MANNERS OF EATING

The Importance of Eating Manners 

Eating manners are very important since it is repeated many times every day. It must be done properly whether eating alone, with family, or with friends. To avoid pretenses, you should train yourself in proper eating manners, whether alone or with your family. It will then become a natural part of your behavior, and you will be at ease at the table.

1. Eating should not be conducted in silence. It is good manners to talk during meals. Topics should be nice stories suitable for eating. At the end of the meal, if hands are to be washed, the elder or the noble should be asked to proceed first.

        2. Do not express your disapproval or dislike of certain foods. Either eat it or pass it over quietly.

           3. Do not put food on your plate more than can eat. In addition, do not forget the poor and the needy who do not have the portion you are throwing away.
 

The Manners of Drinking
       
        1. Use your right hand to drink. Abo Dawood and Tirmizi related that Hafsa (RA) said ‘the Prophet used his right hand for eating and drinking.

      2. Do not pour your drink down your throat in one gulp. Drink it in three sips.

         3. Do not exhale in your glass. This will irritate others and will smudge the glass or the cup.

       4. Do not drink directly from the jug or the container. Beside being unhygienic behavior, others may want to drink after you who could be irritated.





Avoid Gluttony

        Modesty is the crown (hallmark) of the common people. Keep this crown on your head if invited to a feast or if you are presented with food or drink. Do not be gluttonous devouring food as if you have not eaten for a long time, or as if you have not seen such excellent food before. Do not sample every dish on the table. People, even generous hosts disapprove of greedy eaters. Be reasonable and moderate in enjoying the generosity of your hosts.

 

Goldand Silver Cutlery

Do not eat using golden or silver plates or cutlery. This goes against the spirit of Islamic modesty. Pomposity is not an Islamic trait. Bukhari narrated that Huzaifa said the Prophet said ‘Do not drink in golden or silver cups nor eat in such plates.’ If you were a guest, simply ask your host to replace it with another one.


Credit: http://haqislam.org/manners-of-eating/