Adab al-Mufrad

Benefits and Issues:
➊ If there is no valid Islamic excuse, accepting an invitation is obligatory. By valid Islamic excuse is meant that there are matters in the invitation contrary to the Shariah, such as the presence of drums, etc., at weddings, or if the wealth of the inviter is unlawful (haram), or if a person is unable to attend due to severe preoccupation, or if there is a fear of harm, or if the invitation is being given as a result of a recommendation you made, then the invitation may be declined.

➋ The exchange of gifts increases mutual love and the bonds of kinship, and loving for the sake of Allah and maintaining kinship ties are great virtues. Therefore, the Shariah has encouraged giving gifts to one another. Refusing to accept a gift without reason leads to enmity, hatred, and suspicion; thus, it is prohibited to reject a gift without a valid reason. However, if there is a reasonable cause, one may excuse oneself from accepting a gift—for example, if a judge or an administrative official is offered a gift by someone in order to get his work done, he may refuse it.

➌ The life and wealth of a Muslim are extremely sacred; therefore, harming Muslims is a grave sin. Especially, beating or striking them is such a great sin that on the Day of Judgment, its reckoning will have to be settled by giving away one's good deeds, and on that day, good deeds will be the most precious possession.

➍ If one carefully studies the statements of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam mentioned in this hadith, it becomes clear that a peaceful, pleasant, and compassionate society can be established by acting upon these instructions. May Allah grant Muslims the ability to act upon these commands.

➎ The relevance of this hadith to the chapter is that people used to beat slaves mercilessly like animals. The hadith prohibits this, and also, if a slave or a poor member of society invites or gives a gift, it should also be accepted.