Islamic social etiquette

Umm Saad highlights the noble mannerism and grace portrayed by Allah's Messenger (sa) in times when ignorance and indecency was rife.

Allah (swt) states in the holy Quran, "Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (sa) you have a good example to follow, if you hope for (the meeting with) Allah and the Last Day, and remember Allah much." (Al-Ahzab 33:21)

Therefore, the Prophet (sa) is the best role model for every Muslim that has provided numerous examples in every aspect of human behaviour. The following pearls from his social etiquettes are enlightening.

Spreading the greeting of Salaam

The Messenger of Allah (sa) commanded us to do seven things: to visit the sick, to attend funerals, to bless a Muslim, when he sneezes, to support the weak, to help the one, who is oppressed, to spread Salaam (peace), and to help people fulfill their oaths (Bukhari & Muslim).

He also said, "By the One, in whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise, until you believe, and you will not believe, until you love one another. Shall I not tell you of something that if you do, you will love one another? Spread Salaam amongst yourselves." (Muslim)

Unfortunately, today in Islamic societies this greeting has been replaced by foreign ones, especially among new generations, who are either ashamed or consider it old-fashioned to use the Islamic greeting. Obviously, they are unaware that a simple ‘Assalaam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatahu' can earn them 30 rewards from Allah (swt)!

Not entering anyone's house without his permission

Allah (swt) commands, "O you who believe! Enter not houses other than your own, until you have asked permission and saluted those in them: that is best for you, in order that you may take heed." (An-Nur 24:27)

Islam urges Muslims to do the following, when visiting others: “Whenever the Prophet (sa) came to a door seeking permission to enter, he did not stand facing it. He would stand to the right or to the left, and if he was given permission, he would enter; otherwise, he would leave.” (Bukhari)

Impatiently ringing the doorbell, yelling out the in mates name, and grumbling, when the person we had intended to visit is unavailable, are signs of impoliteness and impertinence. They have no room in a Muslim's life.

Sitting wherever one finds room in a gathering

In a gathering, a Muslim should sit wherever he finds space. He is neither to push through the people in order to sit at the head of the gathering, nor make another give up his space for him. The Prophet (sa) taught his companions to adopt these etiquettes, when joining a gathering.

Jabir ibn Samurah (rta) said, "When we came to the Prophet (sa), we would sit, wherever we found room." (Abu Dawood and Tirmidhi)

The Messenger of Allah (sa) said, "None of you should make another get up, then sit in his place. All of you should move up and make space (for the latecomer)." (Bukhari & Muslim)

The basic instruction is to accommodate and show courtesy. Nowadays, it is common not to leave any space available, because of improper seating arrangements, and the latecomer is usually forced to stand. Similarly, some make grand arrivals without realizing the disturbance they cause to an ongoing gathering or speech.

Avoiding yawning in a gathering

The Prophet (sa) advised Muslims, "If any of you wants to yawn, then let him suppress it as much as possible." (Bukhari, Muslim)

If the urge to yawn cannot be resisted, then a Muslim should cover his mouth with his hand. The Prophet (sa) commanded, "If any of you yawns, let him cover his mouth with his hand, so that the Shaytan does not enter." (Muslim)

Yawning is not only rude but a sign of boredom that may hurt the feelings of others. Even the very sophisticated manage to shock you, when they open their mouths as wide as a hippopotamus in the middle of a conversation.

Following the Islamic etiquette, when sneezing

Islam also teaches a Muslim, what he should say, when he sneezes, and what he should say, when he hears another sneeze.

Abu Huraira (rta) said, "The Prophet (sa) said, ‘Allah likes the act of sneezing and dislikes the act of yawning. When any one of you sneezes and says - Alhamdulillah, then he has the right to hear every Muslim say - Yarhamuk Allah. But yawning is from Shaytan, so if anyone of you feels the urge to yawn, he should resist it as much as he can, for when any of you yawns, the Shaytan laughs at him.'” (Bukhari)

Not looking into other people's houses

A true Muslim does not spy on his host or pry into that, which does not concern him. The Prophet (sa) warned those, who let their gaze wander in gatherings in an attempt to see things that are none of their business.

The Prophet (sa) said, "Whoever looks into someone's house without his permission, then it is permissible for the people of the house to take his eyes out." (Muslim)

Not finding fault with others

The Prophet (sa) issued a stern warning against the danger of slandering other people's honour and exposing their faults.

The Prophet (sa) said, "Do not hurt the feelings of the servants of Allah, do not embarrass them, do not seek to expose their faults; whoever seeks to expose the faults of his Muslim brother, Allah (swt) will seek to expose his faults and expose him, even if he hides in the innermost part of his home." (Ahmad)

Apart from the above, there are numerous other social etiquettes that will be discussed in future issues, Insha'Allah.