In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Etiquettes of Gatherings (1) (In the Light of Hadith)

“Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: None of you should make another person stand up and then sit in his place; rather, make space and give room.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

By making space it is probably meant that one should not sit in a gathering while occupying extra room; just as in the mosque there is the instruction that those who arrive earlier should sit in the front rows so that those who come later do not have to step over shoulders. The same principle should be observed in gatherings as well. والله اعلم۔

“Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: When a person leaves his place for some need and then returns, he is more entitled to that place.” (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Sahih Muslim)

Do not sit between two people without permission:

“Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr bin al-‘As (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: One should not sit between two people without their permission.” (Sunan Abu Dawud)

Sit wherever you find space:

“Hazrat Jabir bin Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: When we would come into the presence of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, each of us would sit wherever he found space.” (Sunan Abu Dawud)

It means that one should not step over others in order to reach a specific place, as this is disrespect toward a Muslim. However, if there is space and one can reach it without stepping over others, then it is acceptable. There is a severe warning regarding this, and those who arrive earlier have the responsibility to sit forward.

Curse upon the one who sits in the middle of a circle:

“Hazrat Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ invoked a curse upon the one who sits in the middle of a circle.” (Sunan Abu Dawud)

By the one who sits in the middle of a circle is meant the person who steps over people’s shoulders and comes to sit in the center of the circle. Another meaning is that people may be sitting in a circle facing one another, and a person comes and sits in the middle such that some people are no longer facing each other. (Ma‘arif al-Hadith)

Warning against stepping over necks:

“Hazrat Mu‘adh (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Whoever steps over the necks of people on Friday, he has been made a bridge for the people of Hell.” (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi)

Hold gatherings in spacious places:

“Hazrat Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: The best gathering is the one that is held in a spacious place.” (Sunan Abu Dawud)