Issue 2642...

Issue 2642: * Drinking alcoholic beverage is haraam, and in some traditions (Ahadith), it has been declared as among the greatest sins. Imam Ja'far Sadiq (A.S.) says: “Alcohol is the root of all evils and sins. A person who drinks alcohol loses his sanity. At that time, he does not know Allah, does not fear committing any sin, respects the rights of no one, and does not desist from committing evil openly.

The spirit of faith and piety departs from him and only the impure and vicious spirit, which is far off from the Mercy of Allah, remains in his body. Allah, His angels, His prophets and the true believers curse such a man, and his daily prayers are not accepted for forty days. On the Day of Judgement his face will be dark, and his tongue will come out of his mouth, the saliva will fall on his chest and he will desperately complain of thirst”.

Issue 2643: * To eat at a table at which people are drinking alcohol is haraam and similarly, to sit at that table where people are drinking alcohol is haraam, as a precaution, if one would be reckoned among them. Issue 2644: It is obligatory upon every Muslim to save the life of a Muslim, who may be dying of hunger or thirst, by providing him enough to eat or drink.

Eating Manners Issue 2645: * There are certain Mustahab rules to be observed while taking a meal; they are as follows: (i) Washing both the hands before taking a meal. (ii) After taking a meal, one should wash one's hands, and dry them with a dry cloth. (iii) The host should begin eating first, and should also be the last to withdraw his hand. Before starting to take a meal, the host should wash his own hands first, and thereafter, the person sitting on his right should do so.

Then the other guests should follow him, till it is the turn of the person sitting on the left side of the host. After finishing the meal, the person sitting on the left side of the host should wash his hands first, and thereafter other persons should follow him till it is the turn of the host. (iv) One should say Bismillah before starting to eat, and if there are several dishes, it is Mustahab to say Bismillah before partaking of each of the dishes. (v) One should eat with one's right hand.

(vi) One should eat using three or more fingers and should not eat with two fingers only. (vii) If several persons are sitting together for their meals, everyone of them should partake of the food placed in front of him. (viii) One should take small bits of food.