“Two companions of mine and I came, our hearing and sight having failed us because of the severe hardship, and we went to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)…” He then narrated the hadith in full, which includes the following: “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘O Allah, feed whoever feeds me, and give drink to whoever gives me drink.’”1.

Another is the report narrated by Muslim from Abd Allah ibn Busr (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) stayed with my father. We brought him some food and a preparation called watbah [that is, hays, made from dates, dried curds, and clarified butter], and he ate some of it. He was then brought dates, which he ate, placing the pits between his two fingers and holding his index and middle fingers together. Then a drink was brought to him, and he drank it before passing it to the person on his right. My father then took hold of the bridle of his mount and said, ‘Pray to Allah for us.’ He said: ‘O Allah, bless them in what You have provided for them, forgive them, and have mercy upon them.’”2.

Another is the report narrated by Abū Dāwūd from Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came to Sa'd ibn Ubāda, who brought him bread and oil, and he ate. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then said: “May those who fast break their fast with you, may the righteous eat your food, and may the angels invoke blessings upon you.”3.

How excellent it is for a Muslim to observe the etiquette and remembrances associated with food, so that his food may thereby be more blessed, pleasant, and wholesome.