How to eat and drink according to Sunnah in Islam

Wash your hands before taking your meals. It is keeping with the rules of cleanliness and neatness that your mind should be satisfied about the cleanliness of your hands before starting the meal.

Before you start your meal, Say

(Bismilla hirrahhama nirrahim)

Translation: In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent ; the Most Merciful

Should you forget this, then say

(Bismillahi avaluhu va aa khiru hu)

As soon as you realise the oversight during the meal. Remember, the meal which is not consecrated by the Name of Allah is made lawful by the devil for himself.

Do not lean against anything when sitting down for a meal. Sit in a humble position with your knees raised or legs crossed or with one knee prostrate and the other one raised. The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to sit for meals. in this posture.

Always eat with your right hand. However, the left hand may be used simultaneously with the right hand, if needed.

Use three fingers while eating. If required, use four fingers except the little finger. Do not put your fingers in the food up to their roots.

Do not take a big morsel, nor a small one. Put the second morsel into your mouth only after swallowing the first one.

Do not wipe your fingers with bread. This is a filthy habit.

Avoid brushing off the loaves and refrain from knocking them about also.

Eat out of the plate from the edge which is nearest to you. Do not put your hand in the middle of the plate nor extend your hand to eat from that edge of the plate which is nearer to other diners.

If the morsel drops from your hands pick it up and eat it after cleaning or washing it.

Eat in company. Dining in company promotes cordiality and love and is a source of blessing.

Do not find fault with the food. Leave it if you don't like it.

Do not eat while the food is piping hot or simmering.

Avoid breaking into guffaws or indulging in too much conversation during dinner.

Do not sniff the food needlessly, It is bad habit. Do not often open your mouth so wide during dinner that the other people may see the food you are munching between your teeth, nor should you pick your teeth repeatedly in the course of eating. The other diners will find this habit disgusting.

Sit Down to eat and sit down also while taking a drink of water.

If some soup is left over in the plate, drink it ; otherwise clear the sediments from the plate with a finger and lick the finger.

Do not blow on the articles of food. The breath that we exhale is polluted and poisonous.

Take three breathing pauses while drinking water and recite Bismillah before hand each time. By this method you can drink according to your need and get full satisfaction. Beware, drinking all the water three is in the container in one breath may be harmful.

While eating in company pay due regard to the needs of the slow diners as well as those who eat at a rapid pace and rise only when all others have stopped eating.

When you have finished eating, lick your fingers and then wash your hands.

Do not pick up two pieces or slices at once time while eating fruit.

Do not drink water from the spout of a water pot or a goblet etc. Drink from such a container that you may clearly see the water that you are pouring into your mouth on order that no filth harmful substance goes into your stomach.

Say this prayer at the end of the meal :

(Alhamdu lillahil-ladhi at'amana wa saqana wa ja'alana min-al-Muslimin)

Translation: "Praise be to God Who fed us and gave us drink and made us Muslims."