Islamic Etiquette of Gatherings, Greeting and Speaking

Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: 'Walking through a group of sitting people is foolish; the believer must sit wherever he finds a place." [Reference: al-Bihar, Vol. 72]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "The Prophet used to sit mainly facing the Qiblah (in the direction of Holy Makkah)." [Reference: Al-Wasa'il, from the chapter of guidelines Imam al-Sadiq (a.s)
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "It is not permissible for a man to sit facing Qiblah with his legs drawn up and wrapped in his garment." [Reference: al-Kafee, Vol.2]
The Prophet prohibited that a man is told to give up his seat for another. About that the Prophet (S.A.W.) said, "But rather, make room and sit comfortably."
It was reported that the Prophet(S.A.W.) used to sit in one of three positions: Squatting, kneeling and bending one leg and stretching the other over it. He was never seen sitting cross-legged." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "Three people don't have to start the greeting: Someone who is walking with a funeral procession, someone on his way to the mosque to perform Friday Prayer, and in the bathroom."
The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "When any of you enters his house, let him say a greeting; this way he is causing the blessings and the angels to go down to it." [Reference: al-Bihar, Vol. 73]
Al-Sabaty asked Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) about the way women are supposed to salute people when they visit them. He (a.s) said: "The woman should say; 'With you is peace', and the men should say; 'Peace be with you'." [Reference: al-Bihar, Vol. 73]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "The young shall greet the old, the passer-by shall greet the seated and the small group shall greet the large group." [Reference: al-Kafee, Vol.2]
The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "The riding shall greet the walking; and if one person from the group returns the greeting, the rest don't have to." [Reference: al-Bihar, Vol. 73]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "Asking permission to enter is to be repeated three times. The first is to let them hear, the second is for them to take caution and the third is for them to permit entry if they wish; if they don't, then the visitor must go back." [Reference: al-Bihar, Vol. 73]
Imam al-Baqir (a.s) said: "When two believers hiding from each other because of a quarrel meet, they should shake hands." [Reference: al-Bihar, Vol. 73]
Imam al-Baqir (a.s) said: "When two people shake hands, the reward of the one who holds on to the hand shake is greater than that of the one who let go." [Reference: al-Kafee, Vol.2]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "Shake each other's hands for it eliminates ill will." [Reference: al-Bihar, Vol. 73]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "The Messenger(S.A.W.) never shook hands with anyone and withdrew his hand first." [Reference: al-Bihar, Vol. 73]
Imam Ali (a.s) said: "Shake hands with, and smile and show joy to your fellow Muslims when you meet them; this way your sins will be abolished before you disperse."
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "No man's head or hand should be kissed save that of the Messenger of Allah(S.A.W.)- or someone who represent him." [Reference: al-Bihar, Vol. 73]
Imam Ali (a.s) said: " It is acceptable to kiss the kinsman. The brother (or the fellow Moslem) is kissed on the cheek and the Imam is kissed between his eyes." [Reference: al-Bihar, Vol. 73]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "No one must be kissed in the mouth save the wife and the young child."
[Reference: al-Bihar, Vol. 73]
According to Ahmad bin Mohammad bin Abi-Baseer: "I heard Imam al-Reza -a.s- say: "Yawning is attributed to Satan and sneezing is attributed to Almighty Allah." [Reference: Al-Wasa?l, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
According to Salih bin Abi-Hammad: "I asked Imam al-Reza -a.s- about the reason behind thanking Allah for the sneeze. He said: " Sometimes man forgets Allah's blessings regarding his health and the soundness of his body parts. So, Allah would command the breeze to pass through his body and get out from his nose. Then, man would thank Allah and that would be a compensation for his forgetfulness." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "Thank Allah in secret if you sneeze in the toilet; and the one who sneezes is safe from dying for seven days." [Al-Bihar, Vol.73: p.53]
The (S.A.W.) said: "When someone is saying something and somebody sneezes, this means that he is saying the truth." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "When someone sneezes more than three times (in a row), you must say to him, 'may Allah cure you' for he is ill." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "Do not raise your heads towards the sky when you belch or spit; and belching is a blessing so praise Allah when you belch." [Al-Bihar, Vol.73: p.53]
Imam Ali (a.s) said: "A believer should not spit in the direction of Qibla. And if he forgetfully does that, let him ask Allah for forgiveness." [Al-Bihar, Vol.73]
Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "If you sneeze during meditating, say 'öööööAl-hamdu-lillah' (praise be to God)." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of prayer interruption]
Isaac bin Uthman asked Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) saying; "What do you say about rising in honour of someone?"
He (a.s) said: "It is reprehensible except to a scholar." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
The (S.A.W.) said: "The visitor is entitled to walking with him for a little while when he comes in and when he goes out." [Reference: al-Kafee, Vol.2]
The Prophet(S.A.W.) said: "Do not refuse a hospitable reception if you are offered one, for this is what the donkey does." [Reference: Al-Wasa?l, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
According to Abdullah bin-al-Qidah, Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "Two men visited Imam Ali -a.s- and he gave each one of them a cushion to sit on. One of them did, the other refused. So, Imam Ali-a.s- said: " Sit on it for only a donkey refuses a hospitable reception!" [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "Three actions ensure a wholehearted love among fellow Muslims: Meeting one another with joy, offering a comfortable place when sitting together and calling each other by the favorite name (nickname)" [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Among the recommendations by the Prophet (S.A.W.) to a man who asked him for advice is this: "Meet your fellow men with a happy face." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Among the things that were forbidden by the Prophet (S.A.W.) is that a man says to another: 'No! By your life and by so-and-so's life'. [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
According to Isaac bin-Ammar, Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "O Isaac! Blandish the hypocrite with your tongue, and sincerely love the believer; and if a Jew sits in your company, keep him good company." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
The Prophet (S.A.W.) prohibited flattery and said: "Hush the flatterer up!" [Reference: Makarim al-Akhlaq]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "Three are among the noble deeds of this world and the hereafter: To forgive the one who wronged you, to maintain a close relation with someone who broke with you and to be gentle to someone who behaved foolishly towards you." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Imam al-Baqir (a.s) said to one of his companions: "O, Salih! Follow the one who makes you cry but is a sincere advisor and do not follow the one who makes you laugh but is a deceiver; and you will be returned unto Allah and you will know." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
According to ibn-Abbas, The Prophet (S.A.W.) was asked who the best companion was. He said: "The one whose sight reminds you of Allah, whose speech increases your knowledge and whose actions interest you in the hereafter." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: " My most preferable friend is the one who reminds me (makes me aware of) of my shortcomings." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
The Prophet (s.a.w) said: "Keeping these people company hardens the heart: The lowly, women and the rich." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Imam al-Sajjad (a.s) used to say this to his sons: " Sit in the company of the faithful, and the knowledgeable. If you couldn't, then loneliness is more delightful and safer; and if you insist on sitting in people's company, then sit in the company of the honourable, for they do not behave in an obscene manner in their gatherings." [Reference: Al-Bihar, Vol.71, pp.196]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: " When two people are together, let not two of them converse together without their companion, for that would sadden and hurt him." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "He who interrupts a fellow Muslim while he is talking as if scratched his face." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "No believer but has a sense of humour". "What is it?" I said. He said: "Joking." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: " A believer's laughter is smiling." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: " If you like somebody, don't joke or argue with him." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: " Too much laughing hardens the heart." He also said: " Frequent laughing dissolves the faith the same way water dissolves salt." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: " Too much laughing is indecent." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: " Boisterous laughing is devilish." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Imam Ali (a.s) said: " Beware of (inappropriate) joking for it brings down hatred and causes resentment." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Through his father, Imam Jafer al-Sadiq (a.s) related that David (a.s) said to Solomon (a.s): " O, my son! Beware of excessive laughing for it impoverishes (takes away the good deeds) man on doomsday." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: " In the things that concern you, choose to consult with those who are God-fearing." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
According to Imam Ali (a.s), the Prophet (S.A.W.) said: " Do not seek a coward for advice for he makes things look harder for you; and do not ask a stingy for advice for he will fail you; and do not ask a greedy for advice for he will deck out fair the evil said. And let it be known to you that cowardice, stinginess and greediness are traits that have mistrust (in Allah) in common." [Reference: Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of companionship]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "A man with a spacious house is a happy man." [Reference: Al-Bihar Vol.73, p.152]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) quoted the Prophet (S.A.W.) as saying: " Among the things that make a man happy is a son who looks-or is- like him, a pretty and pious wife, a comfortable vehicle and a roomy house." [Reference: Al-Bihar Vol.73, p.149]
The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: " Four and four: The good wife, the spacious house, the good neighbour and the graceful vehicle, fall under 'happiness'. And the bad neighbour, the bad wife, the small house and the bad vehicle, fall under 'hardship'."
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "Imam Ali -a.s-used to meditate in a house of his in which there was nothing but a bed, a sword and copy of the Qur'an." [Reference: Al-Bihar Vol.76, p.161]
The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: " Fill your houses with light by reciting Qur'an; and do not make graves out of out of them as did the Jews and the Christians; they prayed in churches and synagogues and neglected their houses. For indeed, frequent reciting of Qur'an in a house would increase its blessings, enrich the household and make the house shine to the inhabitants of the highest heaven as the stars do to the inhabitants of earth." [Reference: Al-Kafi, Vol.2, p. 610]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "A house inside of which is a Muslim reciting Qur'an would appear to the inhabitants of the highest heaven as the glittering star would to the inhabitants of earth." [Reference: Al-Kafi, Vol.2, p. 610]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: "It is reprehensible (not recommendable) for a Muslim to keep a dog in his house." [Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of treating animals]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: " No one acquires a dog but (the reward of) his work will decrease by a carat a day." [Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of treating animals]
Imam Ali (a.s) said: "There is no good in dogs, except hunting dogs and cattle dogs." [Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of treating animals]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: " Do not retain a hunting dog inside the house unless there is a door separating it from you." [Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of treating animals]
The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: " (archangel) Gabriel came to me and said: 'We, the company of Angels, do not go into a house that has in it a dog,statue " [Al-Bihar, Vol.73, p.159]
According to abu-Baseer: "I asked Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) about (the permissibility of having cushions and rugs with sculptured images on them? He said: " There is no objection to having them in the house." "Sculptured images!" I repeated. He said: "As long as they are walked over." [Reference: Al-Kafee Vol.6, p.527]
According to Ali bin-Jafer: "I asked Imam Ali (a.s) if it is permissible to meditate in a house or a room that has a statue in it? He said: "Do not meditate in it if the statues are facing you. If there is no other way, you can cut their heads off. Otherwise, do not meditate in it." [Reference: Al-Kafee Vol.6, p.527]
According to Mohammed bin-Moslem: "I asked Imam al-Sadiq -a.s- about (whether it is permissible to keep) the statues of trees, the sun and the moon.
He said: " There is no objection to it; as long as there is no (statues of) animals within them." [Reference: Al-Bihar, Vol.73, p.160]
The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: " Take on poultry in your houses: they distract Satan from your young ones." [Reference: Al-Bihar, Vol.73, p.163]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: " Doves are among the prophets' birds." [Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of treating animals]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: " The origin of the Kabah's Holy Mosque doves is a remainder of the doves that belonged to Ishmael son of Abraham (a.s, both) which he took on for amusement." [Al-Wasail, from the book of guidelines of treating animals]
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) said: " Indeed! The presence of doves in a house protects inhabitants against maladies caused by demons: the foolish demons that live in the house would play with the doves and leave people alone." [Reference Al-Wasa?l, Vol.8, p.377]
I (anonymous) mentioned doves at Imam al-Sadiq's (a.s). His comment was: "Take them on in your houses for they are lovable; Prophet Noah's -a.s- prayer affected them. Moreover, they are the most amusing things in a house." [Reference Al-Wasa?l, Vol.8, p.378]
Imam Ali (a.s) said: " The rooster has five qualities which it shares with prophets: Liberality, contentment, knowledge of prayer hours, frequent intimate association and jealousy (of honour)." [Reference Al-Wasail, Vol.8, p.383]
The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: " Do not curse the rooster: His crying is for waking up people for prayer." [Reference: guidelines of prayer hours]