Adab of Greeting (al-Salam)
The foundational greeting: “As-Salamu ‘Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh” — three possible lengths, each adding more blessing. The Prophet (SAW) said: “When a man meets his brother-Muslim, let him say ‘As-Salamu ‘Alaykum.’ It is best.” (Tirmidhi)
Who initiates: “The rider greets the walker, the walker greets the sitter, the smaller group greets the larger group, the young greet the elders.” (Bukhari, Muslim) — A hierarchy of greeting that reflects respect.
The response: Must equal or exceed the greeting: “And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet with one better than it or return it [equivalently].” (4:86)
Entering the home: The Prophet (SAW) commanded greeting when entering one’s own home — “When you enter your homes, greet your family, for it is a blessing.” (Tirmidhi) — not just strangers but one’s own household.
Adab of Eating and Drinking
Before eating: “Bismillah” — the basmala begins the meal. If one forgets at the start: “Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirah” (In Allah’s name, at its beginning and at its end).
Eating with the right hand: “Eat with your right hand and eat from what is in front of you.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Not criticizing food: The Prophet (SAW) never criticized food — if he liked it, he ate; if he didn’t, he left it without comment. (Bukhari)
Sitting to eat: The Prophet (SAW) never ate reclining. He said: “I do not eat reclining.” (Bukhari) — humility in eating posture.
After eating: “Alhamdulillahi al-ladhi at’amana wa saqana wa ja’alana muslimin.” The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever eats food and then says: ‘Alhamdulillahi al-ladhi at’amana…’ his previous sins are forgiven.” (Tirmidhi)
Drinking: Drink sitting, not standing (Bukhari, Muslim). Breathe outside the vessel — do not breathe INTO the cup. Three sips, not one long drink.
Adab of Seeking Permission and Entering
The Quran devotes extended verses to permission-seeking: “O you who have believed, do not enter houses other than your own houses until you ascertain welcome and greet their inhabitants.” (24:27)
The protocol: Knock/ring three times; if no answer, leave. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Seeking permission is three times: if you are given permission, enter; otherwise return.” (Bukhari)
Do not face the door directly: Stand to the side when seeking permission — “When one of you seeks permission, do not face the door.” (Abu Dawud) — protecting the privacy of those inside.
Children at three times of day: The Quran specifies that even children and household members must seek permission at: Fajr prayer time, midday rest time, and after ‘Isha prayer (24:58) — the three times of privacy.
Adab of Gathering and Conversation
Do not whisper between two when three are present: “When there are three, two should not whisper to the exclusion of the third, for that would hurt him.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Make space: “O you who have believed, when you are told to make room in gatherings, then make room; Allah will make room for you.” (58:11) — Physical generosity in seating reflects spiritual generosity.
Listen attentively: The Prophet (SAW) would turn his whole body toward the person speaking to him, giving them complete attention.
Do not interrupt: Wait until the speaker has finished. Do not complete another’s sentence (unless they are struggling).
Avoid prolonged speech: The Prophet (SAW)‘s speech was measured and clear — “He spoke in a way that if one counted his words, they could be counted.” (Bukhari) — Not the one who speaks most impresses; the one who speaks most meaningfully.
Do not revile the deceased: “Do not revile the dead, for they have moved on to what they sent ahead.” (Bukhari)
Adab with Elders and the Young
“Not of us is one who does not show mercy to our young ones and does not recognize the right of our elders.” (Tirmidhi)
Rising for elders: The Prophet (SAW) stood for Sa’d ibn Mu’adh when he approached and said to the Ansar: “Rise for your leader.” — Rising for elders is a Sunnah, though scholars differ on its obligation.
Allowing elders to precede: In speech, in serving food, in entering — the elder goes first.
With children: The Prophet (SAW) would make his sujud long so that Hasan and Husayn could ride on his back during prayer. He said: “Whoever does not show mercy to our children and does not recognize the right of our elders is not from us.”
Adab of Visiting the Sick
“The rights of the Muslim upon the Muslim are six: when you meet him, greet him; when he invites you, respond; when he seeks your counsel, give it sincerely; when he sneezes and praises Allah, pray for mercy upon him; when he is ill, visit him; when he dies, follow his bier.” (Muslim)
The du’a for the sick: “Allahumma rabban-nas, adhhibil-ba’s, ishfi antash-shafi, la shifa’a illa shifa’uk, shifa’an la yughadiru saqama.” (O Allah, Lord of people, remove the harm, heal — You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing, a healing that leaves no illness.)
Duration: Brief visits are Sunnah — the Prophet (SAW)‘s visits were not long. The sick person is fatigued; the visit is for encouragement and du’a, not for lengthy conversation.
Adab of the Marketplace
“Whoever comes to buy something should say: ‘I seek refuge in Allah from riba and deception.’” — The marketplace is a place of spiritual danger (riba, fraud, deception); entering it with consciousness and dhikr is a Sunnah.
The Prophet (SAW) said: “The honest, trustworthy merchant will be with the prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs.” (Tirmidhi) — Commercial integrity is not merely legal but spiritually exalted.
See also: Akhlaq, Muslim Character, Haya, Silat Al Rahm, Mosque Etiquette, Salat Al Janazah, Riba And Interest