108. Undesirability of Eating in a Reclining Posture
Chapter 108
Undesirability of Eating in a Reclining Posture
- Abu Juhaifah Wahb bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “I do not eat reclining (against a pillow).”
[Al-Bukhari].
Commentary: What is meant by reclining? There is a difference of opinion on it. Some say that it means leaning on one side, whether right or left, or against the wall. Imam Al-Khattabi takes it in this sense that somebody should lay out a mattress and sit on it comfortably as one sits cross-legged. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to take hardly an adequate meal. Ibn Hajar says that one should sit with the right knee drawn up and the left one bent down.
- Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw Messenger of Allah (PBUH) eating some dates while sitting on his buttocks, with his legs raised.
[Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith sheds light on another sitting posture of Messenger of Allah (PBUH). But it betrays his uneasy state. In fact, when he was in a hurry he would be eager by eating a few dates so that he might be free to attend to some more important business. Also a report of Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) quoted by Muslim explains this state of mind of Messenger of Allah (PBUH).
REFERENCE:
Riyadh ul Saliheen