Sunnats and Aadaab of the Host – 4

10. Apart from meals, if the guest has any need, then the host should tend to his need if he is able to.

11. It is not necessary for the host to make elaborate preparations and prepare lavish meals for the guest. Similarly, the host not put himself into difficulty by taking unnecessary loans. He should do whatever is within his financial means and ability in trying to prepare for the guest. The Sahaabah would present whatever they had in their homes and would not make elaborate preparations as they knew that this was not part of the sunnah.

عن شقيق، قال: دخلت أنا وصاحب لي على سلمان فقرب إلينا خبزا وملحا، فقال: لولا أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم نهانا عن التكلف تكلفنا لكم (شعب الإيمان، الرقم: 9153 ، المستدرك على الصحيحين للحاكم، الرقم: 7146)

Hazrat Shaqiq (rahimahullah) says that once he went with a friend to visit Hazrat Salmaan (radiyallahu anhu). Hazrat Salmaan (radiyallahu anhu) offered him salt and bread (as this was the only thing he had at that time in his home). He then said to them, “If Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) did not stop us from adopting unnecessary formalities, I would have most certainly gone out of my way to make special arrangements to feed you (more than what I have in my home and more than what I can afford by taking loans etc.).”

12. Abstain from unnecessary formalities when serving the guest as many a time, this leads to show and this takes away the barakah (blessings) from the food.

13. If one does not have the financial means to present something special before the guest, then one should present whatever he has within his means. Presenting a simple meal before the guest with respect and dignity will also be a means of fulfilling this mubaarak sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

14. If the guest is ill or is suffering from some ailment, then the host should take the condition of the guest into consideration when preparing the meal. He should ensure that he provides him with such food which will not be harmful to his health. For this, he should enquire from him before preparing the meal.

15. The host should see that the utensils containing food are not empty during the meal. If he requires to refill the utensils with food during the meal, then he should do so.

16. If there is a need to refill the utensil, then the host should not remove the utensil which has some food in it, but rather he should bring more food in another utensil.