CHAPTER 6: THE WALIMAH (3)
Pronouncing Allah’s Name over the Food
Before starting to eat, we should pronounce Allah’s name saying, “Bismi ‘llah — with Allah’s name (I eat).”
‘Umar Bin Abl Salamah reported that he was a young boy under custody of Allah’s Messenger (pbuh), and that while he ate, his hand used to roam all over the plate. Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) instructed him:
“Young boy! Pronounce Allah’s name, eat with your right hand, and eat from your side.” (Recorded by al-Bukhari, Muslim, and others.)
Pronouncing Allah’s name brings blessings to the food. Wahshiyy Bin Harb reported that a man said, “O Allah’s Messenger! We eat but do not feel satisfied.” He asked, “Do you possibly eat separately?” He said, “Yes.” Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) then said:
“Gather upon your food; and pronounce Allah’s name – it would then be blessed for you.” (Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and others. Verified to be hasan by al-Albani (Sahih u-Jami no. 142 & as-Sahihah no. 664).)
Pronouncing Allah’s name over the food prevents Satan from having any part in it. Jabir reported that he heard Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) say:
“If a person utters Allah’s name when he enters his home and when he eats, Satan tells his companions, “Leave! There is no abode or food for you (in this house tonight).” But if he enters his house without mentioning Allah’s name, Satan says to his companions, “You have secured lodging.” Then if he does not mention Allah over his food Satan says, “You have secured both lodging and food.” ”(Recorded by Muslim.)
If a person forgets pronouncing Allah’s name before he starts eating and remembers later during the meal, he may still pronounce it. ‘A’ishah reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:
“When one of you eats, let him utter Allah’s name. If he forgets uttering Allah’s name in the beginning, let him say, “Bismi ‘illahi awwalahu wa-akhirah — with Allah’s name (I eat) from its beginning to its end.” “ (Recorded by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, and others. Verified to be authentic by Albani (Irwa’ ul-Ghalil no. 1965).)
It is important to note here that there is no authentic supplication or thikr to be said before or during eating — except for pronouncing Allah’s (swt) name. Other supplications that people commonly say before eating are unauthentic and should be avoided.
Avoiding Criticizing the Food
All halal food is a favor from Allah. We should not criticize it, because that could reflect dissatisfaction and ingratitude toward Allah (swt). Furthermore, that could offend and hurt the host.
Abu Hurayrah reported:
“Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) never criticized any food. If he had desire for it he would eat it, and if he disliked it he would leave it.” (Recorded by al-Bukhari, Muslim, and others.)
Moderateness in Eating
Whether at a walimah, a restaurant, or eating at home, and whether the food is varied and delicious or plain and unappealing, we should never eat excessively. In addition to its harms to the health, overeating causes laziness and averts from remembering Allah and being devoted in worshiping Him.
An important quality of a believer is that he does not overeat. Abu Hurayrah, Abu Musa al-Ash’ari, and ‘Abdullah Bin Umar reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:
“Indeed, a believer eats in one intestine (i.e., Is satisfied with little food), and a kafir eats in seven intestines (eats too much).” (Recorded by al-Bukhari, Muslim, and others.)
The Prophet (pbuh) strongly prohibited gluttony and indicated that much of what the people eat is not necessary for them — rather, harmful! Al-Miqdam Bin Ma’d Yakrib reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:
“A human being cannot fill a container worse than his stomach. Sufficient for a human being to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his back straight. But if that is not possible, he should reserve one third (of his stomach) for his food, one third for his drink, and
one third for his breathings.” (Recorded by at-Tirmithi, Ahmad, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as-Sahihah no. 2265).)
The Blessing of Eating with Others
We have seen earlier (Jabir’s hadith p. 109 & Wahshiyy’s hadith p. 121) that eating with other people brings Allah’s blessings. To the same meaning, ‘Umar reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:
“Eat together and not separately, for blessings come with company.” (Recorded by Ibn Majah. Verified to be hasan by al-Albani (Sahih ul-Jami no. 4500 & as-Sahihah no. 1686).)
When eating in company, the food can suffice more people. Abu Hurayrah reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:
“The food of two persons is sufficient for three, and the food of three persons is sufficient for four.” (Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim.)
Sitting Humbly and Eating from Around the Sides
Arrogance is a sign of ingratitude toward Allah’s favors. When eating, one is not supposed to recline or sit in a haughty manner; rather, one should sit humbly and eat with consideration.
‘’Abdullah Bin Busr reported that the Prophet (pbuh) had a large platter called al-Gharra (the white one). It was so large that four men were needed to carry it. One day, a goat was given as a gift to the Prophet (pbuh) —– and the food was then scarce. He told his family:
“Cook this goat, and take this flour and bake it. Cook and mix the bread with the meat.”
In the early morning, after the people had prayed the duha (mid-morning) voluntary prayers, al-Gharra was brought full of tharid(A dish made from bread and meat broth, with or without meat.). The people sat around it, and when they crowded, the Prophet (pbuh) kneeled (with his knees and toes touching the ground). A Bedouin said, “What kind of sitting is this?” The Prophet (pbuh) replied:
“Indeed, Allah has made me an honored servant of His, and has not made me a stubborn tyrant.”
Then he (pbuh) said:
“Eat from around the sides (of the platter), and spare the raised (central) part — it will then be blessed for you.” (Recorded by Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (Irwa’ ul-Ghalil no. 1966, 1981 and as-Sahihah no. 393))
In some of the reports of this hadith, the Prophet (pbuh) added:
“Take and eat. By the One in Whose hand is Muhammad’s soul, the lands of the Persians and the Romans will he opened up for you, until the food will be so plentiful that Allah’s name will not be uttered over it.” (Recorded by Abu Bakr ash-Shafi’i (in al-Fawa’id), al-Bayhaqi, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as-Sahihah no. 393).)
This hadith indicates that Allah sends down blessings onto the center of a platter or tray from which a number of people are eating. If they eat from the sides and leave the center, the blessings will continue to flow from the center to all the sides.
To the same meaning, Ibn ‘Abbas reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:
“Blessings descend upon the center of the food; so eat from the sides and do not eat from the center.” (Recorded by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (Irwa ul-Ghalil no. 1980/1).)
Avoiding Wasting Food
Nowadays, we see that many Muslims allow large quantities of food to go to waste, especially during walimahs and other social functions — at the time when many other Muslims suffer from hunger and famines. This is contrary to the teachings of the Sunnah. The Prophet (pbuh) was keen to retrieve even the small amount of food that stuck to his hand or plate.
Kab Bin Malik reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) used to eat with three fingers (Note that there is nothing wrong in eating with a spoon or fork. However, it is more rewarding to follow the Prophet’s (pbuh) way of eating with three fingers. This applies particularly to food items that come in big chunks, such as bread or dates.). After finishing, he (pbuh) would not wash his fingers until had-licked them. (Recorded by Muslim, Abu Dawud, and others.)
Jabir reported that the Prophet (pbuh) ordered his followers to lick their fingers and plates (after having eaten), and he (pbuh) said:
“You do not know which part of your food has the Messings.” (Recorded by Muslim and others.)
Even if some food falls from one’s hand, he should not be reluctant to pick it up, clean it, and eat it! Jabir reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:
“Indeed, Satan comes to each of you during all of his affairs, including his eating. If one of you drops a bite of food, let him pick it up, remove any dirt from it, and eat it and not leave it for Satan. Furthermore, one should not wipe his hand with a handkerchief (from the remnants of food) — until he had licked his fingers, for he cannot know in which part of the food is the blessing.” (Recorded by Muslim.)
Praising Allah and Supplicating to Him after Eating
After eating, one should express his gratitude to the One Who granted him the food by praising Him. Anas reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:
“Indeed, Allah is pleased with a servant (of His) who eats some food and praises Him for it, or drinks a drink and praises Him for it. “ (Recorded by Muslim and others.)
Ibn ‘Abbas reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:
“He whom Allah feeds food should say, “Allahumma barik lana fihi wa-rzuqna khayran mink — O Allah, bless it for us and provide us with better food.” And he whom Allah gives milk to drink should say, “Allahumma bank land fihi wa-zidna minh — O Allah, bless it for us and give us more of it,” because no food or drink is sufficient (in nutrition) except milk.” (Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and others. Verified to be hasan by al-Albani (Sahih ul-Jami no. 6045 & as-Sahihah no. 2320).)
Abu Umamah reported that when the Prophet (pbuh) finished eating he would say:
“Al-hamdu lillahi, hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan fihi, ghayra mukafain, wa-la muwaddain, wa-la mustaghnan anhu rabbana —All praise is due to Allah — a praise that is plentiful, pure, and full of blessings. (Your sustenance) cannot be equally repaid, we consistently need it, and we cannot live without it, O our Lord!” (Recorded by al-Bukhari and others.)
Muath Bin Anas al-Juhani reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:
“Whoever eats some food and then says, “Al-hamdu li-‘llah il-lathi at’amani hatha wa-razaqanihi min ghayri hawlin minni wa-la quwwah – All praise is due to Allah who fed me this and provided it for me without any might or power from myself,” all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Recorded by Ibn Majah, Abu Dawud, and others. Verified to be hasan by al-Albani (Sahih ul-Jami’ no. 6086 & Irwa’ ul-Ghalil no. 1989).)
A man who served the Prophet (pbuh) for eight years said that when he brought the food before him, the Prophet (pbuh) would say, “Bismillah — with Allah’s name.” When he finished eating, he would say:
“Allahumma at’amta wa-asqayta, wa-aghnayta wa-aqnayta, wa-hadayta wa-ahyayta, falaka ‘l-hamdu ala ma a’tayta — O Allah, You have fed (me), given (me) drink, sufficed (me) from needing others, endowed (me) with everything, guided (me), and given (me) life; so to You is all praise for all that You have granted.” (Recorded by Ahmad, an-Nasa’i (in al-Kubra), and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani(as-Sahihah no. 71 & al-Kalim ut-Tayyib))
Supplicating for the Hosts
In addition to praising Allah, one should show gratitude to the people who fed him. This is best done by supplicating for them.
Al-Miqdad Bin al-Aswad reported that Allah’ s Messenger (pbuh) would supplicate for those who fed him or gave him something to drink, saying:
“Allahumma at’im man at’amani, wa-sqi man saqani – O Allah, feed the one who fed me, and give drink to the one who gave me drink.” (Recorded by Muslim and others.)
‘Abdullah Bin Busr reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) once stayed as a guest with his father. They put some food before him and he ate. Then they brought some drink, and he drank from it then handed it to the person sitting to his right. As the Prophet (pbuh) mounted his animal to leave, ‘Abdullah’s father asked him to supplicate for them, and he (pbuh) said:
“Allahumma barik lahum fima razaqtahum, wa-ghfir lahum, wa-rhamhum – O Allah! Bless for them that which You provided them, forgive them, and have mercy upon them.” (Recorded by Muslim.)
Anas reported that the Prophet (pbuh) once visited Sa’d Bin Ubadah. Sa’d offered him some raisins, and the Prophet (pbuh) ate and then said:
“Aftara indakum us-samun, wa-akala ta’amakum ul-abrar, wa-sallat alaykum ul-malaikah — May the fasting people break their fast at your place; and may the righteous eat from your food; and may the angels supplicate for you.” (Recorded by Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani(Sahih ul-Jami no. 1137 (from the report of Ibn uz-Zubayr) & Adab uz-Zifaf p. 170 ).)
Departure
If one is invited for a meal, he should not inconvenience the host and his household by coming too early and waiting for the food to be ready. Allah (pbuh) instructed the believers about this etiquette in regard to the Prophet (pbuh):
“O you who believe! Do not enter the houses of the Prophet except when you are invited for a meal – without awaiting its readiness.” (Al-Ahzab 33:53.)
Also, one should not inconvenience the host by staying too long after finishing eating. Allah (swt) says:
“But when you are Invited, enter; and when you have eaten, disperse without seeking to remain for conversation. Indeed, that was troubling the Prophet and he is shy of (dismissing) you. But Allah is not shy of the truth.” (Al-Ahzab 33:53.)
At departure, one should give salam as he did when he entered. In this regard, we again cite Abu Hurayrah’s hadith that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:
“When one of you reaches an assembly (of Muslims), let him give them salam. When he wishes to depart, let him give them salam as well. Indeed, the first (salam) is not more rightful than the last.” (Recorded by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, and others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as-Sahihah no. 183).)
By Muhammad Mustafa Al-Jibali
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