Habits Of Eating and Drinking the Sunnah Way

Question:

Assalam alaykum,
Hazrat, I want to know the scientific benefits of eating and drinking while sitting, that is, the Sunnah of our Holy Prophet Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam.

Answer:

wa `alaykum salam,

The way of our Beloved Messenger, peace and endless blessings be upon him, is to sit while eating or drinking. As usual in Islam, the Path of Ease, there are exceptions as for undue hardship. Since the Sunnah reflects the most perfect of human behavior it is not possible to encompass all its scientific benefits, especially since mankind does not and never will have a complete understanding of this world. In fact we have yet to understand the building blocks of creation, let alone their infinite interactions! Therefore I will just cite a few points for examples:

Eating while lying down will not allow the normal physiology of the pharynx, esophagus and stomach to function, predisposing to aspiration and reflux of food back into the esophagus and pharynx.

Eating while standing entails that some of the blood flow to the gut for the purposes of digestion must be diverted to the limbs to support the erect posture. Such a person may also not be at ease while eating which may cause excessive eating and less enjoyment. It is also less likely that this person will be having quality time with family, since eating “on the run” usually means no time to share. In the standing position there is a lot of room for food to fill the belly and a person is more likely to overfill his stomach.

On the other hand while seated, especially on a low surface as on the floor with the food served on a floor spread as in a picnic or on a low table, the abdomen is slightly compressed by the forward lean and this allows one to feel fuller quicker. Then of course a person is more relaxed and more likely to enjoy his food and feel satiated with less.

These are just a few thoughts and Allah knows Best!

Dr. Hesham Bazaraa

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