Al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 2389 — Hospitality

It is narrated from Abd al-Rahman bin Abi Layla (may Allah have mercy on him) that he said: Some of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) set out on a journey and their provisions ran out. They passed by a tribe of the Bedouins and asked them for hospitality (and food), but they refused. Then they asked to buy (from them), and they refused that too, so the Companions overpowered them and took some of their food (as much as they needed). The Bedouins then went to Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) to complain about them, and the Ansar became fearful (of Sayyiduna Umar's anger). But Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said (to those Bedouins): "Do you withhold from the wayfarer what Allah Almighty creates, night and day, in the udders of camels and sheep? The wayfarer has more right to the water (too) than the one who has built upon it (or taken possession of it)!"