Etiquettes for Meetings in Public Spaces or Roadside
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) happened to come there.
He (ﷺ) stood by them and said: What about you and your meetings on the paths? Avoid these meetings on the paths.
They said:
We were sitting here without (any intention of doing harm to the passers-by); we are sitting to discuss matters and to hold conversation amongst ourselves.
Thereupon he (ﷺ) said:
If there is no help for you but to sit on these paths (meaning if you insist on holding meetings on these paths), then give the path its due right
They said:
What are its due rights?
Upon this he (ﷺ) said:
- Lowering the gaze,
- refraining from doing harm,
- exchanging of greetings.
- commanding of good (have good conversations), and
- forbidding from evil.
Lessons:
- Be considerate of others when you're in public spaces.
- Don't block the way, be polite by not staring,
- don't do anything harmful,
- greet, encourage good behavior, and
- discourage bad behavior if you can.
