The Islamic Etiquette at the Time of Meals

Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned:

During meals, issues of a serious and intricate nature should not be discussed. Rather, light-hearted topics and things that do not require serious thought should be spoken about. The reason for this is that serious and intricate discussions require deep thought and thus can cause one to lose his appetite. As a result, one will not be able to enjoy his meal. At the time of meals, one’s attention should be directed towards the food. While on the dastarkhaan, if someone has to speak of serious matters, then I do not pay attention to it, as listening to such a discussion prevents me from enjoying the food and causes me to lose my appetite. (Malfoozaat Husnul Azeez pg.71)

Hadhrat A’isha Radiallahu anha says that the Messenger of Allah never ate while reclining and would say: “I eat as a slave eats and I sit as a slave sits.” The Hadith continuous with: “I am a slave of Allah. Pride does not suit a man. And I eat with hu-mility and humbleness. (Mishkaat)
In another Hadith, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “When the food is placed, remove your sandals because this will give comfort to your soles.” (Darami)

Both the above Hadith clearly depicts the great Sunnah of removing the shoes and sitting and eating with humbleness and humility on the floor.
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam sat on the floor his entire life and humbly ate his meagre meals. And in Rasullullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, does the true lovers find an excellent example.

Moulana Thanvi Rahmatullahi alayh states: “In view of the factors of Iftikhaar (pride) and Tashabbuh (emulating the Kuffaar), eating from tables is prohibited.”
From the above it can be clearly concluded that sitting on the floor and eating is a great Sunnah