“To allow the food to get cold before partaking of it , for hot food has no barakah”

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 sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and messenger.

In this write up, we examine what the Hadith says about eating hot food and drinks as well as, Islamic teachings on blowing into hot food and how scholars interpret this everyday practice.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu’anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Leave the food to cool, for hot food has no blessing.” This Hadith is supported as sahih (authentic) by Imam Hibban (rahimahullah): When Sayyidatuna Asma bint Abi Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anha) used to cook tharid (a special type of food), she used to cover it a while till the steam stopped, then she used to say,: “I heard Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) saying: “Verily it is greater in blessing.” (Sahih ibn Hibban, vol.7 pg.321). In the narration of Musnad Ahmad, the words, ‘food and drink’ are explicitly mentioned.

In many homes , individuals are in a haste to eat their food and drinks, thus, when it is hot, they will blow on it for immediate cooling. This is also wrong! It is authentically reported in a Hadeeth that it is forbidden to blow into food. It is narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas may Allaah be pleased with him said: “The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, forbade blowing into food and drink.” The reason for the prohibition is that when one blows in the food he pollutes it with the saliva.

Medically, Eating food that is too hot or excessively spicy can damage the mouth, esophagus, and stomach lining, leading to inflammaation, ulcers, and increased risk of certain cancers. Immediate effects can include pain, difficulty swallowing, and gastrointestinal issues like heartburn, nausea, and vomiting, while chronic consumption of very spicy food may be associated with an increased risk of gastric and esophageal cancers.

Short-term medical implications

Damage to the mouth and esophagus: The high temperature can cause burns, leading to irritation, chronic inflammation, and swelling of the oral mucosa and esophagus.

Gastrointestinal discomfort: It can trigger or worsen conditions like acid reflux, gastritis, and heartburn.

Nausea and vomiting: The body may react to excessive heat or spice with nausea and vomiting.

Pain: Eating very hot food can cause a burning sensation in the mouth, throat, and chest.

Other symptoms: Some people may experience headaches, diarrhea, or hiccups from very spicy food.

Long-term medical implications

Increased cancer risk: Frequent consumption of extremely hot food, especially at high temperatures, is linked to an increased risk of esophageal and gastric cancers.

Chronic inflammation: Repeatedly burning and healing the mucosal lining can lead to long-term chronic inflammation.

Stomach damage: Chronic irritation can lead to stomach ulcers.

Severe, but rare, consequences

Esophageal rupture: In extreme cases, the vomiting triggered by eating something extremely spicy can cause the esophagus to tear.

Heart attack: Excessive spice consumption can constrict blood vessels in the heart, potentially leading to a heart attack.

Brain spasm: High levels of capsaicin can trigger a brain spasm, which can lead to a “thunderclap headache” and, in rare cases, stroke.

Al-Buhooti said in Al-Kash-shaaf: “It is disliked to blow into food or drink to cool it down. He (As-Saamiri) said in Al-Mustaw‘ib: ‘Blowing into the food, drink, and the Book is disliked.’ Al-Aamidi said: ‘It is not disliked to blow into food when it is hot.’ The author of Al-Insaaf said: ‘This is the correct view, if there is a need to eat immediately.’”

It was said that blowing into food and drink involves disrespect for the food, so it is disliked to blow into it even if the person is eating alone. It was also said that the reason for the prohibition is to avoid affecting the remainder of the food as in this way it will affect other people who eat from it. So, it is disliked only if other people share the food with him.”

Accordingly, if the food is very hot as you mentioned, and the person needs to eat immediately, and he is eating alone, then we hope that there is nothing wrong with it, Allaah willing.

Allaah Knows best.

Culled from IslamQA