Surah An-Noor (24) — Ayah 61

61. There is no blame upon the blind, nor upon the lame, nor upon the sick [93], nor upon yourselves, that you eat from your own houses [94], or the houses of your fathers, or the houses of your mothers (and grandmothers), or the houses of your brothers, or your sisters, or your paternal uncles, or your paternal aunts, or your maternal uncles, or your maternal aunts, or from the houses whose keys you possess [95], or from the house of your friend [96]. There is no sin upon you whether you eat together or separately [97]. But when you enter houses [98], greet your people (the inhabitants) with a greeting of peace from Allah, blessed and good. Thus Allah makes clear His verses to you, so that you may understand.

[93]
Etiquettes of Eating and Feeding:

In this verse, the etiquettes and rulings regarding eating at each other's homes among different types of people in society have been mentioned. The initial part of the verses relates to disabled people, i.e., those who are lame or sick. It is stated regarding them that since they cannot earn for themselves, they may eat from any house. They should not feel ashamed in this matter, and since they have a right over the people of society, the people should also be generous in feeding them. Another interpretation is that, in the era of ignorance, such disabled people used to feel hesitant to eat together with well-off and healthy people. They would think that perhaps others would dislike eating with them and would find it unpleasant. In fact, some people did have such aversion and discomfort. Therefore, the general people were instructed that such people are in need of your sympathy, let alone being disliked. A third interpretation is that some pious people thought that perhaps by eating together with such people, their rights might be violated. For example, a blind person cannot see all the food, the lame might arrive late, and the sick, while eating, have to consider their pain and dietary restrictions, so it is better for them to eat separately. This sentence removed the misconceptions of all these people.

[94] When this verse was revealed: ﴿وَلَا تَاْكُلُوْٓا اَمْوَالَكُمْ بَيْنَكُمْ بالْبَاطِلِ﴾ [29:4], some Muslims became excessively cautious in this matter and began to consider it against piety to eat at the house of even a close relative without the host's invitation or permission. According to this phrase, their excessive caution was addressed, and it began with eating from one's own house first. Whereas, for eating from one's own house, there is no need to seek permission from anyone. With this beginning, it was instilled in the mind that just as you do not need any permission or formality to eat from your own house, similarly, you can eat at the houses of your father, your mother, your brothers, your sisters, your paternal uncles, your paternal aunts, your maternal uncles, and your maternal aunts. At this point, eight close relatives have been mentioned, from whose houses you can eat without permission and without formality, whether the owner of the house is present or not. In this verse, the houses of one's sons and daughters have not been mentioned. These houses are, in fact, considered one's own houses.

[95] ﴿اَوْ مَا مَلَكْتُمْ مَّفَاتِحَهٗٓ﴾ also has two meanings. One is that your workers may eat from that which you have appointed them as caretakers or workers over. In this sense, your gardener may eat the fruits of the garden without your permission, your shepherd may drink the milk of the goats without your permission, your baker may eat food from your hotel without your permission, and there can be countless such examples. The second meaning is that if you eat from such people's houses, there is no harm in it either, because you are their provider.

[96] Here, by "friend" is meant such a close and sympathetic friend that if he comes to you, you feel genuine happiness, and if he eats something from your house in your absence, instead of being displeased, you feel happy.

[97]
Is it Better to Eat Alone or Together?

It was the custom of some Arab tribes that they considered eating alone to be better and regarded eating together as improper. Even among Hindus today, this is the custom. And among Muslims as well, some people consider this to be better, especially those who are excessively convinced of the theory of germs. On the other hand, there were some people who considered eating alone or individually to be improper. Some were so strict that they would not eat, and would even remain hungry, until someone else or a guest joined them, and some had the custom that eating alone was a bad thing and eating together was better. This verse was revealed to end such restrictions. According to this verse, general permission has been given that one may eat as one wishes. However, Islam has preferred eating together, and the evidence for this is found in the following hadiths:

1. Amr bin Abi Salamahؓ, who was the son of Umm al-Mu'mineen Umm Salamahؓ (from Abu Salamah), says that one day I ate food with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. I began to stretch my hand to all sides of the dish, so he said to me: "Eat from what is in front of you." [بخاری۔ کتاب الاطعمہ۔ باب الاکل ممایلیہ]

2. Hazrat Abu Musa Ash'ari says that the Prophet ﷺ said: "When the Ash'ari people are in need during battle or when their families' food becomes scarce in Madinah, they gather whatever they have in a cloth and then distribute it equally among themselves. These people are from me and I am from them." [مسلم۔ کتاب الفضائل۔ باب من فضائل الاشعریین]

[98] This phrase is not limited to the invitation of food only, but is general. That is, whenever you enter your own or someone else's house, or a mosque, etc., you should definitely say salam (the prayer of peace: assalamu alaikum) to those present there. In fact, even if no one is seen in the house, one should still say assalamu alaikum and consider the presence of angels. And this pure and blessed phrase is such that in response, you will also receive a prayer of peace. In this way, an atmosphere of sympathy and wishing well for each other will be created throughout society.