Fatwa ID: 04784 

Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question

Is it correct to serve food on the table to the invitees in marriage or it is against sunnah or it should be arranged on the floor

In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Answer

Qatadah who reports from Saaiduna Anas Radiallahu Anhu that he said: “The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam never took his meals at a dining table, nor in small plates, and he never ate thin well-baked bread”. The sub-narrator asked Qatada, ‘Over what did they use to take their meals?’ Qatada said, ‘on leather dining sheets’. (Sahih Bukhari p.812 v.2)

A khiwaan is a table with legs on each side. Eating from such a table is the habit of those who live a life of luxury so that they do not have to bend over and tilt their heads when eating. (Mazahirul Haqq p.76 v.5)

It is permissible to eat at a table but the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam refrained from those things out of humility and not to imitate those who are heedless of the regarding the Hereafter.  

With regards to your situation, if the urf or custom of the people is to eat on tables at weddings then there is nothing wrong in arranging the wedding banquet on chairs and tables. It will not be considered a sin to eat on tables. 

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham