Book 21: Foods

Anas said that God's messenger used to breathe three times in the course of a drink. (Bukhari and Muslim.) In a version Muslim added that he used to say, "It is more thirst-quenching, healthier and more wholesome."

Ibn ‘Abbas said God’s messenger forbade drinking from the mouth of a water-skin. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said God’s messenger forbade the ikhtibath of water-skins, adding in a version that this means having their heads inverted and then being drunk from. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas said the Prophet (ﷺ) forbade that a man should drink standing. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, "None of you must drink standing, and if anyone forgets he must vomit." Muslim transmitted it.

Ibn 'Abbas told that when he brought the Prophet (ﷺ) a bucket of Zamzam water he drank it while standing. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Ali prayed the noon prayer, then held a session to attend to the people’s needs in the open square of Kufa till the time of the afternoon prayer came. He was then brought water, drank some, washed his face and hands, the transmitter also mentioning his head and his feet, then stood up and drank what was left while standing. He then said, "Some people disapprove of drinking while standing, but the Prophet (ﷺ) did as I have done." Bukhari transmitted it.

Jabir told that the Prophet (ﷺ) went in to visit a man of the Ansar accompanied by one of his companions. He gave a salutation, and the man, who was watering his garden, responded to it. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If you have any water which has remained overnight in an old skin we should like it, otherwise we shall sip some from a streamlet.” He told him he had water which had been in old skins overnight, then went to the trellis and poured some water into a jug to which he added some milk which he drew from a domestic sheep, and the Prophet (ﷺ) drank. He repeated this and the man who had accompanied him drank. Bukhari transmitted it.

Umm Salama reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone drinks from silver vessels the fire of jahannam will bubble in his belly.” (Bukhari and Muslim.) A version by Muslim has, “He who eats and drinks from vessels of silver and gold.”

Hudhaifa told that he heard God’s messenger say, “Do not wear silk or brocade, do not drink from gold and silver vessels, and do not eat from gold and silver dishes, for others have them in this world, but you will have them in the next.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas told that a domestic sheep was milked for God’s messenger and its milk was mixed with water from a well in Anas’s house. God’s messenger was then given a cup and drank, Abu Bakr being on his left and a nomadic Arab on his right. ‘Umar asked God’s messenger to give it to Abu Bakr, but he gave it to the nomadic Arab who was on his right saying, “He who is on the right, then he who is on his right.” A version has, “Those on the right, then those on their right; go to the right.”* *This tradition indicates that people should band a drink to the one on their right irrespective of the relative importance of the people present. The tradition immediately following brings this out clearly. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Sahl b. Sa'd told that the Prophet (ﷺ) was brought a cup from which he drank, and on his right was a youth who was the youngest present, while the old men were on his left. He asked the youth to permit him to give it to the old men, but he replied, “I am not one to give anyone preference in a favour from you, messenger of God.” So he gave it to him. (Bukhari and Muslim.)