Religion: Significance Of Hospitality

His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad said the significance of hospitality in the sight of God is such that He states in the Qur’an:

“And give thou to the kinsman his due, and to the poor and the wayfarer, and squander not thy wealth extravagantly” [Holy Quran, 17:27]


In the Qur’an we also read about how Abraham (on whom be peace) presented a roasted calf to his guests, the Holy Prophet of Islam (on whom be peace) said ‘A person who believes in God and the Day of Judgement should honour his guests.’

Explaining this, His Holiness said this signifies that honouring of guest is important for God and the Day of Judgement. It is an indicator of belief and is an obligation. Another hadith (teaching of the Holy Prophet) relates that the Prophet (on whom be peace) said:

‘Those who believe in God and the Day of Judgement should pay the rightful dues of a guest.’ When it was enquired what constituted rightful dues, he replied, ‘stay of a day and a night’.

His Holiness explained that certainly the Prophet (on whom be peace) has set limits of hospitality as three days. Staying of a day is the minimum. However, in some circumstances, the Prophet (on whom be peace) was the host to people for many days and entrusted other guests to his Companions. The fundamental point that he made regarding hospitality was that of complete respect and regard, stating that it was the right of a guest.

[Extract from the Sermon delivered by His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad on July 15, 2011 from London]


The Ahmadiyya Post, Religion. By Zubair Ahmed. Sept 15, 2011