That Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "When one of you eats, then let him lick his fingers, for indeed he does not know in which of them is the blessing."
He said: There are narrations on this topic from Jabir, Ka'b bin Malik, and Anas.
[Abu 'Eisa said:] This Hadith is Hasan Gharib, we do not know of it except from this route, as a narration of Suhail. I asked Muhammad about this Hadith, so he said: "This is among the diverse narrations of 'Abdul-'Aziz, we do not know of it except from his narration."
Hadith Commentary: The Blessing in Food
The noble hadith from Jami' at-Tirmidhi (1801) in "The Book on Food" teaches profound wisdom regarding sustenance. The command to lick one's fingers after eating demonstrates the comprehensive nature of Islamic guidance, encompassing even the smallest acts of daily life.
Spiritual Wisdom Behind the Practice
The instruction stems from recognizing that divine blessing (barakah) may reside in any portion of the food, including what remains on the fingers. This teaches humility before Allah's provisions and prevents wastefulness.
Scholars explain that blessings are not confined to what is visibly apparent; they may be hidden in the smallest remnants. This awareness cultivates gratitude (shukr) and mindfulness of Allah's continuous favors.
Juridical Ruling and Contemporary Application
The majority of scholars consider this practice recommended (mustahabb), particularly when eating with hands. It embodies the Prophetic example of appreciating Allah's blessings completely.
In modern contexts, this teaching reminds believers to value their sustenance, avoid extravagance, and maintain cleanliness while honoring the divine wisdom in seemingly minor acts of worship.
Chain of Transmission Analysis
Imam Tirmidhi's classification of this hadith as "Hasan Gharib" indicates its chain has acceptable reliability while being reported through limited paths. His consultation with Imam Bukhari (Muhammad) further demonstrates the meticulous scholarship applied to hadith verification.