Islam places great weight on hospitality, but the guest has duties too. Writing in Prothom Alo's religion section, Islamic scholar and researcher Raihan Al Imran sets out, from the Quran and hadith, six things a believer should remember when visiting another person's home.
First, greet with salam on entering. Verse 61 of Surah An-Nur tells believers to greet one another when they enter houses; the writer calls salam not a mere greeting but an act of worship and an expression of Muslim brotherhood. Second, ask permission first. Verse 27 of the same surah forbids entering homes other than one's own without permission, and today a phone call or text makes it easy to fix a time in advance.
Third, the guest's presence should never become a burden or harm to the host: harming others is forbidden in Islam, and disturbing someone's peace for one's own convenience is not a believer's way. Fourth, do not criticise the food. A hadith in Ibn Majah (3255) records that the Prophet (peace be upon him) never found fault with food; he ate what he liked and left what he did not.
Fifth, do not overstay. In a hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari (6135), the Prophet said special hospitality is one day and night, hospitality is three days, and anything beyond that is charity, and that a guest may not stay so long that he burdens his host. Leaving on time is itself a mark of respect.
Sixth, thank the host when leaving. A hadith in Abu Dawud (1672) tells believers to repay kindness. The writer notes that repayment need not be material: sincere thanks, a prayer, or saying "May Allah reward you with good" all express gratitude.
Source: Prothom Alo
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