باب بيان أن السُّنة إذا قيل للمستأذن من أنت أن يقول: فلان فيسمي نفسه بما يعرف به من اسم أو كنية وكراهة قوله "أنا" ونحوها
This chapter answers a small but telling question about seeking permission: when the person inside asks who is there, how should you reply? The narrations show the Prophet (peace be upon him) and those around him answering with a clear name, so the one inside knows exactly who has come.
Notice the gentle correction running through it. When a man answered only "I," the Prophet showed his dislike, because a vague reply tells the listener nothing. The lesson is simple courtesy: name yourself plainly rather than leaving others to guess.
Hadith 874
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 (ﷺ) said, "Then Jibril (Gabriel) ascended along with me to the nearest heaven and requested for the gate to be opened. He was asked:
عن أنس رضي الله عنه في حديثه المشهور في الإسراء قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "ثم صعد بي جبريل إلي السماء الدنيا فاستفتح، فقيل: من هذا؟ قال: جبريل، قيل:ومن معك؟ قال: محمد. ثم صعد إلي السماء الثانية والثالثة والرابعة وسائرهن، ويقال في باب كل سماء: من هذا؟ فيقول: جبريل" ((متفق عليه)).
`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.''' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
During the Ascension, at each heaven's gate Jibril was asked who was there and answered by name, "Jibril," and named his companion, "Muhammad." It illustrates identifying oneself plainly when permission is sought.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 874 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 31
Hadith 875
Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي ذر رضي الله عنه قال: خرجت ليلة من الليالي، فإذا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يمشي وحده، فجعلت أمشي في ظل القمر، فالتفت فرآني فقال: "من هذا؟" فقلت: أبو ذر، ((متفق عليه)).
I stepped out one night and saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) 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." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Walking at night, the Prophet asked who was there, and Abu Dharr answered with his own name. It models giving a clear name rather than a vague reply.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 875 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 32
Hadith 876
Umm Hani (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
وعن أم هانيء رضي الله عنها قالت: أتيت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو يغتسل وفاطمة تستره فقال " من هذه؟" فقلت: أنا أم هانيء. ((متفق عليه)).
I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) who was taking a bath while Fatimah was screening him. He asked, "Who is there?" I replied: "I am Umm Hani." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
When the Prophet asked who was there, Umm Hani identified herself by name. Again, the proper answer is to state who you are.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 876 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 33
Hadith 877
Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن جابر رضي الله عنه قال: أتيت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فدققت الباب، فقال "من ذا؟" فقلت: أنا، فقال: "أنا أنا؟!" كـأنه كرهها ((متفق عليه)).
I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) 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. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Jabir answered the Prophet's "Who is there?" with only "I," and the Prophet showed he disliked that unclear reply. It teaches naming yourself instead of saying merely "me."
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 877 In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 34