It Is Sunnah To Sit On The Floor To Eat

It Is Correct To Eat At the Dining Table

Again, it is not disallowed to eat at the dinning table but to sit on the floor while eating is nearer Sunnah and fetches reward because of the imitation of Sunnah. Therefore, we must try, as far as possible, to eat while sitting on the floor. The more we follow the Sunnah the more the blessings and reward. In spite of that, it is not wrong to eat at the dining table and there is no sin in doing so; therefore, we should not rebuke those who sit at the table to eat their meals.

It Is Sunnah To Sit On The Floor To Eat

The Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم sat on the floor to eat for two reasons. First, much simplicity was observed during those days and there was no concept of chairs and tables, so they sat on the floor. Secondly, there is much humility in eating on the floor and one respects the food as blessings. It is something one may experience oneself by observing his inner feelings in trying both the methods. There is a world of difference in the two methods because eating on the floor arouses a sense of submissiveness, meekness and devotion to Allah These things are not found in eating at the dining table. Therefore, one must make it a habit to eat on the floor but if one faces a situation when table is used then there is no harm in using it and no sin either. So, it is again wrong to oppose the use of table and chairs vehemently as some people are wont to oppose and call its use unlawful for eating.

Provided The Sunnah Is Not Ridiculed

The foregoing reference to eating while being seated on the floor as a Sunnah and preferable and more rewarding is subject to Sunnah being respected. If there is a possibility of anyone making fun of the Sunnah then we must not insist on eating on the floor.

Eating On The Floor In Restaurant

My respected father narrated an incident while he was teaching us once. It was about his visit to Delhi from Deoband with some companions. At Delhi they had to eat their meal but could not find any place so they went to a restaurant. Naturally, food is served on the dining table in a restaurant and two of his companions protested that they would eat on the floor, not at the table. They decided to spread their towels on the floor and order the meal because that was the Sunnah. My respected father advised them not to do so but sit on the chairs and eat at the table. They wished to know why they should give up the Sunnah and opt to sit at the table, and why should they feel ashamed about it. My father explained to them that it was
not a question of feeling ashamed or afraid. "The truth is, he said, "that when you will spread the cloth on the floor and ask for food you will be conspicuous and other people may laugh at you and be guilty of deriding the Sunnah. Not only is that a sin but liable to place them into
disbelief." May Allah preserve us from that!