Response to an Invitation Extended to a Man Observing Saum (Fasting)

باب ما يقوله من حضر الطعام وهو صائم إذا لم يفطر

This short chapter answers a real social moment: you are invited to a meal but you happen to be fasting that day. Accepting the invitation still matters, because turning up honors the host and keeps the bond between believers warm.

The single hadith here gives the gentle solution. If you are not fasting, eat and enjoy the hospitality; if you are fasting, you still come, and instead of eating you pray for good for the one who invited you. Either way, the kindness is returned.

Hadith 737

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏ "‏إذا دعي أحدكم ، فليجب، فإن كان صائما فليصل، وإن كان مفطراً فليطعم‏" ‏ .‏‏‏((رواه مسلم))‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When any of you is invited to a meal, he should accept the invitation. If he is observing Saum (fasting), he should supplicate for the betterment of the host and if he is not fasting, he should eat." [Muslim].

In plain words

When invited to a meal, accept the invitation. If you are fasting, pray for blessing on your host instead of eating, and if not, then eat. Either way, honor the one who invited you.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 737 In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 11