Is It Important to Completely Clean One’s Plate Even If It Is Difficult?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

Is it important to completely clean one’s plate when eating even if it is difficult to do so?

Answer

May Allah reward you for your concern and sincerity regarding this great blessing.

Food

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Food for one (person) suffices two, and food for two (people) suffices four people, and food for four people suffices eight persons.” [Muslim]

Please take out less food on your plate, and finish it well, every last grain, in order to gain the full blessings of your meal and complete your gratitude. If you can’t finish it immediately, save it for later.

World Hunger

17% percent of the food in the world is currently wasted, and the United Nations Secretary-General has warned of an unprecedented global hunger crisis, where hundreds of millions will be affected. I remind myself and you to be part of the solution and not the problem.
UN chief warns of ‘catastrophe’ from global food shortage

Please see these links as well:
How to Dispose of Leftover Food
What Does Islam Say About Wasting Food?
Throwing Away Food
Leaving Food on One’s Plate
Can I Feed Leftover Food to Animals?
Getting Rid of Spoiled Food

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Master’s Degree in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.