The Prophetic MedicineA reading editionAbout this edition
The book/Reading
SECTION 53 · SOURCE PAGES 281–282

The Prophet's guidance on the proper way to sit while eating

Source wording preserved · OCR transcription, not fully proofread. Editorial notes

PAGE 281

The Prophet's guidance on the proper way to sit while eating

The Prophet b said:

"I do not eat while leaning on my side." He In addition said, "I only sit like the slave sits and eat like the slave eats."

Leaning on the side harms the stomach because it prevents the food

from going down the proper channel and reaching the stomach quickly, as it pressures the stomach and does not allow it to be open properly for the food to pass through.

Eating while leaning on something is the practice of the arrogant people and this is why the Prophet b said that:

"I only eat like the slave eats."

The Prophet b used to .it on his feet while eating. He used to place his k iees on the ground and would place the bottom of his ett foot or the upper part of his right foot in humility for the Lord und in respect for the food

foot in humility for the Lord und in respect for the food and for those prese . This is he pest way to sit for eating,

PAGE 282

because the organs of the body will all be in their proper position, along with observing good manners.

~ As we have stated, the best way to eat is sitting up with the organs of the body in their natural position. The worst way of eating is leaning on one's side because the windpipe and the chewing organs will be pressured in this position and squeeze the stomach.

In addition, the Prophet b could have meant that he does not sit while leaning on pillows as the arrogant do and those who want to eat more food. Rather, the Prophet as used to eat what is barely sufficient just as the slave does.

Search across the original text. Try “honey”, “sleep”, or a quoted phrase.