Is someone who wants to live with people who are not their Mahram and whose sustenance is obligatory upon them considered a guest, and what is the right of a guest?
The right of a guest is to be honored for a day and a night, and hospitality extends for three days; anything beyond that is considered charity. A guest should not prolong their stay in a way that causes embarrassment to their host. Some scholars have held the view that honoring a guest is obligatory, citing the Prophet's (peace be upon him) hadith: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest with his prize. He was asked: And what is his prize, O Messenger of Allah? He said: A day and a night. And hospitality is for three days, and whatever is beyond that is charity for him." Others have held the view that hospitality is a Sunnah and not obligatory. Some have also held that the obligation of hospitality is specific to desert dwellers, not urban residents. Furthermore, whoever resides with the household, whether as a guest or a tenant, must adhere to the Islamic regulations: he should not enter upon unrelated women, and the woman should prevent him from doing so.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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