Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 108

Undesirability of Eating in a Reclining Posture

باب كراهية الأكل متكئاً

Here the focus shifts from where we eat in the dish to how we hold ourselves while eating. The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not eat reclining, propped back as a person of leisure or arrogance might. Eating upright keeps us mindful that food is a gift to be received with gratitude, not an indulgence to sink into.

Both reports describe the Prophet's own simple, unpretentious way of sitting to eat. The lesson is humility in the smallest moments, carrying the heart's awareness of Allah even into an ordinary meal.

Hadith 745

Abu Juhaifah Wahb bin 'Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن أبى جحيفة وهب بن عبد الله رضى الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏ "‏ لا آكل متكئاً‏" ‏.‏‏‏((‏رواه البخارى‏)‏‏)‏‏

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "I do not eat reclining (against a pillow)." [Al-Bukhari].

In plain words

He said he did not eat reclining back against a cushion. Sitting upright keeps a person mindful that food is a gift received with gratitude, not an indulgence to sink into.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 745 In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 19

Hadith 746

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أنس رضى الله عنه قال‏:‏ رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم جالساً مقعياً يأكل تمراً.‏ ‏‏((رواه مسلم))‏

I saw Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) eating some dates while sitting on his buttocks, with his legs raised. [Muslim].

In plain words

A simple glimpse of how he ate, sitting upright and unpretentious. His everyday humility showed even in how he held himself at a meal.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 746 In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 20