Sunnats and Aadaab of Drinking – Part 1

DRINKING

There are many sunnats and aadaab (etiquettes) in regard to drinking. Some sunnats and aadaab pertain to the various duas which have been prescribed to be recited before, during and after drinking. Other sunnats and aadaab relate to the manner in which a person should drink.

Apart from this, there are sunnats and aadaab that teach a person the amount of liquid that he should drink at one time in order for him to avoid damaging his health. Hence, drinking in the correct manner is essential, as this will enable one to maintain good health which will assist him in the worship of Allah Ta‘ala.

When one examines the various teachings of deen which relate to drinking, one will realize that this department alone is sufficient to reveal the beauty and perfection of Islam.

Islam has shown man the way to fulfil his basic need of drinking in the best manner and taught him how to thank Allah Ta‘ala for His countless bounties and favours.

Through correctly fulfilling the complete sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in one’s life (e.g. the sunnats of eating, drinking, dressing, interacting with people, etc.), one will be blessed with a pure life and will be granted respect and dignity.

Sunnats and Aadaab of Drinking

1. Before drinking, take the name of Allah Ta‘ala by reciting: ^[1]

بِسْمِ اللهِ

In the name of Allah.

2. Drink with the right hand.^[2]

عن ابن عمر أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إذا أكل أحدكم فليأكل بيمينه وإذا شرب فليشرب بيمينه فإن الشيطان يأكل بشماله ويشرب بشماله ( صحيح مسلم، الرقم: ٢٠٢٠)

Hazrat Ibnu Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “When any one of you eats then he should eat with his right hand, and when he drinks then he should drink with his right hand, for indeed Shaitaan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand.”

3. It is better for one not to drink from a bottle or utensil which is such that the contents one is consuming are not visible. The reason is that it is possible that there could be something harmful inside the bottle or utensil (e.g. an insect). Instead, one should pour out the contents into a glass and thereafter drink.^[3]

4. It is better to sit and drink. However, if it is Zam Zam water or the water that remains in the utensil after wudhu, then one may stand and drink the water.^[4]

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[1] المعجم الأوسط للطبراني، الرقم: ٦٤٥٢، وقال العلامة الهيثمي رحمه الله في مجمع الزوائد، الرقم: ٨٢٦٠: فيه شبل بن العلاء وهو ضعيف

وسنن الطعام البسملة في أوله والحمدلة في آخره (الفتاوى الهندية ٣٣٧/٥)

أحسن الفتاوى ٦٥/٩

[2] المواظبة لا تفيد السنية إلا إذا كانت على سبيل العبادة وأما إذا كانت على سبيل العادة فتفيد الاستحباب والندب لا السنية كلبس الثوب والأكل باليمين (البحر الرائق ٢٩/١)

[3] صحيح البخاري، الرقم: ٥٦٢٩

[4] وأن يشرب من فضل الوضوء قائما أو قاعدا لأنه صلى الله عليه وسلم شرب قائما من فضل وضوئه وماء زمزم (حاشية الطحطاوي على مراقي الفلاح صـ ٧٧)

صحيح البخاري، الرقم: ١٦٣٧، سنن الترمذي، الرقم: ١٨٨٢، وقال: هذا حديث حسن صحيح

سنن الترمذي، الرقم: ٤٨ وقال: هذا حديث حسن صحيح