Sharing the Meal

Sitting together at the table and sharing increases the blessing.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised his companions to eat together and with Bismillah rather than alone, calling this the blessing of the meal. He said that food enough for one person, when shared, is enough for two. Sharing at the table expresses not only nourishment but togetherness and mercy. He also asked that no food be left over in the dish.

What is the hadith source of this sunnah?

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

• D3764 Ebû Dâvûd, Et'ıme, 14
• M5370 Müslim, Eşribe, 180
• M5306 Müslim, Eşribe, 136

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.
• 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 from What Is in Front of You: Eating from the side of the plate nearest you is a sunnah of table etiquette.
• 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.