Question:

If a gathering leads to evil, for example, (and) if the students of knowledge gather to eat, (then in that case) time will be wasted in eating food. This is what witnessed by many of them. As for if each one eats individually, he will eat in a short time (and) then he will busy his time [with other things]?

Answer:

If food is presented, then it is upon the student of knowledge to eat and go and not sit with them until they finish. Rather, he seeks permission and stands [and leaves].

[Sharh Sunan Abi Dawood no. 425]

Translated by

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan