Answer: Hospitality is a well-established value in Islam. It is part of Islamic manners, the tradition of the prophets and righteous people, and a sign of sincere faith. Honouring guests reflects good character and strong belief in Allah and the Last Day.

Proper hospitality includes greeting the guest warmly, welcoming them with a cheerful face, speaking kindly, and offering food and comfort according to one’s ability and local custom. On the first day and night, the host should make a special effort to honour the guest by offering the best food reasonably available, even if it is better than what the host usually eats. On the following days, the host may serve normal household food.

This is based on the authentic hadith narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim in which the Prophet ﷺ said that honouring one’s guest is part of faith. He explained that the highest level of hospitality is for one day and one night, that hospitality continues for three days, and anything beyond that is considered charity.

Scholars such as al-Khattabi clarified that the first day involves extra effort and generosity, while the next two days involve ordinary hospitality. After three days, the obligation is fulfilled.

Is Hospitality Obligatory or Recommended?

The majority of scholars from the Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafi‘i schools hold that hosting a guest is a Sunnah (recommended), not obligatory, and that its duration is three days. One report from Imam Ahmad agrees with this view.

However, another report from Imam Ahmad—considered the official view of his school—states that hospitality is obligatory for one day and one night, while three days are recommended. This view was also held by scholars such as al-Layth ibn Sa‘d.

Many scholars supported the view that one day and one night of hospitality is obligatory. Ibn Qudamah stated that what is required is one day and night, while three days are ideal. Ibn al-Qayyim explained that the guest’s rights are of three levels: obligatory (one day and night), recommended (up to three days), and charity (beyond that).

Ash-Shawkani strongly argued that hospitality is obligatory, citing the Prophet’s wording, the connection between hospitality and faith, and the clear distinction between obligation and charity in the hadith.

Who Is Entitled to This Hospitality?

The guest referred to in these rulings is primarily a traveller passing through, not a local resident visiting friends or relatives in the same city.

Scholars differed on whether this obligation applies to everyone or only in specific situations. Some held that it is especially relevant for villagers or those living along travel routes, where travellers may have limited alternatives. Others applied it more generally to all hosts.

Can a Guest Take His Right If Hospitality Is Refused?

Some scholars who view hospitality as obligatory allow a guest to take what is reasonably sufficient for food if the host refuses to provide hospitality. This opinion is based on several hadiths in which the Prophet ﷺ allowed a deprived guest to take what is rightfully due to him.

Imam Ahmad and others explained that this should be limited to basic needs and taken without excess. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin also supported this view, stating that the guest may take enough food discreetly if denied his right.

However, the majority of scholars disagree and say it is not permissible for a guest to take anything without the host’s consent, citing the hadith that forbids taking someone’s wealth without their willing permission. This is especially the view of those who consider hospitality recommended rather than obligatory.

Some Maliki scholars further distinguished between villagers (where hospitality may be obligatory) and city dwellers (where lodging options are usually available).

Conclusion

The stronger scholarly view is that offering hospitality for one day and one night is obligatory, with three days being the complete and recommended level of hospitality. However, if a host refuses to fulfil this duty, scholars differ on whether the guest may take his right without permission.

Due to this significant difference of opinion, the safer and more prudent approach is for the guest not to take anything by force, except perhaps in cases of genuine necessity. Mutual kindness, patience, and good character remain the best way to uphold the spirit of Islamic hospitality.