For every act that a Muslim does, there is a chance for him to earn some reward for it from Allah. From praying to performing Ghusl (ritual bath), O Allah has placed His Blessings in everything. These rewards and blessings can be attained only by those keen to follow the guidance and example of the Prophet Muhammad into every aspect of their lives, thereby seeking nothing but the pleasure of their Creator.
The entire life of such people becomes an act of worship. Even the act of eating and drinking, upon which all living things depend, can become acts of worship. Thus, by acquainting ourselves with the Sunnah (the tradition of the Prophet ) of eating and drinking, we too can turn this mundane exercise into an act of worship and a source of blessing.
The etiquette of eating
1- How to begin
When a Muslim begins to eat, he should begin with the name of Allah. As the Prophet Muhammad said: ‘When one of you eats, he should mention Allah’s name (i.e. say Bismillah). If he forgets to mention Allah’s name at the beginning, he should say (when he remembers): I begin in the name of Allah at the beginning and at the end of it.’
The Prophet explained that Shaytan (Satan) partakes in the food if the name of Allah is not mentioned at the start of eating. However, if one forgets in the beginning and then remembers and says the aforementioned Du'aa (supplication), Shaytan is made to vomit out what he had eaten.
2- The manners of eating
The best manner in which to eat food is with the fingers of the right hand. The Companion, Ka'ab bin Malik reported that he saw the Messenger eating with three fingers and when he finished, he would lick them. Another manner of eating which the Prophet taught us is that we should always eat from what is nearest to us and not from the middle of the plate. The reason for this is that the blessings come down upon the food in its middle, therefore it should be left to last. [Abu Dawood, eng. Trans. Vol. 3, p. 1064, no. 3763]
3- The manners of sitting while sating.
The Prophet would never eat while in a reclining position. Eating while reclining was a manner used to show arrogance, as traditionally associated with the Greeks and Romans.
The whole life of the Prophet was a model of modesty and humility and this was evident in his manner of eating. The Companion Anas reported that he saw Allah’s Messenger squatting and eating dates [Muslim]. At other times, the Prophet would sit on his knees as reported by ‘Abdullah bin Busr who said that: "The Prophet was sitting on his knees upon which a bedouin asked: ‘Why are you sitting like this?’ The Prophet replied: “Allah has made me a respectable servant and He did not make me an obstinate tyrant.”
4- Do not criticize food:
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet never found fault with food. If he liked it, he would eat it, but if he disliked it, he just left it.
These are the manners our Prophet who we are enjoined to emulate, who was the best example for mankind. If we look at the manners of people nowadays, we will see that people are quick to criticize food. It is a sign of extreme ingratitude to Allah, the Provider. Rather, one should be thankful to Allah for whatever He has provided us with and not complain about its taste. One should also remind oneself that there are many people who do not know where their next meal is coming from. So we should instead be grateful as instructed by Allah (what means): "O you who believe, eat of the good (lawful) things We have provided you with, and be grateful to Allah, if it is (indeed) He whom you worship."[Quran 2:172]
5- Do not eat too much
In today’s times, many people follow a lifestyle in which they over indulge in food. They eat large quantities until it is difficult for them to breathe and they can almost feel the food rising to their throats. We have been taught by the Prophet that we should do all things in moderation, including eating. The Prophet said: “A Believer eats in one intestine, whereas a non-believer eats in seven intestines”[Muslim]
Therefore, we should not eat until we are completely satiated; rather we should eat an amount of food that eliminates the hunger and does not satisfy us to our fullest.
6- After eating
When we have finished eating, we should always remember Allah and be grateful to Him, for He is the Provider and our Sustainer. We should express this gratitude in the manner in which the Prophet taught us. He said: “One who has eaten some food and then says: ‘All praise is for Allah, who has given me this (food to eat) and provided for me without any effort or power on my part’, he will have his sins forgiven.” [At-Tirmithi]
We can extract most of the etiquettes of eating from the following Hadeeth: Narrated ‘Umar bin Abi Salamah : “I was a boy under the care of Allah’s Messenger and my hand used to go around the dish while I was eating. So Allah’s Messenger said to me: ‘O young boy! Mention the name of Allah, eat with your right hand and eat of the dish what is nearer to you.” [Al-Bukhari]
Etiquette of drinking dater
Water should be drunk in three breaths, that is one should breathe three times outside the drinking vessel one is drinking from. This habit has a salutary impact on one's character and helps one avoid doing things in haste.
Anas reported: The Messenger of Allah used to breathe three times in the course of a drink (he used to drink in three gulps).
The Messenger of Allah also prohibited us from breathing in the drinking vessel because the bad smell or spittle may flow into the drink. This is both vile as well as injurious to one's health. Abu Qatadah reported: "The Prophet forbade breathing into the vessel while drinking."
To sum up the etiquette of drinking:
1. Never drink straight from a bottle (carbon dioxide is released in the bottle).
2. Do not drink from the mug's cleft and do not breathe in the beverage.
3. Drink in three draughts.
4. Invoke Allah when you drink and praise him when you finish.
It is reported that the Prophet said: "Do not drink the water in one draught just like camels, but drink it in one or three gulps, and invoke Allah when you drink and praise Him when you finish."
Abu Rifa‘ah, May Allah be pleased with him, came to the Prophet while he was delivering a Khutbah (sermon) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I am a stranger who came to ask about matters of his religion because he does not know about his religion.” The Messenger of Allah looked at him, stopped delivering the Khutbah and went to him to teach him the religion until he knew and understood. After that, the Prophet continued his Khutbah.
After the death of the Messenger of Allah Ibn ‘Abbas was keen on asking the Companions about the sayings of the Messenger of Allah . Whenever he learned that there was a man who knew any Hadeeth of the Messenger he would go to him and if he found that man sleeping at noon, he would sit at the door. He would wait for him until he woke up to the extent that he would be covered by the sand of the desert because of the wind.
When the companion would go out to meet Ibn ‘Abbas he would say to him: “O cousin of the Messenger of Allah why did you come? You should have sent someone for me and I would come to you.” Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allzah be pleased with him, would say: “No. I am the one who should come to you to ask you about the Hadeeth.” [Al-Haakim]
Knowledge has a great status in Islam as the first verse that was revealed called for learning. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Recite in the name of your Lord who created-} [Quran 96:1]
Allah The Almighty Swore by the very tool of writing, the pen, as He The Almighty Says (what means): {Nun. By the pen and what they inscribe,} [Quran 68:1]
The Sunnah of the Prophet confirms the lofty status of knowledge and this is why it made the way of seeking knowledge one way of entering Paradise. The Prophet said: “Whoever follows a way to seek knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a way to Paradise.” [Al-Bukhari, Abu Dawood and At-Tirmithi]
Moreover, the reward of knowledge reaches the deceased and it never stops. The Prophet said: “When a person dies, his deeds will all come to an end except for three: continuous charity, knowledge from which people derive benefit, and a righteous child who would supplicate Allah for him.” [Muslim]
The angels surround the seeker of knowledge with their wings as Safwan Ibn ‘Assal Al-Muradi said: “I came to the Prophet while he was in the mosque reclining on a red cloak of his and I said to him, ‘I came to seek knowledge.’ He said, ‘Welcome seeker of knowledge. Indeed, the angels surround the seeker of knowledge with their wings.” [Ahmad and At-Tabarani]
Knowledge is divided into communal and individual obligation. There are some aspects that every Muslim should know such as what Muslims should know about their Lord, religion and Prophet . Communal obligations relate to knowledge of scientific specializations that some Muslims should learn in order to meet the needs of the society such as industry, agriculture, medicine and other fields of everyday life.
Knowledge is the path that Muslims take to know Allah The Exalted as He should be known. For this reason, those who have knowledge are those who fear Allah The Almighty the most. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge.} [Quran 35:28]
There are etiquettes for seeking knowledge that one should adhere to and they are:
• Sincerity: The one who seeks knowledge should have a sincere intention and should not do so for the love of fame or dominance. The Prophet said: “Actions are based on intentions and every person will be rewarded according to what he has intended.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The Prophet also informed us that “Among the first category of people who will enter Hellfire on the Day of Resurrection is a man who acquired knowledge and taught it (to others) and recited the Quran. He will be brought to Allah Who Will Make him recount His Blessings and he will recount them. Then Allah Will Ask him, ‘What did you do with these blessings?’ He will say, ‘I acquired knowledge and taught others, and recited the Quran seeking Your Pleasure.’ Allah The Almighty Will Say, ‘You have told a lie for you only acquired knowledge so that you may be called a scholar and you recited the Quran so that people would say ;He is a reciter’ and such has been said.’ Then orders will be passed against him and he will be dragged with his face downward and cast into Hellfire.” [Muslim]
• Seeking beneficial knowledge: The Messenger of Allah used to say in his supplications: “Allahumma innee a‘oothu bika min ‘Ilmin la-yanfa‘, wa ‘amalin laa yurfa‘, wa-min du‘aa’in laa yusma‘ (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from knowledge that does not benefit, deeds that are not accepted and a supplication that is not answered.)” [Ahmad, Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim]
• Devoting one’s time for seeking knowledge: It was said, “You cannot gain some knowledge until you devote all your time.” The righteous predecessors used to appreciate knowledge and devote their time to it. This is because knowledge is vast and life is short. It was said, “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.”
• Purifying the soul from bad morals: Beneficial knowledge is a light Granted by Allah The Exalted in the hearts of His pious slaves and He Does not Grant it to those who have bad behavior and corrupt morals. Thus, a Muslim who seeks knowledge should avoid envy, showing off, and all other reprehensible acts and bad morals.
• Seeking knowledge at an early age: It was narrated that the Prophet said: “Any young child who seeks knowledge and worships Allah until he grows up, Allah Will Grant him on the Day of Resurrection the reward of seventy-two steadfast affirmers of truth.” [At-Tabarani]
It was said, “Learning at an early age is like carving on stones.” The elders should not be shy in seeking knowledge. It was narrated that Qubaysah ibn Al Mukhariq said: “I came to the Prophet and he asked me, ‘What has brought you here?’ I said, “I have grown old and my bones have weakened so I have come to you to teach me something that Allah Will Beneficent me with.” The Prophet said, ‘You have not come upon a stone, a tree or even dirt except it has asked Allah for forgiveness for you O Qubaysah. If you pray the Fajr prayer, then say three times, ‘Subhaanallaah Al-‘atheem wa bihamdih (Glory be to Allah The Great, and with His Praise), you will be healthy from blindness, leprosy, and paralysis. O Qubaysah, say: 'O Allah, I ask You for what You Have, Be Generous with Your Favors upon me, Spread Your Mercy over me, and Descend Your Blessings upon me.’” [Ahmad]
• Working does not prevent seeking knowledge: Many of the Companions used to work. They would seek knowledge for the remainder of the day after returning from their work. They used to stay up late at night to study the Quran and Hadeeth.
It was narrated that Abu Sa‘eed said: “We used to go to battles and leave one or two men to listen to the Hadeeths of the Messenger of Allah . When we would return, they would tell us the Hadeeths that they learned from the Messenger or Allah then we would narrate these Hadeeths. [Ibn ‘Asakir] Hence, it is permissible to combine seeking knowledge and working and seeking sustenance from the Bounties of Allah The Exalted.
• Having patience and tolerance: A Muslim should be patient when facing difficulties and seeking knowledge as patience is the provision of the believers and it helps them endure the hardships and pain that they face. It was said, “The one who does not endure the humiliation of seeking knowledge for an hour, will remain in the humiliation of ignorance until the Hour (i.e. Day of Resurrection).”
• Seeking knowledge gradually: The one who seeks knowledge should start with the basics and preliminary sciences before diving into it. And this should be according to the directions of his teachers. One should be diligent to know all sciences and not to leave any of them.
Yahya ibn Khalid said to his son: “You should learn some of each branch of knowledge as man is the enemy of anything that he is ignorant of and I would hate for you to be an enemy of any branch of knowledge.”
