Heavenly Jewels

A Hadeeth states that when a person begins to eat, the fol l owing dua should be read, ' . ., ' U" /\ ' '. U" "-. \ . ' .J. "-. ' , , r , . .) , __ � . 4. IfBismillah is forgotten to be said then the following should be said whenever remembered, Bismillahifee awwalihee wa aakhirihee 5 . Bismillah should be said aloud so that those present also remember to say it if they have forgotten to in ordf'[ for al l to attain the Barkat of the food. 6. Nothing should be kept on top of Roti as it has been stated in the Hadeeth, "Respect Roti (bread) because once it runs away from a nation, it never returns to them." Meaning because ofungratefulness, ifthe sustenance ofa nation went away, it never returned to them. Some people place the gravy bowl, salt shaker etc on the Roti. This should not be done. 7. To unnecessarily break and leave the ends of the roti and eat only the middle of it is Israaf (wastage) . The entire Roti shouldbe consumed but if the sides are burnt or not cooked as yet and eating them causes harm, then they can be broken off. 8. Food should be eaten with the right hand and water drunk with it as well . Only three fingers should be used for eating as using all fingers is the practice ofthe ignorant and looked down upon. Using the right hand is not unique in eating food only, rather the Shariah is pleased to use it for most works . A Hadeeth states, "Use the right hand to eat, drink, take and give as Shaitaan uses the left hand to accomplish these tasks." (Ibn­ Majah) Human nature is also to use the right hand. 9. If a morsel offood falls from the hand to the table spread, then to leave 296