E A T I N G A N D D R I N K I N G -I SLAMIC GUIDELINES

Eating and drinking are the basic necessities of life.  Islam does in now way forbid the partaking of good and tasty food and drinking  of healthy and pleasant beverages.  The Quran says : " O'  You believe! Eat of the good things with which We have provided you, and give thanks to Allah (surah Al Baqrah, 2:172) 1.  One should eat and drink lawful things 2.  Do not keep yourself busy in eating and drinking like animals.  Food must be taken to acquire strength to worship Allah 3.  Do not eat anything when your stomach is full.  When the stomach is full it becomes a source of rebellion and corruption 4.  Not to eat between breakfat and dinner is recommended 5.  Not to take breakfast and dinner is harmful for the health 6.  Washing one's hand and mouth before after meals is sunnah 7.  When food is laid on table say:Bismillah and should commence and finish you r meals with tasting salt 8.  One must sit by the dining table respectfully like slaves as a mark of humility  before your Lord 9.  Eating along with the servants or while sitting on the ground is sunnah 10. When meal is served on the dining table do not turn away any beggar 11. Do not share your meals with unclean persons and sinners and always endeavor to share your meals with good pious and the learned (ulema) 12. It is forbidden to use gold and silver untensils for eating and drinking 13. It is forbidden to take meals on a dining table where wine is served.  It has also  been said not to take meals in a gathering where any forbidden food or drink is taken or any forbidden deed is done like backbiting. 14.Have vegetables and vinegar on your dining table.  (vinegar must be kept in the house as it drives away poverty from house) 15. To puff in to foods and drinks is abominable.  Wash the fruit before eating it.  16. Do not desecrate bread 17. Eat bread when it arrives on the dining table- eat and do not wait for something else to come 18. Do not smell bread and do not rub your hands on it 19. Have a good meal while you are with a brother-in-faith and refrain from the things  which he does not like 20. Eat that which falls on the dining table - it is sunnah.  Also lick your fingers before  you wash them after meals 21. Pick your teeth after having your meals.  After picking your teeth rinse your mouth  thrice 22. Feeding the brethern-in-faith and inviting them to a feat is a very virtuous act 23. When a brother-in-faith visits you bring for him whatever is available with you and do not  take the trouble of preparing for him things which you do not have 24. The more you love your brother-in-faith eat more of his food.  It has been related  that a generous person eats more of the food of the host so that he may also eat  more of his food. 25. When having food with guests, start first and end later than all so that no guest may remain hungry 26.  As per Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) that eight types of persons are worthy of being cursed:        a)  a person who joins the meal uninvited        b)  a guest who orders his host        c)  one who expects a good turn from one's enemy        d)  one who hoards, is mean and stingy and still excpets to be obliged by others        e)  one who interferes without permission when two persons are having a talk or  a secret        f)   one who does not give due respect to those in authority        g)  one whos sits in a company of those who are not worth of        h)  one who talks with a person who does not give due attention to his words 27. The maximum limit of entertaining a guest is 3 days; if he stays on beyond this  period it amounts to alms-giving 28. One of the rights of the guest is that you should provide him a toothpick and  should accompany him up to the door of your house when he leaves. 29.  Cold water lessens temperature, cures vomiting, digests food, and is an antidote  for heat and also stated that boiled water is not harmful in any way. 30.   Zamzam, rain water and water of the rive Euphrates carry many a benefits  and   excellence 31.   At night drink water while you are in sitting position and during the day while  you are standing 32.  Say Bismillah when you are going to drink something and Alhamdu lillah  when  you have finished drinking.  Drink water slowly and do not fill your mouth with it. 33.   Do not gulp water in one single draught, instead drink it in three draughts (at  least)