Merit of Sharing Food

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 110
Merit of Sharing Food

755. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The food of two persons suffices for three persons, and the food of three persons suffices for four persons.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

756. Jabir bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The food of one person suffices for two, the food of two persons suffices for four persons, and the food of four persons suffices for eight persons.”
[Muslim].

Excellence of Promoting Greetings

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 131
Excellence of Promoting Greetings

Allah, the Exalted, says:

O you who believe! Enter not houses other than your own, until you have asked permission and greeted those in them.” (24:27)

“But when you enter the houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allah (i.e., say: As-Salamu `alaikum – peace be on you), blessed and good.” (24:61)

“When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally.” (4:86)

“Has the story reached you, of the honoured guests [three angels; Jibril (Gabriel) along with another two] of Ibrahim (Abraham)? When they came in to him, and said, `Salam (peace be upon you)!’ He answered: `Salam (peace be upon you).”’ (51:24,25)

845. Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “Which act in Islam is the best?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “To give food, and to greet everyone, whether you know or you do not.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

846. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When Allah created Adam (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), He said to him: `Go and greet that company of angels who are sitting there – and then listen to what they are going to say in reply to your greetings because that will be your greeting and your off-spring’s.’ Adam (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to the angels: `As-Salamu `Alaikum (may you be safe from evil).’ They replied: `As-Salamu `Alaikum wa Rahmatullah (may you be safe from evil, and Mercy of Allah be upon you).’ Thus adding in reply to him: `wa Rahmatullah (and Mercy of Allah)’ to his greeting.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

847. Al-Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) commanded us to do seven things: to visit the sick, to follow the funeral (of a dead believer), to invoke the Mercy of Allah upon one who sneezes (i.e., by saying to him: Yarhamuk-Allah), to support the weak, to help the oppressed, to promote the greeting of `As-Salamu `Alaikum’, and to help those who swear to do something to keep their oaths.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

848. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand is my life! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I inform you of something which, if you do, you will love one another? Promote greetings amongst yourselves.”
[Muslim].

849. `Abdullah bin Salam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “O people, exchange greetings of peace (i.e., say: As-Salamu `Alaikum to one another), feed people, strengthen the ties of kinship, and be in prayer when others are asleep, you will enter Jannah in peace.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

850. At-Tufail bin Ubayy bin Ka`b (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I used to visit `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) in the morning and accompany him to the market. `Abdullah offered greetings of peace to every one he met on the way, be they sellers of petty goods, traders or poor people. One day when I came to him, he asked me to accompany him to the market. I said to him: “What is the point of your going to the market when you do not sell, nor ask about articles, nor offer a price for them, nor sit down with any company of people. Let us sit down here and talk.” He replied: “O Abu Batn (belly)! (Tufail had a large belly), we go to the market to greet everyone we meet.”
[Malik].

Mentioning Bismillah before and saying Al-Hamdulillah after Eating

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 100
Mentioning Bismillah before and saying Al-Hamdulillah after Eating

728. `Umar bin Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), said to me, “Mention Allah’s Name (i.e., say Bismillah before starting eating), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is near you.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

729.  `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When any of you wants to eat, he should mention the Name of Allah in the begining, (i.e., say Bismillah). If he forgets to do it in the beginning, he should say Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu (I begin with the Name of Allah at the beginning and at the end).”
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

730. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “If a person mentions the Name of Allah upon entering his house or eating, Satan says, addressing his followers: `You will find no where to spend the night and no dinner.’ But if he enters without mentioning the Name of Allah, Satan says (to his followers); `You have found (a place) to spend the night in, and if he does not mention the Name of Allah at the time of eating, Satan says: `You have found (a place) to spend the night in as well as food.”’
[Muslim].

731. Hudhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When we attended a meal with the  Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), we would not stretch forth our hands towards the food until he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would start eating first. Once, we were with him when a little girl rushed in as if someone was impelling her. She was about to lay her hand on the food when the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) caught her hand. Then a bedouin came in rushing as if someone were pushing him. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) caught his hand also and said, “Satan considers that food lawful for himself on which the Name of Allah is not mentioned. He (Satan) brought this girl to make the food lawful through her but I caught her hand. Then he brought the bedouin to make it lawful through him but I caught his hand too. By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, now Satan’s hand is in my grasp along with their hands.” Then he mentioned the Name of Allah and began to eat.
[Abu Dawud and An-Nasa’i].

732. Umaiyyah bin Makhshi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was sitting while a man was eating food. That man did not mention the Name of Allah (before commencing to eat) till only a morsel of food was left. When he raised it to his mouth, he said: “Bismillah awwalahu wa akhirahu (With the Name of Allah, in the beginning and in the end).” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) smiled at this and said, “Satan had been eating with him but when he mentioned the Name of Allah, Satan vomited all that was in his stomach.”
[Abu Dawud and An-Nasa’i].

733. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was eating with his six Companions when a desert Arab came and ate up the food in two mouthfuls. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Had he mentioned the Name of Allah, it would have sufficed for all of you.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

734. Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) finished a meal, he would say: “Al-hamdu lillahi kathiran taiyiban mubarakan fihi, ghaira makfiyyin wa la muwadda`in, wa la mustaghnan `anhu, Rabbuna. (All praise is due to Allah, praise which is abundant, pure, and full of blessings, which is indispensable and to which one cannot be indifferent).”  
[Al-Bukhari].

735. Mu`adh bin Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who has taken food and says at the end: `Al-hamdu lillahi-lladhi at`amani hadha, wa razaqanihi min ghairi haulin minni wa la quwwatin (All praise is due to Allah Who has given me food to eat and provided it without any endeavour on my part or any power),’ all his past sins will be forgiven.”
At-Tirmidhi].

Excellence of Eating with three Fingers and Licking them

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 109
Excellence of Eating with three Fingers and Licking them

748. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When  one of you finishes eating, he should not wipe his fingers until he has licked them himself or has given them to someone else to lick for him.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

749. Ka`b bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) eating with three fingers (i.e., the thumb, the index finger and the middle finger) and licking them after having finished the food.
[Muslim].

750. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) commanded the licking of fingers and the gleaning of the dish, saying, “You do not know in which portion the blessing lies.”
[Muslim].

751. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a morsel of any of you falls, he should pick it up and remove any of the dirt on it and then eat it, and should not leave it for Satan nor should wipe his hand with towel until he has licked his fingers, for he does not know in what portion of the food the blessing lies.”
[Muslim].

752. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Satan appears at every thing done by you; he appears even at one’s dinner. When a morsel of any of you falls, he should pick it up and remove any dirt on it, and then eat it. He should not leave it for Satan, nor should he wipe his hand with the towel until he has licked his fingers, for he does not know in what portion of the food the blessing lies.”
[Muslim].

753. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) ate food, he would lick his three fingers and say, “If anyone of you drops a morsel of food, he should remove any dirt that may have stuck on it and then eat it, and should not leave it for Satan.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) also commanded us that we should glean the pot, saying, “You do not know in which part of your food the blessings lies.”
[Muslim].

754. Sa`id bin Al-Harith reported: I asked Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) whether it was obligatory to make Wudu’ for Salat (prayer) after eating cooked food. He said: “No, because in the lifetime of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), such food was rarely available. We had no handkerchiefs, so when we ate such food we would wipe our fingers against our palms, forearms or (the sole of our) feet, and would offer Salat without fresh Wudu’ (for prayer).”
[Al-Bukhari].

Etiquette of Drinking Water

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 111
Etiquette of Drinking Water

757. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to breathe three times in the course of a drink (he used to drink in three gulps).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

758. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not drink in one gulp like a camel, but in two or three (gulps). Mention the Name of Allah (i.e., say Bismillah) when you start drinking and praise Him (i.e., say Al-hamdu lillah) after you have finished (drinking).”
[At-Tirmidhi].

759. Abu Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) forbade breathing into the vessel while drinking.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

760. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Milk mixed with water was brought to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). On his right side was sitting a bedouin and on his left was sitting Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him). He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) drank from it and handed the rest to the bedouin saying, “One who is on the right has preference, then again the one who is on the right.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

761. Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A drink was brought to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and he drank (some) from it. On his right was a boy and on his left were some elderly people. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to the boy, “Would you permit me to give rest of this drink to these on my left?’‘ The boy said: “O Messenger of Allah, I would certainly not give preference to anyone in anything that might come to me from you.” So he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) handed over the rest of the drink to him.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

What should a Person say or do when he Eats but is not Satisfied

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 106
What should a Person say or do when he Eats but is not Satisfied

743. Wahshi bin Harb (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Some of the Companions of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “We eat but are not satisfied.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Perhaps you eat separately.” The Companions replied in affirmative. He then said: “Eat together and mention the Name of Allah over your food. It will be blessed for you.”
[Abu Dawud].

Greeting the non-Muslims and Prohibition of taking an Initiative

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 138
Greeting the non-Muslims and Prohibition of taking an Initiative

866. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not greet the Jews and the Christians before they greet you; and when you meet any one of them on the road, force him to go to the narrowest part of it.”
[Muslim].

867. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When the people of the Book greet you (i.e., by saying `As-Samu `Alaikum,’ meaning death be upon you), you should respond with: `Wa `alaikum’ [The same on you (i.e., and death will be upon you, for no one will escape death)].”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

868. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed by a mixed company of people which included Muslims, polytheists and Jews, and he gave them the greeting (i.e., saying As-Salamu `Alaikum).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Eating from what is in front of One

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 104
Eating from what is in front of One

740.  `Umar bin Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I was a boy under the care of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and as my hand used to wander around in the dish, he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me once, “Mention Allah’s Name (i.e., say Bismillah), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

741. Salamah bin Al-Akwa` (May Allah be pleased with him) reported on the authority of his father: A man ate with his left hand in the presence of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), whereupon he said, “Eat with your right hand.” The man said: “I cannot do that.” Thereupon he (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “May you not be able to do that.” It was vanity that prevented him from doing it and he could not raise it (the right hand) up to his mouth afterwards.
[Muslim].

Visions in Dream and matters relating to them

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 130
Visions in Dream and matters relating to them

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And among His Signs is your sleep by night and by day.” (30:23)

838. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “All that is left from Prophethood is the glad tidings.” He was asked what the glad tidings were, and he said, “The good dream.”
[Al-Bukhari].

839. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When the time draws near (i.e., near the end of the world), the dream of a believer can hardly be false; and the dream of a believer represents one part from forty-six parts of Prophethood.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

One narration says: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The most truthful of you in their speech are those who see the truest visions.”

840. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who sees me in his dream will see me in his wakefulness (or he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) may have said it is as though he has seen me in a state of wakefulness), for Satan does not appear in my form.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim ].

841. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When one of you sees a dream that he likes, then it is from Allah. He should praise Allah for it and relate it to (others).”

Another narration adds: Messenger of Allah(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He should not report it except to those whom he loves. And if he sees one which he dislikes, then it is from the Satan. He should seek refuge in Allah against its evil and should not mention it to anyone. Then it will not harm him.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

842. Abu Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A good vision (dream) is from Allah and a bad dream is from the Satan. He who sees something in a dream that he dislikes, should blow thrice on his left, must seek Allah’s Refuge from the evil of the Satan (i.e., by saying: A`udhu billahi minash-Shaitanir-Rajim). Then it will not harm him.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

843. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one of you sees a bad dream let him blow three times on his left, seek refuge in Allah from the Satan three times (i.e., by saying: A`udhu billahi minash-Shaitanir-Rajim) and change the side on which he was lying.”
[Muslim].

844. Wathilah bin Al-Asqa` (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Of the worst lies are: to claim a false father, or to pretend to have seen what one has not seen (tell a false dream), or to attribute to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) what he has not said.”
[Al-Bukhari].

Lawfulness to wear Silk in case one is suffering from an Itch

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 123
Lawfulness to wear Silk in case one is suffering from an Itch

810. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) permitted Zubair and `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf (May Allah be pleased with them) to wear silk because they were suffering from an itch.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Greeting one’s Wife and other Women

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 137
Greeting one’s Wife and other Women

863. Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: There was a woman among us who would put beet root in a pot and add to it some ground barley. She used to cook them together. On returning from the Friday prayer, we would greet her and she would offer it to us.
[Al-Bukhari].

864. Umm Hani (May Allah be pleased with her), the daughter of Abu Talib reported: I went to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) on the day of the conquest of Makkah. He was taking a bath and Fatimah was screening him with a cloth. I greeted him. And she mentioned the rest of the Hadith.
[Muslim].

865. Asma bint Yazid (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed by us when we were with a party of women, and he greeted us.
[Abu Dawud].

Manners of Lying down on one’s back and placing one leg upon the Other

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 128
Manners of Lying down on one’s back and placing one leg upon the Other

820. `Abdullah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) lying down on his back in the mosque, placing one leg on the other.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

821. Jabir bin Samurah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: After the Fajr (dawn) prayer the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to sit crossed legged in the same place in which he had prayed till the sun shone brightly.
[Abu Dawud].

822. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sitting in the compound of the Holy Ka`bah, with the thighs against the stomach and arms around his legs.
[Al-Bukhari].

823. Qailah bint Makhramah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I saw the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) seated with his arms enfolding his legs; and when I saw him in such a state of humble guise I trembled with fear due to the awe (he showed in that posture).
[At-Tirmidhi].

824. Ash-Sharid bin Suwaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed by me when I was sitting with my left hand behind my back and leaning on my palm. On seeing me in this posture he said, “Do you sit like those upon whom the Wrath of Allah has descended?”
[Abu Dawud].

Etiquette of offering Greetings

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 133
Etiquette of offering Greetings

857. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘A rider should greet a pedestrian; a pedestrian should greet one who is sitting; and a small group should greet a large group (of people).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The narration in Al-Bukhari adds: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The young should greet the elderly.”

858. Abu Umamah Sudaiy bin `Ajlan Al-Bahili (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The person nearest to Allah is one who is the first to offer greeting.”
[Abu Dawud].

The narration in At-Tirmidhi is: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was asked: “O Messenger of Allah! When two persons meet, who should greet the other first?” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The person nearest to Allah (i.e., one who is more obedient and therefore closer to Allah will say: As-Salam first.”

Excellence of using the right Hand for Performing various good Acts

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 99
Excellence of using the right Hand for Performing various good Acts

Allah, the Exalted, says:

Then as for him who will be given his Record in his right hand will say: `Take, read my Record!”’ (69:19)

“So those on the Right Hand (i.e., those who will be given their Records in their right hands) how (fortunate) will those be on the Right Hand! (As a respect for them, because they will enter Jannah). And those on the Left Hand (i.e., those who will be given their Record in their left hands) how (unfortunate) will those be on the Left Hand! (As a disgrace for them, because they will enter Hell).” (56:8,9)

721. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) liked to use his right hand in all matters: in combing his hair and wearing his shoes.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

722. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah was used to using his right hand for performing Wudu’ and for eating his food whereas he was used to using his left hand in his toilet and for other similar purposes.
[Abu Dawud]

723. Umm `Atiyyah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) instructed us at the time of washing the dead body of his daughter Zainab (May Allah be pleased with her) to begin with her right side, and from the parts that are washed in Wudu’.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

724. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When any of you puts on his shoes, he should put on the right one first; and when he takes them off, he should begin with the left. Let the right shoe be the first to be put on and the last to be taken off.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

725. Hafsah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to use his right hand for eating, drinking and wearing his clothes and used to use his left hand for other purposes.
[Abu Dawud].

726. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When you wear your clothes or perform your Wudu’, begin with your right side.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

727. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) went to Mina, he came to Jamrat-ul-`Aqabah and threw pebbles at it. After that, he went to his lodge in Mina and sacrificed. Then he called for a barber and pointed his right side to him, said, “Shave from here.” Then he pointed his left side and said, “Take (hair) from here.” Then he distributed his hair among the people.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

   Another narration is: After the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had thrown pebbles at Jamrah and sacrificed an animal, he turned the right side of his head towards the barber who shaved it for him. Then he called Abu Talhah Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) and gave his hair to him. Then he turned his head  to the left side and asked the barber to shave it. He gave the hair to Abu Talhah and told him, “Distribute it among the people.”

Permission to Drink while in a standing Posture

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 114
Permission to Drink while in a standing Posture

767. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I served Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) Zamzam water to drink and he drank it while he was standing.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

768. An-Nazzal bin Sabrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: `Ali bin Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) arrived at Bab Ar-Rahbah (in Kufah) and drank water in a standing posture. Then he said: “I saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) doing what you have seen me doing.”
[Al-Bukhari].

769. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: During the lifetime of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) we would eat while walking and would drink while standing.
[At-Tirmidhi].

770. `Amr bin Shu`aib on the authority of his father and grandfather reported: that they saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) drink standing, and sitting.
[At-Tirmidhi].

The last three Ahadith point out the permissibility of eating and drinking while walking or standing or sitting, but drinking in the sitting position remains the best.

771. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) forbade us from drinking while standing. Qatadah reported: “We asked him: `What about eating?”’ He said: “That is even worse, (or may be he said) more detestable.”

 Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) reprimanded us for drinking while standing.
[Muslim].

772. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “None of you should drink standing; and if any one forgets, he must vomit.”
[Muslim].

Response to an Invitation extended to a Man observing Saum (Fasting)

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 102
Response to an Invitation extended to a Man observing Saum (Fasting)

738. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When any of you is invited to a meal, he should accept the invitation. If he is observing Saum (fasting), he should supplicate for the betterment of the host and if he is not fasting, he should eat.”
Muslim].

Words to be used for offering Greetings

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 132
Words to be used for offering Greetings

It is recommended for the one offering greetings to say: `As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu’. The reply is `Wa `Alaikum us-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.’

851. `Imran bin Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “As-Salamu `Alaikum (may you be safe from evil). Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Ten (meaning the man had earned the merit of ten good acts).” Another one came and said: “As-Salamu `Alaikum wa Rahmatullah (may you be safe from evil, and Mercy of Allah be upon you).” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Twenty.” A third one came and said: “As-Salamu `Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu (may you be safe from evil, and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings be upon you).” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Thirty.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

852. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “This is Jibril (Gabriel) who is conveying you greetings of peace.” I responded: “Wa `Alaihis-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu (may he be safe from evil, and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings be upon him).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

853. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to repeat his words thrice so that the meaning thereof would be fully understood, and whenever he came upon a gathering of people, he would greet them. He would repeat Salam thrice.
[Al-Bukhari].

854. Al-Miqdad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported in course of a long Hadith: We used to reserve for the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) his share of the milk, and he would come at night and offer greetings in such a manner as did not disturb those asleep and was heard only by those who were awake. In fact, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came and offered greetings as usual.
[Muslim].

855. Asma’ bint Yazid (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed through the mosque one day and there was a group of women (about ten of them) sitting in the mosque. He raised his hand to offer greetings.
[At-Tirmidhi].

856. Abu Juraiy Al-Hujaimi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “Alaikas-Salamu ya Rasulallah! (Upon you be peace, O Messenger of Allah)!” He said, “Do not say: `Alaikas-Salamu (Upon you be peace).’ This is the Salam to the dead.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Prohibition of Criticizing Food

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 101
Prohibition of Criticizing Food

736. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) never found fault with food. If he had inclination to eating it, he would eat; and if he disliked it, he would leave it.
Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

737. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked for sauce and was told that there was nothing except vinegar. He asked for it and began to eat from it saying, “How excellent is vinegar when eaten as sauce! How excellent is vinegar when eaten as Udm!”
Muslim].

What is to be said at the time of Sleeping

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 127
What is to be said at the time of Sleeping

814. Al-Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Whenever Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) went to bed, he would lie down on his right side and recite: “Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilaika, wa wajjahtu wajhi ilaika, wa fawwadtu amri ilaika, wa ‘alja’tu zahri ilaika, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilaika, la malja’a wa la manja illa ilaika. Amantu bikitabikal-ladhi anzalta, wa nabiyyikal-ladhi arsalta [O Allah! I have submitted myself to You, I have turned my face to You, committed my affairs to You, and depend on You for protection out of desire for You and out of fear of You (expecting Your reward and fearing Your punishment). There is no refuge and no place of safety from You but with You. I believed in the Book You have revealed, and in the Prophet You have sent (i.e., Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)).]”
[Al-Bukhari].

815. Al-Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) directed me thus: “Whenever you go to bed, perform Wudu’ as you do for Salat then (before sleeping) recite: `O Allah! I have submitted myself to You, I have turned myself to You, committed my affairs to You and sought Your refuge for protection out of desire for You and fear of You (expecting Your reward and fearing Your punishment). There is no refuge and no place of safety from You but with You. I believe in the Book You have revealed and in the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) You have sent.”’ Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added: “If anyone recites these words and dies during the night, he will die on the true Deen, and if he remains alive till the morning, he will obtain good. And make this supplication your last words (before sleeping).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

816. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to offer eleven Rak`ah of optional Salat (prayers) in the latter part of night. When it was about dawn, he would offer two short Rak`ah and then would lie down on his right side till the Mu’adhdhin (one who calls for prayer) would come to inform him that the congregation had gathered (for prayer).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

817. Hudhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) lay down for sleep at night, he would place his (right) hand under his (right) cheek and supplicate: “Bismika Allahumma amutu wa ahya [O Allah, with Your Name will I die and live (wake up)].” And when he woke up, he would supplicate: “Al-hamdu lillahil-ladhi ahyana ba`da ma amatana, wa ilaihin-nushur (All praise is due to Allah, Who has brought us back to life after He has caused us to die, and to Him is the return).”
[Al-Bukhari].

818. Ya`ish bin Tikhfah Al-Ghifari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: My father said: I was lying down on my belly in the mosque when someone shook me with his foot and said, “Lying down this way is disapproved by Allah.” I looked up and saw that it was Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).
[Abu Dawud].

819. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever sits in a place where he does not remember Allah (SWT), he will suffer loss and incur displeasure of Allah; and whoever lies down (to sleep) in a place where he does not remember Allah, he will suffer sorrow and incur displeasure of Allah.”
[Abu Dawud].

Undesirability of Drinking directly from the mouth of a Water-Skin

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 112
Undesirability of Drinking directly from the mouth of a Water-Skin

762. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) forbade turning the water-skin upside down and drinking directly from its mouth.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

763. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) prohibited drinking directly out of the mouth of a water-skin.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

764. Umm Thabit Kabshah (May Allah be pleased with her), daughter of Thabit (May Allah be pleased with him) and the sister of Hassan bin Thabit, the Prophet’s poet) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) visited me and drank some water from a hanging water-skin while he was in a standing posture. So, I stood up and cut off the mouth (of that water-skin). An-Nawawi said that the reason why she did this was to keep to receive benediction that part of the water-skin which the lips of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) touched.
[At-Tirmidhi].