The Prophet ﷺ taught these words to a young boy at the table. Three short instructions that turn an ordinary meal into worship.
Before eating
Wash your hands and say "Bismillah". If you forget, say "Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu" when you remember.
يَا غُلَامُ، سَمِّ اللَّهَ، وَكُلْ بِيَمِينِكَ، وَكُلْ مِمَّا يَلِيكَ
“Young man, mention the name of Allah, eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you.”
While eating
Small habits with big meaning:
- Eat with the right hand
- Eat from what is in front of you
- Never criticise food — eat it or leave it quietly
- Share and do not waste
After eating
Say "Alhamdulillah" and thank whoever prepared the meal. Our online Islamic studies for kids teach daily manners in fun, short lessons.
Keep learning with Alazhar School
Short Quran lessons, recitations and tips every week.
Topics covered in this guide
- Islamic manners of eating
- Sunnah of eating
- Islamic etiquette for kids
- online Islamic studies
Knowledge check
One-question quick quiz
What should we say before eating?
Frequently asked
Learning with Al-Azhar online
Can I study Islamic Manners online from the USA, UK or Europe?
Yes. Live one-to-one classes are scheduled around international time zones, with the same teacher each week.
Are male and female Al-Azhar teachers available?
Yes. Families may request a qualified male or female teacher, subject to schedule availability.
Can I try a class before choosing a plan?
Yes. Every learner can book a 100% free trial class to meet a teacher and receive a starting-level recommendation.
