Verily, the devil can eat from any food upon which the Name of Allah is not mentioned

Explanation

Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that whenever they were present with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) at a meal, they would not stretch their hands to the food until the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) began and placed his hand first. He said: On one occasion, we were with him at a meal when a young girl came rushing as though she were being pushed, and she went to place her hand in the food. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) took hold of her hand. Then a Bedouin came as if he too were being pushed, and he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) took hold of his hand before it touched the food. Then the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Indeed, the devil can eat food when a person begins eating without mentioning Allah's name. He brought this girl to make the food permissible (for himself) through her, so I caught her hand. Then he brought this Bedouin to make it permissible through him, so I caught his hand. By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, the devil's hand is in my hand together with hers. Then he mentioned Allah's name and ate.

Benefits

• The Companions' respect for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and their politeness with him.
• Among the etiquettes of eating is that the younger should wait until the elder or more virtuous person begins to eat.
• The devil incites the heedless to acts he approves of, thereby achieving his aim, as seen in this Hadīth.
• An-Nawawi said: The scholars said: It is recommended to say 'Bismillāh' (in the Name of Allah) aloud so that others may hear it and be reminded of it.
• If someone came to eat and you did not hear him mention Allah's name, you can hold his hand until he mentions Allah's name.
• The obligation to change evil through knowledge for the learned, and through physical intervention for those capable.
• This Hadīth is among the signs of prophethood of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), as Allah Almighty informed him of what happened in this story.
• The devil cannot partake of the food of the believers unless the name of Allah is not mentioned over it.
• It is recommended to teach people the etiquette of eating and drinking in Islam.
• It is recommended to swear an oath (by Allah) to emphasize a matter to the listener.
• An-Nawawi said: Mentioning Allah's name when drinking water, milk, honey, broth, medicine, and all other beverages, just as mentioning Allah's name when eating food.
• An-Nawawi said: If one intentionally, forgetfully, ignorantly, under compulsion, or due to some other impediment fails to mention Allah's name at the beginning of the meal but is later able to do so during eating, it is recommended to say: Bismillāhi awwaluhu wa ākhiruh (In the Name of Allah at its beginning and its end). This is based on the Prophet's saying: "When any of you eats, let him mention Allah's name. If he forgets to mention Allah's name at the beginning, let him say: In the Name of Allah at its beginning and end." [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and At-Tirmidhi]

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