Identifying Oneself

If you knock a door or ring the bell when you visit someone, and are asked "Who is it?" you should identify yourself by giving your common name or kunya. It is disliked to respond "It is me" or "Somebody" or "Guess who?" because these do not give away your identity and may agrevate the person being visited who may indeed not recognise voices easily.

Jabir Ibn Abdullah (رضى الله عنه) narrated: "I went to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) for a debt that was upon my father. I knocked on the door, and He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, "Who is there?" I answered "Me". He said "Me, me" in a way that showed His dislike of my answer.

(Bukhari & Muslim)

*

During the year of the Makkan conquest, Umm Haanai رضى الله عنها (the sister of Ali ibn Abi Talib) once went to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and learned that he was taking a bath. His daughter Fatimah رضى الله عنها was holding up a cover to protect him from the view of others. Umm Haanai later said, "Then I extended greetings of peace to Him, and He said, 'Who is this?' I said, Umm Haanai Bint Abu Taalib..."

(Bukhari and Muslim)

*

Abdullahi ibn Buraidah (رضى الله عنه) related that his father said, "The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) left to go to the Masjid; meanwhile Abu Moosa was reciting. He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, "Who is this?" I said, 'I am Buraidah; may I be made ransom for you', He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said 'This one has been given the flute (i.e. his voice) from the flutes of Dawood's family".

(Al Adab Al Mufrad)

*

Abu Dharr (رضى الله عنه) said "One night while I was walking I saw the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) walking by himself. I walked behind him in the shade of the moon, but he turned around and saw me and asked, "Who is there?" I replied, "It is Abu Dharr".

(Bukhari)

*

So the correct adab of identifying oneself is to avoid confusion and clearly convey ones identity.

Knocking & Ringing

When at the door, one should knock or ring the bell in a pleasant way and not louder than necessary to make your presence known. One should not knock loudly and violently or ring the bell continuously. In other words, one should act like a visitor, and not a thug or oppressor attempting to frighten the occupants.

A woman went to visit Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (رحمة الله عليه) seeking his opinion on a religious matter. She banged the door loudly. He came out saying "This is the banging of the police". Likewise Imam Bukhari (رحمة الله عليه) reported in al-Adab al-Mufrad that the Companions of the Prophet used to knock with the tips of their fingers in a soft and gentle manner.

If the living quarters of the person you are visiting are close to the door, it is important to only softly/gently knock with the tips of the fingers, to make your presence known. For those with living quarters further from the door, it is appropriate to knock a little louder, but without banging, or ring the bell enough for them to hear. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

"Gentleness adorns every act. Its absence will tarnish it."

In addition, Imam Muslim (رحمة الله عليه) reported that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also said:

"Whoever lacks kindness, lacks all good things".

Between knocks or rings of the bell, one should leave adequate time to allow those being visited to finish performing wudu, finish salaah (approximate time it takes to read 4 raka'as) , or to allow them to finish eating without rushing. One should keep in mind that the person being visited may have jsut started one of the above acts, before you knocked or rang the bell.

After attempting knocks or ringing the bell 3 spaced times, it is important to understand that the person you are visiting may be busy, or would have answered, hence you should leave. One should never enter without permission. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

"If you sought permission three times, and were not granted permission, then you must leave".

(Bukhari & Muslim)

When you knock or ring the bell, it is also important that you do not stand infront of the door, but to the left or right of it. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) recommended that one should stand to the left or to the right of the door and to avoid facing it to prevent people seeing things that are either unlawful for them to see, or that which is private.

SUMMARY
1. Knock gently with the tips of the fingers, or just loud enough for the occupants to hear.
2. Do not bang the door or ring the bell continuously. Be patient.
3. Allow enough time for the person to answer the door (about the time it takes to read 4 raka'ahs) between each knock.
4. After 3 spaced knocks, and no answer. Leave.
5. Do not stand infront of the door, but slightly to the right or left, so that you may protect your eyes from that which may not be lawful for you to see.

Seeking Permission to Enter

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Quran:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَدْخُلُوا بُيُوتًا غَيْرَ بُيُوتِكُمْ حَتَّى تَسْتَأْنِسُوا وَتُسَلِّمُوا عَلَى أَهْلِهَا ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

"O you who believe! Enter not houses other than your own, untill you have asked permission".

(Quran 24: 27)

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) also says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِيَسْتَأْذِنكُمُ الَّذِينَ مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ لَمْ يَبْلُغُوا الْحُلُمَ مِنكُمْ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ مِن قَبْلِ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ وَحِينَ تَضَعُونَ ثِيَابَكُم مِّنَ الظَّهِيرَةِ وَمِن بَعْدِ صَلَاةِ الْعِشَاء ثَلَاثُ عَوْرَاتٍ لَّكُمْ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَا عَلَيْهِمْ جُنَاحٌ بَعْدَهُنَّ طَوَّافُونَ عَلَيْكُم بَعْضُكُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمُ الْآيَاتِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

" O ye who believe! let those whom your right hands possess, and the
(children) among you who have not come of age ask your permission (before they come to your presence), on three occasions: before morning prayer; the while ye doff your clothes for the noonday heat; and after the late-night prayer: these are your three times of undress: outside those times it is not wrong for you or for them to move about attending to each other: Thus does Allah make clear the Signs to you: for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.".

(Quran 24:58)

If family members are resting in their rooms and you want to join them, or enter, it is appropriate adab to seek their permission or to knock on the door. This was recommended by the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) so as to protect us from seeing them in a condition that either you or they may dislike. This is applicable to the entire household.

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,

"Seeking permission [to enter another person's private space] has been made compulsory only because of eyesight (i.e. only so that people do not see that which is unlawful for them to see, such as a stranger woman)."

(Bukhari & Muslim)

'Ata Ibn Yasir (رضى الله عنه) narrated:

"A man asked the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) 'Should I seek permission to enter my mother's room?' The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) answered 'Yes'. The man said, ' We live together in the same house'. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said 'Ask permission to join her'. The man argued 'But I serve her!' The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said 'Ask for permission. Would you like to see her naked?' The man replied 'No'. The prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said 'Then ask for her permission before entering'.

Similarly:

"A man asked 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud(رضى الله عنه) , "Should I ask permission to enter my mother's room?" He answered, "Yes there are certain circumstances in which you would rather not see her".

In another narration, Zaynab, the wife of 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said that before opening the door of his house, 'Abdullah used to make a noise, lest he surprised and embarrassed his family. Likewise:

"A man asked Hudhayfa ibn al-Yaman (رضى الله عنه) , "Should I ask permission to enter my mother's room?" Hudhayfa replied, "Yes, if you do not ask for her permission, you may cause yourself a needless embarrassment".

When children reach a certain age they must ask permission and be taught to establish prayer. Allah (حانه وتعالى) says in the Quran:

وَإِذَا بَلَغَ الْأَطْفَالُ مِنكُمُ الْحُلُمَ فَلْيَسْتَأْذِنُوا كَمَا اسْتَأْذَنَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

"And when the children come of age, let them ask for permission, as do those senior to them in age; thus does Allah make clear His signs. Allah is all-knowing all wise"

(Quran 24: 59)

Musa the so of the Companion Talha ibn Ubaydullah (رضى الله عنه) said,

"My father went to my mothers room. I followed him as he entered. He turned towards me and pushed me down, forcing me to sit. Then he reprimanded me "How dare you enter without permission?"

Nafi' (رضى الله عنه) the companion of 'Abdullah ibn Umar said,

"When any of the children of Ibn Umar came of age, Ibn Umar would assign that child to another room. He would not allow any of them to enter his room without permission".

'Ata ibn Abi Rabah (رضى الله عنه) reported that he asked Ibn Abbas

"Should I seek permission when calling my two sisters?" Ibn Abbas answered "Yes". I said, "I am their gaurdian, supporter and providor of their needs". He said, " Would you rather see them naked?" Then he recited the verse of the Quran (24:59), comcluding that is is obligatory to seek permission for all.

Ibn Mas'ud (رضى الله عنه) said, "A person should seek permission whenever entering the room of a father, a mother, a brother, or a sister." Jabir also said, "A person should seek permission whenever entering the room of a son, a daughter, a mother - even if she is old, a brother, a sister, or a father."

SUMMARY:

1. Always seek permission even of those under your care.

2. Don't surprise or embarrass people so you or they dislike it.

3. Knock calmly to seek permission

4. When children come of age, (approx 7) teach them to seek permission.

Announcing Your Presence

When entering the house, one should always make their presence known to those inside before approaching them. We should avoid startling or freightening them and shouldn't descend upon them suddenly. Anu 'Ubayda Amir ibn Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said, "My father Abdullah ibn Mas'ud used to announce his arrival by calling his family in a cordial tone."

So our presence should be known from the door, especially if we are returning from a long journey. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (رحمة الله عليه) said;

"When a person enters his house, it is recommended that he makes a noise by clearing his throat or tapping his shoes". His son Abdullah said "When returning home from the masjid, my father used to announce his arrival before entering, by tapping with his shoes or clearing his throat."

It is disliked to surprise ones family as Jabir ibn Abdullah (رضى الله عنه)is narrated to have said in Bukhari and Muslim; that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) denounced surprising the family at night, whether returning from a trip or otherwise, as if they distrusted them and want to discover what goes on behind their backs. Women are often fragile and easily frightened/startled; if you do not let them know you are acting like a spy. This is important as Allah clearly forbids spying in the Quran:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ

O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting) . And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful.

(Surah Al Hujarat: verse 12)

So one must be aware not to be overprotective or attempt to search for the wrong doings of others; in any form.

Anecdote:

"A man went away from his family to work in the USA, after some time, he decided he wanted to go back home to visit his family. Because it had been such a long time, he wanted to surprise them. He went back bearing many gifts and souvenirs. When he landed at the airport, he took a taxi to his home. Unfortunately in the midst of this journey the taxi driver changed his intention; saw that this person obviously had alot of money, or belongings, and ended up murdering and robbing the man. Although the man was trying to surprise his family, things took an unexpected turn. With the family not being aware, they simply thought he was still in the USA. As some weeks and months passed by, the family were worried as he hadn't made contact with them. On investigation they discovered he had come back to visit them but been murdered."

SUMMARY

1. Always announce your presence before arrival or at the door (clear throat, tap shoes, call)

2. Do not be suspicious

3. Avoid arriving at night.

The Manner of giving Salam

The best methods of extending the greetings of peace are listed in rank order.

1.

السلام عليكم والرحمه الله وبركاته

"May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you"

2.

السلام عليكم والرحمه الله

"May the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you"

3.

السلام عليكم

"May peace be upon you"

The order is proven by the narration of the hadith by Abu Huraira (رضى الله عنه) in which a man passed by the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) - who was seated in a gathering and said "Asalaamu Alaikum" The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said "Ten good deeds are written for him", Another man passed by and said, "Assalaamu Alaikum Wahrahmatullah", and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, "Twenty good deeds". Then another passed by and said, "Assalamu Alaikum wahrehmatulahi Wabarakatuhu" and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said "Thirty good deeds".

(Al Adab Al Mufrad)

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When responding to these greetings, one must return either a greeting that is better than it or is equal to it.

وَإِذَا حُيِّيْتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّواْ بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا

"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it or (at least) return it equally".

(Surah An Nisa: verse 86)

Other general obligations of giving salam are summarised below:

1. When greeting a large gathering, or if you are in doubt that the person you greeted has heard you, it is reccommended to repeat the greeting 3 times but should not go beyond this.

2. It is the Sunnah to initiate the greeting and respond to them out loud/audibly

3. Make your greetings to all in a gathering, not just to those you know.

A man asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), "Which Islam is best?" and He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) replied: "Feeding others and saying As-Salaam both to those you know and you don't know" (Bukhari & Muslim)

4. One who arrives in a gathering should hasten to initiate the greeting.

5. It is sunnah for the rider to greet the pedestrian, the pedestrian to greet the seated, the few to greet the many and the young to greet the old.

6. When meeting, the better of the two is the one who initiates the greeting (Bukhari)

7. It is reccommended to greet young children.

8. When greeting those that are awake in the presence of those that are sleeping, one should lower the tone of the voice, such as not to disturb the sleeping, but be heard by those who are awake.

9. One should not "initiate" the greeting of peace to the people of the book.

10. When answering the Salam of the people of the book, one should reply "Wa-Alaikum" (And same upon you).

11. It is disliked to greet someone who is relieving himself.

12. When entering the masjid, one should first pray the 2 rakahs of Tahiyyatul Masjid before greeting those present.

13. When the Imam is delivering the Jumuah khutbah it is disliked to give salam

14. When meeting others, always begin with greetings of peace and then start your conversation.

15. Before one parts from a gathering it is sunnah to give the greetings of peace.

16. It is disliked to greet with the hand (like the people of the book).

17. When answering a letter one should also return the greetings.

18. Part of the full greeting is to shake your the hand. (brother to brother, sister to sister). [Al Adab Al Mufrad].

The Obligation of giving Salam

The Obligation of giving Salam

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Quran:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَدْخُلُوا بُيُوتًا غَيْرَ بُيُوتِكُمْ حَتَّى تَسْتَأْنِسُوا وَتُسَلِّمُوا عَلَى أَهْلِهَا ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

O you who believe! Enter not houses other than your own, until you have asked permission and greeted those there in".

(Surah An-Noor: Verse 27)

فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُم بُيُوتًا فَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى أَنفُسِكُمْ تَحِيَّةً مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ مُبَارَكَةً طَيِّبَةً

...But when you enter the houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allah: a greeting blessed and good...

(Surah An-Noor: verse 61)

وَإِذَا حُيِّيْتُم بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيُّواْ بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا أَوْ رُدُّوهَا

"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally..."

(Surah An-Nisa: verse 86)

When entering or leaving the house, one must acknowledge those inside by using the greetings of Muslims and the motto of Islam;

"May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you"

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

"A Muslim owes another Muslim six duties. To greet him when he meets him, to accept when he gives him an invitation, to give him good counsel when he asks him for advice, to pray for mercy for him when he sneezes and says "Praise be to Allah" , to visit him when he is ill, and follow him (attend his funeral) when he dies".

We should not take preference of alternative greeting forms such as "Good Morning", "Good Evening", "Hello" or an arabic greeting such as sabah al khair/ marhaba/ ahlan wasahlan etc. in the place of this greeting. This greeting is the sign of Islam and the phrase the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) reccommended and used. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said to Anas (رضى الله عنه) :

"My son, greet you family when you enter your home, for that is a blessing for you and your family"

The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also said:

"When one of you comes to an assembly, he should give the greeting. If he leaves he should give the greeting. Neither greeting is more deserving than the other."

(Al Adab Al Mufrad)

The greeting is deemed by many scholars to be wajib or sunnat ul mu'aqada whilst the reply is obligatory. So one is sinful for not giving salam. However when we make the intention to give greetings of salam we refer to 3; the person we meet, and the 2 angels. So the greeting of salam is of much greater value than "hi", "hello" etc, we have the intention of the dua'a which is multiple depending on the length of our salam and the degree to which we extend it. No matter whether our salam is given a reply by the person, the angels answer, so even when we enter an empty house, one should remember to make the greeting of salam.

So for example Asalamu-alaykum is plural, whilst Asalamu-alayka is the singular of the greeting. So in turn we should be generous with our greetings, we should when greeted reply with a greeting, a dua'a of equal or greater extent to gain extra reward.

In turn one must not be miserly with their reply. Abdullah Ibn 'Amr Ibn al-'As (رضى الله عنه)narrated:

"A liar is someone who lies in his oath. A miser is someone who is miserly with the greeting (of salam). A theif is someone who steals from the prayer (i.e. does not pray properly)."

One must always be gentle in their manner of greeting, as narrated in the hadith:

"Gentleness adorns every act. It's absence will tarnish it"
(Sahih Muslim)

Jabir Ibn Abdullah (رضى الله عنه) narrated:

"Some of the Jews greeted the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) saying, As-sam 'alaykum (Death be upon you) and the Prophet responded, And upon you. 'Aisha (رضى الله عنها), said angrily "Didn't you hear what he said?" The Prophet replied Yes and I answered them. We will be answered for what we said of them and they will not be answered for what they said to us".

So even with the non-muslims one must remember the correct adab that must be adopted.

Giving salam in certain situations is disliked, for example when you may disturb someone, when being taught, listening to the khutbah of salat-ul-jumu'ah, eating, sleeping, or in an important or private situation for example. However in other circumstances we should take heed and give salam, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

"By the One in Whose hand in my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you of something that if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salam amongst yourselves."

(Muslim)

Imam Nawawi (رحمة الله عليه) said, "It is preferred to say Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim (In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful) when you enter your houses or the houses of others. You should say salam even if you enter vacant or uninhabited places and say a prayer to go out. It is narrated by Anas (رضى الله عنه) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

"If someone says, 'In the name of Allah, I seek help from Allah. There is no strength nor might except with Allah', then he will be told ' You are protected my slave' and Satan will leave him."

(Tirmidhi & Abu Dawud)

He cited another hadith narrated by Muslim that Jabir Ibn Abdullah (رضى الله عنه) heard the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) say:

"If you enter your house and pray to Allah when entering and before your meals, Satan will say [to his minions] 'No sleep and no food'. If you enter without praying to Allah, Satan will say [to his minions], 'You have got your sleep and your meal'."

NB: For further detail on the rulings related to "Greetings" see Chapter 2: "The Book of Manners"

Entering while others are asleep

When you enter a place where people are sleeping, during the day or night, you should be quiet and gentle in moving, so as not to disturb anyone. One should always be considerate of others. We shouldn't cause undue noise when entering or leaving. For example, when we wake up for Fajr, or tahajjud, we should be especially considerate; not waking up the whole house to tell them "Oh look MashaAllah I'm awake for this salah", but do things for the pleasure of Allah and be gentle in all that you do.

Aisha (رضى الله عنها) narrated:

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to offer his night prayer while I was sleeping across in his bed. Whenever he intended to offer the Witr prayer, he used to wake me up and I would offer the Witr prayer too.

(Sahih Bukhari)

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also said:

"Whoever is deprived of gentleness is deprived of all sorts of goodness"

(Bukhari)

It was also reported that the companions of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

"We used to keep the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) his share of milk, and when he would come at night he would greet us with a voice loud enough for those awake to hear, without disturbing those who were sleeping."

(Muslim)

In addition, whenever the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to pray at night, he would recite the Quran with a voice that pleased those awake, without disturbing those that were sleeping.

Princess Qater al-Nada was famous for her intelligence, manners and beauty. She was the daughter of Khimarawayh ibn Ahmad ibn Tulan, the King of Egypt. She married the Abbasid Khalifa al-Mu'tadad Billah who admired her refined manners and excellent education. Qater al-Nada said:

"My father taught me an important manner: do not sleep amongst sitting people and do not sit amongst sleeping people".

It is important to therefore remember that pride and arrogance are haram, we should be humble, and gentle in our ettiquettes. We should always be careful not to offend others by putting ourselves in their shoes and being aware of the harm we maybe causing. When we wake in the night or carry out good deeds, we shouldn't try to make everyone and anyone aware of them, but try to hide them; so as to protect, and ensure our intentions remain purely for the sake of Allah. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) reminds us in the Quran:

وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا

"And the slaves of the Most Beneficent (Allah) are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with mild words of gentleness."

(Surah Al-Furqan, Verse 63)

Entering or Leaving a House

CHAPTER 3

HOW TO ENTER

When we enter or leave our house, office, we should always proceed with our right foot first as this was the sunnah of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). With the masjid, we should enter with the right foot but leave with the left. This should be accompanied by one of the following dua'as:

Du'a when entering the house

Dua'a when entering the Masjid

‘I take refuge with Allaah, The Supreme and with His Noble Face, and His eternal authority from the accursed devil. In the name of Allaah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allaah. O Allaah, open the gates of Your mercy for me.’

Dua'a when leaving the house

‘In the name of Allaah, I place my trust in Allaah, and there is no might nor power except with Allaah.’

Dua'a when leaving the Masjid

‘In the name of Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allaah. O Allaah, I ask You from Your favour. O Allaah, guard from the accursed devil.’

When entering or leaving the house we should be careful not to push open the door in a violent manner or slam it shut, nor leave it to close by itself wildly. We should close the door gently with our hand. Wild actions stand in contrast to the gracefulness of Islam that we are honoured to belong to. The adab of entering should be in a gentle manner, reflective of our character. A Muslim should be gentle in every way, when he sells, when he buys, when he enters the house and every other area of life.

Aisha (رضى الله عنها) narrated from the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم):

"Gentleness adorns every act. It's absence will tarnish it"

(Sahih Muslim)

So we should be weary of our gentleness when entering or leaving the house. For instance if we storm in to our house, banging and stomping in as if we are a wild animal, what impression will that give to those within the home. Will they not be scared, or in dread of your visit? When a husband/wife returns home from work, they should for instance leave thier work, any stress or issues they may have faced throughout the day, outside the door, entering in a gentle composed manner, with a smile. Today, we are so obsessed with our own lives we forget the true essence of our actions, or that we may be acting more like animals than humans, than Muslim...

With respect to calmness, this is especially important in salah, in that it teaches us to be calm, punctual, soft and disciplined.

Abu Huraira (رضى الله عنه) narrated:

Once the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) entered the mosque, a man came in, offered the prayer and greeted the Prophet(صلى الله عليه وسلم). The Prophet(صلى الله عليه وسلم) returned his greeting and said to him, "Go back and pray again for you have not prayed." The man offered the prayer again, came back and greeted the Prophet(صلى الله عليه وسلم). He said to him thrice, "Go back and pray again for you have not prayed." The man said, "By Him Who has sent you with the truth! I do not know a better way of praying. Kindly teach Me how to pray." He said, "When you stand for the prayer, say Takbir and then recite from the Qur'an what you know and then bow with calmness till you feel at ease, then rise from bowing till you stand straight. Afterwards prostrate calmly till you feel at ease and then raise (your head) and sit with calmness till you feel at ease and then prostrate with calmness till you feel at ease in prostration and do the same in the whole of your prayer."

(Sahih Bukhari)