In Islam the guest is treated as a gift from God — honor them, feed them, and you may earn a place among the blessed.
In Islamic teaching, a guest is considered a blessing from God and a sign of barakah (blessing) in the home. For this reason, hospitality and respectful treatment of guests are strongly recommended.
The sanctity of the guest is a foundational principle in Islam that stresses hospitality and courteous treatment. Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said: “Honor your guest, however humble he may be; stand for your father and teacher even if he be a ruler.” This statement highlights the moral duty to honor guests and treat them with generosity.
Divine blessing: A guest is regarded as a blessing from God, and serving them is considered an act of worship.
Sign of barakah: The presence of a guest in the house is taken as a sign of abundance and divine provision.
Special rights: Guests have special rights and should be treated with honor and courtesy.
Prophetic and Imamic encouragement: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Imams have strongly emphasized hospitality and honoring guests.
Source | Hadith (translated) |
|---|---|
Imam Ali (a) | “Whoever honors his guest will be with me and with Abraham (peace be upon them) in Paradise.” |
Prophet Muhammad (s) | “It is among the rights of a guest that he be honored, even by offering him a toothpick.” |
Imam Ali (a) | “A guest is a guide to Paradise, and whoever does not honor the guest is not one of mine.” |
Prophet Muhammad (s) | “Invite to your table and feed someone you love for God’s sake.” |
Imam Ali (a) | “There is no believer who loves guests but that he will rise from his grave with a face like the full moon on the night of the full moon.” |
As these texts show, hospitality and honoring guests carry very high moral and spiritual value in Islam. The practice not only pleases God but also increases social blessing, strengthens community bonds, and yields reward in the hereafter.
Point | Explanation |
|---|---|
Sincerity (Ikhlāṣ) | The most important element in hospitality is sincere intention and goodwill. |
Promptness in serving | The host should be quick and eager to serve guests. |
Honoring the guest | Guests must be treated with dignity and respect. |
Cheerfulness | The host should welcome guests with a warm face and a smile. |
Avoiding discrimination | All guests should be treated without prejudice or favouritism. |
