hospitality. This too is contrary to the correct view, because the hadith is general. How many people come to cities where there are hotels, restaurants, and everything else, yet dislike such places and consider themselves above going to them, so they stay as guests with a friend or someone they know. Thus, if a guest stays with you—even in a city—the correct view is that hospitality is obligatory.

It states in al-Rawḍ: “He is not obliged to lodge him in his home if there is no mosque or the like available” (1). The correct view, however, is that he must lodge him in his home, even if shelter is available and mosques are open, for this is part of honoring him. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, gave us a comprehensive, definitive, and clear statement: “Let him honor his guest” (2). It is not honoring him that, once he has eaten dinner or lunch, you say to him, “Leave!” We therefore say: He must honor him in the customary manner with respect to his food, drink, and lodging. The hadith is general.

The relevance of mentioning hospitality in the Book of Foods is that it is an incidental discussion. After mentioning those animals forbidden due to the right of Allah, then mentioning matters related to respecting a Muslim’s property, he also mentioned hospitality. This is the connection.

His statement, “for a day and a night,” is based on the Prophet’s saying, peace and blessings be upon him: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest with his due.” They asked, “What is his due, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “A day and a night,” or, “His day and his night.” And after