Reference: Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa – Volume 4, Page 563
Qataadah said:
We visited al-Hasan al-Basree, and [found him] asleep.
By his head was a basket, and we foraged inside and found bread and fruit, so we began to eat.
He then awoke and saw us [eating], and that made him happy; so he smiled and recited;
[There is no blame upon you whether you eat together or separately…], soorah an-Noor, aayah 61…[and he then said to us] there is no blame upon you.