Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Permission is to be sought thrice. If it is accorded, you may enter; otherwise, go back."
Seeking Permission to enter (somebody's House) and Manners relating to it
Chapter 140 · 8 hadiths
Sahl bin Sa'd (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Seeking permission to enter (somebody's house) has been prescribed in order to restrain the eyes (from looking at something we are not supposed to look at)."
Commentary
Within the four walls of their homes, people are normally engaged in different types of domestic chores, or they rest in seclusion. Women understandably do things at home in a relaxed manner which is scarcely possible for them in the presence of a man not belonging to their household. We commit an intrusion upon others' privacy and also eye the Hijab-observing women by entering a house without permission. Both the things are prohibited and must be avoided.
Rib'i bin Hirash (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man of Banu 'Amir tribe has told us that he had asked the Prophet (PBUH) for permission to enter when he was at home. He said: "May I enter?" Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to the servant, "Go out and instruct him about the manner of seeking permission. Tell him to say: As-Salamu 'Alaikum (may you be safe from evil). May I come in?" The man heard this and said: "As-Salamu 'Alaikum (may you be safe from evil). May I come in?" The Prophet (PBUH) then accorded permission to him and he entered in.
Commentary
This Hadith teaches us manners of visiting a house. One should offer As-Salam to the host at the doorstep and then seek his permission to enter. Moreover, we are told to impart a religious information to an ignorant person so that he may put it into practice.
Kildah bin Al-Hanbal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I visited the Prophet (PBUH) and I entered his house without seeking permission. So he said, "Go back and say: 'As-Salamu 'alaikum (may you be safe from evil). May I come in?"'
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported in the course of his famous Hadith pertaining to Al-Isra' (the Ascension) that Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Then Jibril (Gabriel) ascended along with me to the nearest heaven and requested for the gate to be opened. He was asked: 'Who is there?' He replied: 'Jibril.' He was asked: 'Who is with you?' He said: 'Muhammad.' Then he ascended to the second heaven and requested for the opening of the gate. He was asked: 'Who is there?' He said: 'Jibril.' He was asked: 'Who is with you?' He replied: 'Muhammad.' In the same way he ascended to the third, fourth and all the heavens (i.e., until the seventh). At all of the gates he was asked: 'Who is there?' He replied: Jibril."'
Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I stepped out one night and saw Messenger of Allah (PBUH) walking by himself. I began to walk in the moonlit night. He turned round and saw me and asked, "Who is there?" I replied: "Abu Dharr."
Umm Hani (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I went to the Prophet (PBUH) who was taking a bath while Fatimah was screening him. He asked, "Who is there?" I replied: "I am Umm Hani."
Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I went to the Prophet (PBUH) and knocked at the door (to seek permission). He asked, "Who is there?" I said: "I". He repeated, " I, I?!" as if he disliked it.
Commentary
At the doorstep, the visitor should disclose his identity to the host. Secondly, to knock at the door or to ring the door-bell is tantamount to seeking permission to enter the house. When the host comes out, the visitor should first offer him As-Salam.