Etiquette after finishing eating

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1 – Washing the hands after eating. The Sunnah may be done by washing with water only. Ibn Raslaan said: But it is better to wash the hands with potash or soap or something similar. 

See Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi, 5/485. 

2 – It is Sunnah to say the words of praise to Allaah and dua’ after one has finished eating. When he had finished eating, the Prophet (ﷺ) used to say, “Al-hamdu Lillaahi hamdan katheeran tayyiban mubaarakan fihi ghayra makfiyyin wa laa muwadda’in wa laa mustaghnan ‘anhu rabbana (Praise be to Allah, much good and blessed praise. O our Lord, You are not in need of anyone, and we cannot do without Your favour nor dispense with it).” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5458). 

3 – General etiquette regarding food 

·       Not criticizing the food.

Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) never criticized any food. If he liked it he would eat it and if he did not like it he would leave it.

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3370; Muslim, 2046) 

What is referred to here is permissible food; as for haraam food he would criticize it and forbid it. 

·       Moderation in eating and not filling the stomach.

“A man does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat enough to keep him alive. But if he must do that, then one-third for his food, one-third for his drink and one-third for his air.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2380; Ibn Maajah, 3349; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1939). 

This keeps the body healthy and light, because eating one’s fill makes the body heavy, which leads to laziness in worship and work.

4 – Praising Allah after finishing eating. There is a great deal of virtue in this. It was narrated from Anas ibn Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Allah is pleased with His slave when he eats something and praises Him for it, or drinks something and praises Him for it.” (narrated by Muslim, 2734).

-Islam is the way of liffe-