The Book of Seeking Permission
Seeking permission when entering homes
① Sayyiduna Abu Musa رضي الله عنه narrates, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
الإستئذان ثلاث فإن أذن لك وإلا فارجع
Asking for permission is to be done three times. If you are granted permission, then enter; otherwise, return.
② Rabi’ bin Mihraash narrates, a man from Banu Amir told us that he asked the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم for permission to enter while he was present in the house. The man said: “May I come in?”
The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said to his servant:
أخرج إلى هذا فعلمه الإستئذان فقل له: قل السلام عليكم أأدخل
Go to this man and teach him how to ask for permission, tell him to say: “As-Salamu Alaikum! May I come in?”
The man heard this and said: “As-Salamu Alaikum! May I come in?”
Then the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم granted him permission.
③ Sayyiduna Kildah bin Hanbal رضي الله عنه narrates, I came to the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. When I arrived in his presence, I did not greet him. The Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
ارجع وقل السلام عليكم أأدخل
Go back and say: “As-Salamu Alaikum! May I come in?”
Instructions Regarding Extinguishing Fire Before Sleeping
① Sayyiduna Abu Musa رضي الله عنه narrates that at night in Medina, a house along with its inhabitants caught fire. When the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was informed about it, he said:
إن هذه النار عدو لكم فإذا نمتم فأطفئوها عنكم
This fire is your enemy; when you are about to sleep, extinguish it.
② Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrates that a mouse came and pulled the wick of a lamp and brought it to the striped mat made of date palm leaves on which the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was sitting and threw it there. This caused a place worth a dirham to catch fire. Then the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
إذا نمتم فأطفئوا سرجكم فإن الشيطان يدل مثل هذه على هذا فتحرقكم
When you are about to sleep, extinguish your lamps, because Satan guides such things towards such acts, and they burn you.
Instructions Regarding Closing Doors Before Sleeping
① It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
أغلق بابك واذكر اسم الله فإن الشيطان لا يفتح بابا مغلقا، وأطفئ مصباحك واذكر اسم الله، وأوك سقاءك واذكر اسم الله، وخمر إناءك ولو بعود تعرضه عليه واذكر اسم الله
Close the door after saying Bismillah, because Satan does not open a closed door. Extinguish your lamp and say the name of Allah. Close the mouth of your water-skin and remember Allah. Cover your utensils, even if you place a piece of wood on them, and remember Allah.
Instructions Regarding Concealing Secrets
① Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم came to me while I was playing with the boys. Then he صلى الله عليه وسلم greeted us and sent me on some errand. I delayed in coming to my mother. When I came, she said: “Why did you come late?” I said: “The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم sent me on some errand.” She said: “What was your errand?” I said: “It is a secret.” She said: “Do not speak to anyone about the secret of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم.” Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه said: By Allah! O Thabit! If I had told anyone that secret, I would have surely told you.
② Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم told me a secret, which I did not tell to anyone including my mother.
