Sunnats and Aadaab of the Guest – 5

21. When one is invited by his Muslim brother to come to his home, then he should accept the invitation. Upon going to the home, if he is offered something to eat or drink (e.g. partaking of a meal or having a cup of tea or coffee), then he should partake of that which is offered to him.

However, if he has an excuse not to partake of the meal (e.g. he is fasting), then he should politely excuse himself by informing the host that he is fasting. In this case, by accepting the invitation and coming to the home, he will be rewarded by Allah Ta’ala, and he has fulfilled the sunnah of accepting an invitation. Accepting an invitation does not mean that one will have to partake of the meals.

However, in the case where one receives an invitation by a Muslim to come to his home for meals and one accepts the invitation, then one should not keep a fast (nafl fast) on that day as the host and his family have made preparations and have gone out of their way to prepare meals for the guest. By the guest going to the home of the host and not partaking of the meals, he will be causing inconvenience to the host and his family who have prepared for him.

عن أبي هريرة، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إذا دعي أحدكم، فليجب، فإن كان صائما، فليصل، وإن كان مفطرا، فليطعم (صحيح مسلم، الرقم: 1431)

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “If anyone of you is invited to someone’s home, then he should accept. If he is fasting, then he should make dua (for the host and his family), and if he is not fasting, then he should partake of the meals (that is offered to him).”

22. The guest should express his appreciation and gratitude to the host for hosting, entertaining and feeding him.

عن أبي سعيد قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: من لم يشكر الناس لم يشكر الله (سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 1955)

Hazrat Abu Sa’eed (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who has not shown appreciation to people has not shown appreciation to Allah Ta‘ala. (i.e. in order to show appreciation to Allah Ta‘ala, one should also show appreciation to those who were the means of him receiving the goodness or benefit).”

23. Together with thanking the host, the guest should also make dua for him.

عن جابر بن عبد الله قال: صنع أبو الهيثم بن التيهان للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم طعاما فدعا النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وأصحابه فلما فرغوا قال: أثيبوا أخاكم قالوا: يا رسول الله، وما إثابته قال: إن الرجل إذا دخل بيته فأكل طعامه وشرب شرابه فدعوا له، فذلك إثابته (سنن أبي داود، الرقم: 3853)

Hazrat Jaabir (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Hazrat Abul Haytham ibnu at-Tayyihaan (radhiyallahu anhu) prepared food for Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), and he invited Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and his companions. When they finished (partaking of the meals), Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Compensate your brother (for the good he has done to you by feeding you).” The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu anhum) asked, “O Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), how do we compensate him? Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) replied, “When people enter the house of someone, and partake of his food and drink, and thereafter they make dua for him, then that is his compensation.”

24. Before departing, the guest should recite the duas which the guest should make for the host that are mentioned in the Hadith.

Among the masnoon duas is the following dua:

Dua One

أَفْطَرَ عِنْدَكُمُ الصَّائِمُونَ وَأَكَلَ طَعَامَكُمُ الْأَبْرَارُ وَصَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ

May fasting servants open their fast by you, may the pious servants eat your food, and may the angels make dua for you.

عن أنس: أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم جاء إلى سعد بن عبادة، فجاء بخبز وزيت فاكل ثم قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: أفطر عندكم الصائمون، وأكل طعامكم الأبرار، وصلت عليكم الملائكة (سنن أبي داود، الرقم: 3854)

Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that on one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) visited Hazrat Sad bin Ubaadah (radhiyallahu anhu). Hazrat Sad (radhiyallahu anhu) brought some bread and olive oil (for Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)), and Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) partook of it. Thereafter, Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made the following dua for him:”

أَفْطَرَ عِنْدَكُمُ الصَّائِمُونَ وَأَكَلَ طَعَامَكُمُ الْأَبْرَارُ وَصَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ

Dua Two

اللّهُـمَّ بارِكْ لَهُمْ فيما رَزَقْـتَهُم وَاغْفِـرْ لَهُـمْ وَارْحَمْهُم

O Allah, grant them barakah (blessings) in what you have granted them, forgive them and have mercy on them.

عن عبد الله بن بسر قال: نزل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على أبي قال: فقربنا إليه طعاما ووطبة فأكل منها ثم أتي بتمر فكان يأكله ويلقي النوى بين إصبعيه، ويجمع السبابة والوسطى..ثم أتي بشراب فشربه ثم ناوله الذي عن يمينه، قال: فقال أبي: وأخذ بلجام دابته، ادع الله لنا، فقال: اللهم، بارك لهم في ما رزقتهم، واغفر لهم وارحمهم

Hazrat Abdullah bin Busr (radhiyallahu anhu) reports: “On one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was my father’s guest. We presented before him some food and watbah (a dish made of dates, cheese and butter). He was then given some dates which he ate, and he was placing the date pits between his fingers – while holding his forefinger and middle finger together. Thereafter, he was given a drink and he drank from it, and he then passed it to one who was on his right side.” Hazrat Abdullah bin Busr (radhiyallahu anhu) then said: “My father took hold of the rein of his riding animal and requested him to make dua for us. Thereupon, Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made dua saying:

اللّهُـمَّ بارِكْ لَهُمْ فيما رَزَقْـتَهُم وَاغْفِـرْ لَهُـمْ وَارْحَمْهُم