Combining the hadiths prohibiting eating and drinking while standing with those permitting it

Question:
This is a message that reached the program from the Arab Republic of Egypt, sent by a brother of ours from there. The sender (Salim A. N.) from Shubra asks: There are some of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) pure hadiths that prohibit eating and drinking while standing, and there are also some hadiths that allow a person to eat and drink while standing. Does this mean that we should not eat or drink while standing, or should we eat and drink while sitting? And which of the hadiths is more worthy of being followed?

Answer:
All the hadiths reported on this matter are authentic. It was reported from him (peace and blessings be upon him) , and it was reported from him (peace and blessings be upon him) . 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 one needs to eat while standing or drink while standing, there is no blame on him. It is established from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that “he drank while standing and while sitting.” So if a person needs to do 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 that he (peace and blessings be upon him) “drank while standing and while sitting.” So the matter in this is broad.
So drinking while sitting and eating while sitting is better and more comfortable. And if one drinks while standing, there is no blame, or if one eats while standing, there is no blame, praise be to Allah.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.