Jabir said, "I came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, about a debt my father owed. I knocked at the door and he asked. 'Who is it?' 'Me,' I replied. He said, 'Me? Me?' as if he disliked that."
Asking Permission - Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 1086
Jabir said, "I came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, about a debt my father owed. I knocked at the door and he asked. 'Who is it?' 'Me,' I replied. He said, 'Me? Me?' as if he disliked that."
Scholarly Commentary
This narration from Imam Bukhari's "Al-Adab Al-Mufrad" demonstrates the Prophetic guidance regarding proper etiquette when seeking entry. The Prophet's repetition of "Me? Me?" indicates his disapproval of ambiguous identification.
Classical scholars explain that merely saying "me" is insufficient as it fails to properly identify oneself. This violates the Islamic manners of seeking permission, which require clear self-identification so the resident may decide whether to grant entry.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani and other commentators note that this teaching emphasizes the importance of clarity in communication and respect for others' privacy. The proper etiquette is to state one's name clearly when asked "Who is it?" thereby allowing the householder to make an informed decision about granting access.
This hadith forms part of the broader Islamic teachings on privacy, respect for personal space, and the importance of clear communication in social interactions as ordained by the Shariah.