Some important etiquettes for the host are:

1. Treat your guest with honour and respect.

2. Personally serve your guest (keeping within the laws of hijaab).

3. Don’t spend too much time and wealth in preparing lavish meals for visitors. Present the best that is easily available and be simple. In this manner, one will be able to maintain this blessed sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

4. Abstain from unnecessary formalities as this takes away the barakah (blessings) from the food.

5. Present the food quickly. Don’t delay as often happens in weddings and waleemahs nowadays.

6. Ensure that the guest is provided with what he/she prefers to eat.

7. Eat with the guest as the guest may feel shy to eat alone.

8. Check that the serving utensils are refilled in time so that the guest does not feel the food is finished. Refill the utensils without removing them (i.e. bring the food in another utensil).

9. Accompany the guest to the door of the house when he/she leaves.

May Allah Ta‘ala bless us all with the ability of opening our hearts and being hospitable towards the guests that visit our homes, aameen.