Etiquettes and Supplications for Daily Practices
If these etiquettes are observed in daily life, they become a source of reward and virtue.Etiquette of Entering the House:
When someone enters their home, they should step in with the right foot and remember Allah Almighty by saying “Bismillah” or reciting this supplication:
بِسْمِ اللهِ وَلَجْنَا، وَبِسْمِ اللهِ خَرَجْنَا، وَعَلَى رَبِّنَا تَوَكَّلْنَا
(“In the name of Allah Almighty we enter, in the name of Allah Almighty we leave, and upon our Lord we rely.”)
Say “As-salamu ‘alaykum” whether someone is in the house or not. Also recite this verse when entering your dwelling:
رَبِّ أَنْزِلْنِي مُنْزَلًا مُبَارَكًا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْمُنْزِلِينَ
(“My Lord, cause me to land at a blessed landing place, and You are the best of those who bring to land.” — Surah Al-Mu’minun, Ayah 29)
Etiquette of Leaving the House:
When leaving the house, step out with the right foot and recite this supplication:
بِسْمِ اللهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللهِ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ
(“In the name of Allah Almighty, I place my trust in Allah Almighty, and there is no power and no strength except with Allah Almighty.”)
According to the narration of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah Almighty be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah Almighty (may Allah Almighty bless him and give him peace) said:
Whoever says this upon leaving his house, it will be said to him: “You are guided, you are protected, and you are sufficed.” Then one devil says to another: “How can you harm someone who has been guided, protected, and sufficed?” (Abu Dawud)
Etiquette of Eating Food:
Before eating, wash your hands. When you are a guest, ask about the type of food. The Messenger of Allah Almighty (may Allah Almighty bless him and give him peace), when invited as a guest, would not eat until he was told what the food was or what it was called.
When the food is served, begin promptly and say “Bismillah” before eating.
If you forget to say it at the beginning, say during the meal:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلِهِ وَآخِرِهِ
(“In the name of Allah Almighty at its beginning and its end.”)
Eat with your right hand and eat from what is in front of you. The Messenger of Allah Almighty (may Allah Almighty bless him and give him peace) said:
“Blessing descends upon the middle of the food, so eat from its edges and not from the middle.”
It is sunnah to eat with three fingers, but if necessary, one may use four or five.
If using a spoon or utensil, there is no problem.
After eating, wash your hands and rinse your mouth; this is recommended.
If you are a guest, make du‘a for your host. The sunnah supplication is:
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَهُمْ فِيمَا رَزَقْتَهُمْ، وَاغْفِرْ لَهُمْ، وَارْحَمْهُمْ
(“O Allah Almighty, bless them in what You have provided for them, forgive them, and have mercy on them.”)
If a morsel of food falls to the ground, pick it up, clean it, and eat it.
Anas (may Allah Almighty be pleased with him) said:
When the Messenger of Allah Almighty (may Allah Almighty bless him and give him peace) finished eating, he would lick his three fingers.
Do not eat while lying down or reclining on one side.
At the end of the meal, praise Allah Almighty by saying “Alhamdulillah”, or recite:
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ وَأَطْعِمْنَا خَيْرًا مِنْهُ
(“O Allah Almighty, bless it for us and provide us with something better than it.”)
If you drink milk, say:
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ وَزِدْنَا مِنْهُ
(“O Allah Almighty, bless it for us and increase it for us.”)
Do not find faults with the food, and do not eat or drink from utensils made of gold or silver.