SECTION 8 – THE RULING ON RESPONDING TO AN INVITATION CONTAINING ONLY SOMETHING OBJECTIONABLE
A report has been transmitted from Sefine Abu Abdurrahman, may Allah be pleased with him:
A man visited Ali ibn Abi Talib and prepared a meal for him. Fatima, may Allah be pleased with her, said, "We should have invited the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, so that he could eat with us." They then invited the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and he came. He placed his hand on the doorpost, and suddenly saw a decorated curtain with intricate embroidery hanging in a corner of the house. Upon this, he turned back. Lady Fatima said to Lady Ali, "Go and see what caused the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, to turn back." Lady Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, followed Him. He said, “O Messenger of Allah, what caused you to turn back?” The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, replied, "It is not appropriate for me or a prophet to enter a house adorned with things that evoke pleasure." [417]
GLOSSARY:
Ghiram: Refers to an embroidered covering.
Izade: The side portion of the door, what we call the doorjamb and casing.