This chapter gathers the manners of seeking permission before entering a home. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught asking up to three times and then leaving if no answer comes, and he explained the reason behind it: permission protects against the eyes falling on what is private. It is courtesy built on respect for others' privacy.
Notice too how greeting and permission travel together. More than once the Prophet corrected someone who entered or asked the wrong way, instructing him to begin with salam and then ask to come in. Peace first, then the request to enter.
Hadith 870
Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي موسي الأشعري رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “ الاستئذان ثلاث، فإن أذن لك وإلا فارجع" ((متفق عليه))
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Permission is to be sought thrice. If permission is granted, you may enter; otherwise, go back." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Ask permission to enter up to three times; if it is granted, go in, and if not, simply go back. A clear, dignified way to respect a household's right to privacy.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 870 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 27
Hadith 871
Sahl bin Sa'd (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن سهل بن سعد قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "إنما جعل الاستئذان من أجل البصر" ((متفق عليه)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) 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)." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Seeking permission before entering was prescribed to guard the eyes from seeing what one should not. It shows the courtesy exists to protect privacy.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 871 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 28
Hadith 872
Rib'i bin Hirash (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن ربعي بن حراش قال: حدثنا رجل من بني عامر استأذن علي النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو في بيت، فقال: أألج؟ فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لخادمه: "أخرج إلي هذا وعلمه الاستئذان، فقل له: قل: السلام عليكم، أأدخل؟” فسمعه الرجل فقال: السلام عليكم، أأدخل؟ فأذن له النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فدخل. ((رواه أبو داود بإسناد صحيح)).
A man of Banu 'Amir tribe has told us that he had asked the Prophet (ﷺ) for permission to enter when he was at home. He said: "May I enter?" the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to the servant, "Go out and instruct him about the manner of seeking permission. Tell him to say: As-Salamu 'Alaikum (may peace be upon you). May I come in?" The man heard this and said: "As-Salamu 'Alaikum (may peace be upon you). May I come in?" The Prophet (ﷺ) then granted him permission and he entered. [Abu Dawud].
In plain words
A man asked only "May I enter?" and the Prophet had him taught to begin with the greeting first: "As-Salamu Alaikum. May I come in?" Peace precedes the request to enter.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 872 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 29
Hadith 873
Kildah bin Al-Hanbal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
عن كلدة بن الحنبل رضي الله عنه قال: أتيت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فدخلت عليه ولم أسلم، فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : "ارجع فقل السلام عليكم أأدخل؟" ((رواه أبو داود، والترمذي وقال: حديث حسن)).
I visited the Prophet (ﷺ) and I entered his house without seeking permission. So he said, "Go back and say: 'As-Salamu 'alaikum (may peace be upon you). May I come in?"' [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].
In plain words
A man who entered without seeking permission was sent back to greet and ask properly: "As-Salamu Alaikum. May I come in?" It reinforces greeting and asking before stepping inside.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 873 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 30