If guests are present at my home and I have started serving coffee
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The questioner : M S M. The teacher says: The questioner asks, "If guests are present at my home and I have started serving coffee, and one of my parents is in the gathering with the guests, is it better for me to start by serving tea or whatever coffee is available to my parent, or should I start with the person on my right, O Shaykh?"
The Shaykh : Yes. I say that if the one pouring the coffee or tea has entered the gathering, he should start with the eldest, not with the person on his right. If he gives to the eldest, he then gives to the person on his right, meaning the right of the one pouring, who is on the left of the one who was given first, and then he continues to the right. However, if he is pouring the coffee or tea while sitting, as is the case in the gatherings of the early generations, where the host sits by the fire with the pots and jugs, then he gives to the person on his right. If he pours, he gives to the person on his right, then proceeds to the right. What some people imagine, that one should start with the right in all cases, has no basis. Some people, when they enter the gathering with coffee or tea, start with the person nearest the door, even if he is the youngest of the people, and this is not correct. Rather, when you enter the gathering, start first with the eldest, then with the person on your right, and continue to the right until you finish the right row, then start with the left row. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said So, combining his command to start with the right and his command to start with the eldest, this is what it means: if you are pouring for people and you are among them, start with the right; and if you are pouring for people and you are entering upon them, not sitting with them, start with the eldest, then with the person on your right. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes. I say that if the one pouring the coffee or tea has entered the gathering, he should start with the eldest, not with the person on his right. If he gives to the eldest, he then gives to the person on his right, meaning the right of the one pouring, who is on the left of the one who was given first, and then he continues to the right. However, if he is pouring the coffee or tea while sitting, as is the case in the gatherings of the early generations, where the host sits by the fire with the pots and jugs, then he gives to the person on his right. If he pours, he gives to the person on his right, then proceeds to the right. What some people imagine, that one should start with the right in all cases, has no basis. Some people, when they enter the gathering with coffee or tea, start with the person nearest the door, even if he is the youngest of the people, and this is not correct. Rather, when you enter the gathering, start first with the eldest, then with the person on your right, and continue to the right until you finish the right row, then start with the left row. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said
Start with the eldest, start with the eldest
كبّر كبّرThe questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.