عَنْ أَبِي شُرَيْحٍ الكَعْبيِّ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ: «مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَاليَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيُكْرِمْ جَارَهُ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَاليَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيُكْرِمْ ضَيْفَهُ جَائِزَتَهُ» قَالَ: وَمَا جَائِزَتُهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: «يَوْمٌ وَلَيْلَةٌ، وَالضِّيَافَةُ ثَلاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ، فَمَا كَانَ وَرَاءَ ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ صَدَقَةٌ عَلَيْهِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَاليَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ».
Abu Shurayḥ al-Ka‘bī narrated that God’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:
1. Whoever believes in God and the Last Day should be kind to his neighbour.
2. And whoever believes in God and the Last Day should be generously hospitable to his guest. People asked: For how long does generous hospitality last, Messenger of God? He said: One day and night. Hospitality is for three days, and what is beyond that is a ṣadaqah, or charity for the guest.
3. And whoever believes in God and the Last Day should say what is good or remain silent.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) urges believers to be kind to their neighbours and to be very hospitable to their guests. On the first day, a person should serve his guest the best food he can afford. Subsequently, the guest shares the normal food of his host’s family. The Prophet also urges us to watch what we say to ensure that we only say what is good.
