Honoring the Guest in Islam

[abd allah]

hi,

Chapter 94: Honoring the Guest in Islam

"Has the story reached you, of the honoured guests [three angels;
Jibril (Gabriel) along with another two] of Ibrahim (Abraham)? When
they came in to him and said: `Salam (peace be upon you),' He
answered: `Salam (peace be upon you),' and said: `You are a people
unknown to me.' Then he turned to his household, and brought out a
roasted calf [as the property of Ibrahim (Abraham) was mainly cows].
And placed it before them, (saying): `Will you not eat?''' (51:
24-27)

"And his (Lut's) people came rushing towards him, and since aforetime
they used to commit crimes (sodomy), he said: `O my people! Here are
my daughters (i.e., the women of the nation), they are purer for you
(if you marry them lawfully). So fear Allah and degrace me not with
regard to my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?
''' (11:78)

706. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The
Prophet (PBUH) said, "He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let
him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and
the Last Day, let him maintain good relation with kins; and he who
believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain
silent.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: To honour a guest means to welcome him cheerfully,
entertain him happily according to our capacity and have full regard
of his comfort and rest. As for our relatives, we are supposed to
treat them nicely and to do our duty towards them.

Reserve in speech implies that we should avoid senseless and
irrelevant talk. We are apt to pass most of our time in the
remembrance of Allah, seeking His forgiveness and saying what is good
to everybody. Or we had better keep silent. These three qualities are
possessed by those people who believe in Allah and the Day of
Reckoning.

In other words, those who lack these qualities betray only a weak and
imperfect Faith.

707. Abu Shuraih Khuwailid bin `Amr Al-Khuza`i (May Allah be pleased
with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "He who
believes in Allah and the Last Day, should accommodate his guest
according to his right.'' He was asked: "What is his right, O
Messenger of Allah?'' He (PBUH) replied: "It is (to accommodate him)
for a day and a night, and hospitality extends for three days, and
what is beyond that is charity.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In Muslim it is added: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "It is not
permissible for a Muslim to stay so long with his brother till he
makes him sinful.'' He was asked: "O Messenger of Allah, how can he
make him sinful?'' He replied, "He prolongs his stay with him till
nothing is left with the host to entertain him (guest).''

Commentary: This Hadith throws light on something more of the
etiquette and scope of hospitality. A guest ought to be given the best
entertainment on the first day and night. For the next two days,
hospitality should be moderate. On the fourth day, the guest should
leave for his destination. Yet if he chooses to stay, hospitality will
be in the sense of charity.

http://www.rasoulallah.net/v2/document.aspx?lang=en&doc=7296

more about islam :

http://sites.google.com/site/islamicsitesaddr/

http://islamicreli.blogspot.com/

thank you.