Resolving the Apparent Contradiction between the Hadiths on Drinking while Standing and Eating while Walking

Question

Kindly resolve the contradiction in the following hadiths, for which I would be obliged. (1) [ar]نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ يَشْرَبَ الرَّجُلُ قَائِمًا[/ar] “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade a man to drink while standing” (narrated by Muslim; Mishkat al-Masabih, p. 35). (2)

Answer

To resolve the apparent contradiction between the two kinds of hadiths, the commentators of hadith (shurrah) have adopted several approaches. First: that the prohibition (nahy) is not for [absolute] prohibition (tahrim), but rather its purpose is [only] etiquette (adab). Second: that there is abrogation (naskh) here — some hold the prohibition to be the abrogating (nasikh)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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