Ruling on potlucks (get-togethers for a meal where each person brings something with him or her)

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In recent times a habit has become widespread among the Muslims, and I do not know where it came from, but it seems that it came from the kuffaar. This habit is called a potluck. In brief, the host asks each of the guests to bring some cooked food with him to the get-together, and everyone eats together. The purpose behind that is so that the host will have nothing to do except a few simple things, and he will not be exhausted with cooking and so on. What makes me dislike this kind of get-together is that this is contrary to the Sunnah of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), because he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to feed his guest with the best that he had, and he urged us to honour our guests, and honouring cannot be done except by cooking for them and giving them the best foods; the guest should not be required to bring his food with him. What is the Islamic view on these get-togethers? Do you think that it is appropriate to attend these gatherings and encourage others to attend too.

Praise be to Allah.

Firstly:

Undoubtedly offering food is one of the noblest of characteristics and a sign of generosity, and it is encouraged in Islam. It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allah ibn Salaam (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “O people, spread salaam, give food, and pray when the people are sleeping; you will enter Paradise in peace and safety.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2485)’ classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

Islam enjoins honouring one’s guest and giving him his due. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honour his guest.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (6018) and Muslim (47).

What is meant by the guest whom it is obligatory to honour is the guest who is travelling, who is coming from another city or country, not the visitor who is a neighbour or friend from the same city. Honouring this latter (the visitor) is required and comes under the general teachings of Islam which encourage doing good, treating people kindly and having a good attitude towards them. So it is the guest who is a traveller who is the one who has the right of food offered to the guest. This does not apply to the visitor whom one may tell to go back, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And if you are asked to go back, go back, for it is purer for you. And Allah is All‑Knower of what you do” [al-Noor 24:28].

Based on that, there is nothing wrong with what the people referred to in the question are doing.

Moreover, even if we assume that they are guests of the type whom it is obligatory to honour, if they themselves agree to waive their rights and say that they will bring food with them, there is nothing wrong with that.

Hence we do not think that this action is contrary to sharee’ah or generosity; rather it is indicative of the close and strong ties that they have with one another.

We appreciate your eagerness for the Sunnah and we ask Allah to grant us and you deep understanding of His religion and to make us steadfast in following the truth.

And Allah knows best.

Ruling on potlucks (get-togethers for a meal where each person brings something with him or her)

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