Making someone get up and sitting in their place

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Q 2: Please give us your opinion on a man who comes to a gathering in which there is many people. Then he heads to his favorite place, and makes the person sitting there get up against their will, bearing in mind that this man is not a guest; in fact he is just a frequenter of the place. This happens many times in the same day and the reason for it is due to him being of a higher status.

A: A Muslim should sit wherever is available, without making anyone get up to sit in their place. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “A man should not make (another) man get up from his seat and then sit in it; rather, you should make room and place.” (Part No. 26; Page No. 110) This is out of his keenness (peace be upon him) to free people’s hearts from any ill-feeling. However, the owner of the house has more right to sit in their habitual (preferable) place.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.