Chapter 107 - Eating from the Side of the Vessel

Ibn `Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) reported: The Prophet said,

"Blessing descends upon food in its middle, so eat from the sides of the vessel and do not eat from its middle.'' [At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

Commentary: This Hadith tells us that if a few people or members of the same family recite the Name of Allah and take meal at the same table, a two-fold benefit will accrue to them. Their hunger will be sated with their subsistence being given the Divine blessing. And if they do otherwise, the result will be otherwise too.

Abdullah bin Busr reported: The Prophet had a large bowl called Al-Gharra', which would be carried by four men. One day, when the Companions finished their Duha (forenoon optional) prayer, Al-Gharra' was brought full of sopped bread, meat and broth, and they sat down around it. When their number increased, The Messenger of Allah sat down on his knees and rested on the soles of his feet. A Bedouin said to him: "What sort of sitting is that?'' Thereupon The Messenger of Allah said,

"Verily, Allah has made me a courteous slave not a fierce tyrant.''  

Then he   said, "Eat from the sides of the bowl and leave the central part of it so that your food will be blessed.'' [Abu Dawud].


Commentary: Here, too, we are told to eat collectively and from our side of the table. The Messenger of Allah calls it the blessed way. There is also a provision for sitting with bent knees (while resting on one's soles). Moreover, the excellence of The Messenger of Allah as well as his humility are brought to our knowledge.