Daily Hadith Wed 08-Feb-2023 - 16 Rajab 1444 حديث اليوم
Excellence of Eating with three Fingers and Licking them
Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When one of you finishes eating, he should not wipe his fingers until he has licked them himself or has given them to someone else to lick for him."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].


Commentary:
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) instructed his followers that after taking meal they should lick up their fingers before they wash or wipe them with a towel. Or they may get them licked by somebody - wife, son or disciple - provided he or she feels no aversion to doing so. Since Messenger of Allah (PBUH) approved of this act, it is commendable. As to its rationale, the subsequent Ahadith will offer exposition.
109/748 - Riyad Us-Saliheen (Gardens of the Righteous)
باب استحباب الأكل بثلاث أصابع
واستحباب لعق الأصابع وكراهة مسحها قبل لعقها واستحباب لعق القصعة وأخذ اللقمة التي تسقط منه وأكلها وجواز مسحها بعد اللعق بالساعد والقدم وغيرهما
عن ابنِ عباسٍ رضي اللَّه عنهما قال: قال رسولُ اللَّه صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم: «إِذا أَكلَ أَحدُكُمْ طَعَاماً، فَلا يَمسحْ أَصابِعَهُ حتى يلعَقَهَا أَو يُلْعِقَها» متفقٌ عليه.
748/109 - رياض الصالحين
Wed 08-Feb-2023 - 16 Rajab 1444