Buruja
The Book of Good Manners

Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 94

Honoring the Guest

باب إكرام الضيف

This chapter is about ikram ad-dayf, honouring the guest, a hospitality the Prophet tied directly to true faith. Welcoming a guest generously is presented not as mere social custom but as a fruit of believing in Allah and the Last Day.

Notice how the two hadith balance two duties: the host's obligation to be generous, and the guest's obligation not to overstay and burden their host. Real hospitality, like all good character, protects both giver and receiver.

Hadith 705

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏ من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فليكرم ضيفه، ومن كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فليصل رحمه، ومن كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فليقل خيراً أو ليصمت” ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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].

In plain words

Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his guest, keep good ties with relatives, and either speak well or stay silent. Faith shows itself in how we treat others and what we say.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 705 In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 26

Hadith 706

Abu Shuraih Khuwailid bin 'Amr Al-Khuza'i (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أبي شريح خويلد بن عمرو الخزاعي رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ ‏"‏من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فليكرم ضيفه جائزته‏"‏ قالوا‏:‏ وما جائزته يا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏يومه وليلته‏.‏ والضيافة ثلاثة أيام، فما كان وراء ذلك فهو صدقة عليه” ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏ وفي ‏(‏‏(‏رواية لمسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏:‏ ‏"‏لا يحل لمسلم أن يقيم عند أخيه حتى يؤثمة‏"‏ قالوا‏:‏ يا رسول الله ، وكيف يؤثمه‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏يقيم عنده ولا شيء له يقريه به‏"‏‏.‏

I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) 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)."

In plain words

A guest's due is a day and a night of special care, with hospitality extending to three days, and beyond that it becomes charity; a guest should also not overstay until he burdens his host. Generosity and consideration go both ways.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 706 In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 27