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Everyday Conduct
An introduction to the manners of eating, respect for privacy, lawful consumption, and honesty with property and money.
Key concepts
Manners at the table
The Prophet instructed a child to eat with the right hand and from the part of a shared dish nearest to him. These simple habits encourage considerate behaviour when eating with others.
He forbade breathing into the drinking vessel. Anas reported that he drank in three breaths, with breathing taken away from the vessel. The Quran also teaches moderation in eating and drinking by warning against excess.
Food and activities to avoid
Quran 5:3 explicitly forbids pork, blood, and meat from an animal slaughtered for someone other than Allah. These are among the basic limits a Muslim learns when choosing food.
Quran 5:90 instructs believers to avoid intoxicants and gambling. Together, these teachings connect everyday consumption and recreation with obedience and responsible choices.
Entering homes with permission
Before entering someone else’s home, Quran 24:27 requires permission and a greeting. This gives residents control over access to their private space and encourages a respectful arrival.
The Prophet explained that permission is required because of what a visitor might see. Looking into a home without permission violates the privacy that this practice is meant to protect.
Modesty and the gaze
Quran 24:30 instructs believing men to lower their gaze. Modesty includes attention to what one chooses to look at and respect for the privacy of another person’s body.
The Prophet forbade a man from looking at another man’s private parts; the same report gives the corresponding instruction for women. These teachings make bodily dignity part of everyday conduct.
Honesty when selling
When the Prophet found wet food hidden beneath dry food offered for sale, he condemned the deception. Buyers should be able to see relevant defects rather than discover them after the purchase.
He taught that truthfulness and disclosure preserve blessing in a sale. Honest transactions therefore involve describing goods clearly and making relevant information available to the other party.
Returning entrusted property
Quran 4:58 commands that entrusted property be returned to those entitled to it. An entrusted item remains connected to the rights of its owner, even while someone else is responsible for keeping it.
Taking care of what has been entrusted and returning it appropriately are practical expressions of trustworthiness. This principle applies to the everyday responsibilities people accept towards one another.
Recording debts and intending repayment
Quran 2:282 instructs the parties to write down a debt with a fixed repayment date. A written record helps preserve the agreement and makes each person’s responsibility clear.
The Prophet’s teaching also emphasises the borrower’s intention to repay other people’s money. Clear records and sincere intentions work together to protect trust between lender and borrower.
Paying what is due
The Prophet described delaying payment by someone able to pay as wrongdoing. Having the means to repay brings responsibility to honour the debt when it is due.
Timely payment respects the other person’s rights and needs. It makes honesty visible through action and helps keep financial commitments reliable.
Further reading and resources
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- Sahih al-Bukhari 5376Read
- Sahih al-Bukhari 153Read
- Sahih al-Bukhari 5631Read
- Quran 7:31Read
- Quran 5:3Read
- Quran 5:90Read
- Quran 24:27Read
- Quran 24:30Read
- Sahih Muslim 338aRead
- Sahih al-Bukhari 6241Read
- Sahih Muslim 102Read
- Quran 4:58Read
- Quran 2:282Read
- Sahih al-Bukhari 2387Read
- Sahih al-Bukhari 2079Read
- Sahih al-Bukhari 2400Read