CHAPTER 5 – TRADITIONS REGARDING HOSPITALITY
On the authority of Abu Shuayb al-Ka’bi, may Allah be pleased with him, he narrated: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his guest, offering him hospitality for a day and a night. Hospitality extends to three days; thereafter it is charity. It is not permissible for a guest to remain with his host beyond that which wearies him.”
Abu Dawud said: Malik ibn Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, was asked about the statement of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, that hospitality is for a day and a night. He said: Hospitality means treating him well and providing for him for a day and a night. He has the right to remain as a guest for three days.
Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Hospitality is for three days. Beyond that is charity."
It is narrated from Abu Kerim (Mikdam bin Ma’d al-Kurb) – may Allah be pleased with him – that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “A Muslim's obligation is to entertain a guest for the first night. Whoever finds a person spending the morning in front of his house, then it is incumbent upon that homeowner to provide hospitality to him. He may fulfill this obligation or remain indebted.”
It is narrated from Mikdam ibn Abi Karima that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever visits a people and finds himself deprived in their midst, it is incumbent upon every Muslim to assist the guest until the guest takes what is due to him from their crops and possessions for one night.”
[Explanation: This pertains to someone facing destitution and hardship. It is not conceivable that someone with provisions would demand rights from his host claiming he is a guest.]
Ukba ibn Amir, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:
We asked the Messenger of Allah, ﷺ, “O Messenger of Allah, you send us and we become guests among a people who do not entertain us. What do you order us?”
The Messenger of Allah, ﷺ, said to us, "If you go as guests to a people and they command you to something befitting hospitality, accept it. But if they do not offer such generosity, take from them what is due to a guest according to their standards.” [416]
Abu Dawud said: This hadith is evidence that one may take what is rightfully his.