1. Abu Hurairah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: ‘Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) never found fault with food. If he had inclination to eating it, he would eat; and if he disliked it, he would leave it.’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
COMMENTARY:
This Hadith throws light on the Prophet’s excellent manners which ought to be followed by all Muslims. It is a deplorable state of affairs that when we find a dish a bit unsavoury, we lose our temper and create quite a scene in the house. May we follow the excellent example of our Prophet (S.A.W.S.).
2. Jabir (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: The Prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) asked for sauce and was told that there was nothing except vinegar. He asked for it and began to eat from it saying:
“How excellent is vinegar when eaten as sauce! How excellent is vinegar when eaten as Udm!”
[Muslim]
COMMENTARY:
This Hadith speaks about the simplicity and humility of Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.S.) with regard to food. As he abstained from a luxurious lifestyle, he hardly craved for delicious food. No mention of dainties, he would readily eat whatever was available to him.
REGARDING AN INVITATION TO A MEAL
Abu Hurairah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“When any of you is invited to a meal, he should accept the invitation. If he is observing Saum (fasting), he should supplicate for the betterment of the host and if he is not fasting, he should eat.”
[Muslim]
COMMENTARY:
Shari’ah permits a person to break a voluntary fasting. The example of Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.S.) clearly shows that it is not binding on him to keep it again as a redeeming step. A man is, therefore, free to break his voluntary fasting and participate in the feast to which he is invited. However, if somebody is reluctant to break the fast, he should pray for the good and welfare of the host. But we should refuse to attend such treats which are flagrantly masked by extravagance and frivolous un-Islamic rites to the disobedience of Allah.