Accepting an Invitation

Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Umar (Radiyallahu anhu) narrates that the Holy
Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"The person who is invitedamongst you by his brother should accept the
invitation whether it is a wedding invitation or anything similar to
it." [Muslim]
Hadhrat Jabir ibn Abdullah (radiallahu anhu) narrates that the Holy
Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"If anyone of you is invitedto partake of meals, he should at least
accept the invitation. Thereafter he may partake of it if he desires
or he may totally abstain from it." [Muslim]
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) narrates that the Holy Prophet
(صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"If anyone of you is invitedfor meals, he should accept the
invitation. If he is fasting, he should make Duaa (of goodness and
blessing) for the inviter (some maintain that he should set out and
perform salaah at the host's house), and if he is not fastin he should
partake of the meal." [Muslim]
No excuse will be entertained in declining aninvitation. However, if
wine and other intoxicantsare provided at the invitation or food will
be eaten out of gold and silver utensils or there is a fear of any
other evil, one should on no account accept the invitation.
If uninvited people accompany one who is invited, he should firstly
seek the host's consent so that he is not annoyed anddisheartened (by
the arrival of an uninvited guest).
Hadhrat Abu Masood Badri(radiallahu anhu) narrates:A certain person
invited the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم over for meals. Including
the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, food was prepared for 5 people. On the
way to the invitation, a sixth person joined them. When the group
arrived at the door of the host, the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
said:
"This person has also joined us. if you wish to, you may permit him or
else he will return."
He (the host) said:
"O Prophet of Allah صلى اللهعليه وسلم, I don't mind him partaking of
the meal." [Muslim]
Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Masood (radiallahu anhu) says that the Holy
Prophet(صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"Accept the invitation of he who invites you. Avoid declining a gift
and refrain from annoying the Muslims." [Muslim]

Meeting another Muslim with a cheerful countenance

When one Muslim meets another he should confront him with a smile and
cheerful countenance and physically express his delight in meeting
him. This will entail a fortification of love and affection between
them. Ifyou confront a grieved person with a cheerful countenance, you
might just allay his grief or at least pacify him. A person feels
unrestrained in expressing himself if he is confronted cheerfully
thereby aiding him in fulfilling his needs.
Hadhrat Abu Dhar (رضى الله تعالى عنه) narrates that the Holy Prophet
(صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"Don't ever belittle any of your good deeds even though this may be
meeting your brother witha cheerful countenance." [Muslim]
The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"When two Muslims meetsand clasp each others hands, their sins are
shed as a tree sheds it's leaves."
Together with a buoyant confrontation, clasping each others hands is
also mustahab (preferable) as this increases mutual love and
affection.
Hadhrat Qatadah (رضى الله تعالى عنه) relates that he enquired of
Hadhrat Anas (رضى الله تعالى عنه) if the companions of the Holy
Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) grasped each others handswhilst meeting.
Hadhrat Anas (رضى الله تعالى عنه) replied: "Yes of course!" [Fathul
Baari]
Hadhrat Baraa (رضى الله تعالى عنه) narrates that the Holy Prophet (صلى
الله عليه وسلم) said:
"When two Muslims meet one another and clasp each others hands, they
are forgiven even before they separate from one another." [Abu Daud]

Raising one’s hands during the khateeb’s du’aa’ in the second khutbah

Key word - {*Friday Prayers:-}
- - -

What is the ruling on one who raises his hands when the khateeb makes
du'aa' for the Muslims during the second khutbah? Please quote the
evidence (daleel), mayAllaah reward you.
Praise be to Allaah.
Raising the hands is not prescribed during the Friday khutbah or the
Eid khutbah, neither for the imaam nor for the members of the
congregation. Rather what is prescribed is to listen attentively to
the imaam and to say ameen to his du'aa', saying that to oneself
without raising one's voice. But raising the hands is not prescribed,
because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did
not raise his hands during the Friday khutbah or the Eid khutbah. When
one of theSahaabah saw one of the governors raising his hands during
the Friday khutbah, he denounced him for that and said that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not raise his
hands. Yes, if the imaam prays for rain during the Friday khutbah,
then he may raise his hands whilst praying for rain, because the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to raise his
hands in this case. So ifhe prays for rain during the Friday khutbah
or Eid khutbah, then it is prescribed for him to raisehis hands,
following the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him).