O boy, mention Allah's name, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is nearer to you

Islam > Hadiths > Virtues and manners > Virtues and Manners

Hadith narrated by Agreed upon

Authenticity grade : Authentic

Hadith text: O boy, mention Allah's name, eat with your right hand,…

عن عُمر بن أبي سلمة رضي الله عنه قال: كُنْتُ غُلَامًا فِي حَجْرِ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَكَانَتْ يَدِي تَطِيشُ فِي الصَّحْفَةِ، فَقَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «يَا غُلَامُ، سَمِّ اللهَ، وَكُلْ بِيَمِينِكَ، وَكُلْ مِمَّا يَلِيكَ» فَمَا زَالَتْ تِلْكَ طِعْمَتِي بَعْدُ.

‘Umar ibn Abi Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was a young boy under the care of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and my hand used to wander all over the platter (of food). The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said, "O boy, mention Allah's name, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is nearer to you." Since then, I have been eating that way.

Explanation of the hadith: O boy, mention Allah's name, eat with your right hand,…

Lessons: O boy, mention Allah's name, eat with your right hand,…

• One of the etiquettes of eating and drinking is to begin with mentioning the name of Allah.
• Teaching children the proper etiquettes, especially those under one’s care.
• It shows the Prophet's leniency and patience in teaching and educating children.
• One of the etiquettes of eating is that one eats from the nearest side, except if there are various items of food, in which case a person can eat from that place.
• The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would comply with the Prophet's teachings, as indicated by 'Umar's statement: Since then, I have been eating that way.

Categories : Manners of Eating and Drinking