Trivial Table Manners That Allah Despises

A plate of leftover rice on the dining table is often considered a trivial matter. The same applies to side dishes that are discarded because they do not suit one’s taste. However, from an Islamic perspective, these seemingly small habits can become significant issues when they lead to wastefulness and a lack of gratitude for the blessings of Allah SWT.

The phenomenon of food waste is no longer an unfamiliar sight. In homes, restaurants, weddings, and various large events, a significant amount of food ends up in the bin despite still being fit for consumption. Meanwhile, many people are still struggling to meet their daily nutritional needs.

Islam views such behaviour as a form of ‘tabdzir’, which is the squandering of blessings and wealth on things that are not appropriate. Scholars have long paid serious attention to this issue. Imam Shafi’i, as quoted by Imam Al-Qurthubi in the book Al-Jami’ li Ahkam Al-Qur’an, explains that tabdzir is spending or using wealth in places where it does not belong. Meanwhile, the great commentator Ahmad Mustafa Al-Maraghi explains that excessive behaviour in worldly matters that exceeds the limits is a prohibited behaviour.

This prohibition is directly emphasised by Allah SWT in the Quran: “And give to relatives their right, and to the needy and the traveller, and do not squander [your wealth] wastefully. Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been ungrateful to his Lord.” (QS Al-Isra: 26-27).

This verse uses very strong language. Allah does not merely forbid wastefulness, but refers to those who are wasteful as brothers of the devils. It is a warning that demonstrates how seriously Islam views the misuse of the blessings bestowed by Allah.

However, the issue does not stop at wastefulness. Often, someone discards food simply because they feel the flavour is not to their liking. Some taste a little and then leave it. Others comment on the food in a disparaging tone before ultimately throwing it away.

This is where Islam teaches a higher level of etiquette. The Prophet Muhammad SAW never disparaged the food served to him. If he liked it, he ate it; if he did not have an appetite for it, he simply left it without belittling or insulting the food.