Eating from What Is in Front of You

Eating from the side of the plate nearest you is a sunnah of table etiquette.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) ate from the side of the dish nearest him; he did not eat from the middle or from in front of another. This behavior reflects both respect for the table and consideration for those beside you. A small attention reveals a great courtesy.

What is the hadith source of this sunnah?

This sunnah rests on the following hadith. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.

• B5376 Buhârî, Et'ıme, 2

More sunnahs in Eating & Drinking

As a table with references: Eating & Drinking sunnahs.

• Beginning with Bismillah: Beginning every meal with Bismillah comes first among the sunnahs.
• Eating with the Right Hand: Using the right hand while eating and drinking is a sunnah.
• Drinking While Seated: Drinking water and other drinks while seated is a sunnah of the Prophet.
• Eating in Moderation: Leaving a third of the stomach for food and a third for water is part of the sunnah.
• Praising Allah After Eating: Praising Allah after eating or drinking is gratitude for His blessings.
• Sharing the Meal: Sitting together at the table and sharing increases the blessing.
• Never Criticising Food: Not criticising food is a mark of respect for the blessing of Allah.
• Washing the Hands: Washing the hands after eating is the sunnah of cleanliness at the table.
• Eating Seated on the Floor: Eating seated on the floor, and not eating or drinking standing, is humility reflected in the sunnah.
• Eating the Fallen Morsel: Cleaning and eating a morsel that has fallen is refusing to belittle a blessing.