❀ Does Satan Eat and Drink While Standing? ❀
✍ Compiled by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha حفظه الله
Is it true that Satan eats and drinks while standing?
It is narrated from Abū Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"لا يشربن أحد منكم قاما، فمن نسي فليستقئ"
“None of you should drink while standing. If someone forgets and does so, he should vomit it out.”
In another narration from Sayyidunā Anas رضي الله عنه, it is stated:
"إن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم نهى أن يشرب الرجل قائما"
“The Prophet ﷺ forbade a man from drinking while standing.”
Qatādah narrates:
We asked:
“(Standing while drinking is prohibited), but is it permissible to eat while standing?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"ذاك أشر أو أخبث"
“That is even worse or more impure.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Hadith No. 2024]
Note:
Although standing and drinking is permissible, it is preferable to sit while drinking. The majority of scholars regard eating and drinking while standing—without necessity—as disliked (makrūh).
Following the Sunnah means that one should eat and drink while sitting, so that one does not resemble Satan in such behavior. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم"
“Whoever imitates a people is from among them.”
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Hadith No. 4031]
① Eat with the intention of gaining strength for worship.
② Begin with Bismillah, eat with the right hand, and look at your food, as Allah says:
"فَلْيَنظُرِ الْإِنسَانُ إِلَىٰ طَعَامِهِ ﴿٢٤﴾"
“Then let man look at his food.”
[‘Abasa: 24]
③ Eat from what is directly in front of you.
④ Eat from the edges, not from the middle of the plate.
⑤ Do not overeat.
⑥ Recite Alḥamdulillāh after finishing.
✍ Compiled by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha حفظه الله
❖ Question:
Is it true that Satan eats and drinks while standing?
❖ Answer:
It is narrated from Abū Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"لا يشربن أحد منكم قاما، فمن نسي فليستقئ"
“None of you should drink while standing. If someone forgets and does so, he should vomit it out.”
In another narration from Sayyidunā Anas رضي الله عنه, it is stated:
"إن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم نهى أن يشرب الرجل قائما"
“The Prophet ﷺ forbade a man from drinking while standing.”
Qatādah narrates:
We asked:
“(Standing while drinking is prohibited), but is it permissible to eat while standing?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"ذاك أشر أو أخبث"
“That is even worse or more impure.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Hadith No. 2024]
Note:
Although standing and drinking is permissible, it is preferable to sit while drinking. The majority of scholars regard eating and drinking while standing—without necessity—as disliked (makrūh).
Following the Sunnah means that one should eat and drink while sitting, so that one does not resemble Satan in such behavior. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم"
“Whoever imitates a people is from among them.”
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Hadith No. 4031]
✔ Etiquettes of Eating:
① Eat with the intention of gaining strength for worship.
② Begin with Bismillah, eat with the right hand, and look at your food, as Allah says:
"فَلْيَنظُرِ الْإِنسَانُ إِلَىٰ طَعَامِهِ ﴿٢٤﴾"
“Then let man look at his food.”
[‘Abasa: 24]
③ Eat from what is directly in front of you.
④ Eat from the edges, not from the middle of the plate.
⑤ Do not overeat.
⑥ Recite Alḥamdulillāh after finishing.
