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Is It Haram to Feel Irritated by Frequent Guests?

10 September, 2025
Q Is it sinful to feel annoyed when guests come frequently and cause hardship at home?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.


In this fatwa:

In Islam, hosting guests is encouraged for up to three days, beyond which it is considered charity. However, frequent or unannounced visits that cause stress or hardship are discouraged. Feeling irritated is not sinful, and one may politely refuse such visits.


Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:

General Rules of Hospitality in Islam

Before addressing your question, let’s look at the general rules of hospitality in Islam as we can readily infer from the sources.

In Islam, hospitality usually lasts three days, after which it is considered a charitable act. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Hospitality is for three days, and anything beyond that is charity.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Another Hadith warns that a Muslim should not stay with his brother if it causes him hardship, explaining that this happens when the guest stays but the host has nothing to offer.

According to Imam An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him), a guest should not stay beyond three days, which may cause the host discomfort, harm, or negative feelings, leading to sin. The Quran reminds us, {Avoid much suspicion; indeed, some suspicion is sinful.} (Al-Hujurat 49:12)

This rule applies when a guest stays longer than three days without an invitation unless the host insists, in which case no harm or sin is involved.

When Hosting Becomes a Burden in Islam

In light of this, it is recommended that guests avoid overburdening their hosts. This happens when they visit unannounced, visit too frequently, overstay their welcome, or behave in a way that becomes a burden.

Frequent visitors who expect to be hosted can burden their hosts. This behavior is unacceptable in Islam, as it causes unnecessary hardship for them.

In conclusion, considering your circumstances, you have the right to refuse visitors who come unannounced or frequently or at inconvenient time. You may politely tell them. There is nothing un-Islamic about it.

👉 Explore related rulings on family, hospitality, and social etiquette in Islam

Almighty Allah knows best.

About Sheikh Ahmad Kutty
Sheikh Ahmad Kutty is a Senior Lecturer and an Islamic Scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada