8/14/2019 Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), The Hospitable

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Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) The Hospitable

Ali Zohery, Ph.D.

Hospitality was another key value in the speeches ofMuhammad. Being hospitable to your neighbor was another wayof showing love and kindness. He stated clearly that:

He who believes in Allah and the Last Dayshould honor his guests. Provisions for theroad are whatever will serve for a day anda night; hospitality extends for three days;what goes beyond that is charity; and it isnot allowable that a guest should stay untilhe makes himself a burden. (Bukhari, 6019)

Hospitality then was not to be abused by the personreceiving it. If the person receiving hospitality becomes a burdenthen it goes beyond his ideals. It was to be mutuallycompromising by the two parties. As corroborated by thefollowing quotes: If you come to people who order for you whatis fitting for a guest, accept it; but if they do not, take from themwhat is fitting for them to give to a guest (Bukhari). Acompanion asked the Prophet, messenger of Allah, tell me: if Icome to a man who does not entertain me or show hospitalityand he afterwards comes to me, should I entertain him or treathim as he treated me? The Prophet said: Entertain him.(Tirmidhi, 2006)

He also emphasized the idea of sharing with one another.People should eat together because there is more blessing ineating together than trying to eat separately (lbn Majah). Hethen stated that Good comes more quickly to the house inwhich food is provided (to the guests) than the knife comes tothe camels hump (Ibn Majah). When one of you is invited to ameal, he must accept it. If he wishes, he may eat, but if he wishes

he may leave the food alone (Muslim). If anyone rejects aninvitation, he has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger (Bukhari).The Prophet forbade people to accept the food of those whoinvite people for selfglory and ostentation (Abu Dawud).When one of you visits his brother Muslim, he should eat hisfood without asking questions. Eating the food of your brother isa sign of love and sincerity in your dealings with him.

8/14/2019 Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), The Hospitable

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Examples from the Prophets PracticeA man prepared some food especially for the Prophet and

also invited four other persons with him. But an extra personwho had not been invited also joined them. On arriving at thedoor of the hosts house, the Prophet said to the host: This manhas accompanied us. If you like, he will join us, otherwise he willgo back. The host replied: O Messenger of Allah. I invite him.(Bukhari). He who serves drinks should himself be the lastperson to drink. (Tirmidhi) This was a kind gesture that is closelylink with mercy that forms the next part of our analysis.