Etiquette of Visiting Relatives

Summary: 

1) Tradition of visiting our relatives during Hari Raya is a way for us to gain the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.). It is narrated in a hadith Qudsi that Allah (s.w.t.) said: 

وَجَبَتْ مَحَبَّتِي لِلْمُتَحَابِّينَ فِيَّ وَالْمُتَجَالِسِينَ فِيَّ وَالْمُتَزَاوِرِينَ فِيَّ وَالْمُتَبَاذِلِينَ فِيَّ 

Which means: "My love is certain for those who love each other because of Me, who sit together because of Me, *who visit each other because of Me*, and who spend on each other because of Me." 

(Hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad) 

2) Allah (s.w.t.) said in the Qur’an: 

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَدۡخُلُواْ بُيُوتًا غَيۡرَ بُيُوتِكُمۡ حَتَّىٰ تَسۡتَأۡنِسُواْ وَتُسَلِّمُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَهۡلِهَاۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ 

Which means: "O believers! Do not enter any house that is not your house, until you have first *asked for permission and greeted its inhabitants*. That is better for you, so that you are mindful (of the rules and etiquette)." (Surah An-Nur: 27) 

Imam Al-Tabari narrated the story behind why this verse was revealed:

It was narrated that a woman from the Ansar came to the Prophet (s.a.w.) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, I am in my house in a state that I do not like to be seen by anyone, whether it is my father or my son. My father often comes and enters my house, and so do other men from my family, while I am in such a state. What should I do?” After this, the verse was revealed by Allah (s.w.t.). 

3) Do not let our presence cause any difficulties or unhappiness to our hosts. Homeowners may not be ready to receive guests for various reasons. Therefore, we should ensure that they are ready and willing to receive guests before we visit. 

4) Let us strive to treat others the way we would like to be treated. This is because a true believer is careful regarding his manners and his behaviour, making sure that the people around him feel comfortable around him or her.