Chapter 108 - Undesirability of Eating in a Reclining Posture

Abu Juhaifah Wahb bin `Abdullah reported: The Messenger of Allah  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. The Messenger of Allah 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 reported: I saw The Messenger of Allah eating some dates while sitting on his buttocks, with his legs raised. [Muslim].


Commentary: This Hadith sheds light on another sitting posture of The Messenger of Allah . 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 quoted by Muslim explains this state of mind of The Messenger of Allah .