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Fatwa CenterEating in a group is better than eating separately
Question
Is it true many people eating from a single large plate is better and is Sunnah? And if there is any Hadeeth regarding this matter?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
It is confirmed in the Sunnah that it is desirable to eat in a group and this is better than eating separately. It is reported that the companions 
asked the Prophet 
: "O Prophet of Allaah, we eat but we never eat our fill." He said: "It might be that you are eating separately." They replied: "Yes." Thereupon, the Prophet said: "Get together when you eat, and mention the Name of Allaah (when you start eating), Allaah will bless your food." [Abu Daawood]
It is also confirmed that the Prophet said: "Eat in a group and do not separate…" [At-Tabaraani] Furthermore, the Prophet said: "The most beloved food to Allaah is the one on which there are many hands." [At-Tabaraani]
The above narrations are a clear evidence that eating in a group is better than eating separately, nonetheless, if one eats on his own, he is not sinful as Allaah Says (what means): {…No sin on you whether you eat together or apart…}[Quran 24:61]
Allaah Knows best.
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