The Importance of Hospitality in Islam

The Virtues and Etiquettes of Hospitality in Islam

Hospitality holds great value and status in Islam, but in today’s materialistic age, Muslims seem to be lacking this quality. There may be a few who are blessed with the ability to host guests by Allah’s grace, while most are deprived of it. This is not because there is a lack of food or that invitations and events are not being organized. In fact, we are advanced in this regard, but where do we find the invitations where the hungry are included, where the poor and needy are invited, or where orphans are called? Most of today’s invitations reflect the words of Sayyidina Abu Huraira (RA) as mentioned in his narration:
عن أبي هريرةَ أنه كان يقول : بئسَ الطعامُ طعامُ الوليمةِ يُدعى إليه الأغنياءُ ويُترك المساكين،فمن لم يأتِ الدَّعوةِ ، فقد عصى اللهَ ورسولَه .(صحيح مسلم:1432)
Translation: Sayyidina Abu Huraira (RA) used to say that the worst food is the food of a wedding feast where the rich are invited and the poor are left out. Whoever does not attend this invitation, has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger.

The Qur’an mentions the hospitality of an Ansari companion. Let us read this and renew our faith. Allah says:
وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ ۚ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ (الحشر:9)
Translation: And they prefer others over themselves, even though they are in need. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of their soul – it is those who are successful.

In the context of this verse, there is a very inspiring story mentioned in Sahih Bukhari:
Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that a person came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, I am in hunger.” The Prophet (PBUH) sent him to the wives of the Prophet, asking them to host him, but they had nothing to offer. The Prophet (PBUH) then asked if there was anyone who would host this guest. An Ansari companion (Abu Talha) stood up and said, “O Messenger of Allah, he is my guest tonight.” He took the guest home and told his wife: “This is the guest of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and we must not keep anything back from him.” The wife replied, “By Allah, I only have food for the children.” The Ansari companion said, “If the children ask for food, make them sleep and turn off the lamp, and tonight we will remain hungry.” The wife did as he said. In the morning, the Ansari companion came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), who said, “Allah has been pleased with such and such Ansari and his wife, or He smiled and then revealed the verse: ‘And they prefer others over themselves, even though they are in need.'” (Sahih Bukhari: 4889)

SubhanAllah! How great are those hosts who are praised by Allah and mentioned in the Qur’an?

Feeding others and hosting them has great virtues, and it is a rewardable act. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
خيرُكُمْ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ الطعامَ ، وردَّ السلامَ(صحيح الجامع:3318)
Translation: The best among you are those who feed others and return the greeting of peace.

And the one who does not host is deprived of goodness. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
لا خيرَ فِيمَنْ لا يُضِيفُ(صحيح الجامع:7492)
Translation: There is no goodness in the one who does not offer hospitality.

So much so that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) instructed that if someone refuses to host, one should demand their due hospitality. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
إن نزلتم بقومٍ ، فأُمِرَ لكم بما ينبغي للضيفِ فاقْبَلُوا ، فإن لم يَفعلوا ، فخذوا منهم حقَّ الضيفِ(صحيح البخاري:2461)
Translation: If you stay with a person and they treat you in a manner befitting a guest, then accept it. If they do not, then take your due hospitality from them.

Because of this, many scholars have deemed hospitality obligatory upon the host. This reasoning is supported by not just the above-mentioned Hadith, but other Ahadith as well. One of them is:
مَن كان يُؤمِنُ باللهِ واليومِ الآخِرِ فلْيُكرِمْ جارَهُ، ومَن كان يُؤمِنُ باللهِ واليومِ الآخِرِ فلْيُكرِمْ ضَيْفَهُ جائِزَتَه. قال : وما جائِزَتُه يا رسولَ اللهِ ؟ قال : يومٌ وليلةٌ، والضِّيافَةُ ثلاثةُ أيامٍ، فما كان وَراءَ ذلك فهو صدَقَةٌ عليه(صحيح البخاري:6019)
Translation: Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his neighbor, and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his guest according to what is customary. It was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, how long is this customary hospitality?” He replied, “One day and one night, and the hospitality for three days. Anything beyond that is charity for him.”

This Hadith mentions three levels of hospitality. The first level is that hosting a guest for one day and one night is obligatory; the second level is that hospitality for the second and third days is recommended; and the third level is that after three days, hosting becomes a charity.

It is important to note that the term “guest” in the Hadith refers to a traveler, whether they are a relative or a stranger. Hosting a guest who comes just to visit or for casual socializing is not obligatory on the host. Hosting relatives is an act of maintaining family ties (sila-rahmi), and inviting others is an act of kindness and good manners.

Etiquettes of the Host during Hospitality:

1. The guest should ask for permission before entering, and the host should greet them warmly, inquire about their well-being after exchanging pleasantries.
2. The host should make suitable arrangements for the guest’s stay, ensuring the guest is comfortable and neither they nor the family members face any inconvenience.
3. The host should act swiftly in preparing for the hospitality, as a tired traveler will seek rest after eating. If there is any delay in the arrangements, an excuse should be offered.
4. The first day’s hospitality should be elaborate and according to the customs and status, while the hospitality on the second and third days can be more modest, as per normal daily routines.
5. The host should personally serve the food to the guest and eat with them. Not only is this a source of blessings, but it also reflects sincerity and love, which the guest will never forget. The host should stay with the guest until the end of the meal.
6. Every effort should be made to ensure that the guest is not hurt in any way, either verbally or physically.
7. When the guest is about to leave, the host should accompany them outside and bid them farewell at a distance.

Etiquettes for the Guest:

1. The guest should try to arrive at an appropriate time, so that their visit does not become a burden on the host.
2. The guest should not make any demands regarding accommodation or food, but should be content with whatever is provided.
3. The guest should not criticize the food while eating or afterward. If asked about it, they should say “Ma Sha Allah” (as Allah wills).
4. After eating, the guest should thank Allah for giving them the opportunity to be hosted and also thank the host and their family for their hospitality.
5. The guest should not stay for more than three days. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
   الضيافة ثلاثة ايام وجائزته يوم وليلة، ‏‏‏‏‏‏ولا يحل لرجل مسلم ان يقيم عند اخيه حتى يؤثمه، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قالوا:‏‏‏‏ يا رسول الله وكيف يؤثمه؟، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قال:‏‏‏‏ يقيم عنده ولا شيء له يقريه به(صحيح مسلم:4514)
   Translation: Hospitality lasts for three days, and the proper hospitality is for one day and one night. It is not permissible for a Muslim man to stay with his brother until it becomes a burden on him. The companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how can he burden him?” The Prophet (PBUH) replied: “He stays with him, and the host has nothing to offer him.”
   Staying longer than three days causes inconvenience to the host’s family and affects the guest’s own reputation. Therefore, one should not burden others and should avoid causing them difficulty.
6. The guest should frequently pray for blessings in the host’s life and wealth. The following prayers can be offered:
   اللهمَّ ! بارِكْ لهم في ما رزقتَهم . واغفرْ لهم وارحمْهم(صحيح مسلم:2042)
   Translation: O Allah! Bless them in the provisions You have given them. Forgive them and have mercy upon them.
   اللهمَّ ! أطعِمْ مَن أطعَمني . وأسْقِ من أسقاني(صحيح مسلم:2055)
   Translation: O Allah! Feed the one who fed me, and give drink to the one who gave me drink.
7. Before leaving, the guest should ask for permission from the host and not leave without informing the family.

Final Note: It is not just the act of feeding a traveler that brings reward; inviting and sharing food with one another is a Sunnah and an act that fosters love. Anyone who visits our home should be treated with warmth and respect, even if we can only offer them a glass of water. Feeding the poor, needy, orphans, the destitute, and those in need is a virtuous act. May Allah grant us the understanding of the religion and the ability to act upon it.