Respect for Guests

Our Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) showed the best of character and was the most compassionate to Muslims and non Muslims alike.

One day a Kafir became a guest of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W). He was welcomed with open arms. During the evening, when the food was served, he ate all the food with the intention of keeping the sacred family of the Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) hungry.

Since he was the guest of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W), he was offered to stay the night, and was put in the room of Rasoolullah (S.A.W).

Sometime during the night, the guest felt pain in his stomach. He started experiencing diarrhoea. He felt very embarrassed because he could not control his motions, and messed the room and bed. Early the next morning he secretly left.

When the Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) came to check on his guest the next morning, He found that the room was messed and the guest had left.

Rasoolullah (S.A.W) began cleaning the room. When the Sahaba (R.A) came to know of this guest, they were furious with the disgusting act he had performed.

Since this guest left in a hurry he had forgotten his expensive sword, so he returned to collect his sword and saw Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (S.A.W) cleaning up the room.

Amir al-Mu’minin Hazrat Sayyiduna Umar al-Farooq (R.A) intended to punish him, but was stopped by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) who said,

“Do not harm my guest”. He (S.A.W) then said to the guest, “You had forgotten your sword. Take it from where you had left it.”

The guest was tremendously moved by the amazing conduct of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W). He immediately embraced Islam.

There are great lessons to be learned from this event. It shows how we should react towards people after being ill treated, and highlights the importance of the guest. The guest should be welcomed and respected, even in times when we have little to offer.

May Allah (S.W.T) give us the ability to follow the footsteps of our Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) and become the best we can as individuals.