Q: Assalamu alaikum.
A person in our mosque who was in itikaf this Ramadhan was wiping his hands after washing before eating,we told him that it was against sunnah to wipe hands after washing and before eating, he is saying to us to give him a hadith he is wrong.  He also eats with spoon and fork and wants us to prove that eating with spoon and fork is against sunnah. Jazakallah

Time: August 29, 2015 at 1:04 AM

A: Walaikumsalam,

Prior to eating, it is mustahab to not wipe ones hands after washing them. (Derived from Abu Dawood) Sometimes wiping them defeats the purpose of washing them, more so if there are germs on the towel, etc. However, if one did wipe them, it would not be a sin. To knowingly do this would contradict sunnah.

Likewise, if persons hands were clean and they did not wish to wash them, that too would be allowed, however, this will not be preferred.

Rasool (SAW) used to eat with ‘ three fingers’ (hadith.) This is sufficient proof that he (saw) eat with his fingers. However, eating all foods with the fingers may prove challenging. (Fruit salad, salad, ice cream, soup, sometimes rice, etc.) Therefore, to insist that one eats with their fingers may also not be correct.

Likewise, a person may be new to eating certain foods with their fingers, and therefore may need time to adjust. So long as a person does not eat with their fingers or spoon/fork thinking they are more superior and others are backward or sinners, it is acceptable.

The best would be to follow the sunnah whenever possible. To wash ones hands before and after eating, praise and thank Allah while eating, eating in moderation, eating as our Rasool (SAW) eat, eating ‘pure’ and healthy foods would be he best way to go.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.