A Glimpse
at Some Islamic
Etiquette
In the Name of Allah,
the Most Gracious,
the Most Merciful
The Religion of Islam has introduced
various manners which Muslims are
encouraged to abide by in order to
form a complete Islamic personality.
Some of these excellent manners are
explained below.
A Glimpse at Some
Islamic Etiquette
3 .
01 Dining Etiquette
1 One should begin their meal by
mentioning the name of Allah, saying:
“Bismillaah” (I begin with the Name of
Allah) and conclude by praising and
thanking Him by saying “Al-hamdu
lillaah” (All praise and thanks are due
to Allah). One should eat from the
nearest side of the dish to him and
use his right hand, for the left hand is
generally used for cleaning unpleasant
things. ‘Umar bin Abi Salamah said:
“When I was a young boy, I was eating
in the room of the Messenger of Allah
and my hands were reaching all صلى الله عليه وسلم
over the plate to eat. The Messenger
said to me: “O young boy, صلى الله عليه وسلم of Allah
mention the name of Allah, eat with
your right hand, and eat from what is
in front of you.” [Bukhari]
4 .
2 One should never complain or
criticize the food however distasteful
it may be. Abu Hurairah said:
never صلى الله عليه وسلم “The Messenger of Allah
criticized any food. If he liked it he
would eat it, if not he would leave it.”
[Bukhari]
3 One should avoid eating or drinking
in excess. Allah says:
“…and eat and drink, but waste
not by extravagance. Certainly
Allah likes not those who waste by
extravagance.” [7:31]
5 .
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم The Prophet
“Man does not fill a container worse
than his stomach. It is enough that a
human eats a few morsels by which
he can straighten his back, and if he
must eat more, then let him keep a
third for his food, a third for his drink,
and a third for his breath.” [Tirmidhi]
4 One should not breathe or blow
into vessels. Ibn ‘Abbas said that:
forbade breathing صلى الله عليه وسلم “The Prophet
into vessels or blowing into them.”
[Abu Dawood & at-Tirmidhi]
6 .
5 One should not soil food or
beverage for others.
6 One should eat with others and
not individually. A man said to the
:صلى الله عليه وسلم Messenger of Allah
“Indeed, we eat, but our hunger
is not satiated.” He said: “Do you
gather to eat or eat individually?” He
said, “Individually.” He said, “Gather
and eat together and mention the
Name of Allah, and your food will be
blessed.” [Abu Dawood & ibn Maajah]
7 .
.
7 One must seek permission to take
others to an invitation. A person from
the Ansar named Abu Shu‘aib invited
five people from which the Prophet
was one of them. Another person صلى الله عليه وسلم
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم came with them. The Prophet
“This man has come with back, allow,
he will come in, but if not, he will go
back.” The host said, “No, rather, I
give him my permission.” [Bukhari]
8 .
.
02 Manners of Relieving
Oneself
1 When one enters the toilet, they
should supplicate. Anas said that the
upon entering the area صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet
where he would relieve himself would
say:
“Bismillah Allahumma inni a‘oodhu
bika min al-kubthi wal-khabaa`ith.”
(“I begin with the Name of Allah, O
Allah, Indeed, I seek refuge in you from
the male and female Jinn.”) [Bukhari]
9 .
.
A’ishah said:
صلى الله عليه وسلم “When the Messenger of Allah
would leave the place where he
relieved himself, he would say:
‘Ghufraanak.’”
(“I seek your forgiveness O’ Allah.”)
[Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi & ibn Maajah]
2 One should not face the Qiblah
(direction of Mecca), nor give it his
back, while relieving himself. Abu
Hurairah said:
“Indeed, I am only like a father is
to his son. You should not face the
Qiblah, nor give it your backs when
one of you goes to relieve himself,
nor should they wipe themselves
with less than three rocks, and do not
use a piece of dung or a bone.” [Abu
Dawood & ibn Maajah]
3 One should conceal himself when
he answers the call of nature. Jaabir
said:
10 .
.
“Whenever the Prophet wanted to
relieve himself, he would retreat to a
place where no one could see him.”
[Abu Dawood]
4 One should not use his right hand
صلى الله عليه وسلم in order to clean filth. The Prophet
said:
“When one of you drinks, they should
not breathe in the vessel. When he
goes to relieve himself, he should not
touch his private part with his right
hand, and he should not wipe himself
with his right hand.” [Bukhari]
11 .
.
03 Manners of Seeking
Permission
1 A person is outside a house and
seeks permission to enter. Allah
says:
“O you who have believed, do not
enter houses other than your own
houses until you ascertain welcome
and greet their inhabitants. That is
best for you. Perhaps you will be
reminded.” [24:27]
2 A person is inside a house and
seeks permission to enter a room.
12 .
.
Allah says:
“And when the children among you
come to puberty, then let them also
ask for permission, as those senior to
them.” [24:59]
This is intended to safeguard the
households and protect the privacy of
homes, as indicated in the Prophet’s
words: صلى الله عليه وسلم
A man was looking into the room of
from a hole in the door, صلى الله عليه وسلم the Prophet
had a tooth of a صلى الله عليه وسلم and the Prophet
comb with which he was scratching
his head. He said to him, “If I had
known you were looking, I would
have poked your eye with it. Indeed,
seeking permission was legislated
so that one would not see [the private
affairs of another’s house].” [Bukhari &
Muslim]
One should not be persistent in seeking
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم permission. The Prophet
13 .
.
“One should seek permission thrice.
If you are granted permission, then
enter, and if not, go back.” [Muslim]
The person seeking permission should
make himself known. Jaabir said:
in regards صلى الله عليه وسلم “I came to the Prophet
to a loan of my father. I knocked on
the door and he said, ‘Who is there?’ I
said, ‘I am.’ He replied, ‘I am, I am?’ It
was as if he did not like [what I said].”
[Bukhari]
14 .
.
04 Manners of Greeting
Islam has encouraged that members
of society greet each other with
the greeting of peace (Salaam) on
account of the love and friendship
صلى الله عليه وسلم which it produces. The Prophet
said:
“You will never enter Paradise until
you believe, and you will never
believe fully until you love each other.
Shall I not lead you to something
that if you do it, you will love each
other? Spread the greetings of peace
amongst yourselves.” [Muslim]
15 .
.
It is obligatory that one replies if
he is greeted with peace (Salaam).
Allah says:
“When you are greeted with a
greeting, greet in return with what
is better than it, or return it equally.”
[4:86]
Islam has also clarified who must
صلى الله عليه وسلم initiate the greeting. The Prophet
said:
“A rider should greet a pedestrian,
a pedestrian should greet one who
is seated, and a smaller group of
people should greet a larger.” [Bukhari
& Muslim]
16 .
.
05 Manners that Relate to
the Sitting Place
One should greet those who are
present in the gathering, upon
entering as well as exiting. The
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet
“If one of you comes to a gathering,
let him greet them with peace. If it
seems to him that he should sit, then
let him sit. When he stands [to leave],
then let him greet them [again] with
peace, for indeed, the first one is no
more important than the other.” [Abu
Dawood & Tirmidhi]
17 .
.
People should make room for
others. Allah says:
“O you who have believed, when you
are told, ‘Spread out’ in assemblies,
then make room [for others], for
Allah will make room for you. And
when you are told, ‘Arise,’ then arise,
and Allah will raise those who have
believed among you and those who
were given knowledge, by degrees.
And Allah is Acquainted with what
you do.” [58:11]
One should not ask others to stand
so that they can sit in their place.
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم The Prophet
“A person should not cause another
to stand from his place and then sit in
it, but rather, you should spread out
and make room.” [Muslim]
18 .
.
If a person stands and leaves from
his seat, he has more right over it if
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم he returns. The Prophet
“If a person stands from his seat and
returns to it, he has more right to it.”
[Muslim]
One should not part two people
sitting together, except after
seeking permission from both. The
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet
“It is not permissible for a person
to separate two people (by sitting
between them), unless they give
permission.” [Abu Dawood & Tirmidhi]
One should not talk to someone
privately in the presence of a third
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم person. The Prophet
“If you are three, two people should
not privately speak without the third
until you mix with other people, for
that will grieve him.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
19 .
.
One should not sit in the middle of a
circle or group of people. Hudhaifah
reported that the Messenger of
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم Allah
“He who sits in the center of
gatherings is cursed.” [Abu Dawood &
Tirmidhi]
People in a gathering should not
busy themselves with nonsense
or speech that is devoid of the
remembrance of Allah, or useful
discussions of worldly and religious
صلى الله عليه وسلم affairs. The Messenger of Allah
said:
“No people rise from an assembly
in which the name of Allah was not
mentioned, except that they are
like those who rise from around a
donkey’s carcass, and the assembly
will be a source of sorrow for them.”
[Abu Dawood]
20 .
.
A person should not do anything
which his companions in the
gathering dislike.
21 .
.
06 Manners of Gathering
Islam gives consideration to the
general feeling of people who gather
at any place, so people would desire
to gather. Therefore, Islam instructs
its followers to be clean. They should
not come with a bad odor that bothers
others, and they should come welldressed.
Islam also instructs people
to pay attention to the speaker without
interrupting him, and to sit where they
find room without crossing people or
causing them any inconvenience. The
said about the gathering of صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet
the Friday Prayer (Jumu‘ah):
22 .
.
“Whoever takes a bath on Friday,
applies some perfume, wears the best
of his clothes, then attends Friday
prayer without crossing over people’s
necks and performs whatever
rak‘ahs(1) he is able, and then keeps
quiet when the Imam rises to the
pulpit until he concludes prayer, his
prayer will be an atonement for the
whole week preceding that prayer.”
[Abu Dawood & Ibn Maajah]
23 .
.
If someone sneezes, he should say,
“Alhamdulillaah.” (All praise is due
to Allah)
Those who hear him should say,
“Yarhamuk-Allah.” (May Allah have
mercy on you)
The one who sneezes should again reply
to them by saying, “Yahdeekumullaah
wa yuslihu baalakum.” (May Allah guide
you and improve your affairs)
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم The Prophet
“When one of you sneezes, let him
say, ‘Alhamdulillaah,’ and then let
his brother or companion say to him,
‘Yarhamuk-Allahu,’ and then let him
(the one who sneezed) say, ‘Yahdee
kum-ullaah wa yuslihu baalakum.’”
[Bukhari]
24 .
.
From its manners is what Abu Hurairah
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم related, that the Prophet
“When one of you sneezes, let him
place his hands on his face and lower
his voice.” [Haakim]
When someone feels like yawning,
they should try to stop it as much
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم as possible. The Prophet
“Indeed, Allah loves sneezes, but
dislikes yawns. When one of you
sneezes and then thanks and praises
Allah, it is his right that every Muslim
that hears him says, “Yarhamuk-
Allah”. As for yawning, it is from
Satan, so let a person try to suppress
it as much as possible. And if one of
you sighs, “Aahh!” [while yawning],
Shaytaan laughs.” [Bukhari]
25 .
.
One should not belch in public. Ibn
‘Umar said:
“A man belched while in the company
and so ,صلى الله عليه وسلم of the Messenger of Allah
he said to him, ‘Save us from your
belching, for the most satiated in this
life will be hungry for the longest time
on the Day of Resurrection.’” [Tirmidhi
& Ibn Maajah]
26 .
.
07 Manners of
Conversation
The person should always be
attentive to the speaker, without
interrupting him or starting a side
conversation, until he finishes.
started صلى الله عليه وسلم The Messenger of Allah
his speech during the Farewell
Pilgrimage by saying to one of his
companions:
“Ask the people to keep quiet.”
[Bukhari & Muslim]
27 .
.
One should speak clearly, and
adequately explain his intent so
that the listener may understand.
‘A’ishah, the Prophet’s wife, said:
“The Prophet’s words were clear so
that anyone who heard him could
understand him.” [Abu Dawood]
The speaker as well as the listener
should be cheerful and pleasant in
their expressions and speech. The
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet
“Do not underestimate any good
deed, even meeting your brother with
a cheerful face.” [Muslim]
also said: صلى الله عليه وسلم The Prophet
“There is a charity to be given for
every small bone of the human
body (as a sign of gratitude to Allah)
everyday the sun rises. To judge
justly between two persons is
regarded as charity, and to help a
28 .
.
man with his riding animal by helping
him to ride it or by lifting his luggage
on to it, is also regarded as charity.
Saying a good word is charity, every
step taken on one’s way to offer the
compulsory prayer is a charity and to
remove a harmful thing from the road
is also a charity.” [Bukhari]
29 .
.
08 Manners of Joking
Life in Islam should not, as some
erroneously believe, be devoid of any
entertainment. A companion of the
named Handalah al-Usaidi صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet
said:
“Abu Bakr met me and asked, ‘How
are you, O Handalah?’ He replied,
‘Handalah has become a hypocrite!’
He replied, ‘Far removed is Allah
from every imperfection! What are
you saying?’ Handalah said, ‘When
we are with the Messenger of Allah
30 .
.
he reminds us about the Hellfire ,صلى الله عليه وسلم
and Paradise, and it is as if it is
before our eyes. But when we leave
the company of the Messenger of
we become involved with ,صلى الله عليه وسلم Allah
our wives, children and property and
we forget much.’ Abu Bakr said, ‘By
Allah, the same happens to me.’ So
Abu Bakr and I left until we entered
I said, .صلى الله عليه وسلم upon the Messenger of Allah
‘Handalah has become a hypocrite,
The ’!صلى الله عليه وسلم O Messenger of Allah
replied, ‘And صلى الله عليه وسلم Messenger of Allah
how is that?’ I said, ‘O Messenger
when we are with you, ,صلى الله عليه وسلم of Allah
you remind us about the Hellfire and
Paradise as if it is before our eyes,
but when we leave your company,
we become involved with our wives,
children and property and forget
much.’ To that, the Messenger of Allah
commented, ‘By Him in Whose صلى الله عليه وسلم
Hand is my soul, if you were to remain
in that state you are when you are
31 .
.
with me, the angels would descend
and shake your hands in your beds
and when you walk in the roads, but
rather, O Handalah, there is a time for
this and a time for that (and he said
this three times).’” [Muslim]
Here the Prophet explained that
permissible enjoyment and selfrefreshment
is something desirable
so that man would regain his activity
taught صلى الله عليه وسلم and liveliness. The Prophet
his companions the manners of joking
when they asked him:
you joke ,صلى الله عليه وسلم “O Messenger of Allah
with us?” He said, “Yes, but I do not
speak except that which is correct
and true.” [Tirmidhi]
One may joke with his actions as
well as with his speech. Anas bin
Malik reported that a Bedouin
called Zaahir used to bring presents
,صلى الله عليه وسلم from the desert to the Prophet
32 .
.
used to supply صلى الله عليه وسلم and the Prophet
him with provisions upon leaving.
said, “Indeed, صلى الله عليه وسلم The Prophet
Zaahir is our ‘desert’ and we are
his ‘city.’” One day, the Prophet
came to him (unsuspectingly) صلى الله عليه وسلم
while he was selling his goods and
grasped him from behind. Zaahir
exclaimed, “Release me!” Then he
looked behind him and recognized
so he pressed ,صلى الله عليه وسلم the Prophet
his back against his chest. The
called out, “Who will صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet
purchase this slave?” Zaahir said,
“O Messenger of Allah, you will
find me worthless!” The Prophet
answered, “But with Allah, you صلى الله عليه وسلم
are not worthless.” (Or he said),
“Rather you are valuable in Allah’s
estimation.” [Ibn Hibbaan]
33 .
.
One should not joke in a way to
harm or ill-treat another person.
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم The Prophet
“It is not permissible for a Muslim to
scare another Muslim.” [Abu Dawood]
also said: صلى الله عليه وسلم He
“Let not anyone take his brother’s
things (to anger him), seriously or
jokingly.” [Abu Dawood & Tirmidhi]
A person should never lie while
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم joking. The Prophet
“Woe to the one who lies in his speech
to make people laugh. Woe to him!
Woe to him!” [Ahmad & Abu Dawood]
34 .
.
09 Etiquettes of Visiting
the Ill
Islam strongly encourages that one
visits the ill, and it has deemed it a
right a Muslim owes to his brother. The
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet
“The rights of a Muslim over another
are five: returning his greetings of
peace (Salaam), visiting him when
he is sick, following his funeral
ceremony, answering his invitation
and saying yarhamuk Allah to him
when he sneezes.” [Bukhari]
35 .
.
As for the reward a Muslim receives
for visiting his sick brother, the
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet
“Whoever visits a sick person, he
would receive continuous reward
until he returns.” [Muslim]
One should show love and
sympathy when he visits the ill.
A’ishah bint Sa’d said that her
father said:
“I was sick in Makkah, so the Prophet
came to visit me, and he put his hand
on my forehead and wiped over my
chest and stomach, and supplicated
Allah saying, ‘O Allah, heal Sa’d….’”
[Abu Dawood]
One should supplicate for the sick.
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم The Prophet
“Whoever visits the sick for whom
death has not yet been decreed,
and says seven times: As’alullaah
al-‘Adheem, Rubb al-‘Arsh il-
36 .
.
‘Adheem an yashfiyak. (‘I beseech
Allah, the Magnificent, the Lord of the
Magnificent Throne, that He cures
you’). Allah will cure him of that
sickness.” [Abu Dawood & Tirmidhi]
10 Etiquettes of
Condolence
Condolences have been prescribed
to console the deceased’s family and
lighten their pain and distress. The
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم Messenger of Allah
“No believer consoles his brother at
a time of distress except that Allah
will clothe him with ornaments of
honor on the Day of Judgment.” [ibn
Maajah]
One should supplicate for the family
of the deceased and encourage
them to have patience and think
of the reward they will receive from
Allah for doing so in this time of
distress. Usaamah bin Zaid said:
37 .
.
when صلى الله عليه وسلم “We were with the Prophet
a message was sent by one of his
daughters saying that she is calling
him and that a child of hers was
dying. He said to the messenger, ‘Go
back to her and say that what Allah
took back was His (to begin with), and
His is what he gave, and everything
with Allah is for a prescribed time.
Order her to have patience and seek
reward from Allah.’ The messenger
and said, ‘She صلى الله عليه وسلم came to the Prophet
has sworn an oath that you come to
stood along with صلى الله عليه وسلم her.’ The Prophet
Sa’d bin ‘Ubaadah and Mu‘aadh bin
Jabal. I set off with them, and (when
we arrived) he lifted up the young
boy and his soul was leaving his
body (known by his shaking) like the
sound made when pouring water into
an empty leather waterskin. His (the
eyes were wet, and Sa’d (صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet’s
exclaimed, ‘What is this O Messenger
He replied, ‘This is mercy ’?صلى الله عليه وسلم of Allah
38 .
.
which Allah instilled in the hearts of
his servants. Indeed, the only people
who Allah shows mercy to from his
servants are those who also show
mercy.’” [Bukhari & Muslim]
One should supplicate to Allah that
He shows mercy to the deceased.
Imam Ash-Shaafi‘i liked that one
say to the family of the deceased:
“May Allah give you a great reward,
grant you patience, and forgive your
deceased.”
It is desirable to prepare food for the
family of the deceased. The Messenger
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم of Allah
“Prepare food for the family of Ja’far,
for Indeed, a matter has come which
has preoccupied them.” [Abu Dawood &
Tirmidhi]
39 .
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11 The Etiquettes of
Sleeping
When one wishes to sleep, he should
mention the Name of Allah and lie
down on his right side, making sure
that there is nothing present which
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم might harm him. The Prophet
“When one of your retreats to his bed,
let him take the side of his garment
and dust off his bed with it and
mention Allah’s Name, for he does not
know what entered it after he left. If he
wishes to lie down, let him lie down on
his right side and say:
40 .
.
‘Subhaanak-Allahumma Rabbi bika
wada’tu janbi, wa bika arfa‘uhu. In
amsakta nafsi, faghfir lahaa. Wa
in arsaltahaa, fahfadh-haa bimaa
tahfadhu bihi ‘ibaadak as-saaliheen.’
(‘How perfect You are O Allah. My
Lord, by Your name I lie down and
with Your name I rise, so if You should
take my soul then have mercy upon it,
and if You should return my soul then
protect it in the manner You by which
you protect Your righteous slaves’.)”
[Bukhari & Muslim]
Upon rising, one should recite the
supplications made by the Messenger
Hudhaifah said: .صلى الله عليه وسلم of Allah
would go to his صلى الله عليه وسلم “When the Prophet
bed, he would say: ‘Bismika amootu
wa ahyaa.’ (‘By Your Name, I die and
I live.’) Upon rising, he would say:
‘Alhamdulillaah-illadhi ahyaanaa
ba’da maa amaatanaa wa ilayh-innushoor.’”
41 .
.
(All praise and thanks be to the One
who brought us to life after having
caused us to die, and to Him will we
be resurrected) [Bukhari]
One should try to retire to bed
early at night, except in cases of
necessity.
hated to sleep صلى الله عليه وسلم “The Prophet
before the Night (“Ishaa”) Prayer and
to speak after it.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
It is disliked to sleep on one’s
stomach. Abu Hurairah said that
passed صلى الله عليه وسلم the Messenger of Allah
by a person lying on his stomach
and said to him:
“Indeed, Allah dislikes this position.”
[Tirmidhi]
One should be careful and take
precautions from things which
صلى الله عليه وسلم might bring harm. The Prophet
said:
42 .
.
“Indeed, this fire is an enemy to you,
so when you sleep, extinguish it.”
[Bukhari & Muslim]
12 Manner of Approaching
One’s Spouse
Before having intimate relations with
his spouse, one should mention
the Name of Allah in the manner the
described. He said: صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet
“If someone says (before sexual
intercourse) when he approaches his
wife, ‘In the Name of Allah. O Allah,
keep Satan away from us, and keep
Satan away from what you grant us
[from offspring],’ then, if Allah grants
them a child, Satan will not harm
him.” [Bukhari]
One should play with his spouse.
said to Anas: صلى الله عليه وسلم The Prophet
“None of you should fall upon his
wife like an animal, but let there first
43 .
.
be a messenger between you.” They
asked, “And what is that messenger?”
He replied, “Kisses and words.”
[Daylami]
And Imam Ibn Qudama, the famous
Hanbali Jurist, narrates a hadith
صلى الله عليه وسلم wherein the Messenger of Allah
said,
“Do not begin intercourse until she
has experienced desire, like the
desire you experience, lest you fulfill
your desires before she does.” (Al-
Mughni 8:136)
A’ishah said:
would صلى الله عليه وسلم “The Messenger of Allah
kiss me while he was fasting.” [Bukhari
& Muslim]
They may enjoy each other in any
way they like, with the condition
explained to ‘Umar صلى الله عليه وسلم the Prophet
when he came to him saying:
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I am صلى الله عليه وسلم “O Messenger of Allah
destroyed!” He said, “And what
has destroyed you?” He replied,
“I changed the position of my wife
[during intercourse] in the night!” The
did not answer صلى الله عليه وسلم Messenger of Allah
him. He (‘Umar) said, “Then this verse
was revealed to the Messenger of
:صلى الله عليه وسلم Allah
‘Your wives are a place of sowing of
seed for you, so come to your place
of cultivation however you wish.’
[2:223]
Go to them from the front or behind,
but avoid the anus and menstruation.”
[Tirmidhi & ibn Maajah ]
One should not withdraw after
ejaculation until she has fulfilled her
desire. One should keep whatever
takes place between him and his
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم spouse private. The Prophet
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“Indeed, from the worst stations of
people on the Day of Resurrection
is one who has marital relations with
his wife and then spreads her private
matters.” [Muslim]
13 Etiquettes of Traveling
Before one sets out on a journey,
he should make sure that he returns
all trusts to their owners, settles any
debts, and leaves his family sufficient
provisions. He should also return
anything he has taken unjustly to its
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم rightful owner. The Prophet
“Whoever has something which he
took unjustly from his brother, let him
free himself from it, for there is no
Dinar nor Dirham [that someone takes
without right], except that it will be
taken from his good deeds and given
to his brother. And if he had no good
deeds, bad deeds will be taken from
his brother and thrown upon him.”
[Bukhari]
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It is disliked that one travels alone,
except in cases of necessity in
which he cannot find anyone to
صلى الله عليه وسلم accompany him. The Prophet
said to a person who arrived from
a journey:
“Who accompanied you?” He replied,
“No one accompanied me.” Upon
said, صلى الله عليه وسلم that, the Messenger of Allah
“A lone traveler is a devil, two are
two devils, and three is a traveling
group.” [Haakim]
One should choose good company
and there should be one person as
صلى الله عليه وسلم leader among them. The Prophet
said:
“If three people set out on a journey,
one of them should be made a
leader.” [Abu Dawood]
Before returning from a journey,
one should inform his spouse of his
expected arrival to allow her time to
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would say صلى الله عليه وسلم prepare. The Prophet
this, and he would enter upon them
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم in the morning. The Prophet
“When one of you stays away (from
his family) for a long period of time,
let him not surprise his family by
night.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
One should bid his friends and
family farewell. One should not
delay returning to his family after
he has finished his business. The
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet
“Travel is a portion of punishment
because a person would be prevented
from eating, drinking, and sleeping. If
one of you finishes his business, let
him hurry back to his family.” [Bukhari
& Muslim]
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14 The Manners of Dealing
with Public Property
There are certain manners which
should be observed when one deals
صلى الله عليه وسلم with public property. The Prophet
stated the way one should act when
traversing roads or walkways. He said:
“Be careful and stay away from
sitting on the roads.” They said, “O
Messenger of God, we have no other
place to gather and talk.” So he replied,
“If you must do so, then give the road
its right.” They said, “And what is
49 .
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replied, صلى الله عليه وسلم the right of the road?” He
“Lowering one’s gaze (not looking at
members of the opposite gender), not
bringing harm to others, replying to
salutations, and enjoining good and
forbidding evil.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
In another narration he said:
“…that you help those in need and
guide the lost.” [Abu Dawood]
One should take care of the roads
and not vandalize public property.
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم The Prophet
“Fear the two things for which people
curse others.” [His Companions]
asked, “What are the two things for
which people will curse others, O
Messenger of Allah?” He replied,
“That he relieves himself in places
where people walk or seek shade.”
[Muslim]
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One should not carry with him
things which may be harmful to
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم others. The Prophet
“When one of you passes through
our Masjid or marketplace and he
has an arrow, let him hold its (metal)
head (or he said: let him grasp it with
his hand) so that no Muslim would be
harmed by it.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
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15 Manners of Trade
In general, trade is lawful and
permissible in Islam, for it is an
exchange of products between the
buyer and seller. But when harm may
be incurred to either of the two parties,
the trade is deemed unlawful and
prohibited. Allah says:
“O you who have believed, do not
consume one another’s wealth
unjustly, but only [in lawful] business
by mutual consent.” [4:29]
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Islam considers the profits made
from trade to be of the purest and
best means of earning a living. The
was asked about which صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet
earning was best and most pure,
and he replied:
“Work done by a person using his
own hands and every truthful and
sincere trade.” [Ahmad]
Islam has enjoined that the individual
be truthful while conducting
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم business. The Prophet
“A Muslim merchant who is truthful
and trustworthy will be with the
martyrs on the Day of Judgment.”
[Haakim]
One should explain any faults
which may not be apparent in the
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم product. The Prophet
“It is impermissible for anyone to
sell anything except if he clarifies
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any fault that may be found in it, and
anyone who knows of it should also
clarify it.” [Ahmad]
One should not cheat. Abu Hurairah
passed صلى الله عليه وسلم narrated that the Prophet
by a pile of food. He put his hands
inside it and felt water on his fingers
(from spoiling food). He said:
“What is this, O seller of this food?”
He said, “It was left out in the rain, O
Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Could
you not have put it on top of the food
so that people could see it? Whoever
deceives us is not from us.” [Muslim]
A person should be truthful in his
dealings and not lie. The Prophet
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم
“The two parties (involved in the trade)
have an option (to cancel the trade) as
long as they have not parted. If they
have both told the truth and clarified
all aspects, their trade will be
blessed for them. But if they conceal
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(faults and other aspects) and lie, the
blessings of the trade will be wiped
out.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
One should be easygoing while
buying and selling, for it is a means
to form and strengthen relations
between the buyer and seller and
does away with the causes of
materialism which destroy human
and brotherly relationships. The
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet
“May Allah have mercy on a person
who is easygoing when he buys,
sells, or asks the repayment of a
loan.” [Bukhari]
One should not swear oaths when
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم he trades. The Prophet
“Be careful and stay away from
swearing many oaths when trading,
for [if he does so falsely] the buyer
will buy, but then its blessing will be
wiped out.” [Muslim]
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It encourages that one take back
the sale if a person is regretful of
said: صلى الله عليه وسلم the purchase. The Prophet
“Whoever takes back the sale of
his brother, Allah will take back [the
punishment] of his mistakes on the
Day of Resurrection.” [Abu Dawood & ibn
Maajah]
These are only some of the manners
and etiquettes which Islam has
prescribed. There are many others,
but as this book was meant only to
be a summary, we will not mention
them here. It is sufficient to know that
there is no matter in life, except that
the Qur’an, or a Prophetic tradition,
addresses it in some manner. The
reason for this is that a Muslim’s entire
life would become an act of worship,
and a means to increase his good
deeds.
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To download and read the complete book,
click on the . picture here.
This is an excerpt
of a larger book titled
“The Message of Islam”
by Abd Ar-Rahman
bin Abd Al-Kareem Ash-Sheha.
57 .
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