What is the ruling on eating while standing without need (without an excuse)?

There are narrations that prohibit drinking while standing, and others that indicate its permissibility. The best way to reconcile them is to interpret the narrations of prohibition as indicating karāhat al-tanzīh (disliked but not forbidden), and that the Prophet's action (peace be upon him) was to demonstrate permissibility. The prohibition might also be for health reasons.

As for eating while standing, there is no disagreement regarding its permissibility. Scholars differed on whether it is disliked. Some deemed it disliked by analogy with drinking, citing the Hadith of Anas, "That is worse or more evil." Others held it to be permissible due to the absence of explicit proof prohibiting it.

In summary, it is preferable for a person not to eat or drink except while sitting, but if there is a need, it is permissible to do so.