Chapter 36

Receiving Guests

Oneofthe inevitabletasksofeveryfamilyistoentertainguestsatone-
timeoranother.Thisisanenjoyabletraditionasaresultofwhichfriend-
shipsbecome closerandpeople call forgettheirproblems temporarily.
Keeping company with friends and relatives is one of the healthiest
pastimes.

"TheProphet(SA)ofAllahstated:'Thesustenanceofaguestisdescen-
ded from the heavens, and upon eating it, the sins of the host are
forgiven'

Imam Reza (AS)stated: 'Agenerous person eats the foodoffered to
himothersso that theyeat his. Buta miserwould not eat the offered
food by others lest they cat his'."'

"The Prophet (AS) of Allah stated: 'Associating with friends causes
kindness (amongst them)'."

ImamMuhammadTagi(AS)stated:'Associatingwithfriendsmatures
one's mind and enlivens one's heart, be it even only slightly'."

Intheturbulentseaoflife,one'ssoulneedstranquillity,andthispeace
of mind can be found when keeping company with one's friends.

Peoplewouldforgettheirproblemswhilepresentinafriendlygather-
ing. Not only can friendships become stronger. but it would serve to
boostone'smorale.Entertainingguestsisagoodcustomandrarelyone
would deny itsmerits,but thereare two difficultieswith it that make
some families reluctant to take part in this age-old tradition.