Knowledge & Devotion · Adab of Daily Life

Islamic Etiquette in Daily Life and Hospitality

Test your knowledge of Islamic guidelines for treating animals, guests, and food.

7 questions · Hard · about 4 minutes

Test yourself properly, with scoring and instant feedback.

7 questions, about 4 minutes.

Take the quiz
Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 7 questions.

1. What is a Muslim’s responsibility toward animals under their care?

  • Protect them and provide food and water. (correct answer)
  • Neglect them if they become inconvenient.
  • Expose them to danger if they are not useful.
  • Separate young animals from their mother without need.

Why

A Muslim who has animals under their care must look after them, protect them, and provide food and water. It is not permissible to expose them to danger or neglect them. The source cites the hadith about the woman who was punished because of a cat she detained without feeding it, and another report in which the Prophet ﷺ ordered that chicks be returned to their mother after she was upset by their removal. Animal care is a trust that must be treated with kindness.

View source on IslamQA →

2. What is the problem with giving special food or seating to wealthy guests in a way that makes them stand out from the other guests?

  • It undermines hospitality and kindness and may humiliate the other guests. (correct answer)
  • It is required whenever wealthy people attend.
  • It is only disliked if the food is expensive.
  • It is allowed as long as the wealthy guest is pleased.

Why

A host should not show special generosity to wealthy or high-status guests in a way that singles them out and makes other guests feel humiliated or sad. Hospitality should honour guests without creating arrogance, sadness, or social division. Food made exclusively for the rich while excluding the poor is criticized, and any behaviour that makes a Muslim sad or weakens brotherhood should be avoided.

View source on IslamQA →

3. What should a Muslim do if they see extravagance and waste at a banquet?

  • Advise the hosts to preserve Allah’s blessings, give thanks, and avoid waste. (correct answer)
  • Publicly shame the hosts in front of everyone.
  • Secretly throw away the extra food.
  • Refuse to eat from the food in every case.

Why

If a person sees extravagance at a banquet, there is nothing wrong with eating from it, but they should advise the hosts kindly. They should explain the importance of preserving blessings, thanking Allah for them, and avoiding waste. They may also suggest distributing surplus food to the poor and needy so that the celebration becomes a source of reward rather than waste.

View source on IslamQA →

4. If a guest is unsure what food has been served, what is part of proper eating etiquette?

  • Ask what the food is before eating it. (correct answer)
  • Eat it without asking, even if unsure.
  • Criticize the host for serving unfamiliar food.
  • Refuse all unfamiliar food as haram.

Why

Part of the etiquette of eating is that a guest may ask about food when they do not know what it is or are unsure what has been served. The Prophet ﷺ did not usually stretch his hand toward food until he knew what it was. This does not mean unfamiliar food is automatically haram; rather, asking helps a person know what they are eating and avoid what they personally dislike or what may be impermissible.

View source on IslamQA →

5. What phrase is prescribed to say before eating?

  • Bismillah. (correct answer)
  • Subhanallah.
  • Alhamdulillah.
  • Astaghfirullah.

Why

The phrase prescribed before eating is “Bismillah.” If a person forgets to say it at the beginning, they should say “Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu.” Scholars differed about adding “ar-Rahman ar-Rahim”; many said there is nothing wrong with it, but the better and safest wording is to limit oneself to what is clearly proven in the Sunnah: “Bismillah.”

View source on IslamQA →

6. What is the recommended guideline for eating in moderation?

  • One-third for food, one-third for drink, and one-third for air. (correct answer)
  • Eat beyond fullness whenever food is available.
  • Eat only once a day in all circumstances.
  • Avoid drinking anything with meals.

Why

Islam discourages extravagance in eating and encourages moderation. The hadith teaches that a few mouthfuls may be enough to keep a person going, but if one eats more, then one-third of the stomach should be for food, one-third for drink, and one-third for air. This is not a rule limiting people to one meal per day; the number of meals may vary. What matters is avoiding harmful overeating and eating in a way that helps one worship Allah.

View source on IslamQA →

7. What should be done with leftover food that is still edible?

  • Save it, give it to needy people, or give it to animals. (correct answer)
  • Throw it into dirty places or the trash.
  • Pour it down the drain if it is still usable.
  • Waste it so that it does not take up space.

Why

Food and drink that can still be used should not be thrown into the drain, trash, or dirty places. Edible leftovers should be saved for later, given to those in need, or given to animals. If food is spoiled, unusable, or has no value, then there is no blame in disposing of it properly. The point is to respect Allah’s blessing and avoid waste.

View source on IslamQA →

A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

More in Adab of Daily Life

Browse all 281 quizzes or explore guidance topics.