Gatherings
CHAPTER FIFTY
SUNNAH OF ENTERING INTO A GATHERING
O Allah (The Exalted) bless our liege-lord and master Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) until the earth bequeaths itself and what is on it to You and You are the best of those who inherit.
The Prophet sat like…
Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) has related that, “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would also sit cross-legged and sometimes sat with his knees raised with the soles of his blessed feet on the ground and having his hands set under the arms. I have also seen him reclining on a pillow.” i
Jabir bin Samra (may Allah be pleased with him) states that, “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would sit after the Fajr Salaah until sunrise and would sit with his knees raised and his arms round his blessed knees.” ii
Move for others
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, “Do not tell someone to move and take his place, but move yourself and make room for others.” iii
If someone takes another’s place then you have taken someone’s right away.
Wathila (may Allah be pleased with him) states that a person came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and he moved (made room for him), the person said, ‘Why do this for me?’ The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied, ‘It is a Muslim’s obligation to make room.’ iv
When one does this it will make the person welcome Insha-Allah!
Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) states that, “When we sat near the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and when he left with the intention of return, he would leave his blessed shoes or something else so people would stay.” v
It is Sunnah to leave something if you are to return so that people know you are coming back.
Do not sit between people
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) states that, “It is not permissible to sit in between two people without permission.” vi
Just look at the beautiful teaching of our leader, so that if two people are talking you do not disturb them. Subhanallah!
Sit anywhere
Jabir bin Samra (may Allah be pleased with him) states that, “When we went to the gathering of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) we sat at the back of the gathering, (and did not squeeze our way through to the front).” vii
Hudhayfah bin Yamaan (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that, “He who sits in the centre of a gathering, then Allah’s (The Exalted) curse is on him.” viii Allahu Akbar!
When one comes into a gathering one should sit where there is a space and not force oneself into the centre being inconvenient to others.
Against the Sunnah
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, “If anyone from you is sat in the shade and the shade moves away, only a part of it is shading you then move away.” ix
Meaning sit completely in the shade or in the sun and not in-between as this will cause problems with health. 2 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
Leaving the gathering
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that, “When you leave a gathering, pray this supplication three times as you will be forgiven for any incorrect thing said and as for the good things said, Allah (The Exalted) will approve it just like a letter is stamped with a ring of approval.”
Supplication for leaving a gathering
“Sub-ha-nakalla-humma Wabi-ham-dika Wa-Ash-hadu-allaa Ilaaha illaa Anta Astagh-firuka Wa-atu-builayk.”
‘O Allah (The Exalted) You are pure, I praise You and testify that there is none worthy of worship but You. I seek forgiveness and pardon from You.’ x
Benefit: If there was good talk in the gathering, this supplication will seal it and if there was futile and vain talk, then this supplication will compensate for it. xi
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that, “Those who leave a gathering without the remembrance of Allah (The Exalted) will regret it.” xii
This means that when we sit in a gathering talk about Allah (The Exalted) or the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and teach someone something, may Allah (The Exalted) give us all the ability to do this, Ameen!
Manners of sitting
1. Allah (The Exalted) should be remembered in every gathering, and in every gathering to recite Salawaat (durood) at less once. xiii
2. It is not permissible for a person to sit, in a gathering between two people without their permission. xiv
3. It is incorrect to remove any person from his seat and to sit in his place. xv
4. To sit close together and not far apart. xvi
5. If any person comes into a gathering, then out of respect for him to move giving him place, this shall make the new comer feel welcome. xvii
6. When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) intended to leave a gathering in which he would recite Astaghfaar ten-to-fifteen times. xviii
7. When you sit in a gathering sit with respect. xix Meaning do not look bored, to sit with the feet out etc. as the host will feel disrespected especially in the masjid.
8. To sit in the place of your teacher or a respected person is disrespectful. xx
9. When you travel in a train or bus do not put your feet on the opposite seat. xxi Also when using a chair to reach something take of the footwear as these places are for people to sit and not make dirty.
10. Sit with respect in front of your teachers and parents. xxii
11. When you enter into a gathering do not go over people but sit where you find the closest place. xxiii
12. When sitting make sure you’re clothing covers your body properly. xxiv
13. It is offensive (Makrooh) to put your feet (soles) facing the Qibla (Makkah) or Madinah. xxv
14. When sitting, sit the Sunnah way. xxvi
15. Sit cross-legged as this is also a Sunnah. xxvii
16. To sit with one leg on top of the other is disrespectful. xxviii This is when you are lying down and one leg is raised and the other is placed on top. There is a chance that the Satr-e-Aurat (parts that have to be covered) may be uncovered.
3 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
i Tirmidhi
ii Faizane Shariat, p. 1142
iii Muslim & Bukhari
iv Bayhaqi
v Abu Dawood
vi Abu Dawud & Riyadhus saliheen
vii Abu Dawood, Al Kabair
viii Al Kabair
ix Abu Dawud
x Tirmidhi
xi ibid
xii Riyadhus Saliheen
xiii Hisnul Haseen
xiv Tirmidhi
xv Bukhari
xvi Abu Dawud
xvii Baihaqi
xviii Ibn Sunni
xix Faizane Shariat, p. 1148
xx ibid
xxi ibid
xxii ibid
xxiii ibid
xxiv ibid
xxv ibid p. 1149
xxvi ibid
xxvii ibid
xxviii ibid
xxix ibid
17. Sit in good company and stay away from bad company. xxix
May Allah (The Exalted) give us the ability to sit in the company of the pious and keep us away from useless gatherings, Ameen.