Cultural Practices mentioned in scriptures

[Mezhgan]

Re: Cultural Practices mentioned in scriptures

@muqawwee123

There is this incident of angels visiting Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) that is mentioned at various places of Quran, where angels avoid eating roasted calf presented to them by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). There has been this tradition in most tribal cultures (including Arabs) that they don’t eat food at enemy’s house and that is why Hazrat Ibrahim was afraid when he saw angels not eating (he didn’t know them to be angels till they afterwards told him).

We have this tradition in our culture as well. Interestingly enough, it is considered offensive not eat when visiting someone at their home, as that would imply that the host is your enemy or that you don’t trust them. My grandfather mentioned that in times past and even today in certain rural provinces this was part of the reason that the first thing you do when someone drops by to visit you is offer them food. This would help gauge their intentions (ie. whether your guest is trustworthy or hostile). I believe this is also common among the Berbers of Morocco.