to take some when you pass by. However, it is customary here in al-Qasim for a person to sell the fruit of his date palms to another man. Does the ruling remain in force even when another person has bought it? Or should we say that, once he has bought it, he owns it, whereas the sunnah only concerns the owner of the orchard?

The latter is closer to what is correct: a person’s purchase of the fruit is equivalent to the orchard owner’s taking possession of it. Thus, if we know that the fruit of these date palms has been sold, we do not eat from it.

The author, may Allah have mercy on him, then proceeded here to explain the rulings of hospitality. He mentioned them only as a digression: after discussing what is prohibited due to Allah’s right, among animals and other matters, and then mentioning what relates to respecting a Muslim’s property, he also mentioned hospitality. This is the connection behind its inclusion here.

“It is obligatory to provide hospitality for a Muslim traveller passing through villages, for one day and one night.”

His statement, “It is obligatory to provide hospitality for a Muslim”: “It is obligatory” explains the ruling of hospitality. Hospitality means receiving one who comes to a person, honoring him, lodging him in one’s home, and offering him food. It is among the virtues of the Islamic religion. Abraham, peace be upon him, preceded us in this, as Allah says:

“Has there reached you the story of Abraham’s honored guests?” [al-Dhariyat 51:24]

That is, those whom Abraham honored. It is also possible to say that they were those whom Allah, Exalted is He, honored by making them angels.

Thus, hospitality is obligatory, and honoring the guest is likewise obligatory. This is something additional to mere hospitality. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest.” (1) That is, whoever has complete faith should honor his guest.