A glimpse of how muslims should treat their guests is illustrated in the story of a companion(sahabi) of our beloved prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Once a guest comes into the company of our beloved prophet Muhammad(pbuh) while he(pbuh) is with his companions(sahaba).

Muhammad(pbuh) asks his household if there is anything that can be shared with the guest and gets a negative answer(Note: during those times it was very difficult to even get a proper daily meal for the prophet(saws) and his companions.

A companion by the name of Abu Talha Al Ansari (ra - may Allah be pleased with him) volunteers to take this guest to his home.

When he and the guest reach his home, he goes in and tells his wife that he has a guest for dinner and she becomes worried and says that 'we have just food to allow our kids to eat half their stomach as always'.

Abu Talha Al Ansari suggests to his wife to let the children go to sleep without food and serve the food and switch off the lights while we start to eat, so that he could serve the guest to his stomach full and he himself pretend that he is also eating and not actually eat any. Because the food which was meant for the children was sufficient for only one adult.

This is how muslims would treat their guests.

We in the present day should review this long forgotten behaviour of muslims to their guests.

Its tough these days with all the hotels, restuarants etc, But we should do the best we can inspired by the above true story.

Jazakum Allah Khair

-Jamal