Chosen Islamic Manners

*One should make sure that the guests can easily reach the food. Allah says:

and (he) placed it before them… (51:27)

*One should agree with the host to eat when he calls him to a meal. One should not ask the host for anything in his residence except for the direction of the Qiblah, and the restroom. One should not look towards the section where the women reside. One should not sit in a place other than that in which the host seats him. One should wash his hands before the meal.
*One should not repeatedly look at the kitchen or pantry where the food is being prepared.
*The host should offer the food as quickly as possible to the guests, for this is a sure sign that he honors his guests.
*Imam Ibn al-Jozi, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 'One should not rush his companion by saying to him: 'eat'. He should not do something which disgusts his companions. He should not put his hand in the food plate. If he takes something out of his mouth, he should turn his face away from the food plate and remove it from his mouth with his left hand. He should not put the rest of the food which is in his hand back into the gravy. One should not place an oily portion of food into vinegar or pickles or vice versa, for others may be disgusted with this.'

*One should not repeatedly look at the faces of those who are eating.
*The host should not abruptly leave until all his guests have eaten their fill.
*Eating on the ground is better than eating on a table. It is narrated that Anas b. Malik () said: 'The Prophet () did not eat on a table nor did he ever eat moist bread.' (Bukhari)
*It is praiseworthy for the host to walk with the guest to the door. Abu Ubaid al-Qasim b. Sal'laam visited Imam Ahmed, may Allah have mercy on them both, and Abu Ubaid said: 'When I wanted to leave the house, Imam Ahmed stood up with me.' I told him: 'Don't, O Abu Abdullah.' Imam ash-Sha'bi said: 'Of the manners of excellency during a visit is that one should walk with the guest to the door.'
*The host should call pious people to his home. The Messenger of Allah () said: