Ahadith – On Licking Fingers and the Plate

In Muslim it is related from Ka’ab ibn Maalik radiallahu anhu that the Prophet sallallahu alyhe wasallam would use three fingers while eating and would lick his blessed fingers prior to wiping his hand.

In Sahih Muslim, Jaabir relates radiallahu anhu relates that the Prophet sallallahu alayhe wasallam commanded us to lick our fingers and the plate and he sallallahu alayhe wasallam said that you do not know (or you never know) which part of the food contains the barakah.

Related in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim Abdullah ibn Abbas radiallahu anhuma relates that the Prophet sallallahu alayhe wasallam said that after eating do not wipe your hand until you lick it, or have somone else lick it (meaning have only the one who does not hold hatred for you lick it, such as students or mureeds –spiritual aspirants– of a Shaykh as they consider eating the leftovers of their teacher or Shaykh as a great honor and happiness).

Imam Ahmed, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Maajah rahmatullahi alyhim report that Nabishah radiallahu anhu relates that the Prophet sallallahu alayhe wasallam said that he who licks his plate will have it seek forgiveness for him. In Zarin’s radiallahu anhu narration, the plate will say “May Allah Most High free you from Jahannam (Hell) as you have saved me from Shaytan.”

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