Abdul Razzaq al-Badr said,
This chapter is dedicated to describing that which the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to rest on for support.
130. Jābir ibn Samurah narrated: “I saw the Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) reclining upon a pillow which was on his left side.” [151]
Ibn Hajar al-Haytamī said,
This hadīth describes the event and is not intended to restrict the side on which a person should lean on because it is allowed to lean towards both sides.
131. Abū Bakrah related: “The Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) said, ‘Shall I not inform you of the most severe of the major sins?’ The Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) asked this question thrice. We said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allāh! [Please inform us.]’ He said, ‘Ascribing partners to Allāh, and being undutiful to your parents.’ [Then] the Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) sat up from his reclining position and said, ‘And I warn you against giving forged statements and false testimony.’ The Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) kept on repeating that warning until we wished he would stop.” [152]
Abdul Razzaq al-Badr said,
The style of the introductory statement was often used by the Prophet (peace be upon him) as it attracts the attention of the audience and it is a good educational method.
Ibn Hajar al-Haytamī said,
Ibn Abbās considered all that which Allāh has admonished and made forbidden to be major sins as he did not believe that there is a minor sin given the fact that the one being disobeyed is Allāh. However, the most correct view is that sins are of two types, major and minor. The major sins are those that have been warned against in the Qur’ān and Sunnah.
Al-Bajūrī said,
The greatest of the major sins is disbelief but ascribing partners to Allāh is mentioned in this hadīth as it is the most common type of disbelief that people do. The second major sin is being undutiful to the parents and this includes all that which harms them in action or words. The mention of parents here also refers to the grandparents.
This hadīth shows that it is permissible for a person to remember Allāh and teach others whilst reclining upon a pillow and that this act does not imperfect one’s mannerisms. It also shows that the preacher should repeat the message until the audience becomes moved by the enthusiasm that they see.
132. Abū Juhayfah reported: “The Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) said, ‘As for me, I do not eat whilst reclining.’” [153]
Alī al-Qārī said,
The statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was intended to condemn the practice of non-Muslims and leaders of the non-Arabs at that time as they used to eat while leaning to one side to show their greatness, pride and arrogance. This statement hints that neither the Prophet (peace be upon him) nor his followers would lean when they ate as Allāh said: {Say, “This is my way; I invite to Allāh with insight, I and those who follow me.”}[154]
Mirak Shah al-Hanafī said,
Scholars explained that reclining is of four types: to lean on one side, to rest on one of the hands for support, sitting cross-legged on a pillow, resting the back against a pillow. Adopting any of these positions whilst eating is disliked as doing so indicates arrogance. The Sunnah is to eat while sitting down, leaning forward towards the food.
Al-Bayhaqī said,
If a person is sick and cannot eat unless they are reclining, then it is permissible to eat in such a position.
Al-Bajūrī said,
It is fine for a person to lean and eat nuts, based on the practice of Alī ibn Abī Tālib and al-Ghazalī said, “Arabs may do that but eating while sitting down is better and it is not disliked to eat while standing. As for eating whilst sitting with crossed-legs, it is not the best position to eat in.”
133. Abū Juhayfah reported the same. [155]
134. Jābir ibn Samurah narrated: “I saw the Messenger of Allāh reclining upon a pillow.” [156]