HomeIslamic Manners

The best of praise and glory be to Allah the lord of the universe, and the best of prayers and peace be on his Messenger Muhammad, his kin, his companions, and his pious followers who follow his guidance and etiquette. O Allah guide us to follow them in words and actions until we die.

This is a brief book on 'The Manners of Islam' in which I collected selected texts on the manners of Islam. The Hadiths cited in this book are either authentic (Sahih) or good (Hasan).

I wrote this book because I have seen many of my beloved brothers and sisters disregard these etiquettes and misinterpret them. In compiling this, I hope to remind them of these manners. I do not claim to be better or less in need of practicing these manners; but, it is the duty of enjoining good and forbidding evil and observing the order of Allah 'And remind because a reminder is beneficial to the believers.'

May Allah enable all of us to benefit from good reminders and make this of benefit to myself and my readers. May Allah protect and guide us in this life and in the hereafter.

Riyadh, 1 Muharam, 1412

Abdul Fattah Abo Ghudda

 

Introduction

The religion of Islam has rules of etiquette and a moral code involving every aspect of life. These are applicable for the whole society; the elderly, the young, men and women. We must not forget that the Prophet (PBUH) said, 'Women are the counterpart of men.' Hence, what is required of men, in adhering to Islamic manners, is required of women; for together they form the Muslim society and through them Islam is introduced and identified.

These manners cover even the slightest acts, such as entering, or exiting a washroom, the posture of sitting, and cleaning one’s self. At the time of the Prophet, one of the polytheists mockingly said to his companion Salman Al-Farisi: 'Your prophet has taught you everything, even the manners of going to the toilet.' Salman answered, 'Yes, the Prophet forbade us from facing the Qibla when urinating or getting rid of body waste.' Salman continued, 'the Prophet asked us not to use the right hand when cleaning ourselves and to use at least three stones for cleaning.

Chapters

Chapter 1

Importance Of Appearance

Chapter 1.1

Distinct Muslim Personality

Chapter 1.2

Cleanliness And Washing

Chapter 1.3

Arriving From A Journey

Chapter 1.4

Dress Properly With Family And Friends

Chapter 2

Entering Or Leaving A House

Chapter 2.1

How-to-enter

Chapter 2.2

Entering While Others Are Asleep

Chapter 2.3

Greeting

Chapter 2.4

Announcing Your Presence

Chapter 2.5

Seeking Permission To Enter

Chapter 2.6

Knocking And Ringing

Chapter 2.7

Answering 'Who Is It?'

Chapter 3

The Manners Of Visiting

Chapter 3.1

Keeping Appointments, Delays And Cancellation

Chapter 3.2

Declining A Visit

Chapter 3.3

Control Your Eyes

Chapter 3.4

Removing Your Shoes

Chapter 3.5

Choosing A Seat

Chapter 3.6

A Visitor Is Not An Inspector

Chapter 3.7

Timing Your Visit

Chapter 3.8

Greeting

Chapter 3.9

Sitting Between Two Persons

Chapter 3.10

The Host's Duties And The Guests' Rights

Chapter 3.11

Stay In Touch

Chapter 3.12

A Brief Advice To My Sisters

Chapter 4

The Manners Of Conversation

Chapter 4.1

Selecting Suitable Topics

Chapter 4.2

Talk In A Suitable Tone

Chapter 4.3

The Art Of Listening

Chapter 4.4

Discussions And Debates

Chapter 4.5

Swearing By Allah

Chapter 4.6

Answering A Question

Chapter 5

Social Manners

Chapter 5.1

Respect And Favour The Elderly

Chapter 5.2

The Elderly Are To Lead Prayers

Chapter 5.3

Walking With The Elderly

Chapter 5.4

The Elderly Are To Be Served First

Chapter 5.5

Manners With Parents

Chapter 5.6

Tell Your Family Your Whereabouts

Chapter 5.7

Respect The Poor

Chapter 5.8

Dealing With Non-muslims

Chapter 6

Manners Of Eating

Chapter 6.1

The Importance Of Eating Manners

Chapter 6.2

Manners Of Eating

Chapter 6.3

Manners Of Drinking

Chapter 6.4

Avoid Gluttony

Chapter 6.5

Gold And Silver Cutlery

Chapter 7

Weddings

Chapter 7.1

Weddings Are Part Of The Prophet's Tradition

Chapter 7.2

The Manners Of Attending Weddings

Chapter 8

Visiting The Sick

Chapter 8.1

Visiting A Patient

Chapter 8.2

Praying For The Sick

Chapter 8.3

The Length Of The Visit

Chapter 8.4

The Manners Of Visiting A Patient

Chapter 8.5

How The Ill Express Their Complaints

Chapter 9

Condolence

Chapter 9.1

Breaking Unpleasant News

Chapter 9.2

Expressing Condolences Is A Courtesy And A Duty

Chapter 9.3

Expressing Condolences And Sympathy

Chapter 9.4

Sending Flowers And Reading Quran During Funerals

Chapter 9.5

A Final Word