Allah (swt) said, "Eat and drink of that which Allah has provided and do not act corruptly, making mischief on the earth." Quran (2:60)
THE ETIQUETTE OF EATING AND DRINKING:
1. It Is Forbidden To Eat Or Drink From Any Kind Of Dish Or With Any Kind Of Utensil That Is Made from Gold Or Silver Narrated Um Salama: (the wife of the Prophet) related that the Prophet (pbuh) "The only thing that flows into the stomach of one who drinks from a container of silver is the fire of Hell." References - Bhukari (5634).
Hudhaifah Allah's Apostle reported that he heard the Prophet (pbuh) said "Do not wear silk or Dibaja (a kind of silk), and do not drink in silver or golden vessels, and do not eat in plates of such metals, for such things are for the unbelievers in this worldly life and for us in the Hereafter." References - Bukhari(5426).
2. The Prohibition Of Eating In A Reclining Position Or When Lying Prone On One's Stomach.
Abu Juhaifah Allah's Apostle said,"I was with Prophet (pbuh), he said to a man that was with him,'I do not eat while I am Reclining (leaning)." References - Abu-Dawood (3774)
3. When It Is Time For Prayer And When Food Is Being Served, Eat First And Then Pray
Ibn Umar Allah's Apostle reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said "When the dinner of one of you is laid down and the prayer Uqeemat (i.e., the Iqaamah is made and the prayer begins),then he should begin with dinner . And let him not rush,(but instead wait) until he finishes it(his dinner)." References - Abu Dawood (3757).
4. Washing One's Hands Before and After a Meal.
Imam Maalik said that the legislation of washing One's hands before eating is limited to when there is any filth or impurity on one's hands.
Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet (pbuh) said "If anyone spends the night with grease on his hand which he has not washed away, he can blame only himself if some trouble comes to him." References- Abu- Dawood (3852).
5. Mentioning Allah's Name Before Eating Or Drinking And Praising Allah (swt) Afterwards
It is Sunnah for one to say "BISMILLAH" (In the Name of Allah) before eating and drinking and to praise Allah (swt) afterwards. Applying this Sunnah benefits both the body and soul. When we were at food with the Messenger Prophet (pbuh) none of us put in his hand till the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) put his hand first. Once we were at food with him. A nomad Arab came in as though he were being pushed, and he was about to put his hand in food when the Prophet (pbuh) seized him by the hand. Then a girl came in as though she were being pushed, and she was about to put her hand in the food when the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) seized her by the hand, and he said "The devil considers the food when Allah’s name is not mentioned over it, and he brought his nomad Arab that it might be lawful by means of him, so I seized his hand: then he brought this girl that it might be lawful by means of her, so I seized her hand. By Him in Whose hand my soul is, His hand is in my hand along with their hands." References- Abu - Daawood (3766).
Narrated Umar bin Abi Salama: I was a boy under the care of Allah's Apostle and my hand used to go around the dish while I was eating. So Allah's Apostle said to me, "O boy! Mention the Name of Allah and eat with your right hand, and eat of the dish what is nearer to you. Since then I have applied those instructions when eating." References - Abu-Dawood (3777)
Narrated Abu Ayyub al-Ansari: When the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) ate or drank, he said:" Praise be to Allah Who has given food and drink and made it easy to swallow, and provided an exit for it." References- Abu-Dawood (3851).
6. Eating And Drinking With The Right Hand, And The Prohibition Of Eating With The Left Hand
Ibn Umar reported the Prophet (pbuh) said "When any one of you eats, he should eat with his right hand, and when he drinks, he should drink with his right hand, for the devil eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand." References- Abu-Dawood (3776).
7. Eat From What Is Next Or Nearest To You.
Umar Ibn Abu Salamah's said, "One day I ate With The Messengers of Allah (pbuh) and I began to take meat from around the dish (i.e., from every side). The Messengers of Allah (pbuh) then said to me, "Eat from what is nearest to you." References- Bukhari (5436).
8. It Is Recommended To Eat From The Sides Of A Dish, Not From Its Middle Or Upper Part.
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: The Prophet (pbuh) said when one of you eats, he must not eat from the top of the dish, but should eat from the bottom; for the blessing descends from the top References- Abu-Daawood (3772).
9. It Is Recommended To Eat With Three Fingers And To Lick One's Fingers After Eating.
Kaab bin Malik said: The Prophet (pbuh) used to eat with three fingers and not wipe his before licking it. References- Abu-Daawood (3848).
10. When A Morsel Of Food Falls Down, It Is Recommended To Pick It Up, To Wipe Of Anything That Attached Itself To It , And Then To Eat It
Jaabir Ibn Abdullah Allah's Apostle reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said, "If a morsel belonging to one of you falls down, then let him take it remove any filth that is on it, and eat it- and let him not leave if for the shaitaan.." References- Muslim (2033).
11. The Prohibition Of Taking Two Dates At One Time From A Tray
Ibn Umar said: The Prophet (pbuh) prohibited anyone taking two dates together with the exception that you ask permission from your companions. References- Abu-Daawood (3834).
10. It Is Recommended To Wait And Not Eat Food While It Is Still Very Hot
Abu Hurairah Allah's Apostle said, "Food Should not be eaten until its steam goes away." References- Al- Baihaqee (7/2580).
11. The Prohibition Of Finding Fault With Food Or Scorning It
Abu Hurairah Allah's Apostle said, "The Messengers of Allah (pbuh) never found fault with food. When he desired something, he would eat it,and when he disliked something, he would be (simply) leave it (without Scorning it)." References- Bukhari (5409).
12. The Ruling For Drinking And Eating While Standing Up
Anas Allah's Apostle reported that the Prophet (pbuh) reproached (people) for drinking while standing up. Abu Saeed Al Khudree Allah's Apostle said," The Prophet (pbuh) reproached (people) for the act of drinking while standing up.
Ibn Abbas Allah's Apostle said," I gave the Prophet (pbuh) said some Zamzam(water) to drink, and he drank (it) while he was standing up.” References- Abu-Daawood (3717), Muslim (2025) & Bukhari (1637).
13. It Is Disliked to Breath or Blow Into A Drinking Container
Abu Qutaadah Allah's Apostle related that the Prophet (pbuh) said, "When one of you drinks, then let him not breathe into the container." References- Bukhaaree (5630).
14. When Drinking, You Should Pause Three Times In Order To Breathe, Nonetheless, It Is Permissible To Drink In One Go Without Pausing To Breathe
Narrated Abu Sa’id Al Khudri : That the Prophet (pbuh)prohibited blowing into the drink. A man said: What about if one sees something floating in the vessel? He said: Spill it out (removing that). He said: I cannot drink in one breath. He said: Then remove the cup away from your mouth. [Abu 'Eisa said:] This Hadith is Hasan Sahih. Reference- At-Trimidhi (1887).
15. The Prohibition Of Drinking From The Mouth Of A Bottle Or Canteen
Abu Hurairah Allah's Apostle, "The Prophet (pbuh) Prohibited the practice of drinking from the Mouth of a Qirbah Or Siqaa (two kinds of jugs in which drinks are stored ).." References- Bukhari (5627).
16. The Person Who Is Serving Drinks To Other Should Be The Last Of Them To Drink Himself
Narrated Abu Qatadah:" That the Prophet (pbuh)said: The one providing water for people is (i.e. should be )the last of them to drink." References- At-Trimidhi (1894).
17. Eating Together As A Group
"Narrated Wahshi ibn Harb: The Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) said: Messenger of Allah (pbuh) we eat but we are not satisfied. He said: Perhaps you eat separately. They replied: Yes. He said: If you gather together at your food and mention Allah's name, you will be blessed in it. Abu Dawud said: If you are invited to a wedding feast before you, do not take it until the owner of the house (i. e. the host) allows you (to eat)." References- Abu-Dawood (3764).
18. It Is Disliked To Eat A Lot Of Food Or To Eat So Little That One's Body Weakens
"Miqdam bin Ma'dikarib said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (S.a.w) saying: 'The human does not fill any container that is worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat what will support his back. If this is not possible, then a third for food, a third for drink, and third for his breath." References- At-Trimidhi (2380).
19. The Prohibition Of Sitting At A Table Upon Which Alcohol Is Imbibed
"Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) forbade two kinds of food: to sit at cloth on which wine is drunk, and to eat by a man while lying on his stomach." References- Abu-Dawood (3774).
And rest Allah knows the best.
Source: Quran, Sunnah, The Book of Manners