in the crowds of the visit to Madinah. Do not disrespect any human nor hurt their feelings, do not argue with the poor or the businessmen; perhaps that may be a human or an angel in the form of a human who is testing your patience by pushing you or shouting at you. Many people are generally unaware of this point; therefore they argue with people throughout their journey of Hajj. Like this they suffer great loss in this world and the Hereafter.

In order to avoid this great loss, the best practise is to assume about every Muslim that he could be an angel who is disguised as a human businessman, beggar or labourer. Therefore, speak to him courteously. Try to keep him as happy as possible and do not let it get to the stage of harsh exchange of words; well-being lies in this. (‘Ajaaib-ul-Quran ma’ Gharaib-ul-Quran, p. 385)

We also learn from this event that Sayyiduna Ibrahim عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was a hospitable Prophet who never ate without guests. But alas! Today, the hearts and dinner tables of Muslims are becoming narrower in regard to hospitability. For example: some people become worried upon the arrival of a guest and consider it a burden instead of being hospitable and welcoming. Despite being wealthy, some people say things like: ‘where has this guy come from’, ‘did he have to come to our house’, ‘he’s not going to leave without eating’, ‘we’ll have to arrange such and such things for him because of which we’ll have to spend a lot’, ‘if we don’t serve him, he’ll humiliate us in front of the entire family’. Despite having the means, some people feed old food to guests, some people scold the guests’ children, some say and do such strange things that the guest doesn’t ever feel like returning.

Remember! Being hospitable is from the etiquette of Islam, and the way of the honourable Prophets عَـلَـيْهِمُ السَّلَام and the pious predecessors. (Sharh Nawawi, vol. 2, p. 18)

The etiquette of hospitality have been mentioned in the Ahadith. Let us listen to three statements of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in this regard: