Honour thy guest

In the name of Allah most Merciful, most Kind

assalamu alaikum

Today i was watching a programme called the 'Nobles' on Islam channel, the programme is about the lives of the sahabah(ra). Today the shaykh was talking about the life of Umme SALEEM (ra) who though she and her husband did not have enough food, still recieved the guest of Rasulullah (SAW) they sent their children to bed, and they sat with the guest in darkness while the guest ate the food, under the illusion that his hosts are also eating. The next day when umme saleem's husband Abu Talha went to Rasulullah SAW, Rasulallah (saw) told him that Allah is pleased with him as this verse was revealed:

"They prefer others above themselves, even though poverty become their lot (LIX: 9)."

I've told the story in brief because i'm sure this story is well known, i personally have heard it a few times since i was a child yet today it had a different impact on me, because the shaykh was explaining that one of the attributes of this ummah is that our hospitaility, our guests do not need any appointments, and they could be anyone yet we would offer them food and accomadation and generosity. I then thought about myself and though i love having guests sometimes i secretly wished that my guests/relatives wouldn't come at awkward times such as when i had an assignment due the next day, or i was stressed, or it was late in the night, and sometimes i really wished they phoned before coming. Instead of thinking that way i should have seen it as an opportunity to please Allah SWT, and see the guests as a blessing from Allah. SubhanAllah i have been lucky to be brought up by parents who love having guests and alhamdulillah our house is full alot of the time but today the shaykh's message really brought it home to me " Our guests dont need appointments to come" so may Allah SWT give me the ability and strength to be a great hostess to my guests even when it might not be the best of times, may i treat my guests the way Ibraheem (as) treated his guests, how Rasulullah SAW treated his guests, and how his companions treated thier guests ameen.

* Whatever i said that was good is from Allah SWT, and the mistakes are from me and my nafs, may Allah (SWT) forgive me and guide me ameen
wasalam