Manners of Gathering.
Angels attend the gatherings of Muslims, when done in remembrance of Allah. Manners befitting such occasions have been explained clearly in many hadiths.
Do not sit in the middle
One should sit at the side of others not in the middle, to avoid having his back to some of them. One should not sit between two persons until he asks their permission. The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"It is not permitted for a man to separate between two except with their permission." (Tirmidhi).
Manners when Late
The new comer should sit where the line of gathering ends, and should not go past those already seated to choose a better place. Jabir ibn Sumrah (RA)said:
'When we came to the Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhiwa sallam) we used to sit where the line ended."(Abu Dawud).
Sit where you are told
One should sit at the place his host assigned for him. The host is more knowledgeable of his house and has the right to preserve its intimacy. The Prophet (sallaallaahualayhi wasallam) said:
"Whoever enters a people's house, let him sit where they tell him to, for the people are more knowledgeable of their house's private areas." (Majma az-Zawaid).
Manners of Leaving
Do not gather by the roadside,if you must, observe the Rights of the road. One should ask permission from the host before leaving, as he asked before entering, so as to preserve the host's privacy. One should say the supplication at the end of gathering to atone for any sin committed during that gathering, which is:
"Subhaanaka Allaahumma wa bi hamdika. Ash 'hadu an laailaha illa'Anta, Astaghfiruka wa atuubuilayhi." (Glory to You o Allah, praise be to You, I bear witness that there is no god but You, I ask forgiveness from You and I repent to You. (Tirmidhi)
Do not gather by the roadside, if you must, observe the rights of the road
The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Beware! Avoid sitting on the roads."
They (the people)said, "o Allaah's Prophet! We can't help sitting (on the roads) as these are (our places) where we have talks." The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"If you refuse but to sit, then pay the road its right."
They said. 'What is the right of the road. O Allaah's Messenger (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam)?" He said:
"Lowering your gaze, refraining from harming others, returning greeting, and enjoining what is good, and forbidding what is evil.” (Bukhari)
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited