Therefore, equal treatment must be extended to all. The Prophet (peace be upon him) set the perfect example in this, as he did in the implementation of all Islamic values. When he favored some people, there was a definite purpose for such favors. Moreover, the ones who were favored were the ones with the least claims for such favors.
Anas ibn Malik reports that he invited the Prophet once and he milked a sheep that was kept at home. The milk was then mixed with some water taken from the well in Anas’ home. “The jug was given to God’s messenger and he drank some milk. As he removed the jug from his mouth, Abu Bakr was seated to his left while a Bedouin was to his right. Umar thought that the Prophet would give the jug to the Bedouin to drink, so he said, ‘Give it to Abu Bakr, messenger of God. He is next to you.’ The Prophet gave the jug to the Bedouin and said: The turn starts from the right.” (Related by Al-Bukhari).
As he watched the Prophet drinking, Umar realized that he would naturally give the jug to the Bedouin who was sitting to his right. Yet the Bedouin was only a newcomer to Islam. Perhaps he had been in Madinah for only a day or two. But Abu Bakr, who was the first to accept Islam and the closest to the Prophet of all his companions, was the most senior figure in the group, next to the Prophet. Therefore, Umar wanted to stress this as the drinking round began. Hence, he suggested that the Prophet should give the jug to Abu Bakr. The Prophet, however, would have nothing of this. As the Bedouin was to his right, the rule of starting from the right should be applied. He gave the jug to the Bedouin and stated clearly that it was his turn as he was to the Prophet’s right.
The Prophet stated this on more than one occasion. Al-Bukhari relates another Hadith in the same context: “The Prophet was given a jug and he drank some. To his right was a young lad, who was the youngest of all present, while the elders were to his left. The Prophet said to the lad, ‘Will you allow me to give the elders?’ The lad said: ‘Messenger of God, I would not give my share of your (blessing) to anyone.’ The Prophet gave him the jug.” Ibn Abbas also reports: “I went with God’s messenger and Khalid ibn Al-Waleed into Maimoonah’s home. (Maimoonah was the Prophet’s wife and Ibn Abbas’ aunt). She brought us a jug of milk. The Prophet drank of it. I was with him and Khalid to his left. He said to me, ‘It is your turn to drink, but if you wish I will give Khalid first.’ I said, ‘I would not favor anyone with my share of drinking at the spot you drank.’”
Some scholars suggest that these Hadiths point out a preference, not an obligation. They are also in agreement that they apply to drink, not to food. The Hadith suggests that it is permissible to drink milk that has been mixed with water, and to give it to one’s guests. It is, however, forbidden to sell because it involves cheating. The Hadith also indicates that anyone who comes first and takes his place in the reception room of a leader or a scholar or in a mosque is entitled to remain in that place. No one may be asked to give up his place to another, even though that other person has a higher status.
