Muslim Table Manner?

Question

I grew in a very religious family, and they teach us about much manner.
For example, table manner, My mom said that Muslim should sit while they are eating, pray basmalah and pray before eat, use right hand, no leave any food in plate, no speak while eating, etc.
I don't know exactly, which is my country culture and which is Islamic way, coz i never find that in hadith
Please tell me, How Islam teach us about table Manner, exactly
Thanks

Answer 1

The Hadith states: "My Son, Pray before eating, Invite the others, eat with your right hand, and eat from the nearest plate".

Answer 2

Islamic Table Manners

Answer 3

Salams!
I know that most of those points are Islamic in nature, except for the "talking at the table" part. I have never read this, nor have I seen it practiced even by very religious Muslims. I´m not saying it´s not true, but just that I´ve never heard of it being part of "Islamic" table manners.

I do have a few girlfiends who are Kurdish, and they have told me that their families DO NOT talk at the table - not at all. These families do not practice Islam, so I assumed it might be a cultural tradition for Kurds (?). Feel free to correct me if I´m wrong on that, anyone.

I know of hadith which says that the Prophet (s) did not blow on his food to cool it off, or share a drinking cup with others by putting his lips on it. One more interesting "tidbit"is that I was recently told it is actually "haram" to continue eating if one is already full - this is also based on hadith. I think many of the health problems we face would be solved if we could just stick to this one!!!

Answer 4

You might not find Hadiths but it is mentioned as a sunnah. We Muslims follow the Sunnah which is following exactly what the Prphet (PBUH) was doing. You need to eat with your right hand and also drink, if you eat with your left, the devil eats with you. You need not to talk while eating. Muhammad (PBUH) used to always drink while seated. Bismilah is very important before doing anything and eating is included. The Prophet (PBUH) said: Eat until third of your stomach is full, fill the other third by water (or drink) and leave the rest for the air. It is not Muslims manner to fill up your stomach until you are full and cannot eat another bite. Also, make sure you serve yourself or cook whatever you intend to eat, not more. Throwing food is not good. If you have extra food, give it to the poor. Also, the Prohet (PBUH) used to eat seven pieces of dates everyday. Nowadays, it is proven that dates are very healthy and keep many diseases away. That's all.

Answer 5

Assallam mu alaikom.
Yes. What your mother mentioned is true. In actual fact there are hidden values in practicing it.

1, Of course it is not nice to see ppl eating while they are standing as though that there is no time for U to sit and enjoy your meal.

2. Remember that the food come from Allah S.W.T. without Allah blessing, we may have nothing to eat, as such, praise Allah by reciting " Bismallah " and " Allah hu ma bareeklana Fi ma razak tanah wakina azaabannar. "

3. Eating together will create "Bonding " (unity among the family).

4. Not to talk whilst eating is to prevent your self from getting choked while enjoying the meal.

5. Eat with your right hand - as we Muslims use our left hand to wash ourself during "Istinjak" washing after bowel, as such, it is more appropriate for us to use our right hand to eat.

6. Not to leave any left over food in the plate is to indicate not to waste any food and learn how to appreciate what is given to us by Allah S.W.T. which some other ppl do not even have it.

7. Above all, eating together give an impact on unity, patient,discipline, respect, caring and sharing. That is the positive values of Islam.

Wabilahi Taufiq wal hidayat,
Wassallam mu alaikom warah ma tullah hi ta'ala wabarakatuh.

Answer 6

eating with the right hand came from before utensils were made. wipe your butt with the left hand and eat with the right so you don't contaminate your food.
no talking so the parents can have a break from screaming brats. and who wants to see what you are eating. no talking with your mouth full. same thing.
if you can't speak while at the table how can you 'bond' with the family? (another answerer)
sit while eating because it digests better.
no food on table because if you let your kid get up without eating enough it'll cry " i'm hungry" at bedtime and screw up their schedule - duh. simple child psychology.
i believe all religions (even wiccans) pray before eating to bless the food.

Answer 7

basically what you described is good manners no matter what religion you are...never heard about the "no talking" one though...muslims by nature are a very sociable community...we gather for lots of different reasons to foster relations and keep up kinship ties....so not talking while eating doesnt sound very nice or sociable. not sure about the "not leaving food on your plate" either....that just fosters overeating....but I could be wrong....anyhow, bon appetite

Answer 8

Just a question--where does the not talking while eating thing come from? The rest I have read many times...


also...anybody know about watching TV while eating?

Answer 9

I am a convert to Islam and find that what Red Dragon says is very similar to what I was taught.

Answer 10

Well, Muslims cannot eat with their left hands.