Answered by Shaykh Ilyas Patel
In the name of Allah Most Compassionate Merciful
I hope you are fine and in the best of health and iman.
It has been reported by Qayla bint Makhzama (Allah be pleased with her) that she saw the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) in the masjid whilst sitting in a ‘qurfusa’ posture. She said when I saw the Prophet in humbleness; I used to shiver out of fear.’
al-Allama al-Shaykh Ibrahim al-Yaqoubi (Allah sanctify his soul), the father of Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi, writes in its commentary:
‘Qurfusa’ is a well-known posture of humble sitting. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) ate in this posture. It shows his humility and he was the messenger of Allah and best of creation! How appalling is our state with all this pomp and pride. Allah forgive us and give us the morals and manners of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).
(Shaykh Ibrahim al-Yaqubi, al-Anwar fi Shama’il al-Nabi al-Mukhtar V.1 355)
The ulama differ on the meaning of ‘qurfusa.’ Most scholars say it is to sit on the ground, lifting both thighs in an upright position, and fold both arms around the legs.
It has been reported by Abu Juhayfa (Allah be pleased with him) that the messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ‘I do not eat leaning’
Mus’ab ibn Sulaym reports said, I heard Anas ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) saying, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was brought some dates and he saw him eating in hunger, whilst in a sitting back posture (like one sits in the tashahud sitting).
(Shaykh Ibrahim al-Yaqubi, al-Anwar fi Shama’il al-Nabi al-Mukhtar V.2 607-8)
Imam Ghazali (Allah bless him him) writes the Prophet used to squat down on his knees and sit on his heels for the meal. At other times, he would raise his right leg and sit on his left. He used to say, ‘I do not eat while reclining…for I am but a slave; I eat as a slave and sit as a slave sits.’
And Allah alone knows best
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