13 Sunnahs And Manners Of Drinking Water

The excellences of reciting ṣalāt upon the Prophet

The final Prophet of Allah ﷺ said, "Whoever recites ṣalāt upon me a thousand times in a day, shall not die until he sees his place in Paradise."¹

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيْبِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّدٍ

Reference:

¹ Al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib, vol. 2, p. 326, Hadith: 2590

Manners Of Drinking Water

Firstly, here are two hadith of the final Prophet ﷺ:

1.                  Do not drink in a single breath like a camel, but drink in two or three breaths. Recite بِسْمِ اللّٰه      before drinking. After finishing, recite اَلْحَمْدُلِلّٰه.¹

2.                  The Prophet ﷺ forbade breathing into or blowing into vessels (cups, pots, etc.).²

Regarding the latter hadith, Muftī Aḥmad Yār Khān رحمة الله عليه writes:

Breathing into vessels is an act done by animals. One's breath can also carry things which have a negative impact on health, so one should ensure to breathe away from the vessel (when drinking, this means to move the cup away from one's mouth to breathe).

Do not blow onto hot tea or milk to cool it. Wait for some time and drink when one is able to.³ There is no issue in reciting ṣalāt upon the Prophet etc. and blowing onto it as a means of cure.

3.                  Recite بِسْمِ اللّٰه before drinking water.

Reference:

¹ Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 1892
² Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 3728
³ Mirāt al-Manājīḥ, vol. 6, p. 77

4.                  Drink water by sipping, i.e. in small mouthfuls. Drinking large gulps of water may cause liver-related issues.

5.                  Drink water in three breaths.

6.                  Drink water whilst seated and with one's right hand.

7.                  After making wuḍū from a container, the water left over, and it is considered similar to a cure for seventy illnesses, similar to the water of Zamzam. Except for these (the leftover water of wuḍū and Zamzam), drinking any other water while standing is disliked (makrūh).¹ Drink these two waters whilst standing and facing the qiblah.

8.                  Before drinking, look to see if anything harmful is in the water.²

9.                  Recite اَلْحَمْدُلِلّٰه after drinking.

10.              Imam Ghazālī رحمة الله عليه explains, "Recite بِسْمِ اللّٰه before starting to drink water, اَلْحَمْدُلِلّٰه رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ at the end of the first breath, اَلْحَمْدُلِلّٰه رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ after the second, and اَلْحَمْدُلِلّٰه رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ after the third."³

Reference:

¹ Fatāwā Razawiyyah, vol. 4, p. 575 - vol. 21, p. 669
² Itḥāf al-Sadat al-Muttaqīn, vol. 5, p. 594
³ Iḥyā al-ʿUlūm, vol. 2, p. 8

This is a commendable action. Yet, there is no harm in not doing this. The sunnah is also fulfilled by saying بِسْمِ اللّٰه before and اَلْحَمْدُلِلّٰه after drinking.

11.              The clean leftover water left by a Muslim in a cup should not be thrown away without reason and can be utilised for other actions.

12.              سُؤْرُالْمُؤْمِنِ شِفَاء - "Cure is found in the leftover of a Muslim."¹

13.              After drinking water, one will see droplets of water gather at the bottom of the glass after a moment. These too should be drunk.

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيْبِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Reference:

¹ Al-Fatāwā al-Kubrā al-Fiqhiyyah, vol. 4, p. 117

The first Sunnah is to recite بِسْمِ اللّٰه (Bismillāh) before drinking water. Beginning with the name of Allah brings blessings (barakah) into the act and reminds the believer that every blessing comes from Him. Saying Bismillah also protects a person from the influence of Shayṭān and encourages mindfulness in every action.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed believers not to drink water hastily or in one long gulp. Instead, water should be consumed by taking small, gentle sips. Drinking slowly is beneficial for digestion and allows the body to absorb water more effectively. Islamic scholars have also mentioned that swallowing large gulps may be harmful to one's health.

The Prophet ﷺ advised drinking water in three separate breaths rather than all at once. While drinking, one should remove the cup from the mouth before taking each breath. This practice demonstrates patience, moderation, and good manners while also reducing the risk of choking or discomfort.

The Prophet ﷺ strictly prohibited breathing into or blowing into cups, bowls, or other drinking vessels. Scholars explain that breathing into a vessel resembles the behavior of animals and may spread germs or unpleasant odors. If the drink is hot, one should wait until it cools naturally instead of blowing on it.

Another beautiful Sunnah is to drink water while sitting. Sitting reflects humility and calmness and is generally considered healthier than drinking while standing. Islamic scholars mention that drinking while standing is disliked (makrūh), except in certain situations such as drinking the blessed water of Zamzam or the remaining water from wuḍū, which may be drunk while standing and facing the Qiblah.

The Prophet ﷺ consistently used his right hand for eating and drinking. Using the right hand symbolizes respect and follows the noble practice of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. It is also a sign of distinguishing oneself from undesirable habits.

Before taking a drink, it is recommended to look into the vessel to ensure that no harmful object, insect, or impurity is present. This simple Sunnah reflects Islam's emphasis on cleanliness, caution, and personal well-being.

After finishing the water, one should recite اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه (Alhamdulillah). Praising Allah expresses gratitude for one of His greatest blessings. Water is essential for life, and thanking Allah reminds believers never to take His favors for granted.

Imam Ghazālī رحمة الله عليه describes a recommended practice of remembering Allah throughout the three breaths:

• Begin with بِسْمِ اللّٰه before drinking.
• After the first breath, say اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ.
• After the second breath, repeat اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ.
• After the third breath, recite اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ.

Although this practice is recommended and carries spiritual beauty, the Sunnah is fulfilled by simply saying Bismillah before drinking and Alhamdulillah afterwards.

Islam discourages wasting blessings. If a Muslim leaves clean water in a cup, it should not be thrown away without a valid reason. It can be consumed later or used for another beneficial purpose. This etiquette teaches gratitude, conservation, and respect for Allah's provisions.

A narration states:

سُؤْرُ الْمُؤْمِنِ شِفَاءٌ
"There is healing in the leftover of a believer."

This statement highlights the honor and purity associated with a faithful Muslim. It also encourages love, respect, and brotherhood among believers.

After finishing a glass of water, tiny droplets often gather at the bottom or sides of the glass. Islamic scholars encourage drinking these remaining drops instead of leaving them behind. This reflects appreciation for every blessing and helps avoid unnecessary waste.

The etiquettes of drinking water are not merely physical actions; they cultivate gratitude, humility, cleanliness, patience, and remembrance of Allah. Every sip becomes an opportunity to earn reward by following the example of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. A believer who drinks with Bismillah, uses the right hand, sits respectfully, drinks in three breaths, avoids blowing into the vessel, and concludes with Alhamdulillah transforms a simple daily habit into an act of worship.