Washing the Hands

Washing the hands after eating is the sunnah of cleanliness at the table.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned against sleeping with the smell of food still on one's hand without washing it, and he rinsed his mouth with water after drinking milk. Rising from the table with clean hands is a daily sign of respect for the blessing received.

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.

• D3852 Ebû Dâvûd, Et'ıme, 53
• B211 Buhârî, Vudû', 52

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.
• 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.