Chapter 193
Remembrance 1 from Chapter 193
The desirability of a host saying ‘eat’ and similar things to his guests when food is presented
Context
KNOW THAT IT is mustaḥabb for the host to say to his guests upon presenting the food: In the name of Allah!, or Eat!, or aṣ-Ṣalāh!, [1].or other words that clearly express permission to start eating, when food is presented. These words are not wājib : it is sufficient to present the food to them. They may eat simply because the food has been presented, without any specific words. According to some of our [Shāfi‘ī] colleagues, the words are essential, but the correct view is the other one. The authentic hadiths about permission for [eating] are interpreted as indicating the desirability [of a verbal invitation].
References
[1] It is recommended to wash the hands before eating; hand-washing is also sometimes called wuḍū’, so saying Ṣalāh! is metonymic since the food also comes after wuḍū’.