Anas said that God's messenger used to breathe three times in the course of a drink. (Bukhari and Muslim.) In a version Muslim added that he used to say, "It is more thirst-quenching, healthier and more wholesome."
Exposition of the Hadith on Drinking Manners
This noble tradition from the Sahihayn (Bukhari and Muslim) transmitted by the Companion Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) concerns the refined etiquette (adab) of drinking as demonstrated by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
The Act of Breathing Three Times
The phrase "breathe three times" signifies that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) would drink in separate sips, pausing to take a breath outside the vessel each time, rather than drinking continuously in one breath. This is the Sunnah method.
Scholars of Hadith and Fiqh, such as Imam an-Nawawi in his commentary on Sahih Muslim, explain that the preferred method is to drink in three separate sips, removing the mouth from the vessel to breathe between each sip.
Wisdom and Benefits
As elucidated in the version from Imam Muslim, the Prophet (pbuh) himself provided the divine wisdom behind this practice, stating it is "more thirst-quenching, healthier and more wholesome."
It is more thirst-quenching (awra): Drinking slowly in intervals allows the body to properly register hydration, leading to greater satisfaction and more effective quenching of thirst compared to gulping.
It is healthier (ahya): Continuous drinking in one breath can be harmful, potentially causing choking, discomfort in the liver, or introducing air into the digestive system. Pausing allows the body to process the liquid.
It is more wholesome (amra): This encompasses both physical and spiritual wholesomeness. It prevents greed and haste in consumption, cultivating patience and gratitude, and aligns with the moderate, balanced path of Islam.
Legal Ruling and Application
The majority of the scholars hold that this manner of drinking is a recommended Sunnah (mustahabb), not an obligatory act (wajib). It is a part of the perfect character and comprehensive guidance brought by the Prophet (pbuh), applicable to all drinks, especially water.
This hadith, found in the chapter on "Foods" in collections like Mishkat al-Masabih (referenced as Mishkat al-Masabih 4263), is a profound example of how Islamic guidance encompasses even the smallest acts of daily life, transforming them into acts of worship and sources of blessing.