Chapter: One should not criticize food, and it is recommended to praise it

736 – Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never disparaged any food. If he desired it he ate it, and if he disliked it he left it.” Agreed upon.

737 – Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet ﷺ asked his family for some idam (a condiment to eat with bread). They replied, ‘We have nothing except vinegar.’ He asked for it, began to eat, and kept saying, ‘What an excellent condiment vinegar is! What an excellent condiment vinegar is!’” Narrated by Muslim.

[Explanation]

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—states: “Chapter: One should not find fault with food, and it is recommended to praise it.” Food (taʿām) covers everything a person consumes, whether eaten or drunk. When food is set before someone, he should recognize the magnitude of Allah’s favor in facilitating it, thank Him for it, and refrain from criticizing it. If he wishes to eat and finds it agreeable, let him do so; otherwise, he should leave it without belittling or censuring it. Proof for this is the ḥadīth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Prophet ﷺ never criticized food,” meaning that at no time did he ever disparage any food. Rather, if he