17. Visiting and Guests
Do not honour your guest in a way which will be burdensome for him
Ibn 'Awn reported, "They used to say, 'Do not honour your guest in a way which will be burdensome for him.'"
Visiting
Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When a man visits his brothers, Allah tells him, 'You have been good and your evening will be good and you can take your place in the Garden.'" Umm ad-Darda' said, "Salman came from al-Mada'in (Ctesiphon) to Syria to visit us on foot wearing a shirt (kisa') and trousers." Shawdhab said, "Salman was seen wearing a short with all his hair shaved off and his large ears showing. He was told, 'You have made yourself ugly.' He replied, "The real good is the good of the Next World.'"
Someone who visits people and eats with them
Anas ibn Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, visited one of the houses of the Ansar and ate some food with them. When he left, he asked for a place in the house and some water was sprinkled on a carpet for him. He prayed on it and made supplication for them. 'Abdullah, the client of Asma', said, "Asma' sent me a black wool shirt which had a brocade border a span wide on its sleeves. She said, 'This is the of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He used to wear it for delegations and on Jumu'a." 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar said, "'Umar found a silk robe and brought it to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, 'Buy this and wear it on Jumu'ah and when delegations come to you.' The Prophet, peace be upon him, replied, 'Only someone who has no portion in the Next World wears this.' Then the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was brought some robes and sent one robe to 'Umar, one to Usama, and one to 'Ali. 'Umar said, 'Messenger of Allah! You have sent this to me when I heard you say what you said about it.' The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'You can sell it or take care of your needs with it.'"
The Excellence of Visiting
Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A man visited a brother of his in a village, so Allah put an angel in wait for him on the road. He asked, 'Where are you going?' He replied, 'To a brother of mine in this village.' He said, 'Is he responsible for some blessing you have?' He said, 'No, I love him for Allah.' He said, 'I am a messenger of Allah to you. Allah loves you as you love him.'"
When a man loves people and cannot join them
Abu Dharr said, "I asked, 'Messenger of Allah, what if a man loves a people but cannot join them?' He replied, 'Abu Dharr, you are with the one you love.' I said, 'I love Allah and His Messenger.' He said, 'Abu Dharr, you are with the one you love.'" Anas reported that a man asked the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, "Prophet of Allah, when will the Final Hour come?" He said, "Have you not made preparation for it?" He replied, " I am not prepared for a terrible event , but I love Allah and His Messenger." He said, "A man is with the one he loves."