Duties related to the guest and the host
Amongst the basic duties towards others which the Holy Qur’an has taught are the guest-host duties. These duties have been given explicitly and specifically by the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) in his saying; and because those sayings form an exposition and explanation of the Qur’anic code of life itself, it is necessary to trace them in the Qur’an. In doing so we find the guest-host duties contained in the stories of two Prophets, Abraham and Lot (Peace be on them), whose conduct is the standard for a Muslim, and to follow whom is a duty.
Speaking of the guests of Prophet Abraham (Peace be on him), the Holy Quran says:
“Has the story reached thee, of the honoured guests of Abraham (who were angels)? Behold, they entered His presence, and said: ‘Peace’ He said: ‘Peace’ (and thought, these seem) unusual people’. Then he (remarked nothing about their being unusual strangers and) turned quickly to his household (to arrange for hospitality), and brought out a calf fatted (and roasted) (to honour them with the best food). And he sat it before them, and (seeing that they touched it not) said: ‘Will you not eat?’ (When they did not eat and thus appeared to refuse his hospitality,) he conceived a fear of them. They said: ‘Fear not’ and they gave him glad tidings of a son endowed with knowledge,” Ch. 51 v. 24-28
The Holy Qur’an says in respect of the guests of Prophet Lot:
“The inhabitants of the city (who were addicted to unnatural crime) came in joy (at the news of the arrival of young guests, who were actually angels). Lot said (to them): ‘These are my guests: disgrace me not: fear Allah, and shame me not.”
Duties of the host deducible from the above:
- He should wish peace to his guest, even though they are strangers.
- He should make haste with a generous and loving heart to provide comfort for them.
- He should defend and protect them against all wrong.
Duties of the guest deducible from the above verses:
-He should wish peace to the host.
-He should demonstrate his goodwill towards the host.
-He should behave considerately towards the host.
