Hadith Reference & Context

This narration is recorded in Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Foods (Kitab Al-At'imah), Hadith number 3777. It was related by Umar ibn Abi Salamah who was raised in the household of the Prophet (ﷺ) as a young boy.

Scholarly Commentary

The great scholar Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains that this hadith contains three fundamental etiquettes of eating: beginning with Allah's name (Bismillah), using the right hand, and eating from what is directly in front of one.

Al-Munawi in Fayd al-Qadir states that mentioning Allah's name at the beginning of eating prevents Satan from partaking in the meal and brings blessings to the food.

Imam al-Nawawi emphasizes that eating with the right hand is emphasized (mustahabb) unless there is a valid excuse, as the left hand is typically used for cleaning impurities.

Practical Application

The instruction to "eat from what is next to you" teaches moderation and prevents one from reaching across the dish for choicer morsels, which displays greed and poor manners.

Scholars note that this comprehensive guidance combines spiritual remembrance (dhikr), physical propriety, and social etiquette - covering one's relationship with Allah, oneself, and others at the meal.

Legal Ruling

The majority of scholars consider these etiquettes to be recommended (sunnah/mustahabb) rather than obligatory, though they carry great merit and should be observed regularly to perfect one's character and earn divine reward.