Summary
Highlights
It is a strict etiquette to start eating by saying ‘Bismillah’ or the longer Dua: 'Allahumma barik lana fihi wa at'imna khayran minhu' (Oh Allah, bless it for us and feed us better than it). This prevents Shaytan from partaking in your food, as Shaytan gains strength from food not blessed by Allah. If you forget, say 'Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu' (In the name of Allah, in its beginning and its end) even after you finish, which will cause Shaytan to regurgitate what he ate.
Eating with the right hand is a command from Rasool Allah (PBUH) because Shaytan eats with the left hand. The left hand is designated for cleaning impurities in Islam, making the right hand appropriate for eating. Intentionally refusing to eat with the right hand out of arrogance can lead to serious consequences, as shown by an incident where a man's right hand became paralyzed after defying the Prophet. Exceptions are made for genuine inability, such as injury.
Rasool Allah (PBUH) used to eat with three or four fingers, which scholars suggest helped prevent overeating and aided digestion. While eating with hands is a Sunnah, using spoons or forks is permissible, but they must be held in the right hand. Cultural factors are considered, but eating with the left hand is not acceptable regardless of cultural norms.
It is recommended not to eat food until its steam dissipates and it is not intensely hot. Waiting for the food to cool slightly, without blowing on it, brings greater Baraka (blessings). While warm food like soup during illness is acceptable, excessive heat harmful to the mouth should be avoided. The longer you wait for it to cool, the more blessings you receive.
You should eat from the sides of a dish and work your way towards the middle, as blessings descend in the middle of the food. Eating from the center first removes the potential for blessings. This also applies when eating with others, where good manners dictate eating from the portion directly in front of you and not reaching for food on other parts of the plate, showing consideration for fellow diners.
It is prohibited to criticize food. Rasool Allah (PBUH) never found fault with food; he would eat what he liked and leave what he disliked without comment. Criticizing food is seen as ungrateful to Allah and insulting to the person who prepared it. Instead, one should politely say they do not desire a particular food if they don't like it, avoiding negative remarks.
Wasting food is strictly prohibited. If a piece of food falls, it should be picked up, cleaned, and eaten, rather than left for Shaytan. This is because the Baraka (blessings) of the food might be in the dropped portion. Overfilling plates and leaving leftovers, especially items like pizza crusts, is considered ungrateful. Instead, save leftovers for later or share with others, to preserve the Baraka and show gratitude to Allah.