Blowing on hot food.

Blowing on hot food.

Ibn Abbas radiallahu anhumaa reported that the prophet sallalahu alaihi wa sallam disliked anyone breathing in a vessel or blowing in it.

This hadeeth was recorded by Imam Ahmed in his Musnad(1), At-Tirmithi(2), Abu Dawood(3) and Ibn Majah(4) in their Sunan. Imam At-Tirmithi and Sheikh Al-Albaani(5) authenticated it.

Ibn Abbas said that, ‘The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) interdicted blowing into food and drink’ [Musnad Ahmad] Munawi explains that blowing indicates excessive greediness and a lack of patience. [Munawi, Fayd al-Qadir Sharh al-Jami` al-Saghir]

He rahimullah also said,

Relating to his (sallalahu alaihi wa salam) saying ((then he should not breath in the vessel)) this is a prohibition from breathing in that which is drunk from, in order that saliva/spit is not let out from the mouth leaving it (the vessel) unclean for the next person who drinks from it, or causing a foul smell to be attached to the water or vessel.

He also explains the meaning of the sentence ((or blowing in it)):

The word ((vessel)) here includes the vessel which is used for food and drink. So one should not blow in the vessel in order to remove that which is in the water from dirt or what is similar to that, for verily blowing generally is not free from saliva which is deemed unclean or filthy. Likewise one should not blow in the vessel in order to cool down hot food, rather he should be patient until the food has cooled down itself as previously mentioned. One should also not eat the food whilst it is hot, for verily the blessing will depart from it and it is from the food of the people of the hellfire.

Moreover, a number of the hadith commentators clarify this, and similar traditions, by quoting Muhallab who said that the interdiction is due to the fact that saliva may fall into the food or drink and it could well put oneself, and specifically others, off the food. However, as for eating or drinking alone, with one’s family and the like (i.e. those who would not be put off the food were anything to fall into it) there would be no harm in doing so. [`Asqalani, Fath al-Bari]

It is preferable to let the food cool down first to the level where it is comfortable to eat. Taking in hot food directly can be harmful in ways and Allah knows best.