Home › Islamic Manners › Hosts Duties Guests Rights
If you are having a guest overnight, be hospitable and generous. But do not exaggerate when providing food and drink to your guest. Moderation without excess is the Sunnah. You should try your best to make your guest's stay pleasant and comfortable during wake and sleep. Inform your guest of the direction of Qibla and show them the way to the bath.
Your guest will need to use towels after showers, ablution or washing hands before and after meals. Make sure that they are fresh and clean. Do not offer towels that you or your family members have used. It is also a nice idea to offer guests some perfume and a mirror. Make sure that the toiletries and bath accessories they will be using are clean and sanitized. Before leading your guest to the bathroom, inspect it and remove anything that you don't want your guest to see.
Your guests will need rest and a quiet sleep. Spare them the noise of the children and the house as much as possible. Remove intimate clothing from their view. If the guest is a man, remove all women's clothing and belongings. This is a desirable, decent practice that will leave you both feeling comfortable. When meeting your guests, serve them with tact and respect. Dress properly and look your best but do not overdo it. The close relationship between you is no excuse for negligence or indecency in your manner or look. Imam Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad reported that our forefathers used to look their best when visiting each other. Be kind and generous to your guests. As a rule do not ask them to help you with house chores. Imam Shafie' said 'Gentlemen do not employ their visiting guests.'
If you visit a relative or a friend, you should be considerate of your host's circumstances and work commitments. Shorten, as much as possible, the length of your visit, since every person has various duties, obligations and responsibilities. Be considerate of your hosts and help them with their business , house chores and obligations. While at your hosts' house, do not inspect and examine every corner, especially when you are invited beyond the guest room, lest you see something
you're not supposed to notice. In addition, do not bother your hosts by asking too many questions.
Importance Of Appearance
Distinct Muslim Personality
Cleanliness And Washing
Arriving From A Journey
Dress Properly With Family And Friends
Entering Or Leaving A House
How-to-enter
Entering While Others Are Asleep
Greeting
Announcing Your Presence
Seeking Permission To Enter
Knocking And Ringing
Answering 'Who Is It?'
The Manners Of Visiting
Keeping Appointments, Delays And Cancellation
Declining A Visit
Control Your Eyes
Removing Your Shoes
Choosing A Seat
A Visitor Is Not An Inspector
Timing Your Visit
Greeting
Sitting Between Two Persons
The Host's Duties And The Guests' Rights
Stay In Touch
A Brief Advice To My Sisters
The Manners Of Conversation
Selecting Suitable Topics
Talk In A Suitable Tone
The Art Of Listening
Discussions And Debates
Swearing By Allah
Answering A Question
Social Manners
Respect And Favour The Elderly
The Elderly Are To Lead Prayers
Walking With The Elderly
The Elderly Are To Be Served First
Manners With Parents
Tell Your Family Your Whereabouts
Respect The Poor
Dealing With Non-muslims
Manners Of Eating
The Importance Of Eating Manners
Manners Of Eating
Manners Of Drinking
Avoid Gluttony
Gold And Silver Cutlery
Weddings
Weddings Are Part Of The Prophet's Tradition
The Manners Of Attending Weddings
Visiting The Sick
Visiting A Patient
Praying For The Sick
The Length Of The Visit
The Manners Of Visiting A Patient
How The Ill Express Their Complaints
Condolence
Breaking Unpleasant News
Expressing Condolences Is A Courtesy And A Duty
Expressing Condolences And Sympathy
Sending Flowers And Reading Quran During Funerals
A Final Word