TAKING PERMISSION BEFORE ENTERING A HOUSE
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has taught us that when a person wants to meet anyone and go into his house or join his company, he should first take permission and never go in without it, for who knows what he is doing at that time and whether he is in a position to have a visitor or not.
It is related by Kildah Ibne Hanbal radhiyallahu anhu that once his step-brother Safwaan Ibne Umayyah, sent him to the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam with some milk, a young deer and a few cucumbers. It was at a time when the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam lived in the upper part of the valley of Makkah. Kildah radhiyallahu anhu narrates, "I went with these articles to where the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam was, without greeting or obtaining permission. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, thereupon, told me to go back, and ask for permission by saying, Assalaamu Alaykum! May I come in?"
Tirmizi, Aboo Daawood
COMMENTARY
:Kildah Ibne Hanbal radhiyallahu anhu did not know that when visiting someone, the visitor should make the salutation and obtain permission before entering the house. He therefore, went straight to the noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam without observing the etiquette. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, thereupon told him to go out and take permission by saying, "Assalaamu 'Alaykum! May I come in?" He, thus, not only told him what was the right thing to do on such an occasion, but also, made him act upon it. A lesson imparted in this manner, is more effective.
It is narrated on the authority of Ataa Ibne Yasaar radhiyallahu anhu that once a person asked the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam, "Should I take permission even when going to my mother?" "Yes; you should, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied. Ataa ibne Yasaar radhiyallahu anhu then asked, "I live in the same house with my mother. Is it necessary for me, even then to take permission before entering?" "Yes", the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "First take permission." The man said again, "I am her sole attendant, (and I do all the things for her). (I therefore, have to go to her frequently)." "Go in, only after obtaining the permission", replied the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. "Would you like to see her naked?" "Never", the man replied. "Then go in after taking the permission'( the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam observed.
Muwatta
COMMENTARY
:Rib'ee Ibne Hiraash relates that once a person asked the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam for permission to come in. He said: "May I come in?" The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, thereupon, told his attendant to go and tell him that the correct way of taking the permission is, to say: 'Assalaamu 'Alaykum, may I come in?" The man heard the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam (before the attendant could reach him and corrected himself) by saying, 'Assalaamu 'Alaykum, may I come in?" The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam gave the permission, and he came in.
Aboo Daawood
It Is related by Qays Ibne Sa'd radhiyallahu anhu that (one day), the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam came to our house, and, (according to the recognised custom), said from the other side of the door,
Assalaamu 'Alaykum Wa rahmatullaah!" (Instead of replying to the greeting with a loud voice and requesting the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam to come in), my father, (Sa'd Ibne 'Ubaadah radhiyallahu anhu), acknowledged the salutation in a very soil voice (which the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam could not hear). Upon seeing this, I inquired (from my father), 'Why do you not ask the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam to come in?' 'Keep quiet( replied my father, 'Let it be like that so that the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam sends the salaam to us again and again (and we take its blessings).'Aboo Daawood
COMMENTARY
: