If the supper is served, then start eating it before performing the Maghrib prayer, and do not be hasty in finishing it

عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه : أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «إذا قُدِّمَ العَشَاءُ ، فابدءوا به قبل أن تُصَلُّوا صلاة المغرب، ولا تَعْجَلوا عن عَشَائِكم».

Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If the supper is served, then start eating it before praying the Maghrib prayer, and do not be hasty in finishing it."

Narrated by Bukhari & Muslim · hadeethenc:10876

Grading: Authentic hadith (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source

If the food is served at the same time that the prayer is about to be performed, then start eating the food before you pray, even if the time for the prayer is a short time, such as that of the Maghrib prayer. The reason is to keep the mind focused on the prayer during the prayer, and not be preoccupied by the food. Abu Ad-Dardā said: "From the signs of a sound mind is to finalize your needs so that the mind is free to focus during the prayer. Al-Bukhāri narrated this Hadīth in a suspended narration.

Topics: Conditions of Prayer

Source: HadeethEnc.com, published by HadeethEnc.com. Version API snapshot retrieved 2026-10-11 (the source publishes no version number) (retrieved 2026-10-11). Published by HadeethEnc.com. Shown unmodified; not reviewed by a scholar.