Hosts too have rights over their guests (Surah An-Nur)

[Heba E. Husseyn]

 





Reflections on the Noble Quran

O youwho believe! Enter not houses other than your own without first announcing your presence and invoking peace upon the folk thereof. That is better for you, that you may be heedful. (24:27) An-Nur

And if ye find no-one therein, still enter not until permission has been given. And if it be said unto you: Go back, then go back; for it is purer for you. Allah knows what you do.  (24:28)  An-Nur

Verses 27 and 28 of Surah An-Nur are about good manners and courteous behaviour.  I would like to discuss Verse 24:28 in detail.  This verse clearly conveys the message that before entering the houses of others, visitors must first verify from their hosts if they've arrived at a convenient time, otherwise they should leave.  If the host says that they can't meet their guest (or guests), or says that it's not a convenient time for them to receive guests, the visitors must understand and go away without being offended. 

This aspect of courtesy came in the Noble Quran at a time when there were no telephones, cell phones or emails.  Even the concept of doorbells didn't exist in societies anywhere in the world.  Yet, the Noble Quran gives this prerogative to the host, having the right to tell their guests as such , if they aren't ready to receive them for whatever reasons. 

Many Muslim communities around the globe need to learn from Verse 24:28.  Many of them find it very acceptable for guests to drop by at all odd hours without even so much as calling their host before visiting.  And if they do call and the host apologizes for not being available, most traditional minded guests find it offensive. 

I hope our sisters and brothers everywhere, remember Verse 24:28 of Surah An-Nur and take it as a clear dictate directly from Allah Almighty that hosts too have a right over their guests .. just as it is the other way round.   In many traditional societies only the guests are given the privilege to plan according to their convenience while the convenience of the hosts is seldom taken into consideration.  Verse 24:28 nullifies such an idea.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Very nice piece sister cat.  This should really be emailed to all households in countries like Pakistan etc.   These folks have this strange habit of popping in unannounced at all odd hours.  They may mean well, but it's just so inconvenient.  Also, there are some who want others to call before dropping by but themselves never bother to do the same while visiting others and find nothing wrong making a nuisance of themselves arriving unannounced.

[Zainab_M]

Very useful and honest instruction directly from Allah Almighty.   All praise be to You, ya Rab.

Thank you for explaining it so well, Sis Heba.

[N. Truth Seeker]

This happens all the time in our home 😄 .. aunts, uncles and cousins, few grand uncles and grand aunts too, .... all popping in and out whenever they have the time 😅   My mom sometimes quietly gets a bit irritated cause they ruin her schedule ....

[Ruhi_Rose]

😃

[Zainab_M]

.. Also, there are some who want others to call before dropping by but themselves never bother to do the same while visiting others and find nothing wrong making a nuisance of themselves arriving unannounced.

😀

Yes, that too is very true sister Ruhi.

[Zainab_M]

....   .... all popping in and out whenever they have the time    My mom sometimes quietly gets a bit irritated cause they ruin her schedule ....

😃

Absolutely understand brother ..