Islamic Etiquette

2. Starting each meal with mentioning God’s name"Bismillah wa ala barkatillah.""In the name of Allah and with the blessings of Allah."Thanking and praising God after each meal:"Bismillah wa ala barkatillah.""In the name of Allah and with the blessings of Allah."

3. Eating less:Overeating is discouraged and wasting of food is condemned. God says in this regard:

children of Adam! Look to your adornment at every place of worship, and eat and drink, but be not prodigals. Lo! He loveth not the prodigals." (Quran 7:31)

4. Dieting:Eating less, as scientifically proved, is beneficial to health.Prophet Mohammed says:

"Eat less you will be healthier.""Nothing is worse than a person who fillshis stomach. It should be enough for the son of Adam to have a few bites to satisfy his hunger. If he wishes more, it should be: one third for his food, one-third for his liquids, and one-third for his breath." (Tarmazi, ibnMajah and Hakim)

5. Eating slowly:In Islam, eating slowly is recommended for good health as it facilitates the food being thoroughly chewed and hence easier to digest.Moderation and sharing:A Muslim is advised to avoid extremes and to choose a moderate course in all his affairs, including his eating habits.

6. "Eat of the good things we have provided for your sustenance, but commit not excess therein." (Qur'an 20:81)

Eating together:The Prophet said,

"Eat together and not separately, for the blessing is associated with the company." (Ibn Majah)

7. Drinking Habits:The Holy Prophet said,

"Do not drink water in one gulp (or one breath) like a camel, but take it in two or three installments (with breaks for breath). Take the name of Allah (recite "Bismallah") when you start drinking and praise Him (say "Alhamdullillah") when you finish. (Tirmizi).

8. As Muslims we are required to show compassion, grace, gentleness, and Consideration for others. This also Extends to the table and how we conduct ourselves with others:- Sitting down while eating.- Eating together and sharing of food.- Serving others first, especially guests.- Host is the first to start eating and the last to finish. (This is the opposite of Western table manners).

9. - Taking food in smaller portions than needed. - Finishing (cleaning) the plate without leftovers (this too is different from Western tradition where we are taught to always leave a small bit on the plate). - Brushing teeth before and after eating (Miswak).- Sharing food with relatives, friends, neighbors, the needy and destitute.- Eat from the corner of the plate from your side (for one dish communal eating), don't eat from the middle or the other side of the dish.

10. - As an invited guest it is permissible to ask your host for water or salt. Accept what is offered and don't request additional items your host may not have available. - When eating in a group, if quantities are limited, share from your plate with the others. The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) is reported to have said,

"A plate for one is enough for two, and a plate for two is enough for four.