❖ Ruling on Discrimination Among Guests in Seating and Food ❖
Question:
What is the Islamic ruling on showing favoritism among guests, particularly by offering different seating or food arrangements? Is such behavior permissible?
It is highly discouraged to show distinction or preference among guests. Hospitality in Islam falls under "Ikrām al-Ḍayf" (honoring the guest), and should be carried out according to one’s means, without discrimination.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would eat the same food as his Companions — no special meal or seating was arranged for him, even though he was the best of creation.
In large gatherings, certain distinctions may arise due to administrative necessities, such as:
◈ Scholars being seated separately from the general public for practical reasons (organization, speech delivery, etc.).
→ This may be administratively necessary, but not religiously preferred or encouraged.
◈ Wealthy individuals being given preferential treatment, such as exclusive seating or superior food —
→ This is un-Islamic and must be avoided, as it contradicts the spirit of equality, humility, and sincerity in hosting.
Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“The worst type of food is the food of a wedding banquet where the rich are invited and the poor are left out. Whoever declines such an invitation has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5177]
This narration highlights that excluding the poor or favoring the rich in such gatherings is a condemned practice in Islam.
✔ Discrimination among guests — whether in seating or meal offerings — is discouraged and should be avoided.
✔ Hospitality must be equal and sincere, regardless of social status.
✔ Administrative arrangements may sometimes necessitate seating arrangements (e.g., for scholars), but this should be pragmatic, not preferential.
✔ Favoring the wealthy over the poor contradicts Islamic ethics and the prophetic Sunnah.
Question:What is the Islamic ruling on showing favoritism among guests, particularly by offering different seating or food arrangements? Is such behavior permissible?
Answer by: Shaykh Ikrāmullah Wāḥidī (حفظه الله)
It is highly discouraged to show distinction or preference among guests. Hospitality in Islam falls under "Ikrām al-Ḍayf" (honoring the guest), and should be carried out according to one’s means, without discrimination.
Prophetic Example:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would eat the same food as his Companions — no special meal or seating was arranged for him, even though he was the best of creation.
⚠ When Does Differentiation Occur?
In large gatherings, certain distinctions may arise due to administrative necessities, such as:
◈ Scholars being seated separately from the general public for practical reasons (organization, speech delivery, etc.).
→ This may be administratively necessary, but not religiously preferred or encouraged.
◈ Wealthy individuals being given preferential treatment, such as exclusive seating or superior food —
→ This is un-Islamic and must be avoided, as it contradicts the spirit of equality, humility, and sincerity in hosting.
Guidance from Hadith
Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“The worst type of food is the food of a wedding banquet where the rich are invited and the poor are left out. Whoever declines such an invitation has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5177]
This narration highlights that excluding the poor or favoring the rich in such gatherings is a condemned practice in Islam.
Conclusion
✔ Discrimination among guests — whether in seating or meal offerings — is discouraged and should be avoided.
✔ Hospitality must be equal and sincere, regardless of social status.
✔ Administrative arrangements may sometimes necessitate seating arrangements (e.g., for scholars), but this should be pragmatic, not preferential.
✔ Favoring the wealthy over the poor contradicts Islamic ethics and the prophetic Sunnah.
