Kindness for the Guests

Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) was very fond of having guests at his house and particularly was hospitable to travellers. He (A.S) took them to his house, gave them food to eat and provided a bed for them to rest. This good attribute of his is described in the Holy Qur'an.

Every morning Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) stood by the main road, near his house, and waited for travellers to pass by. Whenever he saw them, he invited them back to his house to be his guests. It pleased Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) to make other people happy and comfortable.

Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) would everyday bring home at least one guest. If he came across no traveller even for a day, he would become unhappy. Without having a guest, he would not touch food himself.

Once it so happened that no traveller passed that way. Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) would strain his eyes far away to the horizon, yet no traveller was to be seen. This went on for few days, and each evening he would return to his home disappointed.

After three days an old man appeared on a camel. Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) was happy and invited the old man to his home to eat with him, the old man accepted the invitation. The old man and Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) sat to eat and Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) recited “Bismillah” before eating the food, but the old man did not say anything.

Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) asked why he did not remember Allah (S.W.T) before taking his meal. Is Allah (S.W.T) not our Creator, our Nourisher and our Master? Is it not correct to remember Him (S.W.T) before partaking of the food provided by Him (S.W.T)?

The old man said that it was not the custom in his religion. Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) asked him what his religion was. He said that I am one of those who worship fire. Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) was very annoyed and turned the old man out.

As soon as the old man went away, the Angel Hazrat Jibrail (A.S) came to Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) and told Him that Allah (S.W.T) had been feeding this unbeliever for seventy years. Could not Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) tolerate him for even one meal!

Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) felt very sorry for this. He immediately ran after the old man, finally he reached him and persuaded him to return to his house to have food together.

Saying of Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talib (R.A)

Once Hazrat Ali (R.A) was found weeping. Someone asked him (R.A): “What makes you weep?” He (R.A) responded: “No guest has come to me for seven days, and I fear that Allah (S.W.T) has scorned me.”