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Eating is something we all do, but how often do we follow the Sunnah of our Prophet (PBUH) while doing so? In this blog, we’ll help you discover Sunnahs of eating that you can incorporate into your daily eating habits.
But before we dive into 14 Sunnahs about eating, let's first understand what Sunnah truly means.
In simple terms, Sunnah is the way our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lived, including his words, actions, and habits. By following his Sunnah, we not only earn blessings from Allah but also grow closer to the Prophet (PBUH) and learn how to live a more disciplined life.
Did you know that some of the Prophet’s (PBUH) favourite foods were dates, honey, milk, mushrooms, barley, figs, melon, and pomegranate? Now that you know, why not supercharge your diet with these amazing Sunnah foods? Explore our incredible range of Sunnah food products and buy them today!
Learning the manners of eating at the table is crucial as it is what makes us different from animals. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) is undoubtedly the perfect role model we can follow in every aspect of our lives, even when it comes to eating. His Sunnahs about eating teach us valuable lessons.
Let’s discuss 14 Sunnahs of eating that we all should follow:
The first Sunnah we should follow is washing our hands before and after eating. It’s important to wash our hands to remove any dirt or impurities. It is not only healthy to wash our hands but also a gateway to blessings from Allah. How amazing it is that something as small as washing our hands can bring us blessings.
Kathir bin Sulaim narrated that he heard Anas bin Malik say:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Whoever would like Allah to increase the goodness of his house, should perform ablution (wash hands) when his breakfast is brought to him and when it is taken away."
(Sunan Ibn Majah, 3260)
Many Hadiths remind us to say ‘Bismillah’ (in the name of Allah) before eating. It can bring barakah (blessings) to us and our food. It is also a way to show gratitude for the food Allah has provided. But what if we forget to say ‘Bismillah’ before eating? No problem! When you remember while eating, simply say ‘Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu’ (in the name of Allah at the beginning and the end).
Aishah (RA) reported,
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When any of you wants to eat, he should mention the Name of Allah in the beginning, (i.e., say Bismillah). If he forgets to do it in the beginning, he should say Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu (I begin with the Name of Allah at the beginning and at the end)."
(At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud)
Another benefit of saying ‘Bismillah’ before eating is that it keeps both you and your food safe from satan. Jabir (RA) reported,
“I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, If a person mentions the Name of Allah upon entering his house or eating, Satan says, addressing his followers: 'You will find nowhere to spend the night and no dinner.”
(Muslim)
Another Sunnah we should follow is eating with our right hand. The Prophet (PBUH) always ate and drank with his right hand. In Islamic culture, eating with the right hand is seen as more hygienic and respectful.
Ibn Umar (RA) reported the Prophet (PBUH) saying,
“When any of you eats, he should eat with his right hand, and when he drinks, he should drink with his right hand, for the devil eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud, 3776)
The Prophet (PBUH) always encouraged his companions to eat what was directly in front of them. As Muslims, we should also follow this beautiful Sunnah of our Prophet (PBUH). Umar bin Abu Salamah (RA) reported that when he was a young boy under the care of the Prophet (PBUH), his hand used to wander around in the dish while eating. Upon this, The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said to him,
“Mention Allah's Name (i.e., say Bismillah), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
One of the beautiful Sunnahs of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is eating with three fingers. This simple habit not only helps with portion control but also makes the act of eating more mindful. It’s an easy practice to follow.
Ka’b bin Malik (RA) reported,
“I saw the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) eating with three fingers (i.e., the thumb, the index finger and the middle finger) and licking them after having finished the food.”
(Muslim)
When eating, make sure you're sitting upright, whether on a chair or the floor. Avoid leaning back or lying down while eating, as it’s not in line with the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (PBUH).
Abu Juhaifa Wahb bin Abdullah (RA) reported,
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "I do not eat reclining (against a pillow)."
(Al-Bukhari)
Eating together is a beautiful Sunnah that brings people closer and increases barakah (blessings) in the meal. The Prophet (PBUH) encouraged sharing food, as it strengthens bonds. So, whether with family or friends, try to gather around the table and share your meal!
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said,
“Eat together and do not eat separately, for the blessing is in being together.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, 3287)
One important lesson we can learn from the Prophet (PBUH) is to never criticise food. Since the one who prepared the meal put in a lot of effort, criticising the food can hurt their feelings.
He taught us that mealtime should be about gratitude, for every meal is a blessing. If he liked a dish, he would enjoy it, but if he didn’t like it, he would simply leave it without complaining about food. This attitude encourages us to be mindful when it comes to the food we receive.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported,
“The Prophet (PBUH) never found fault with food. If he had an inclination to eat it, he would eat; and if he disliked it, he would leave it.”
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
When we sit down to eat, the Prophet (PBUH) taught us a simple but meaningful practice: eat from the sides of the vessel. This encourages sharing and helps spread the blessings of our meal. By avoiding the middle, we not only show respect for the food but also ensure everyone has a chance to enjoy it.
The Prophet (PBUH) said,
“Blessing descends upon food in its middle, so eat from the sides of the vessel and do not eat from its middle.”
(Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) strongly discouraged wasting food. He taught us to eat what we needed and save any extra food for later. Wasting food doesn’t just go against the principle of Islam; it also means we’re not fully appreciating the blessings that Allah provides.
The Prophet (PBUH) said,
“… if any one of you drops a mouthful he should remove anything filthy on it and eat it and not leave for the devil; and when he finishes (food) he should lick his fingers, for he does not know in what portion of his food the blessing lies.”
(Sahih Muslim, 2033d)
One important lesson from the Prophet (PBUH) is to be mindful of how much we eat. He reminded us that overeating can be harmful and that it’s best to eat our meals in moderation. Instead of filling our stomachs to the brim, he encouraged us to eat just enough to feel satisfied. This practice helps our bodies stay healthy.
The Prophet (PBUH) said,
“A human being fills no worse vessel than his stomach. It is sufficient for a human being to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his spine straight. But if he must (fill it), then one-third of food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, 3349)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasised the importance of showing respect and gratitude for our food. One key piece of advice he shared is to avoid blowing on hot food to cool it down. Not only does this act show disrespect to the meal, but it can also spread germs that can be harmful to our health.
Abdullah Ibn Abbas narrated,
“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) forbade blowing or breathing into a vessel.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud, 3728)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught us how important it is to compliment tasty food. Whenever someone served him something delicious, he always complimented what he ate. This simple act made everyone around him feel happy and satisfied!
Jabir (RA) reported,
“The Prophet (PBUH) asked for sauce and was told that there was nothing except vinegar. He asked for it and began to eat from it saying, "How excellent is vinegar when eaten as sauce! How excellent is vinegar when eaten as Udm!”
(Muslim)
Once you’ve eaten your food, don’t forget to thank Allah for His blessings and the food He provided you. There's a special dua (supplication) that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) recommended we read after eating, and you might be surprised by its benefits. If you say this dua after your meal, you’ll be forgiven for your past sins!
The Prophet (PBUH) said,
“He who has taken food and says at the end: 'Al- hamdu lillahi-lladhi at'amani hadha, wa razaqanihi min ghairi haulin minni wa la quwwatin (All praise is due to Allah Who has given me food to eat and provided it without any endeavour on my part or any power),' all his past sins will be forgiven.”
(Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi)
In conclusion, the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the second most important source of guidance in Islam, right after the Quran. Following these Sunnahs about eating can transform our mealtime experience into something more meaningful and rewarding.
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