What is the right of a guest if the host fails to provide hospitality?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Hunting and Slaughter
Primary text
If the host refuses to provide hospitality, the guest has the right to claim what is due for his hospitality. Ahmad states the guest may demand his right established by the Prophet. One narration from Ahmad permits the guest to take what suffices him without the permission of the hosts. This is supported by the Prophet's instruction to the companions: "If you alight upon people and they do not provide you with what is appropriate for a guest, then take from them the right of the guest that is appropriate for them."
Supporting text
A ruling from Ahmad interprets the saying, "Then he may follow them up with the like of his hospitality," to mean that the guest may take from their land, crops, and livestock what suffices him, without their permission. Another narration from Ahmad suggests that the guest should only take with the knowledge of the hosts.