2006-09-08 23:50:04 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well you may not have noticed, there's not a lot of trees in the desert.They did have hair from animals.Feathers too,from thier poultry.Tradionally arabs were a nomadic race,cushions were easy to pack and use as packing.Normally they had a table top,which they sat on essential items,like water gourds.These fomed the table legs,full or empty.So today it is a natural tradition,to sit on cushions
2006-09-09 00:17:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
bismillaah (in the name of Allaah)
Muslims come from all nations and cultures including American Muslims (if you are an American).
Accordingly, I understand that you are asking about 'religious' etiquette of eating. This should let us check back the origin of this (if it is so).
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1. The Muslim is required to follow the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) because he is the best example for this ummah [community].
2. The scholars have divided the actions of the Prophet into a number of categories:
a. Thoughts and ideas that cross the mind, and physical movements such as how one moves one's limbs and body. These are matters in which there is no command to follow him and there is no prohibition against doing so.
b. Matters which have nothing to do with worship and have to do with human nature, such as how one stands, sits, etc. It is not commanded to follow the Prophet’s example in these matters, but according to the majority of scholars it is permissible to do so.
c. Matters which may move beyond spontaneous human actions to the field of legislation (being prescribed in Islam) because the Prophet persisted in doing them in a certain manner. These include matters of eating, drinking, dressing and sleeping, especially those concerning which the Prophet gave specific guidance. The correct view is that these are included in matters which are prescribed in Islam. This is a view of some scholars. This category includes the matters asked about in the question.
d. Matters which are known to be applicable only to the Prophet, such as continual fasting [i.e., fasting for more than one day without breaking the fast at night] and having more than four wives. These apply only to him and not to anyone else.
And there are other categories…
3. It was narrated that the Prophet used to eat (sitting) on the ground.
And it was narrated that he said: “I eat as a slave eats and I sit as a slave sits.”
It was also narrated that Anas ibn Maalik said: “The Prophet [...] never ate at a khiwaan or a sikrujjah, and he never had any soft bread.” I said to Qutaadah: “What did he used to eat from?” He said, “A cloth (spread on the floor).”
A khiwaan is a kind of tray on which food is placed.
A sikrujjah is a vessel in which appetizers are placed.
In such matters it is not obligatory for the Muslim to follow the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), but he may still do so. If a Muslim eats at a table, there is no sin on him.
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Comment: there is nothing is mentioned about a pillow being used.
I think any other thing might be cultural as some of us do use pillows.
You can post the question directly under the Culture category.
Good luck!
2006-09-09 07:14:04 · answer #2 · answered by arabic_quran 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Food is tender and handled with care because it sustains life. No hard and crispy foods are taken to the system directly but through the process of mastication and digestion - the activity tenderizing the food to convert them to nutrients for the body. Therefore it is holy and pleasant to sit on something soft while eating and simultaneously allowing the spirit to act in comfort and metabolism to start while eating the food made holy by a halal prayer.
As a Crhistian, I admire them for that. It is not a symbolic rite but a holy act.
2006-09-09 07:10:37 · answer #3 · answered by camilo r 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
muslims in general don't eat on the floor. this is an arab tradition. furthermore, chinese, japanese and many asians who are not muslims eat of the floor with no shoes on.
the ignornace of many, has become a disease for the world.
2006-09-09 07:00:13 · answer #4 · answered by mimi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Till you try it-do not knock it. Sitting on the floor around a cloth with lots of food on it, is a closeness you cannot get when sitting at a table. I luv it!
2006-09-09 08:50:10 · answer #5 · answered by Shossi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is Arab tradition some of them seat on a floor and some seat at the table ..
and not only Muslims ..some chines and Japanese do that so its not a big deal :)
2006-09-09 06:59:50 · answer #6 · answered by Alone 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Muslims here sit on chairs at table just like everyone else. Where did you get this weird idea? Something else..... they will even eat pork when some idiot-host serves it to them: it is a bigger sin to embarrass your host than to self-righteously insist on a non-universal religious practice. Vegetarians take note. hee-hee
2006-09-09 06:58:13 · answer #7 · answered by Ever Learn 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Arabic tradition.
neither ALL Arabs sit on the floor when they eat nor All Muslims!!
too much generalization on this forum?!!
peace!
2006-09-09 06:52:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is the way of the Holy Prophet.
It's also healthier to sit that way and eat.
2006-09-09 06:52:49 · answer #9 · answered by Mustafa 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
lol ..it just came to me that before inventing !! the chair..our ancesstors were all muslim ..! ;)
lol..it s just a tradition in the east .
2006-09-09 07:08:00 · answer #10 · answered by Nova 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋