The Forgotten Sunnah :The Adab of engaging with guests

The Forgotten Sunnah: The Adab of engaging with guests.

Hospitality, a profound Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), is fading in the age of individualism and liberalism. Yet, Islam places immense significance on the treatment of guests, urging us to embody the beautiful Adab (manners) and Akhlaq (character) demonstrated by the Prophet (ﷺ). One of the most impactful lessons I learned during my time with Sheikh Ahmed Ibn Al-Hafidh in Madinah was the profound importance of honoring guests.

Recently, I returned to Madinah with around 50 youth from India as part of the Mentorsa IMT Umrah travel group. It had been months since I last saw Sheikh Ahmed, as I had been in Egypt for some time. We gathered in the mahḍarah, eagerly awaiting the Sheikh’s arrival. When he entered, his radiant smile lit up the room, and he greeted each of us with a warm Salam, one by one. His refined Adab and Akhlaq left everyone in awe, a living testament to the transformation of a personality deeply connected to the Deen.

What struck me most that day was his exceptional hospitality. He served us delicious food and then delivered a beautiful ḥalaqah filled with valuable advice. It was a moment of humility and care that resonated deeply with all of us.

After our group returned to Makkah, I made my way back to the mahḍarah to attend the Sheikh’s classes. While conversing with one of his close students, I learned something that left me speechless. The night we visited him, Sheikh Ahmed had spent hours in the kitchen, from Asr to Isha, personally helping prepare food for all of us. Despite his demanding schedule, he found the time to cut vegetables and cook, fully embodying the spirit of hospitality and its importance in Islam.

Sheikh Ahmed’s humility doesn’t end there. Whenever I visit Madinah, he ensures I am received at the airport, either by himself or one of his students. He sees this as a duty of Adab towards his guests. Similarly, when Sheikh Arif traveled from Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmed drove nearly ten hours to receive him at the border—a reminder of the lengths he goes to revive this noble Sunnah.

This example challenges us to reflect on our own treatment of guests. Hospitality is not just a custom; it’s a Sunnah that nurtures bonds, uplifts souls, and beautifies our character. Let’s strive to revive this forgotten Sunnah and embody the spirit of honoring our guests, just as our Prophet (ﷺ) and his righteous followers did.