Etiquette of Drinking Water Water should be drunk in three breaths, that is one should breathe three times outside the drinking vessel one is drinking from. This habit has a salutary impact on one’s character and helps one avoid doing things in haste. Anas reported: The Messenger of Allaah, used to breathe three times in the course of a drink (he used to drink in three gulps). The Messenger of Allaah, also prohibited us from breathing in the drinking vessel because the bad smell or spittle may flow into the drink. This is both vile as well as injurious to one’s health. Abu Qataadah reported: “The Prophet, forbade breathing into the vessel while drinking.” To sum up the etiquette of drinking: 1. Never drink straight from a bottle (carbon dioxide is released in the bottle). 2. Do not drink from the mug’s cleft and do not breathe in the beverage. 3. Drink in three draughts. 4. Invoke Allaah when you drink and praise him when you finish. It is reported that the Prophet, said: “Do not drink the water in one draught just like camels, but drink it in one or three gulps, and invoke Allaah when you drink and praise Him when you finish.”