What is the ruling on accepting an invitation?
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The questioner : ... sometimes ... .
The Shaykh : Regarding accepting an invitation, in the case of a wedding, the first time it is obligatory, meaning the first time. Some people hold a wedding feast for three days, for example, or four days, or five days, so accepting the invitation on the first day is obligatory.
In cases other than a wedding, there is a difference of opinion, and the correct view is that it is obligatory, which is the position of the people of the Zahir school. However, if it becomes difficult and one has an excuse, there is no blame on him, because he has the right to do so. Otherwise, if the host insists on the invitation, accepting it becomes obligatory. But there must be conditions: that the invitation be specific, and that the inviter be someone whom it is not permissible to boycott. If he is someone whom it is permissible to boycott, then accepting his invitation is not obligatory, because it is permissible not to greet him, let alone accept his invitation. The third condition is that his food not be forbidden. So if you know that this man who invited you said, "By Allah, please come to our place," and he goes to steal from people's watermelons or something else to give to you, then it is not obligatory for you to accept.
The fourth condition is that there be no evil in the place. If there is evil in the place, we look at the situation: if you can remove it, then accepting the invitation is obligatory, and you must accept it here from two aspects: on the basis of the invitation, and on the basis of removing the evil. And if you are unable to remove it, then accepting the invitation is forbidden for you.
The fifth, is that right?
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : That there be no harm to you. If there is harm to you, then accepting the invitation is not obligatory for you.
The sixth condition is that it not require travel. If it requires travel, then accepting the invitation is not obligatory for you, because of the loss of benefits for you, and the danger and hardship involved. So if a person invited you, for example, in Cairo, and said, "I want you to come to me, I am inviting you," and you said, "Excuse me," and he said, "I am inviting you," and you said, "Excuse me," and he said, "I am inviting you" and insisted, is it obligatory for you?
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Is that right? It is not obligatory for you, and even if it is in the closest country to you, as long as it is outside the city. Yes, that is correct.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : If?
The Shaykh : Regarding accepting an invitation, in the case of a wedding, the first time it is obligatory, meaning the first time. Some people hold a wedding feast for three days, for example, or four days, or five days, so accepting the invitation on the first day is obligatory.
In cases other than a wedding, there is a difference of opinion, and the correct view is that it is obligatory, which is the position of the people of the Zahir school. However, if it becomes difficult and one has an excuse, there is no blame on him, because he has the right to do so. Otherwise, if the host insists on the invitation, accepting it becomes obligatory. But there must be conditions: that the invitation be specific, and that the inviter be someone whom it is not permissible to boycott. If he is someone whom it is permissible to boycott, then accepting his invitation is not obligatory, because it is permissible not to greet him, let alone accept his invitation. The third condition is that his food not be forbidden. So if you know that this man who invited you said, "By Allah, please come to our place," and he goes to steal from people's watermelons or something else to give to you, then it is not obligatory for you to accept.
The fourth condition is that there be no evil in the place. If there is evil in the place, we look at the situation: if you can remove it, then accepting the invitation is obligatory, and you must accept it here from two aspects: on the basis of the invitation, and on the basis of removing the evil. And if you are unable to remove it, then accepting the invitation is forbidden for you.
The fifth, is that right?
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : That there be no harm to you. If there is harm to you, then accepting the invitation is not obligatory for you.
The sixth condition is that it not require travel. If it requires travel, then accepting the invitation is not obligatory for you, because of the loss of benefits for you, and the danger and hardship involved. So if a person invited you, for example, in Cairo, and said, "I want you to come to me, I am inviting you," and you said, "Excuse me," and he said, "I am inviting you," and you said, "Excuse me," and he said, "I am inviting you" and insisted, is it obligatory for you?
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Is that right? It is not obligatory for you, and even if it is in the closest country to you, as long as it is outside the city. Yes, that is correct.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : If?