When a person visits friends or relatives, he normally knocks on the door and waits until someone opens. This is how we seek permission to enter other people’s houses. But this is part of our contemporary urban life. The situation may be different in other places, particularly in rural areas, remote villages, or indeed in shanty towns. In a safe neighborhood, people may leave their doors open because they frequently come in and out, treating their neighbors’ homes as their own. At the time of the Prophet people generally did not have doors for their homes. This meant that it was easy for anyone to come into a house unannounced. Thus, people might find someone entering when they are not ready to receive any visitor. Hence the Prophet was keen to teach his companions how to seek permission to enter. His guidance was detailed. Apparently he repeated his advice and instructions on numerous occasions, with different companions, so that his purpose would be known to all, and to subsequent generations.

One point he stressed is indicated in the following Hadith: “When the Prophet approached the entrance of a house, he did not face it directly. He would be either to the right or to the left. If he was invited, he would go in. Otherwise, he would leave.” (Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)

This Hadith shows how the Prophet respected the privacy of his companions. Although it was normal that people entered each other’s houses freely, he would not even approach a house directly facing the entrance, so that he would not accidentally see what he is not supposed to see. Preferring to approach on either side of the entrance leaves no chance of that. He would then seek permission to enter, by offering the people in that house his greeting. He would wait for permission. If it is not forthcoming, he would go away, not feeling any irritation, because people are free to admit anyone in their homes.

Sometimes a person is not ready to receive anyone in his home. He prefers to meet his visitor outside. This is perfectly understandable, and should be no reason for being upset. One of the Prophet’s companions, Mu’awiyah ibn Khaddej, once visited Umar ibn Al-Khattab during his reign as caliph. He says: “When I sought permission to enter, I was told to stay outside and the caliph would come out soon. I sat close to his door. He came out and then asked for water to be brought to him. He performed his ablutions, wiping over his shoes. I asked him whether he needed to have a fresh ablution because he had urinated. He said: ‘May be because of passing urine or because of something else.’” (Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Ahmad and Abu Dawood)

It is clearly understood that when the reporter of this Hadith wished to see the caliph, he caught him at a time when he was not ready to receive him in his home. Hence, he was told that the caliph would be coming out. Apparently, the caliph did not wish his guest to wait long, so he did not have his ablution before coming out. Rather, he went out to welcome his guest first. It is assumed, even though not indicated in the Hadith, that he welcomed his guest and had asked him if he wanted something in particular, or whether his visit was merely a social one.

It is also clear that when Umar had been talking to his guest for a while, he wanted to have a fresh ablution. Perhaps the time for prayer was drawing near, and he wanted to be ready. He then performed his ablutions while his guest was watching. Perhaps the guest was at a loss for a topic of conversation. Hence, his question about the reason for Umar having a new ablution. This is a very private matter. Hence, Umar politely indicated that it is so, and he did not answer the question.

The question arises how to seek permission to enter someone else’s home. Anas ibn Malik, who served the Prophet for ten years, tells us: “The Prophet’s doors were knocked with people’s nails.” (Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)

It is clear that the Prophet had doors fixed to his wives’ homes, because they opened to the mosque and were small homes. Hence, he needed to ensure privacy by having these doors. Moreover, at one stage, the instruction was given to the Prophet’s companions that they might not speak to the Prophet’s wives except from behind a screen. Thus people who wished to speak to the Prophet had to knock at his door when he was in. However, they feared to disturb him if he was resting or busy.

Therefore, they only knocked very softly, so that if he was asleep, they would not wake him up. This manifested itself in using their fingernails for knocking. It was all a gesture of respect to the Prophet.

This need not be emulated when people knock at each other, particularly when the house they are visiting is large and a soft knock might not be heard in a part of the house. A knock at a door is a request for permission to enter. Hence, the people inside should be able to hear it. Otherwise, it is meaningless. In the case of the Prophet, his companions resorted to this method of using their fingernails to knock on his doors because they wanted to be absolutely sure that they were not disturbing him. If he was busy or engaged, he was unlikely to hear their knock. Thus, there is no disturbance. They would go away and try to see him later.

Arab News Islam 18 April 2003