He, the Most High, says: “O you who believe, when you are told, ‘Make room in the assemblies,’ then make room; Allah will make room for you” (Qur’an 58:11).

The Islamic law is all-embracing; it covers everything people need, both for their faith and for their worldly life. Allah — exalted is He — declares, “We have sent down to you the Book as a clarification of all things, and as guidance, mercy, and glad tidings for the Muslims” (Qur’an 16:89).

Abū Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, and there was not even a bird flapping its wings in the sky except that he had given us some knowledge about it.” Accordingly, you find that the sharīʿah has explained the grand, foundational matters of the religion—such as tawḥīd (pure monotheism) and the rest of creed, as well as prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage—and it has also detailed matters of lesser weight, like the etiquette of sleeping, eating, drinking, and attending gatherings.

The author then cites the hadith of ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar: the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “None of you should make another man rise from his seat and then sit in it himself; rather, make room and spread out.” In other words, if you enter a place and find it full, do not say, “So-and-so, get up,” and then take his spot. If you truly must sit, say, “Please make room, widen the space,” for Allah, exalted be He, will make room for them.

“O you who believe, when you are told, ‘Make room in the assemblies,’ then make room.”