Eating
....Observe the following Sunnah for eating:
1. Pronounce the Tasmiyah, i.e. bismillaah (In the Name of Allah).
2. Eat with the right hand.
3. Eat from what is in front of you.
....These three Sunnah are recorded in one Hadeeth:
....O young men, mention the Name of Allah, eat with your right hand and eat from what is in front of you. (i.e. near to you - Muslim, The Book Of Drinks, Hadeeth 2022.)
4. If some food drops, clean it and then eat it:
....If one of you dropped a morsel of food, then remove from it whatever there is of dirt and then eat it... (Muslim, The Book Of Drinks, Hadeeth 2034.)
5. Eat with three fingers.
....The Prophet (S.A.W.S.) used to eat with three fingers. This was his (S.A.W.S.) way of eating and is better, unless a need requires otherwise. (Muslim, The Book Of Drinks, Hadeeth 2032.)
6. The etiquette of sitting when eating:
* Kneel on one's shins and front of the feet, or
* Keep the right leg upright and sit on the left.
....This is what is preferred, as was mentioned by Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar in Fath Al-Baree.
For the supplications that can be said before eating see the first attachment.
....Observe the following Sunnah after eating:
1. Lick the bowl and the fingers:
....The Prophet (S.A.W.S.) ordered the licking of the fingers and bowl, and he said:
....Verily, You do not know in which of it (i.e. which morsel of food) is blessing. (Muslim, The Book Of Drinks, Hadeeth 2033.)
2. Praise Allah:
....Verily, Allah is pleased with the slave who eats his food and praises Allah for it... (Muslim, The Book Of Drinks, Hadeeth 2734.)
....The supplication of the Prophet (S.A.W.S.) is in the second attachment.
....From the benefits of this Du'aa, is that:
....The person's past sins will be forgiven. (At-Tirmidhee, The Book Of Supplications, Hadeeth 3458. Ibn Maajah, The Book of Food, Hadeeth 3285.)