Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues — Page 194
194 islam’s response to contemporary issues Accepting Invitations from The Poor The rich and the more highly placed people in the social order are strongly advised to accept the invitation of the poorest should such a person invite them to his humble home. Of course, it is not a must for the rich who may have their own prior commitments and difficulties, but it was a constant practice of the Holy Founder sa of Islam to accept the invitation from even the very poorest. All those who love him as their holy Master are very proudly influenced by this admonition. Although in contemporary society, to always accept all such invitations would place the rich with no other preoccupation, but to eat with the poor, the spirit of this injunction can still be kept alive by occasionally accepting such invitations. We have already stated that wine and gambling is prohibited. Lavish expenditure on revelry is therefore obviated. This general admonition condemning lavish expenditure and a high flying lifestyle applies not only to marriages, but all spheres of human activity. The beauty of this teaching is that it is not enforced by compulsion but is prompted by words of advice and love. Moderation in Eating Habits O children of Adam! look to your adornment at every time and place of worship, and eat and drink but exceed not the bounds; surely, He does not love those who exceed the bounds. 15