Question
Is this narration authentic?
حدثنا أبو محمد بن حيان، ثنا محمد بن أحمد بن معدان، ثنا أيوب بن علي بن الهيضم، ثنا زياد بن سيار، عن أبي قرصافة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إذا أراد الله بعبد خيرا أهدى له هدية. قيل: يا رسول الله، وما تلك الهدية؟ قال: بضيف ينزل به برزقه ويرحل وقد غفر لأهل المنزل
Answer
Abu Qirsafah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
‘When Allah intends good for a servant, He presents him with a gift.
It was said: O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) what is this gift?
He (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
‘Guests who [in reality] come with their own sustenance and depart with the hosts being forgiven.’
This narration is recorded by Imams Abu Shaykh and Daylami (rahimahumallah) in their respective collections.
(Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 63)
‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah) has cited several supporting narrations from five other Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum) that support the part that is in bold in the English translation of the narration given above.
These certainly do support each other. The narration is therefore suitable for encouraging the entertaining of guests.
(Firdawsul Akhbar, Hadith: 3711 and Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 63. Also see: Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 589 and 5242 and Al-Mudawi, Hadith: 294)
‘Allamah Zurqani (rahimahullah) has graded these narrations combined as sound (hasan lighayrihi).
(Mukhtasarul Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 56)
Guests should not be regarded as burdens. They are a form of Allah’s favour and a means of the host’s forgiveness. See here for more.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar