MAX7000 max output current question

Absolute Maximum Ratings is a well defined term in electronics design, in which regard it might be unclear? In addition, the MAX7000 datasheet provides a diagram Output Drive Characteristics which clarifies that the output current of a pin shorted to ground can be as high as 150 mA. At least long-standing current of this magnitude can be safely expected to damage the device.

Now about capacitive load. It's normal operation to get higher peak currents than 25 mA when driving capacitive loads. Unfortunately there's no exact specification in terms of stored energy that allows to calculate the maximal acceptable load capacitance, similar to a SOA characteristic of a power transistor. MAX7000 is legacy technology with relative large transistors, I guess they can handle the 8 nJ stored in a 600 pF capacitor at 5 V. But the high peak current involves a lot of ground bounce, so if ever possible I would consider a series resistor that limits the peak current to e.g. 30 or 50 mA and absorbs most of the stored energy.