A tailor invited Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) to a meal which he had prepared. I went along with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and saw him seeking to eat the pieces of gourd from the various sides of the dish. Since that day I have liked to eat gourd. `Umar bin Abi Salama said: The Prophet, said to me, "Eat with your right hand."
Food, Meals - Sahih al-Bukhari 5379
A tailor invited Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) to a meal which he had prepared. I went along with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and saw him seeking to eat the pieces of gourd from the various sides of the dish. Since that day I have liked to eat gourd. `Umar bin Abi Salama said: The Prophet, said to me, "Eat with your right hand."
Commentary on the Prophet's Manners
This noble hadith demonstrates the beautiful character and exemplary table manners of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). His acceptance of the tailor's invitation shows his humility and how he honored the invitations of all people, regardless of their social status.
The Prophet's preference for gourd (which is known as "al-qar'" in Arabic) indicates its permissibility and virtue as a food. His seeking it from different parts of the dish shows his refined manners of not focusing only on what is directly in front of him, but rather taking from various areas without causing disturbance to others.
The Instruction to Eat with Right Hand
The command to eat with the right hand is a fundamental Islamic etiquette based on numerous authentic narrations. The right hand is designated for noble actions while the left is reserved for cleaning impurities. This teaching instills discipline and reminds Muslims that even mundane acts like eating can become acts of worship when performed according to divine guidance.
Scholars have emphasized that eating with the right hand is strongly recommended (mustahabb), and some early scholars considered it obligatory based on the clear command in this hadith. The wisdom behind this includes maintaining cleanliness, showing gratitude for blessings, and distinguishing Muslim practice from others.
Spiritual Lessons
This narration teaches us that the companions would emulate the Prophet in both major and minor matters, including food preferences. When Anas saw the Prophet favoring gourd, he developed the same liking, demonstrating how love for the Messenger manifests in following his example.
The incident also shows the Prophet's role as educator - he didn't merely eat silently, but used the opportunity to teach proper etiquette to young Umar bin Abi Salama, showing his concern for nurturing the next generation in Islamic manners.