A man’s piety largely depends on what he eats and how he eats. Allah has made some food lawful for mankind and some food unlawful. And certainly, Almighty Allah intends to test His servants in how they choose their food. If a person eats Halal (lawful) food, and follows the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) in eating, it will help him lead a life of piety and good health. But if he does otherwise, he will stray from the way of Allah and lead a life of wickedness and ailment. So, Allah has given us clear guidance in this regard. Now it is our responsibility to follow it.

Islamic guidance on eating: A path to pietyAllah has given us guidance regarding our eating in two ways. Firstly, He has revealed clear verses in this regard in the Holy Quran telling us what to eat and what to refrain from. And secondly, He has instructed us to follow His Messenger Muhammad (PBUH) to learn the best manner. At first, let us discuss the guidance on eating laid down in the holy Quran. Allah instructs mankind in the Quran, in Surah An-Nahl, verse 114, in this way: “So eat of what Allah has provided for you lawful and good. And be grateful for the favour of Allah, if it is Him that you worship.” Here, we get two instructions about eating. Firstly, Allah is telling human beings that what they should eat must be lawful (Halal) in the sight of Allah. And secondly, the food they eat should be good for their health as well. A food item may be Halal and yet may not suit a particular person’s health. For example, sugar is lawful but a diabetic patient often has to avoid it. So, one should only eat food which is lawful in religion and good for his health. 

In the holy Quran, Allah gives a list of foods which are declared unlawful for us. And foods other than those mentioned are declared lawful. Allah says in the holy Quran, Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 3: “Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and (those animals) killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a headlong fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you (are able to) slaughter (before its death), and those which are sacrificed on stone altars….” A believer must refrain from eating these unlawful foods. 

Besides, Allah has prohibited the drinking of wine. He says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 219, “They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’” This same message has been repeated in surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 90-91: “O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, (sacrificing on) stone alters (to other than Allah), and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?” 

Well, it is mentionable here that if anyone eats or drinks these prohibited things out of extreme necessity, then Allah will forgive him (Quran,5:3). But if the person eats them to satiate his desire, then he has certainly committed a grave wrong and must repent to Allah for the misdeed.

Meanwhile, Muslims can learn the best etiquette of eating from the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Allah has mentioned in the Quran, in Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 21, “There has certainly been in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and who remembers Allah often.” So, at this point, let us shift our attention to the second source of Islamic guidance about eating. It has been found in various narrations that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to teach his followers the best etiquette of eating. For example, Umar bin Abi Salama narrated that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said to him, “O boy! Mention the Name of Allah and eat with your right hand, and eat of the dish what is nearer to you.” (Bukhari, Book of Food and Meals, Book: 70, Hadith: 4)

Here are some other relevant hadiths about the Prophet’s (PBUH) tradition of eating:

l    The Propeht (PBUH) warned his followers against filling one’s stomach by eating excessively. Miqdam bin Madikarib said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say, ‘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 for food, one third for drink and one third for air.’” (Ibn Majah, Book 29, Hadith 99).

l    Abu Huraira narrated that the family of Muhammad did not eat their fill for three successive days till he died. (Bukhari, Book 70, Hadith: 2). 

l    It was narrated from Abu Hazim that Abu Hurairah said, “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) never criticised any food. If it pleased him, he would eat it, and if it did not, he would leave it.” (Ibn Majah, Book 29, Hadith 9)

l    Narrated Abu Juhaifa: Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said, "I do not take my meals while leaning (against something). (Bukhari, Book 70, Hadith 26)

l    Narrated Qatada: We were in the company of Anas, whose baker was with him. Anas said the Prophet (PBUH) did not eat thin bread or a roasted sheep till he met Allah (died). (Bukhari, Book 70, Hadith 13)

l    It was narrated from Jabir that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “If a morsel falls from the hand of anyone of you, let him wipe off whatever dirt that is on it and eat it.” (Ibn Majah: Book 29, Hadith 29).

l     Ibn Abbas reported: “The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘When one of you eats food, let him not wipe his hand until he licks it or has it licked (by someone else).’” (Bukhari 5456). He commanded this, because, he said, ‘You do not know in which part of the food the blessing lies.’ (Sahih Muslim, 2033)

It can also be mentioned here that the Prophet (PBUH) prohibited eating and drinking while standing. However, if the water one drinks is blessed water (like that of the Jamjam well), then one should drink it by standing. He said that blessings descend upon food in its middle and advised that one should start eating from the side and leave the top of the food (Ibn Majah, Book 29, Hadith 27). He also instructed his companions to avoid eating fresh garlic or onion (unless they are cooked well), as they have a strong odour and would cause trouble to others when praying at the mosque. He said the best food a man eats is that which he has earned with his own hands. The prophet (PBUH) used to eat on a leather dining sheet. I have known from my own experience that if anyone wants to stand in night prayer (Tahajjud) for a long time, it will be easy for him to do so only if he follows the Prophet’s (PBUH) Sunnah of eating and drinking.

The very first human being Adam (PBUH) made his first mistake in eating. He was given enjoyment in Paradise. But Satan enticed him and he ate from the forbidden tree. Then, Adam (PBUH) lost his position and was sent down to the earth. The same devil and his associates are still trying to mislead the human race from the way of Allah, especially by enticing them to eat wrong foods. But Allah is our Creator and Protector. He guides us in Surah al-Bakarah, chapter 2, verse 168, in this way: “O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” So, the Muslims must follow the guidance of Allah in eating, which will help him attain piety in this life and Paradise in the Hereafter.
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The writer is a Sub-Editor at the Daily Sun