What is the meaning of the hadith: "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) never ate on a dining table"? And does this negation apply to us?

The questioner : What is the meaning of the hadith: "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) never ate on a dining table"? And does this report represent a precedent? And does this negation apply to us, given the criticism of "Habib al-Rahman al-A'zami"?

The Shaykh : The question is clear, but the phrasing is incorrect. As for its clarity, it is that since the Messenger (peace be upon him) did not eat on a high table raised from the ground, as is the custom of many Muslims today, this is a negation in terms of reporting the reality of the Messenger (peace be upon him) that he did not eat [on such a table].
But the question "Does this negation apply to us?" is incorrect; because the negation could be said to apply or not apply if the Messenger (peace be upon him) had negated that eating on a dining table is part of the Sunnah. However, the intent is clear, which is whether it is recommended (mustahabb) for Muslims to follow the Messenger (peace be upon him) by eating on the ground as he (peace be upon him) used to eat, and not eating on tables and elevated things?
The answer: Yes, elevating the food is, first, from the attire of the arrogant, second, from the practice of the disbelievers, and third, it is contrary to the Master of the Humble, who is the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him). So following him...
Yes?

The questioner : ... .

The Shaykh : I was going to complete it, but... my situation has become...
So following him (may the prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) is without a doubt.

The questioner : More appropriate.

The Shaykh : It is, meaning, among the desirable things; especially since he (peace be upon him) said: , so he would sit and eat on the ground. So I have no doubt at all that this statement, which is a report about the guidance of the Messenger in food, is an etiquette for Muslims that they should adhere to. But we must stand at the limits of the Shari'ah, for not every person is obligated to adhere to the obligatory acts, the recommended practices (sunnah), the recommended acts (mustahabb), and the encouraged acts (mandub). But the difference is between saying: "This is an innovation (bid'ah); so it is not permissible," and saying: "This is recommended (mustahabb); so whoever wishes may advance to follow the Messenger (peace be upon him) in everything he did for which there is evidence of the permissibility of following him (may the prayers and peace of Allah be upon him)." For this and other reasons, we say that the door of innovation in religion is closed; because what is the intent of innovation in religion? It is increasing closeness to Allah. Who is able to encompass every action the Messenger (peace be upon him) did that brings us closer to Allah, until he says: "I have encompassed all the recommended practices (sunnah) and recommended acts (mustahabb) that the Messenger (peace be upon him) did, and I have left over time, left over thought, so come on, let us innovate and invent?!"
No, rather, what the Messenger (peace be upon him) brought, the most worshipper of people cannot rise to it, even if it were he about whom the Messenger (peace be upon him) said: . So Dawud himself cannot perform what the Messenger (peace be upon him) legislated of recommended acts (mustahabb) and encouraged acts (mandub). But as I said: it is not permissible to exaggerate in such issues, so it remains that the best is to do as the Messenger (peace be upon him) did. But if a person prays according to the school of the Bedouin who said: "By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, I do not add to them nor subtract from them," and he did not pray the recommended practices (sunnah) at all, neither the confirmed nor the recommended nor the encouraged, and did not do any of the actions of the Messenger (peace be upon him) that are not obligatory, and limited himself only to performing the obligatory acts (fara'id) and avoiding the forbidden things; he is not censured; especially since the Messenger (peace be upon him) was asked by a Bedouin who said: "O Messenger of Allah, what do you think if I pray the five prayers, make lawful what is lawful, and make forbidden what is forbidden; will I enter Paradise?" He said to him (may the prayers and peace of Allah be upon him): , meaning: this is presented to people, which satisfies the general public, and that which is fitting for the people of high ambition from the special people, so this and that are presented; each person takes what suits him; his self, his status, his time, and the like.
Other than that?