Riyad as-Salihin, 752
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Whenever the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ate food, he would lick his three fingers and say, "If anyone of you drops a morsel of food, he should remove any dirt that may have stuck on it and then eat it, and should not leave it for Satan." He (ﷺ) also commanded us that we should glean the pot, saying, "You do not know in which part of your food the blessings lies." <b>[Muslim]</b>.
وعن أنس رضى الله عنه قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا أكل طعاماً، لعق أصابعه الثلاث، وقال:"إذا سقطت لقمة أحدكم فليأخذها، وليمط عنها الأذى، وليأكلها،ولا يدعها للشيطان" وأمرنا أن نسلت القصعة وقال: "إنكم لا تدرون في أي طعامكم البركة" .((رواه مسلم))
References1 variant
- In-Book Reference
- Book 2, Hadith 26
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
<b>Guidance from the Hadiths:</b><br>
1) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) taught his Ummah the proper etiquette to follow when some food falls on the ground. This indicates that the Islamic teachings may sometimes be at odds with people’s inclinations, views, and habits.<br>
2) This etiquette irritates the devil, as it deprives him of the fallen morsel.<br>
3) We are encouraged to preserve the blessings we have, no matter how insignificant they may seem in the sight of people.