Kindness to Guests in Islam: In Islam, being kind to others is very important, and one very nice thing is being kind to guests. A guest is someone who comes to visit us. It can be a family member, a friend, a neighbor, or even someone we don’t know very well. They may come to our house for food, a talk, to stay for a while, or just to say Salam.
Islam teaches us to welcome our guests with a happy heart and a big smile. We say, “Assalamu Alaikum” and ask them to come inside. We say kind words and make them feel safe and loved.
The Example of the Prophet (peace be upon him)
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was very kind to guests. He always greeted them with warmth and love. He would offer them food, give them water, and let them rest. Even if he had little, he would still share.
Once a guest came to the Prophet’s house, and there was not much food, but the Prophet asked his companion to take care of the guest. That companion took the guest home, turned off the light, and gave the food to the guest without eating himself. This made Allah very happy.
Allah told us in the Quran that good people love their guests and give them food, even when they need it. This means we should always be kind to guests.
How to Treat Guests
When guests come to our home, we clean the room, make space for them to sit, and give them something nice to eat or drink. It can be water, milk, fruit, or any food. Even if we don’t have something fancy, we can still offer what we have with love.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should honor his guest.” This means respecting guests is part of being a good Muslim.
When guests come, we should not ignore them or play games while they are waiting. We should not make noise or fight in front of them. We should behave nicely and show good manners. We talk gently, listen carefully, and smile.
If they are elders, we show more respect. If they are children, we share toys. If the guest brings gifts, we say thank you. If the guest does not bring anything, we still love them because guests come with blessings. The angels come with the guest and bring goodness to the home. That’s why a house with guests is a happy house.
The Rights of Guests in Islam
If a guest is staying overnight, we make sure they have a clean bed, a warm blanket, and a place to pray. If they are hungry, we feed them. If they are tired, we let them rest.
The first day, we treat them in the best way. The second day, we treat them well. The third day, we still treat them nicely. After three days, if they stay longer, we still care for them, but we do not feel burdened. Islam says three days is the right of the guest, and after that, it becomes extra kindness.
We should not ask guests too many questions. We should not say, “Why are you here?” or “When will you go?” because this can make them feel bad. We should make them feel at home. We don’t open their bags or look at their things. We give them privacy and respect. That is the Islamic way.
Being a Good Guest Too
If we visit someone else’s home, we are also guests. So we should be polite. We don’t touch things without asking. We don’t go into other rooms. We don’t shout or jump on sofas. We use nice words. We thank the host, and we make dua for them. We say, “May Allah bless this home and the people in it.” That is a good Muslim child.
Our parents and teachers tell us to be good hosts and good guests. When we learn this, we make Allah happy. A good guest eats what is served and doesn’t complain. A good host gives what they can and serves with love. Even a glass of water given with kindness is a big reward in Islam.
Some children feel shy when guests come. That’s okay. We can smile and sit with them. We can help serve food. We can ask if they want something. This makes our manners better.
If someone is a poor guest, we still treat them like a king. If someone is a rich guest, we do not show off. We treat all guests the same. The Prophet (peace be upon him) never looked at rich or poor—he looked at hearts.
Hospitality Brings Reward
If we want to be close to Allah, we must love our guests and honor them. Our parents get reward from Allah when they serve guests, and we get reward too when we help. So if our mom is cooking for guests, we can help set the table. If dad is opening the door, we can say Salam. If guests are leaving, we can say goodbye kindly and thank them for coming.
These are small actions, but Allah sees everything. When guests come, we can wear clean clothes, talk kindly, and be on our best behavior. Even our pets should be gentle. If we have a cat, we don’t let it bother the guest. If we have loud toys, we turn down the volume. We think of the guest’s comfort. That is how Muslims behave.
Sometimes, guests come at hard times, like during illness or sadness. Then we don’t laugh too much or make noise. We sit quietly and say kind words like, “May Allah help you,” or “We are here for you.” These words give peace to the guest’s heart.
Hospitality in Everyday Life
Islam is a religion of care. We care for everyone, and guests are special. Even in Ramadan, when guests come, we offer iftar. We share our dates and water. Sharing is caring, and caring is from Imaan (faith). Our Prophet (peace be upon him) used to invite people to Islam and also give them food. He showed that hospitality is part of dawah (inviting others to goodness).
When non-Muslims visited him, he still treated them kindly. He taught us that guests, even if different, deserve love. So if your friend from school visits and they are not Muslim, still show respect. Still smile and share. That is what a good Muslim does.
We must not be lazy when guests come. We must not say, “I don’t want to help” or “I don’t like guests.” This is not the way of Islam. The home of a Muslim should be open and welcoming.
If we have something to share, we share. If we have nothing, we still offer good words. Allah rewards the heart, not the size of the meal. So even if we give one cookie, it’s a big reward if it’s given with love.
The Example of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him)
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was called the “Friend of Allah.” One reason is that he always welcomed guests. He once had no guests and felt sad. Then he found a traveler and invited him with a happy face. Allah loved this. We can follow his example. A good Muslim is always generous.
Our home is a place of blessings. When we keep it clean, full of kindness, and welcome guests, Allah fills it with mercy. We must thank Allah for the chance to serve others.
We must not waste food. If guests leave extra food, we share it or save it. No wasting. If guests give us gifts, we say thank you and make dua. If guests have children, we can play nicely with them. If guests speak a different language, we still smile and show good manners. Manners are the same in all languages.
Islam teaches us to be loving and generous. So let us all be good hosts and good guests. Let us remember that the Prophet (peace be upon him) loved guests, honored them, and told us to do the same. May Allah help us be kind, welcoming, and full of love for those who visit our homes. Ameen.