Etiquettes

Covering food items and dishes at night

Q:

1. What is the correct Islamic ruling regarding washing and covering of dishes at night?

2. Should all the dishes be essentially washed before sleeping? Or Is it sufficient to cover the unwashed dishes? Or can they be left uncovered?

3. Should the washed dishes be covered too?

4. Should the fruits/vegetables be covered?

5. Do the food items like boiled milk inside shelves having net door need to covered?

Sitting and drinking

Q: With regards to sitting whilst eating or drinking, does this only apply to full meals, or even when one is drinking a few sips of water or fruit etc. I was in the habit of always sitting even if drinking a little bit of water, but someone told me that I don't need to sit because it's not a meal. Please clarify.

Covering utensils at night

Q:

1. I have heard that all utensils must be covered at night as sickness or evil can come down. Is this true? If things like the cap of a shampoo bottle is left open by mistake overnight, can it be used?

2. Can the crumbs that collect on the table cloth be dusted down the sink if one does not have access to a garden?