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Chapter 2.7. Answering 'Who Is It?'
If you knock on the door you may be asked, 'Who is it?' Identify yourself, using your most common name but do not respond with, 'It is me,' 'Somebody,' or, 'Guess who?' These words are useless in identifying who is at the door. You should not assume that your voice is known to the person or persons who live there, because your voice may resemble another person's voice. Don't forget that people differ in their ability to distinguish voices.
The Prophet (PBUH) discouraged people from saying 'it's me' because it does not reveal your name. Bukhari and Muslim reported that Jabir bin 'Abdullah said: 'I came to the Prophet (PBUH) and knocked on his door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I answered, 'It is me,' and the Prophet (PBUH) disapprovingly said, ' Me is me, me is me!' ' For this reason, the companions used to mention their names whenever they were asked, 'Who is it?'
Bukhari and Muslim reported that Abu Dhar said: 'While walking out one night I saw the Messenger of Allah walking by himself. I opted to walk in the shade of the moon, but he turned around and saw me and said, 'Who is there?' I replied, 'It's Abu Dhar.' ' Bukhari and Muslim also reported that Umm Hani, a cousin of the Prophet (PBUH), and the sister of 'Ali bin Abi Talib, said: 'I came to see the Prophet (PBUH). He was taking a bath and his daughter Fatima was sheltering him, and he asked 'who is this?' I replied, 'I am Umm Hani.' '
Chapters
Chapter 1
Importance Of Appearance
Chapter 1.1
Distinct Muslim Personality
Chapter 1.2
Cleanliness And Washing
Chapter 1.3
Arriving From A Journey
Chapter 1.4
Dress Properly With Family And Friends
Chapter 2
Entering Or Leaving A House
Chapter 2.1
How-to-enter
Chapter 2.2
Entering While Others Are Asleep
Chapter 2.3
Greeting
Chapter 2.4
Announcing Your Presence
Chapter 2.5
Seeking Permission To Enter
Chapter 2.6
Knocking And Ringing
Chapter 2.7
Answering 'Who Is It?'
Chapter 3
The Manners Of Visiting
Chapter 3.1
Keeping Appointments, Delays And Cancellation
Chapter 3.2
Declining A Visit
Chapter 3.3
Control Your Eyes
Chapter 3.4
Removing Your Shoes
Chapter 3.5
Choosing A Seat
Chapter 3.6
A Visitor Is Not An Inspector
Chapter 3.7
Timing Your Visit
Chapter 3.8
Greeting
Chapter 3.9
Sitting Between Two Persons
Chapter 3.10
The Host's Duties And The Guests' Rights
Chapter 3.11
Stay In Touch
Chapter 3.12
A Brief Advice To My Sisters
Chapter 4
The Manners Of Conversation
Chapter 4.1
Selecting Suitable Topics
Chapter 4.2
Talk In A Suitable Tone
Chapter 4.3
The Art Of Listening
Chapter 4.4
Discussions And Debates
Chapter 4.5
Swearing By Allah
Chapter 4.6
Answering A Question
Chapter 5
Social Manners
Chapter 5.1
Respect And Favour The Elderly
Chapter 5.2
The Elderly Are To Lead Prayers
Chapter 5.3
Walking With The Elderly
Chapter 5.4
The Elderly Are To Be Served First
Chapter 5.5
Manners With Parents
Chapter 5.6
Tell Your Family Your Whereabouts
Chapter 5.7
Respect The Poor
Chapter 5.8
Dealing With Non-muslims
Chapter 6
Manners Of Eating
Chapter 6.1
The Importance Of Eating Manners
Chapter 6.2
Manners Of Eating
Chapter 6.3
Manners Of Drinking
Chapter 6.4
Avoid Gluttony
Chapter 6.5
Gold And Silver Cutlery
Chapter 7
Weddings
Chapter 7.1
Weddings Are Part Of The Prophet's Tradition
Chapter 7.2
The Manners Of Attending Weddings
Chapter 8
Visiting The Sick
Chapter 8.1
Visiting A Patient
Chapter 8.2
Praying For The Sick
Chapter 8.3
The Length Of The Visit
Chapter 8.4
The Manners Of Visiting A Patient
Chapter 8.5
How The Ill Express Their Complaints
Chapter 9
Condolence
Chapter 9.1
Breaking Unpleasant News
Chapter 9.2
Expressing Condolences Is A Courtesy And A Duty
Chapter 9.3
Expressing Condolences And Sympathy
Chapter 9.4
Sending Flowers And Reading Quran During Funerals
Chapter 9.5
A Final Word