Darul Ifta Ibn Masood

Eating with a spoon or a knife and fork

· 21 Rabiʻ II 1444 AH1 min readEnglish

Question

What is the ruling for eating meals with:

1) knife and fork (any meal?)

2) spoon (soup, rice dish etc.?)

3) fork only (like macaroni/spaghetti?)

Answer

It is Sunnah to eat with three fingers. This was the continuous practice of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and the Sahaabah. [Muslim no.2032]

At the time of necessity, one may use all 5 fingers to eat. [Re:- Aap Ke Masaa’il Aur Unka Hal Pg. 383 Vol.8 / Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah no. 24953] However, to eat with all 5 fingers without need is Khilaaf-e-Awla.

Eating with a spoon or a knife and fork without a need, is Khilaaf-e-Sunnah and falls in the category of Makrooh, as Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam would eat using his fingers. If a spoon is used due to necessity (such as for drinking soup), then there is no harm in doing so. [Jadeed Fiqhi Masaa’il Pg.340 Vol.1] Macaroni and spaghetti can be eaten using the hands, hence there is no need to use a fork or a spoon.

Answered by
Mufti Mohammed Desai
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Source: Darul Ifta Ibn Masood — https://fataawa.co.za/eating-with-a-spoon-or-a-knife-and-fork/
Fatawa SA: https://fatawa.co.za/fatwa/ibnmasood-21034

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