Eating food is a daily necessity for a human being. A person eats food every day to keep himself healthy. Allah Almighty has commanded humans to eat and drink so that they can worship Allah, have energy within them, and be able to work. Eating is also an act of worship because it is a command of Allah, and we must do it according to the method of the Noble Prophet (S.A.W). As we have mentioned in previous posts, any action that the Noble Prophet (S.A.W) practiced himself and instructed others to do is called Sunnah. Similarly, there are Sunnahs related to eating as well—how to eat, how much to eat, and when to eat.”This is also included in eating, and in this we have adopted the method of the Noble Prophet (S.A.W), which has been explained in detail below.”\

Always Eat with Right Hand

“The most important and first ruling and Sunnah regarding eating is that food should always be eaten with the right hand. Allah Ta’ala has commanded that every action be done in the right way, with the right method and right intention. Similarly, practically, Allah Ta’ala has instructed the Prophet (S.A.W) to eat with the right hand. Just as one should sleep on the right side, walk on the proper path, one should also eat with the right hand.

Those who make excuses and eat with the left hand out of habit should try to return to eating with the right hand. Using the left hand is only permissible in extreme necessity, such as if the right hand is badly injured, paralyzed, or broken due to severe illness. In all other cases, eating with the left hand is not allowed.

Allah Ta’ala’s command to use the right hand also promotes correct thinking, a positive mindset, and good thoughts. Eating with the left hand is influenced by Shaitan, who tries to misguide the mind. Therefore, we should always follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (S.A.W) and eat with the right hand.”

Saying Bismillah Before Eating

“The second and very important Sunnah is that before eating, one should always say Bismillah. This is the greatest and most beloved Sunnah of the Prophet (S.A.W). The Bismillah before eating brings barakah (blessing) in the food and should be recited every time before starting a meal, as explained in the previous post https://noorulilmonlinequranacademy.com/daily-sunnahs-of-waking-up/ The benefits of reciting the dua (Bismillah) before eating are:

• Saying the dua brings barakah (blessing) to the food.
• Shaitan is driven away, and he cannot interfere or cause doubts regarding the food.
• Allah gives the person strength and health through the food.
• The food eaten becomes sufficient and fulfilling for the person.

Other Sunnahs related to eating include:

• Sitting together while eating in one place if possible, as sharing brings barakah.
• Praising the food is also Sunnah. Do not complain about missing items or shortages in the meal.
• Do not speak loudly in the gathering while eating; food is an immense blessing from Allah, and we should be mindful and thankful.

After finishing the meal, one should recite the dua of gratitude:
“Alhamdulillahilladhi at’amana wasaqana waja’alana muslimeen” – praising and thanking Allah for providing the food and sustenance.”

Avoiding Wasting Food

The third and very important Sunnah is that we must not waste food. Wasting food is a major sin. We should always remember that Allah Almighty will surely take account of the blessings He has given us, and He will ask how we used them. The meaning of a Hadith states that on the Day of Judgment, a person’s feet will not move until he is asked about four things:

• In what activities did you spend your youth?
• How did you earn your wealth and where did you spend it?
• How much did you act upon the knowledge you gained?
• In what activities did you spend your entire life?

This Hadith makes it clear that every single action of our life will be questioned, and we will be asked how we lived our lives. Now think: if we spend our entire lives wasting food, and Allah asks us about food, what answer will we give, and with what face?

Allah Himself says that He tests His servants by taking blessings away and also tests them by granting blessings. Therefore, we should become people of patience and gratitude, and we must never waste any blessing of Allah.”

Thanking Allah After Eating

At the end, among the etiquettes of eating and the Sunnahs of the Noble Prophet ﷺ is that after eating, we must thank Allah. We should express gratitude for all the blessings Allah Almighty has bestowed upon us. Allah has given us countless food blessings—fruits, vegetables, meat, and so much more that we cannot even count. Yet how much gratitude do we truly show?

We know that we cannot even fully repay the right of a single eye Allah has given us—the power to see with our eyes, hear with our ears, speak with our tongue, chew with our teeth. So many blessings, and such a perfect system Allah has created for the human being: hunger, sleep, the need for rest, and bodily functions. Reflect for a moment—can any human create such a system?

Allah Himself challenges mankind: O human, if you think there is any god besides Me, then try to create even the wing of a mosquito. The entire world together cannot create even a mosquito’s wing, let alone anything greater.

Therefore, we must protect ourselves from disobedience to Allah, remain grateful to Him, avoid His displeasure, and constantly seek forgiveness from sins. Allah says in the Qur’an: If you are grateful, I will surely give you more; and if you are ungrateful, then My punishment is severe.

May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to show patience and gratitude. Ameen.”