36/18. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2031a — Licking Fingers
It is recommended to lick one's fingers and wipe the bowl, and to eat a piece of food that is dropped after removing any dirt on it. It is disliked to wipe one's hand before licking it, because of the possibility that the blessing of the food may be in that remaining part. The Sunnah is to eat with three fingers
Hadith About Licking Fingers Before Wiping the Hand
Sahih Muslim : 2031a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2031a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَعَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ، وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، - قَالَ إِسْحَاقُ أَخْبَرَنَا وَقَالَ الآخَرُونَ، حَدَّثَنَا - سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ، عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِذَا أَكَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ طَعَامًا فَلاَ يَمْسَحْ يَدَهُ حَتَّى يَلْعَقَهَا أَوْ يُلْعِقَهَا " .
Ibn 'Abbas reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him.) as saying: When any one of you eats food he should not wipe his hand until he has licked it or has it licked*.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2031aIn-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 168USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 23, Hadith 5037
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2031a
This Hadith about licking fingers after eating gives a clear instruction about the end of a meal. Ibn Abbas reported that Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said that when one of you eats food, he should not wipe his hand until he has licked it or has it licked. The wording focuses on what happens before wiping the hand. It does not mention a large story or many separate food manners. The main point is simple: do not rush to wipe away what remains from food before following the stated practice. People search for do not wipe hand until licking fingers hadith because it is a daily action. The lesson is about Prophetic eating manners and care with food.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم instructed not to wipe the hand immediately after eating.
- The hand should be licked or have it licked before wiping, as stated in the text.
- The Hadith teaches care with the remains of food.
- The report focuses on a simple eating manner after a meal.
