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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_visitation_habits, page : 23
The second is to arrange the food, one should begin with the fruit, if there is any,
this is more healthy for the digestion as it should reach the stomach before
anything else. There is indication in the Koran regarding the presentation of the
fruit first, as Allah, the Almighty said: “with fruits of their own choice,” (Koran Ch.
56 verse 20) Then said: “and any flesh of fowl that they desire.” (Koran Ch. 56
verse 21). The best to be presented after the fruit is the meat and the breaded
soup.
The third to be presented should be the various vegetable dishes, of them the
best should be presented first, so that those who wish to eat of it can take their
fill. The indulgent people usually present the heaviest dish first, then they serve
the nicest in order to make the people eat too much. This is the opposite of the
Sunnah, as it is a guile to make the people over indulge. It was a tradition of the
people before to present all the dishes at the same time on the tray, so that each
one can eat what he wishes. And even if the host had only one kind he would put
it mentioning that is all he has so that they do not expect more. It was narrated
that one of the pious people used to make a list of the food he had prepared and
this is more healthy for the digestion as it should reach the stomach before
anything else. There is indication in the Koran regarding the presentation of the
fruit first, as Allah, the Almighty said: “with fruits of their own choice,” (Koran Ch.
56 verse 20) Then said: “and any flesh of fowl that they desire.” (Koran Ch. 56
verse 21). The best to be presented after the fruit is the meat and the breaded
soup.
The third to be presented should be the various vegetable dishes, of them the
best should be presented first, so that those who wish to eat of it can take their
fill. The indulgent people usually present the heaviest dish first, then they serve
the nicest in order to make the people eat too much. This is the opposite of the
Sunnah, as it is a guile to make the people over indulge. It was a tradition of the
people before to present all the dishes at the same time on the tray, so that each
one can eat what he wishes. And even if the host had only one kind he would put
it mentioning that is all he has so that they do not expect more. It was narrated
that one of the pious people used to make a list of the food he had prepared and