We said that two conditions are required for responding to an invitation: first, that it be specified, and that it not involve travel?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you. We add to the conditions two: that it be specified, and that it not involve travel. What is your opinion, Shaykh?
The Shaykh : As for specifying it, that is well known, because if it is not specified, he did not truly invite him; he made a general invitation to the masses.
As for travel, it falls under what we said about causing harm.
The questioner : It is what causes harm, but does it involve hardship?
The Shaykh : It involves hardship, and it may distract him from many things, meaning he needs to travel, which will take up other times, so it is not obligatory for him.
As for when it is not specified, if he invites, for example, the masses, then responding is not obligatory. In fact, responding to specific individuals by name may be a form of humiliation. The ruling on inviting the masses—whether it is disliked or not—will come to us, if Allah wills.
The Shaykh : As for specifying it, that is well known, because if it is not specified, he did not truly invite him; he made a general invitation to the masses.
As for travel, it falls under what we said about causing harm.
The questioner : It is what causes harm, but does it involve hardship?
The Shaykh : It involves hardship, and it may distract him from many things, meaning he needs to travel, which will take up other times, so it is not obligatory for him.
As for when it is not specified, if he invites, for example, the masses, then responding is not obligatory. In fact, responding to specific individuals by name may be a form of humiliation. The ruling on inviting the masses—whether it is disliked or not—will come to us, if Allah wills.