What is the established duration for which hospitality is obligatory?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Hunting and Slaughter
Primary text
The obligatory right of hospitality is one day and one night. The completion or perfect duration extends to three days, based on the Prophet's saying: "Hospitality is three days, and the gratuity is one day and one night." If a Muslim remains with his brother beyond three days without being able to offer proper hospitality, he incurs sin.
Supporting text
Ahmad interprets the gratuity of one day and one night as being more emphasized than the remainder of the three days, and he does not understand the one day and night beyond the three days because that would constitute four days, and the Prophet stated: "What exceeds three days is charity."