How do I teach my child the Islamic manners of eating?

Question

Bloomtivo Academy · Accepted Answer

Teach six Sunnahs, one a week: say Bismillah, eat with the right hand, eat from what is in front of you (Sahih al-Bukhari 5376), sit down to eat, don’t criticise food (Sahih al-Bukhari 3563), and say Alhamdulillah after. If they forget Bismillah, they say “Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu” when they remember (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767). Meals happen several times a day, so they’re perfect for building Sunnah habits.Six Sunnahs of eatingSunnahSourceSay Bismillah before eatingThe Prophet ﷺ to a boy: “Say Bismillah, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you” (Bukhari 5376)Eat with the right handSame hadith; see why the right handEat from in front of youSame hadithDon’t criticise foodHe never criticised food; if he liked it he ate, if not he left it (Bukhari 3563)Sit down to eat and drinkGood mannersAlhamdulillah afterPraise Allah when finishedIf they forget BismillahSay: بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ, “In the name of Allah, at its beginning and its end” (Sunan Abi Dawud 3767).Six weeks, six habitsBismillah.Right hand.Eating from in front of you.No complaining about food (“No thank you” is fine).Sitting down.Alhamdulillah after.At schoolRemind children to say Bismillah quietly in the school canteen too. See halal at school.Teacher’s tip: let your child be the “Bismillah reminder” at family meals. Children love catching adults who forget.Related: Sharing.

Sunnah	Source
Say Bismillah before eating	The Prophet ﷺ to a boy: “Say Bismillah, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you” (Bukhari 5376)
Eat with the right hand	Same hadith; see why the right hand
Eat from in front of you	Same hadith
Don’t criticise food	He never criticised food; if he liked it he ate, if not he left it (Bukhari 3563)
Sit down to eat and drink	Good manners
Alhamdulillah after	Praise Allah when finished

How do I teach my child the Islamic manners of eating?

Six Sunnahs of eating

If they forget Bismillah

Six weeks, six habits

At school

Parents also ask

Ready to watch your child bloom?