Don't enter anyone's house
or room without permission. You are obligated to seek their permission first.
The Islamic code of
seeking permission specifies that one should stand close to the door, (knock) and
thereafter say "Assalaamualaikum wa Rahmatullahi", may I come in?
If this does not elicit a
reply, employ the same method of Salaam etc. a second and third time. After the third
time, if you fail to get a reply, consider it an inopportune moment for meeting. There
could be some valid excuse. Therefore, return and do not ever feel offended.
Whilst seeking permission
to enter, stand on one side. Don't stand in such a way that you can see inside. However,
if the host is right in front of you, make Salaam and seek permission to enter.
It is despicable to peep
inside. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam vehemently forbade this.
Observe Salaam loudly even
when entering your own house and make your presence known to the occupants of the house.
If you are asked:
"Who is there?", give your name. Do not say: "It's me!" because the
occupant does not know who is "me."
Rasulullah Sallallahu
Alayhi Wasallam advised a Sahaabi thus: "Come and meet me every alternate day
(and not daily) as this would increase our love for one another."
Avoid visiting someone
during meal or snack times. If you are compelled to visit at such times, first eat and
then go. However, if you are unable to eat and go, then do not lie to the host that you
have already eaten. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: "Do not bring
lies and hunger together." However, you may decline on some other pretext.
If you have to visit
someone in another city or town, inform him before hand.
Rasulullah Sallallahu
Alayhi Wasallam strictly forbade reaching someone’s home at night. In fact, he
even forbade the people from returning to their own homes at night without informing their
families.
When you enter
someone’s home, enter with Salaam. The occupant of the house should make the first
move when it comes to shaking hands or embracing. If he does not make the first move or he
is busy, do not disturb him.
Do not observe Salaam when
you enter a gathering in which a lecture or lesson is taking place, nor should you make
Salaam when entering a Masjid in which people are engaged in Salaah or other forms of
Zikr. However, if someone draws your attention, you should make Salaam silently.
When you enter
someone’s house, do not sit at the best spot nor sit on a place especially reserved
for the owner of the house. It is upto him if he wishes to seat you on his place or on any
other appropriate place.
The Qur'an orders both men
and women to lower their gazes. Be very particular about this at all times. When you go to
someone’s house, do not look around.
Rasulullah Sallallahu
Alayhi Wasallam advised us to be soft-natured and dignified. Always keep this advice
in mind. If you go anywhere, speak gently and act in a dignified manner. Do not touch
anything without permission. Do not stare at anything covetously nor act as though you are
impressed and awe-struck with the host’s pomp and splendour, resulting in you
suffering from an inferiority complex.
Do not sit nor converse
for very long. Once your work is complete, seek permission to leave immediately. However,
on the insistence of the host, you may remain until it is convenient for you.