|
Islam has prescribed rules that encompass all aspects of life. This is clearly seen in the rules Islam has prescribed for eating, which, when observed, is as worldly as a thing can get.
Islam teaches that food is one of the bounties of Allah, and should thus be revered and respected. When a mumin sits at a thaal to eat, the first thing he does is wash his hands. Next, he says Bismillah and tastes a pinch of salt. Amir ul mumineen (SA) has stated that when Bismillah is said when one starts to eat, and Alhamdolillah when one finishes, and one washes his hands before and after eating, and there are many people with him, then the barakat of that meal is complete. In this short statement, Amir ul Mumineen has stated in a nutshell the adaab of eating.
When Rasulullah (SAW) ate, he would never sit leaning on something, rather, he would always sit up straight. Rasulullah (SAW) explained, “I sit as a slave sits, and I eat as a slave eats.
When a mumin eats, he should use all five fingers, not three or four. Islam prescribes eating with one’s hands because food is a bounty given by Allah, so one should not consider himself so above food that one doesn’t touch it with one’s hands and instead uses a fork and knife!
When eating at a thaal, one should only eat from the area closest to them, and not reach across the thaal or plate. This applies to all foods, except for dates, from which one can take from wherever one pleases!
Once at the thaal, a mumin should not get up if someone calls him or her. However, if Maula (TUS) summons someone, and they are at a thaal, they should get up that very instant. This was seen when Zohair bin Qain joined Imam Husain (SA) on the way to Karbala: Zohair was eating when Imam’s messenger arrived, and he got up immediately and went to Imam Husain (SA).
In his many waaz, Maula (TUS) stresses the importance of adhering to these adaab, for they are a source of barakat for mumineen. Aqa Maula (TUS) often recites this verse of Syedi Abdeali Imaduddin sahib, “Are you praying namaz or are you making fun; are you eating or have you entered a field of battle!” With a smile on his face Aqa Maula (TUS), urges us to eat with adab, slowly, savoring each morsel. May we always savour every luqma of Aale Mohammed (SA) and may each luqma nourish our bodies and souls. May Allah grant Aqa Maula (TUS) a long and healthy life till the day of Qiyamat. Ameen!
|
