The etiquette of gatherings

1. Whoever you meet, meet with respect and speak kindly.

2. Do not spit in gatherings nor clean your nose. But if there is a need to do so, excuse yourself and go to another place.

3. If you have to yawn or sneeze, cover your mouth with your hands and try to muffle the sound.

4. Do not face your back towards anyone.

5. Do not face your feet towards anyone.

6. Do not sit by placing your hand under your chin.

7. Do not crack your fingers.

8. Do not look in the direction of anyone repeatedly and unnecessarily.

9. Remain seated with respect.

10. Do not speak excessively.

11. Do not take oaths over trivial matters.

12. As far as possible, do not commence with any conversation. When the other person speaks, listen attentively so that his spirits are not dampened. However, if it is a sinful conversation, do not listen. Either stop him, or leave that place.

13. As long as a person does not complete whatever he wishes to say, do not interrupt him.

14. If someone comes and wishes to sit in the gathering and there is no place, make way for that person and sit closely so that he may be able to get some place.

15. When you meet someone or bid them farewell, say As-salâmu ‘alaykum , and when replying to someone's salaam , say Wa ‘alaykumus salâm . Do not utter other forms of greeting.

(b) Meet their friends and relatives in a friendly way and also assist them wherever possible.

(c) If you have the finances, fulfil their unpaid debts and the permissible bequests that they have made.

(d) When they pass away, abstain from crying and wailing aloud or else their souls will be troubled.

6. According to the Sharî‘ah , the rights of the paternal and maternal grandparents are similar to those of the parents and they should be regarded as such.

7. Similarly, the rights of the maternal and paternal uncles and aunts are similar to those of the parents. This has been deduced from certain ‘Ahâdîth. (Rasûlullâh s allallâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: "The maternal aunt has the status of one's mother." - Tirmidhî)