Allah Almighty says: {Has there reached you the story of the honored guests of Abraham? When they entered upon him and said: “Peace [be with you].” He answered: “[Upon you be] peace; an unknown people.” Then he went to his family and came with a fat [roasted] calf and placed it before them; he said: “Will you not eat?”} [Al-Dhāriyāt: 24-27] Allah Almighty also says: {And his people came hastening to him, and before [this] they had been doing evil deeds. He said: “O my people, these are my daughters; they are purer for you. So fear Allah and do not disgrace me concerning my guests. Is there not among you a man of reason?”} [Hūd: 78]
1) It is recommended for a person who receives a greeting that he returns it with a greeting better than it or like it. This kindness can be shown verbally or behaviorally. This is commendable generosity.
2) Hospitality and honoring guests are among the traits entailed by belief in Allah Almighty and the Last Day.
3) A subtle aspect of hospitality is to serve food to the guest, not to let him go to the food. This is deduced from the part of the verse that says: {and he placed it before them}.
706/1 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his guest; whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should maintain his ties of kinship; and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or keep silent.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) urged hospitality, which includes all the things commonly considered by the righteous people as hospitality to the guest.
2) Hospitality can be shown through words or actions or both.
707/2 - Abu Shurayh Khuwaylid ibn ‘Amr al-Khuzā‘i (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest with his due reward.” They said: “O Messenger of Allah, what is his due reward?” He said: “A day and a night (of excellent accommodation); and hospitality is for three days, and whatever beyond that is charity offered to him.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
In a version by Muslim: “It is not lawful for a Muslim to stay in his fellow Muslim’s house making him sinful.” They said: “O Messenger of Allah, how would he make him sinful?” He said: “He stays with him (so long) that nothing is left with him to offer to him as hospitality.”
1) Honoring the guest is a duty, for the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) commanded it and regarded it as a sign of belief in Allah and the Last Day.
2) Three days are the period of due hospitality, and whatever beyond that is charity and benevolence.
3) It is recommended for a guest not to burden the host and place him in an embarrassing situation if he cannot afford to entertain him.
4) The Shariah calls for observance of etiquettes among the believers.