Respect the Poor

If you come accross a poor person at a gathering, or a poor person visited you at home or at work, do not look down upon him or her.

Poverty is not a defect or a fault to be ashamed of, while lack of kindness and generosity is. Treat poor acquaintances or guests with honour and respect. Talk pleasantly with them, using the best of language. Again, poverty is not a vice, many who are poor are more honourable that the wealthy, and many who are penniless are preferred to the rich.

Islamic Manners: Shk A. F. Abu Ghuddah

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Adab with the Poor

Abu Huraira (RA) narrated: "The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, 'Which of you is fasting today?' Abu Bakr said 'I am'. He asked 'Which of you has visited a sick person today?' Abu Bakr said, ' I have'. He said, 'Who attended a funeral today?' Abu Bakr said 'I have'. He asked, 'Who fed a poor person today?' Abu Bakr said 'I have'.

One of the narrators added further that the Prophet (SAW) said:

These qualities are not brought together in one man on a single day, but that he will enter the Garden".

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Abdullah ibn Amr (RA) said:

"The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, 'Worship the Merciful and feed the people. Spread the greeting amongst yourselves and you will enter the Garden".

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Abdullah ibn Amr (RA) said:

"A man asked the Messenger of Allah (SAW) ' Which is the best of Islam?' He said, 'Feeding people and giving greeting to those you know and those you do not know".

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Extracts from Al-Adab Al-Mufrad by Imam Bukhari