The Creed of Compassion-Islamic Teachings & Answering Doctrinal Misconceptions

Issue No. 2266- It is haram to sit and eat at a table which people are drinking alcoholic beverages if one is considered as one of them, though the food may be halal.

Issue No. 2268- There are certain recommended rules (with the intention of them hopefully having rewards in the eyes of almighty Allah [swt]) to be observed while having a meal:1- Washing both the hands before having a meal.2- Washing both the hands after having a meal and drying them with a towel.3- The host should begin eating first, and should also be the last to withdraw from the table.4- One should say “بسم الله” before starting to eat and recite “الحمد لله” at the end and in case there are a number of dishes, it is recommended to say “بسم الله” before eating from each of the dishes.5- One should eat with the right hand.6- If several persons are sitting together for their meals, they should partake of the food placed in front of him. 7- One should take small morsels of food.8- One should not eat in a hurry, should prolong the duration of taking a meal, and chew the food thoroughly.9- One should use a toothpick after having a meal to bring out the food particles between the teeth, and also wash the mouth.10- One should avoid throwing away the food which is scattered on the dining cloth. However, if one takes food in an open place, like a desert, etc., it is better to leave the food which has fallen aside for animals and birds to eat.11- One should have two meals a day, in the earlier part of the day and in the earlier part of the night.12- One should take some salt before and after the meal.13- One should wash all fruits before eating them.14- To try one’s best to always have a guest at the meal.

Issue No. 2269- The following acts are regarded as disliked while having a Meal:1- To eat when full.2- To overeat. It has been reported in a hadith that there is nothing worse than a stuffed stomach in the eyes of Allah (swt).3- To look at others’ while eating.4- To eat food while it is still hot.5- To blow on the food or drink which one is eating or drinking.6- To wait for something more after bread has been served on the dining cloth.7- To cut bread with a knife.8- To place a loaf of bread under the food pots or plates or any disrespect to it.9- To peel those fruits which are normally eaten with their skin.10- To throw away the fruit before one has eaten it fully.

Issue No. 2270- According to narrations there are certain acts which are mustaḥab while drinking water. They are as follows:1- Water should be drunk by sipping.2- During daytime, one should drink water while standing.3- One should say “بسم الله” before drinking water and “الحمد لله” after drinking it.4- One should drink water in three breaths, not one.5- One should drink water when one has the inclination.6- After drinking water, one should remember Imam al-Husayn (as) and his family, and curse his killers.

Issue No. 2271- According to narrations, there are a few acts which have been advised against while drinking water:1- To drink too much water.2- To drink water after eating fatty food.3- To drink water while standing during the night.4- To drink water with one’s left hand.5- To drink water from the side of the broken part of the pitcher, or from the side of its handle.

Issue No. 2272- Vow (nadhr) means making it obligatory upon oneself to do some good act or to refrain from doing an act which is better not to do for the sake of Allah.

Issue No. 2273- Vow is of two kinds: 1- A vow which is done in a conditional form, for example one says, “if my patient gets well, I will undertake to do such and such work for Allah”, this is called “Vow of gratitude”, or if I commit such and such a bad work, I will undertake to do a certain good act for Allah, and this is called “Vow for forbiddance”.2- An absolute vow, and that is a kind of vow in which a person, without any restriction or condition, says for example, "I vow to offer Night Prayers for the sake of Allah ". All of these vows are in order.

Issue No. 2275- A vow will be valid if the person making it is mature and sane, and makes the vow with free will and intention. In case, therefore, he has been forced to make a vow or if he makes it owing to anger or losing his control, his vow is not in valid.

Issue No. 2277-A vow made by a woman that is in conflict with her husband's rights is void without his permission and in case it is not contrary to his rights, it should be done with his permission as a recommended precaution.

Issue No. 2276- A mentally incompetent person who squanders his property for useless purposes or a person who has been prevented by the Islamic judge from making use of his property because of bankruptcy, may not vow in regard to their own properties and it would be void if they do [in regard to their own properties].

Issue No. 2280- A person may vow only acts which are possible for him to fulfil.

Issue No. 2281- An act that a person vows to do should be religiously desirable. Hence, making a vow for performing a haram or disliked act or for refraining from/leaving an obligatory or mustaḥab act is not in order.