pair two pieces together unless he first secures the permission of the companion beside him, for fear that he might consume more than his brother. If a person is eating alone, however, there is no harm in taking two dates—or two pieces of any food ordinarily eaten one by one—at the same time, for he is not disadvantaging anyone. The only exception is when he fears that swallowing both pieces at once may cause choking or gagging; as common folk say, “Whoever overturns the morsel is bound to choke.” Therefore, if he thinks that eating two dates or two items at once could make him choke, he must refrain, because that would harm his own self, and the self is a trust in your care; it is not lawful to do anything that injures or endangers it.

The author then cites the narration of Ibn ʿUmar (d. ― AH) from the Prophet ﷺ stating that he forbade al-qirān—meaning joining two dates—unless one first asks permission from those sharing the food; if they consent, there is no objection.

As for the second chapter, it concerns a person who eats yet does not feel satisfied, and that has several causes. One is failing to mention the Name of Allah over the food: when someone omits the basmalah, Satan eats with him and the blessing is removed from his meal. Another cause is eating from the middle of the platter, which likewise strips away blessing, for the Prophet ﷺ forbade a person to eat from the centre of the dish, declaring that the blessing descends there; instead, one should eat from the sides.