All praise is due only to Allaah. We laud Him and beseech His

making suitable 
arrangements for the guests, regardless of how many there 
are, to be seated on the floor and eat in the Sunnat manner.
Some people serve the food such that the guests have to come 
to one place to fill their plates and then go and sit down to eat. 
This is contrary to the proper etiquettes and inappropriate. A 
guest is an honoured visitor and should be treated as such. They 
should not be treated as though they are beggars coming to a 
soup-kitchen! 
They must be able to eat in peace and enjoy their food. The 
host should make suitable arrangements for the food to be 
served to the guests in an honourable fashion. 
78
May Allaah Ta`ala grant us all the good fortune to follow the 
Sunnat practices as they deserve to be followed. Aameen! 
The ruling regarding people standing whilst 
eating and drinking at functions 
Regarding standing whilst eating or drinking, let us see what 
our beloved Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, 
“It has 
been reported from Hadhrat Anas (radhiallahu anhu) that Nabi 
(sallallahu alayhi wasallam) prohibited from drinking whilst 
standing and eating whilst standing.”
[Kanzul Ummaal, page 
134, vol. 20] 
 
“Hadhrat Anas (radhiallahu anhu) reports from Nabi 
(sallallahu alayhi wasallam) that he prohibited a man from 
drinking whilst standing. Hadhrat Qatadha (radhiallahu anhu) 
enquired regarding standing and eating, and Hadhrat Anas 
(radhiallahu anhu) replied that this (standing and eating) was 
worse and more degrading (than standing whilst drinking).”
[Muslim Shareef, page 172, vol. 2] 
From these Ahaadith it is clear that to stand whilst eating and 
drinking is un-Islaamic and unbecoming a Muslim. It is 
contrary to the Sunnat and to the words of Nabi (sallallahu 
alayhi wasallam). In reality this manner of eating and drinking 
has been evolved from the enemies of Islaam – the kuffaar and 
the people of the west – hence its opposition is necessary upon 
Muslims.
Some words of advice for the groom 

---

77
plates with all sorts of food. This is such an insult to the 
honoured guests.
It is as though they never had a decent meal in along time and 
are called to eat like common peasants. No thought is even 
afforded the Sunnat of washing the hands prior to eating. Even 
if anyone does contemplate washing his hands, then he realises 
that he will miss the ‘lion’s share’ of the buffet, so for this once 
he will decide to forgo this great Sunnat. So much of money 
and effort is wasted at these functions where no proper 
arrangements are made for people to eat in a decent fashion, in 
accordance with the Sunnat. 
Many spurious excuses are tendered for the buffet-style meals, 
which are all totally rejected in the Shariah. 
The Walimah is a Sunnat feast which is not dependant of the 
type of food served or the number of guests invited. In order to 
gain the full reward for this auspicious occasion and to invite 
the blessings of Allaah Ta`ala onto this newly-contracted Nikah 
union, due consideration should be given to