The other question asks: If people gather in a gathering and other people are brought to them, is it recommended to stand up for the arriving guests, even if they come one after another, or is it recommended to sit and merely return the greeting?
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The questioner : The other question asks: If people gather in a gathering and other people are brought to them, is it recommended to stand up for the arriving guests, even if they come one after another, or is it recommended to sit and merely return the greeting? And what was the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in this matter?
The Shaykh : The guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in this matter is that he did not stand up for anyone, and he disliked people standing up for him (peace and blessings be upon him). However, it is reported in Sahih al-Bukhari that when the delegation of Thaqif came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he stood up. This standing up was either to welcome them, or it was for the speech he intended to deliver.
In any case, if people were accustomed to not standing up for arriving guests, that would be better, more appropriate, and more excellent.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : But as long as they have become accustomed to it, and the arriving guest considers it an insult if someone does not stand up for him, then a person should not do what sows enmity among people. However, as I said, it is better for people to become accustomed to not standing up, and it should be explained to them that the Sunnah is not to stand up. But it must be distinguished between standing up for a person, standing up to a person, and standing up over a person, because the ruling differs for these three things. As for standing up to a person to welcome him, there is no harm in that; in fact, it is a recommended practice for those who deserve it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to the Ansar, the Aws, when Sa'd ibn Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) came forward to be appointed as judge in the matter of Banu Qurayzah. When he came forward, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to the Ansar, the Aws:.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for standing up for a person, that is what we mentioned recently: that it is better to leave it. But if people have become accustomed to it, and leaving it would cause harm, then it should not be left in order to avert that harm. As for standing up over a person, that is prohibited. Standing up over a person means that a person stands over someone who is sitting.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is prohibited except for a benefit or a need. One benefit is that standing up over a person may anger the enemies from among the disbelievers, as al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him) did when he stood over the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with a sword when the delegations or messengers of Quraysh came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for negotiation.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Al-Mughirah (may Allah be pleased with him) would stand over the head of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with a sword. There is a benefit in this, which is angering the disbelievers and showing the greatness of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in their minds.
Likewise, if there is a need, such as standing over a person's head to protect him, then there is no harm in that at that time due to the need for it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Otherwise, it is prohibited. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 960, in order to confirm following the imam in his sitting if he prays sitting, and to avoid imitating the non-Arabs who stand over the heads of their kings. These are three things, and one must know the difference between them.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Standing up for a person, to a person, and over a person. This is with regard to the one who stands up. As for the one for whom people stand up, if anyone loves for people to stand up for him, let him take his seat in the Fire.
The questioner : We seek refuge in Allah.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
From Sa'd Salih al-Fajri in Al-Ayun. We received this message complaining about some of the behavior of the young men.
The Shaykh : The guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in this matter is that he did not stand up for anyone, and he disliked people standing up for him (peace and blessings be upon him). However, it is reported in Sahih al-Bukhari that when the delegation of Thaqif came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he stood up. This standing up was either to welcome them, or it was for the speech he intended to deliver.
In any case, if people were accustomed to not standing up for arriving guests, that would be better, more appropriate, and more excellent.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : But as long as they have become accustomed to it, and the arriving guest considers it an insult if someone does not stand up for him, then a person should not do what sows enmity among people. However, as I said, it is better for people to become accustomed to not standing up, and it should be explained to them that the Sunnah is not to stand up. But it must be distinguished between standing up for a person, standing up to a person, and standing up over a person, because the ruling differs for these three things. As for standing up to a person to welcome him, there is no harm in that; in fact, it is a recommended practice for those who deserve it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to the Ansar, the Aws, when Sa'd ibn Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) came forward to be appointed as judge in the matter of Banu Qurayzah. When he came forward, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to the Ansar, the Aws:
Rise to your master.
قوموا إلى سيدكمThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : As for standing up for a person, that is what we mentioned recently: that it is better to leave it. But if people have become accustomed to it, and leaving it would cause harm, then it should not be left in order to avert that harm. As for standing up over a person, that is prohibited. Standing up over a person means that a person stands over someone who is sitting.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is prohibited except for a benefit or a need. One benefit is that standing up over a person may anger the enemies from among the disbelievers, as al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him) did when he stood over the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with a sword when the delegations or messengers of Quraysh came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for negotiation.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Al-Mughirah (may Allah be pleased with him) would stand over the head of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with a sword. There is a benefit in this, which is angering the disbelievers and showing the greatness of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in their minds.
Likewise, if there is a need, such as standing over a person's head to protect him, then there is no harm in that at that time due to the need for it.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Otherwise, it is prohibited. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
When the Imam prays sitting, then pray sitting.
إذا صلى الإمام قاعدً فصلوا قعوداًThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Standing up for a person, to a person, and over a person. This is with regard to the one who stands up. As for the one for whom people stand up, if anyone loves for people to stand up for him, let him take his seat in the Fire.
The questioner : We seek refuge in Allah.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
From Sa'd Salih al-Fajri in Al-Ayun. We received this message complaining about some of the behavior of the young men.