Being Considerate to the Host and Fulfilling His Rights

Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi (rahimahullah) once mentioned the following:

The Ulama have written that the host also has certain rights over his guest which the guest should keep in mind when dealing with him. For example, if the host wishes to seat the guest in a certain place, then the guest should comply and sit in the place he is asked to sit. It is possible that the reason for the host asking him to sit in that specific place is that his sight will not fall on the womenfolk of the home. If he does not sit in that place, but rather sits in another place, then his sight may fall on the womenfolk of the home, and in this way, their privacy will be invaded.

Hazrat Thaanwi (rahimahullah) also mentioned that another right of the host which the guest should keep in mind when dealing with him is that the guest should not ask the host for any specific type of food – even though his request may seem to be small and insignificant. For example, the guest should not ask the host to provide him with chutney to eat with his food. It is possible that the host does not have that food and this will cause him some type of distress.

Yes, in the case where the guest refrains from certain types of foods due to him following a certain diet (e.g. on account of him suffering from some sickness or experiencing ill-health), then he should inform the host in advance saying, “I refrain from eating certain foods”. (In this way, the host will know in advance, before preparing the meal, and he will not have to undergo difficulty by preparing a meal which the guest will not be able to partake off).

(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 15/70)