"When the Prophet (ﷺ) ate, he would lick his three fingers, and he said: 'If one of you drops a piece (of food) then let him remove any harm (dirt) from it and eat it, and do not leave it for Ash-Shaitan.' And he would order us to finish (clean) the dish. And he said: 'Indeed you do not know in which part of your food is the blessing.'
[Abu 'Eisa said:] This Hadith is Hasan Gharib Sahih.
Hadith Commentary - Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1803
This narration from The Book on Food contains profound wisdom regarding etiquettes of eating and recognizing divine blessings in sustenance.
Licking the Three Fingers
The Prophet's practice of licking his three fingers after eating demonstrates the importance of not wasting food and ensuring that every bit of blessed sustenance is consumed. Scholars explain that this action preserves the barakah (blessing) in the food and teaches humility.
Retrieving Fallen Food
The instruction to remove dirt from fallen food and consume it reflects the Islamic principle of gratitude and avoidance of waste. This practice prevents Satan from partaking in what Allah has provided and teaches believers to value divine provisions regardless of circumstances.
Cleaning the Dish
Ordering the completion of food in the dish emphasizes that blessings may reside in any portion of the meal. Classical scholars note that barakah is not confined to visible or preferred parts of food, thus requiring thorough consumption to obtain full spiritual and physical benefit.
Divine Blessing in Sustenance
The final statement underscores human ignorance regarding the precise location of Allah's blessing in food. This teaches humility and encourages complete consumption while recognizing that divine blessings transcend human perception and calculation.
Authenticity Assessment
Imam Tirmidhi's classification of this hadith as "Hasan Gharib Sahih" indicates its sound authenticity with a rare chain of transmission, making it a reliable source for Islamic dietary guidelines and spiritual conduct.