RSVP
RSVP is a term commonly used but it seems rarely understood. It stems from French origination, as an abbreviation for répondez s’il vous plait which basically means Please Respond. What that translates to is when an invitation is forwarded to you with an RSVP request, it means please inform the host of either your attendance or non-attendance.
Whether it is due to unawareness of this concept or mere laziness, most RSVP requests are met with complete silence, leaving the host unaware of how to cater for his function. The host now faces a major dilemma, “Should I order food for a hundred people or for two hundred people? If I order less, it will be embarrassing if the food is less. If I order extra, food will be wasted and much needed funds which could have been utilised beneficially will be squandered.”
Ignoring an RSVP and simply pitching up at an event is unethical and hardly befitting Islamic conduct. Islam greatly stresses the consideration of others and condemns causing distress. So the next time you receive an RSVP invite, put yourself in the host’s shoes and let your Islamic conduct shine through.
Source: Jamiat (KZN)
Courtesy: www.everymuslim.co.za
