However still after this, we should feel some sense of culpability.

However still after this, we should feel some sense of culpability. In addition, we must not expect anything in return since this form of help is the smallest action we can do for another Muslim! The Self-Sacrifice for a Guest The following tradition has been narrated in Majma’ al-Bayan[^1] that: “A person came to the Prophet (S) and said to him, 'I am hungry.' The Prophet (S) asked a companion to go to his house and bring the man some food.

However, upon checking, those in the house of the Prophet (S) informed the person that there was no food in the Prophet's house. The Prophet (S) asked, 'Which of you will keep this man as a guest in his house (and thus, feed him)?' A man from amongst the Ansar (those who had welcomed the Prophet (S) and the companions into Madinah) stood up and said that he would take care of the man. Thus, the hungry man made his way to the companion's house.

Upon arriving home, the companion realized that he too had no food except for a few paltry things that were only enough for his young children to eat. The companion asked his wife to bring him the food which they had rserved for their guest and to turn off the oil-lamp.

The man quietly told his wife that, 'Keep the children busy with something until they go to sleep (keep their mind off of the food and thus, let them go to sleep without any food).' The woman and her husband then sat down on the floor with their guest and pretended to eat by moving their mouth, however, they actually did not eat any of the food!

The guest thought that they too were eating (from what he could see and the sound of them chewing food) and thus, he ate whatever he needed and became satiated. The family went to bed hungry that night, however the next morning, the husband and wife came to the Prophet (S).

In the Tafsir of ‘Ali b.