Responding to an Invitation
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Fatwa No. ( 6673 )
Q: It is well known that responding to a food invitation is an individual obligation for the Muslim. So, if a person is by nature inclined toward seclusion and does not like mixing with people, is it permissible for him to leave off responding to the invitation? And if the invitee feels awkward about attending the feast because of the presence of those who are above his level, meaning higher than his level in knowledge, wealth, or status, or because he does not know most of the invitees and is a stranger among them, and he is distressed by that, is it permissible for him to excuse himself to the host and ask him to exempt him from attending, or not? And is it permissible for him to leave off responding for those reasons and the like, even without informing the host in advance? Please issue a ruling, may Allah reward you, and may Allah reward you with good.
A: The principle is that it is obligatory to respond to a Muslim’s invitation if the inviter has specified him, unless a legal impediment prevents that in the inviter or the invitee, or in the place of the feast; due to the evidence indicating that. It is not befitting for you to delay responding to your brother’s invitation for the reasons you mentioned, but if you ask his permission and he permits it, there is no harm. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: It is well known that responding to a food invitation is an individual obligation for the Muslim. So, if a person is by nature inclined toward seclusion and does not like mixing with people, is it permissible for him to leave off responding to the invitation? And if the invitee feels awkward about attending the feast because of the presence of those who are above his level, meaning higher than his level in knowledge, wealth, or status, or because he does not know most of the invitees and is a stranger among them, and he is distressed by that, is it permissible for him to excuse himself to the host and ask him to exempt him from attending, or not? And is it permissible for him to leave off responding for those reasons and the like, even without informing the host in advance? Please issue a ruling, may Allah reward you, and may Allah reward you with good.
A: The principle is that it is obligatory to respond to a Muslim’s invitation if the inviter has specified him, unless a legal impediment prevents that in the inviter or the invitee, or in the place of the feast; due to the evidence indicating that. It is not befitting for you to delay responding to your brother’s invitation for the reasons you mentioned, but if you ask his permission and he permits it, there is no harm. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.