The etiquette of eating in Islam
While nutritious means what the body needs. Such as vitamins, carbohydrates, and proteins and fats.
By eating good food, it is hoped that it will become a source of energy that can help us to do good. Thus, these foods have a blessing in our lives.
In Islam, eating procedures have been arranged in such a way. Rasulullah SAW gave an example of good eating procedures, again true.
Among them, before eating, you should wash your hands first, until they are clean. Because it is feared that there will be dirt that is still attached to the hands, which can cause disease, because it is mixed with what we eat.
After washing your hands, you should take a good sitting position and do not lean back. And it's best not to eat standing up, or especially while walking.
"If we are in a standing position, we automatically control our nerves. Some say that when we stand up, all of our nerves are tense. So the nerve sensors in the brain must ensure that our body must move, must stand upright, must be balanced, so that we don't fall and so on, it's all in the nerves of the brain. But if we sit down, our nerves are more relaxed. So to receive food we are more prepared. The position of the digestive tract is that the term is more stretched. But if we sit down we can control the food that enters our body. There is also a recommendation to stop eating before we are full. Because if we feel full, it has already crossed the threshold of our needs. And the rest from being full earlier is to be radical free in our bodies."
Furthermore, before eating food, read the basmalah and pray first. Only then devour the food with the right hand.
Abdullah bin Umar ra, said that the Messenger of Allah said:
"If any of you eats, then he should eat with his right hand, and if he drinks, then let him drink with his right hand, because the devil eats and drinks with his left hand."*
In addition, the Prophet also recommended that we eat using 3 fingers, namely the middle finger, index finger, and thumb.
"Because we are with 3 fingers in accordance with the Apostle's recommendation, the portion that goes in is small. So according to the advice of the Apostle, small amounts for this metabolism can be maximized. And to go down to the stomach, then the enzymes in the stomach can work. maximum, then down to the small intestine, absorption is also maximum, with small portions. It's different if we enter it in large portions. So it's a bit heavy for our digestive tract. But there are also those who say that in our fingers there is an enzyme NAE which can control bad bacteria that will enter our bodies. So if our hands are clean, we use them to eat, then with small portions, the results will be maximized."
Next start eating food from the edge of the container, or plate that is used as a place for food. Enjoy your meal in peace, don't be in a hurry. And remember, don't overeat.
In Surah Thoha verse 81, Allah says:
"Eat of the good sustenance that We have given you, and do not exceed the limit on it, which causes My wrath to fall on you. And whoever is afflicted by My wrath, then indeed he perishes."
After eating enough, let's read hamdalah, as a form of our gratitude to Allah SWT, for all the blessings He has given.
Thanks for reading, I hope it's useful.
Best regards always.
By @midiagam
Wonderfully written and explained. You've listed things that I actually do normally because it feels better to sit and eat slowly and portion the mouthfuls. Something very organic about eating with hands, most of our meals in Southern Africa we use hands.
Always wonderful to learn all the things that prove we are all similar as opposed to what separates us. 💜🌍🌻 Great read!
It turns out that our tradition of eating is the same, thank you for reading, hopefully it's useful.