The Ruling on Eating and Drinking While Standing

Question:
There are some authentic Prophetic hadiths that prohibit eating and drinking while standing, and there are also some hadiths that permit a person to eat and drink while standing. Does this mean that we do not eat or drink while standing? Or do we eat and drink while sitting? Which of the hadiths is more worthy of being followed?

Answer:
The hadiths reported on this matter are authentic. It was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) the prohibition of drinking while standing, and eating is the same. It was also narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he drank while standing. So the matter in this is broad, and they are all authentic, praise be to Allah. The prohibition of that is for the sake of dislike (makruh). So if a person needs to eat while standing or to drink while standing, there is no blame on him. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he drank while sitting and while standing. So if a person needs that, there is no blame on him in eating while standing and drinking while standing. And if he sits, that is better and more excellent. It is established from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he drank from Zamzam while standing, (peace and blessings be upon him). And it is established from him (peace and blessings be upon him) in the hadith of Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that he drank while standing and while sitting. The matter in this is broad, and drinking while sitting and eating while sitting is better and more comfortable. And if he drinks while standing, there is no blame on him. And likewise, if he eats while standing, there is no blame on him.