Has the story reached you, of the honoured guests – [A Lesson On Hospitality In The Story of Prophet Ibrahim]

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah (The Most High) says:

هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ ضَيْفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْمُكْرَمِينَ

إِذْ دَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالُوا سَلَامًا ۖ قَالَ سَلَامٌ قَوْمٌ مُّنكَرُونَ

فَرَاغَ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِ فَجَاءَ بِعِجْلٍ سَمِينٍ

فَقَرَّبَهُ إِلَيْهِمْ قَالَ أَلَا تَأْكُلُونَ

فَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةً ۖ قَالُوا لَا تَخَفْ ۖ وَبَشَّرُوهُ بِغُلَامٍ عَلِيمٍ

فَأَقْبَلَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ فِي صَرَّةٍ فَصَكَّتْ وَجْهَهَا وَقَالَتْ عَجُوزٌ عَقِيمٌ

Has the story reached you, of the honoured guests [three angels; Jibrael (Gabriel) along with another two] of Ibrahim (Abraham)? When they came in to him, and said, “Salam, (peace be upon you)!” He answered; “Salam,(peace be upon you),” and said: “You are a people unknown to me. Then he turned to his household, so brought out a roasted calf [as the property of Ibrahim (Abraham) was mainly cows]. And placed it before them, (saying): “Will you not eat? Then he conceived a fear of them (when they ate not). They said: “Fear not.” And they gave him glad tidings of an intelligent son, having knowledge (about Allah and His religion of True Monotheism). Then his wife came forward with a loud voice, she smote her face, and said: “A barren old woman!” [51:24-29]

Imam Ibnul Qayyim, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said:

Allah described Ibrahim’s, peace be upon him, guests as being honourable. They were either honourable in the sight of Ibrahim or honourable in the sight of Allah. The verse carries both meanings. 

Allah says: [ إِذْ دَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ- When they came in to him]. So, there is not a mention about them seeking permission to visit him and this is proof that he was known for being generous to guests. His house was open to guests and frequented by the one who could find it without the need for asking permission. This is the highest level of generosity.

[فَرَاغَ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِ -Then he turned to his household]: He went to his family in secret without the knowledge of the guests. This is an act of nobility – the leader of the house goes away secretly in such a manner that the guest is unaware, lest (the guest) becomes uneasy and shy, thus he is made unaware until (the host) comes along with the food, as opposed to the one who says to his guest or those who are present: ‘’Wait, so that I bring you food’’ or a similar statement, that makes the guest feel shy and embarrassed.

[فَجَاءَ بِعِجْلٍ سَمِينٍ – so (he) brought out a fat roasted calf]: This is an indication of his hospitality to his guests. Allah did not say that Ibrahim ordered for them, rather he went and came back with the (roasted calf) himself. He did not send his servant to bring it and this is the highest degree of hospitality to guests. He came with a full roasted calf and not half of it- perfect hospitality. The calf was fat and not skinny, and it is well known that this was among the best of their wealth. The likes of it is given particular attention and nurturing, and Ibrahim, peace be upon him, chose it for his guests.

He himself brought the food close to them and did not command his servant to do so.  He brought the food close to them and did not make them come close to the food. This is the highest level of generosity- bringing the food close, carrying it to the guest and not placing it at a distance and then asking the guest to come close.

He said to them [أَلَا تَأْكُلُونَ- Will you not eat?] This is a generous and soft speech, and it is better than saying ‘eat’ or ‘extend your hands’ and what is similar to it. He spoke to them with this generous and soft speech when he saw that they were not eating because his guests are never in need of his permission; rather they eat when he presents food to them. Thus, when these guests did not eat, he said to them: ‘’Will you not eat?’’ He felt fear of them but did not reveal it. 

An Excerpt from “Bada’i at-Tafsir al-Jami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim 3/45-46

This Fa’idah was first brought to my attention by Ustadh Abu Tasneem – Mushaf Al-Banghali – may Allah bless him and his family