4. Being considerate of the rightful owner of a spot if he returns to it after leaving it:
Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “If someone leaves his spot, then returns to it, he is better entitled to it.”
[Reported by Muslim (2179)]
As there is the possibility that the person left their spot due to a need and left an indication that it was his, then comes back to find somebody else sitting in it. How will he feel in this situation? This issue is something that many people neglect, especially in gatherings held in narrow/cramped places.
5. Being considerate of the feelings of the elderly, respecting them and letting them speak first:
This is one of Islaam’s greatest characteristics. The young person should not speak before the older person and the younger one listening to the elder person speak is considered good manners/politeness. This sublime Islaamic etiquette is absent among many young Muslims, who are unconcerned with this issue in their lives. Therefore, it is essential for educators/teachers to emphasize these manners.
Abu Moosa Al-Ash’ari, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:
“Respect for Allaah includes respect for an elderly gray-haired Muslim and respect for one who carries the Qur’aan [in his heart, that is, he who memorized it] who does not exaggerate [while reciting it] and does not keep himself away from it and respect for a just man of high office.”
[Reported by Abu Daawood (4843)]
‘Ubaadah ibn As-Saamit, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:
“He is not from my Ummah [Nation], the one who does not esteem our elderly and does not have mercy on our young ones and does not know the right of our scholars.”
[Reported by Ahmad (22755)]
‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “I saw in a dream that I was using Siwaak and two persons contended to get it from me, the one being older than the other one. I gave
the Siwaak to the younger one. It was said to me give that to the older one and I gave it to the older one.”
[Reported by Muslim(3003)]
his was the Prophet’s courtesy, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in the following event that happened at the time of the conquest of Makkah.
Asmaa’ bint Abu Bakr, may Allaah be pleased with her, reported: “When the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, entered Makkah and entered the Sacred Mosque, Abu Bakr, may Allaah be pleased with him, came to him with his father to visit him.
When the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, saw him he said:
“Why didn’t you leave the old man at his house and I would have gone to him there?”
Abu Bakr (RadiyAllahu Anhu) said:
“You are more deserving of him coming to you than he is of you going to him.”
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, seated him (Abu Quhaafah) in front of him. Then he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, passed his hand on his chest and asked him to embrace Islaam and he did.”
[Reported by Ahmad (26956)]