually do. This habit is expected to be the basis of good and polite behavior when their children grow up.
I personally also experience when attending a cocktail party or standing party, I will try to choose a place that can be seated.

6. DON’T CRITISIZE FOOD

Prophet Muhammad’s behavior was never to criticize food or say bad things about food. If he likes the food, he will eat it, if he doesn’t like it then he will not eat it. The point is that He doesn’t denounce the food.

7. EAT IN MODERATION. DON’T EAT TOO MUCH

“Man does not fill a vessel worse than his stomach. Sufficient for the son of Adam are a few mouthfuls that can straighten his spine. If it must exceed that, then a third for his food, a third for his drink and a third for his breath.”　（Hadith Narrated by Ibn Mājah.）

In this case, Islam reminds that the function of food is to straighten the spine (sulbi) in order to be able to perform prayer movements well, be able to do work, and do other good things. In other words, eat only a third of the stomach and do not overdo it.
There is a kind of preventive health theory in this point which is to fill the stomach with a third part for food, a third part for water, and a third part for breath. Thus, various diseases such as obesity, GERD, high cholesterol or uric acid will be able to be prevented.