“He is unknown, and Yaḥyā ibn Maʿīn declared him weak.”

Al-Ḥāfiẓ likewise endorsed this. As for Ibn Abī Īhāb, I have not identified him.

It may, however, be supported by the marfūʿ hadith of Abū Juḥayfah, worded:

“I do not eat while reclining.”

In another narration:

“I do not eat while I am reclining.”

It was narrated by al-Bukhārī (5398 and 5399) and others.

Another wording reads:

“As for me, I do not eat while reclining.”

Al-Tirmidhī narrated it—and declared it authentic—as did al-Bayhaqī. It has been traced in al-Irwāʾ (7/27/1966).

I said only that it may support it because it does not explicitly state a prohibition. For this reason, some have held that this was among the Prophet’s exclusive prerogatives. Al-Bukhārī gave it the chapter heading: “Chapter: Eating While Reclining.”

Al-Ḥāfiẓ said in his commentary (9/541):

“That is, what is its ruling? He did not state it categorically, because no explicit prohibition concerning it has been reported.”

That is what he said! Yet the hadith under discussion poses an objection to this. Nor can it be said, “Perhaps he did not mention it because he did not consider it authentic.” I say: this runs contrary to his practice, for had he recalled it, he would have cited it and pointed out its weakness, as was his usual practice.