Every society has its own
culture and social norms. Islam wants to promote close brotherly relations
among Muslims. Although the root of Islamic culture is the Noble Qur’an but the
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) practically demonstrated what Allah (s.w.t.) desired for Muslim
Ummah. Hence we shall draw heavily on the Traditions of the Holy Prophet
(s.a.w.s). What ever is referred to any Aimma (a.s..) of Ahlul Bayt is ultimately
traced to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.).
Salaam or Greetings:
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: “(a) Say Salaam un Alaikum to
every Muslim and make sure to say it loudly so as to avoid any
misunderstanding. (b)If any one starts communicating without saying salaam,
then do not respond to him unless he says salaam. (c)That person is the most
miserly who lacks behind in saying salaam. (d)It is “my Sunnat” to say salaam
but it is wajib or obligatory to reply. (e)Whoever says “As-Salaam Alaikum”
then ten virtues are recorded for him. Whoever says “Salaam Alaikum Wa
Rehmatullahe Wa Barakatuhoo” then thirty virtues are recorded for him. (f)When
ever you meet a Muslim, then you should exchange salaam and also shake hands. (g)When
departing, seek Allah’s forgiveness for each other. (h)When entering your house
say salaam to your family members so that Allah will bless your house. (i)The
person who enters a room or who is standing should say salaam to those who are
sitting. (j)When visiting a house, if no one is there to greet you, then you
should say loudly salaam three times and if still there is no reply then go
back. (k)If a person meets ten Muslims and say salaam to them, then thawaab of
getting release of a slave is recorded. (l)It is one of the Greater Sins to say
salaam to a person playing the game of chess. (m)Similarly, it is prohibited to
say salaam to an alcohol drinker. (n)If a person leaves a meeting and says
salaam to the gathering and if after his departure, the participants of the
meeting talk about virtuous matters, then the person departed shall also
receive the virtues of the gatherings. (o)Shaking hands decreases the
bitterness in the hearts of the Muslims.
The Commander of Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “Instead of saying
‘Haiyya Kallah” it is better to say, “Haiyya Kallah Bissalaam”. (b)When you are
entering your house and no body is there then you should say: “As-salaamo
Alaina Min Rabbena”
Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) said: “If you enter a mosque and see
that the Muslims are praying then do not say salaam but you may say salaam to
the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.). (b)When a momin visits another momin and
recognizes his rights, then Allah (s.w.t.) directs the angels to record one virtue for
every step towards his house, eliminates one sin and raises his status. When
they shake hands and exchange greetings then Allah (s.w.t.) showers His Blessings on
them and address the angels saying: “Look at My servants who are meeting each
other just for My pleasure. Hence I shall restrain My Wrath on them.
Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “A courteous person will always
say salaam to a man he encounters. (b)Never say salaam to a person who is
accompanying the dead body and one who is going for Jumma (Friday) prayers. (c)The
young men should say salaam to the elders. (d)Do not say salaam to Jews and
Christians but if they say salaam to you may reply as “Walaikum”.
(d)When you meet a person who
has returned from travel, then you should say salaam, shake hands and also
embrace him. (e)When my grandfather, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) would shake
hands, he will not take away his hand until the other person withdraws his
hand. (f)There is a light (noor) on the foreheads of a momin by which people
recognize him, hence when two momins meet, they should kiss their foreheads.
Manners of sitting in congregations
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: “O Ali, if the following eight
persons receive disgrace, then they should curse themselves:
First one who attends a function
without being invited. Second one who orders the host.
Third one who asks for goodness
for himself. Fourth one who expects favors from a miser.
Fifth one who interferes between
two talking persons without their permission. Sixth one who plays down the higher
officials. Seventh one who sits at a
place unworthy of him. Eighth one who tries to address a person who is not
attentive to him. (b)A good-tempered and courteous momin sits at a place lower
than his status, says salaam to everyone, avoids quarrel, and does not expect
praise of his piety from others. (c)When people are sitting in a gathering and someone
makes room for the new-comer then he should accept the place as it is an honor
for him. (d)When the host of the house directs the visitor to sit at a
specified place then he should comply with it. (e)During the summer season,
when people sit in a gathering then they should leave about 6 inches space
around them so as to avoid discomfort to others.
Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “If a person does
not possess the following three characteristics but still sits at the top of
the gathering then he is a fool; he should be able to answer any questions
asked, when other people are unable to speak the truth then he should be able
to state completely, should be able to give his views that other followers are
benefited by his views. (b)You should never sit on a street.
Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “When a group of people are
sitting then the momin should sit at the back instead of steering through the
sitting people to go in front. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) would sit at a place
near the door of the gathering. He will mostly sit facing the Holy Ka’aba.
Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.) said: “When a person sits happily at a
place lower than his status, Allah (s.w.t.) and His angels continue to send blessings on
him till he leaves.
Host’s behavior with the visitors:
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: “The host should accompany the
guest both at the time of coming inside the house and when he departs. (b)Allah(s.w.t.) has a reward for each and every kindness a momin offers to his brother momin.
Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.): When two guests visited
him (a.s.) and he offered two beds to them, one of them sat on it but the other
refused to sit on the bed. The Imam (a.s.) said: “Sit! When a person is
respected, except a donkey, he should accept it.”
Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: Except hypocrites, every one
knows the rights of the following;
- White-bearded elderly Muslim.
- Scholar or Hafiz of Holy Qur’an.
- A just Imam.
(b)Respect of the elderly is like
respect of Allah (s.w.t)
Extracted from
“Tahzeeb-ul-Islam” By Allama Muhammad Baqir Majlisi (r.a.)
superb
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