When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) married Zainab bint Jahsh, he invited the people who took their meals and then remained sitting and talking. The Prophet (ﷺ) pretended to be ready to get up, but the people did not get up. When he noticed that, he got up, and when he had got up, some of those people got up along with him and there remained three (who kept on sitting). Then the Prophet (ﷺ) came back and found those people still sitting. Later on those people got up and went away. So I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and informed him that they had left. The Prophet (ﷺ) came, and entered (his house). I wanted to enter(along with him) but he dropped a curtain between me and him. Allah then revealed: 'O you who believe! Do not enter the Prophet's Houses until leave is given... (to His statement)... Verily! That shall be an enormity, in Allah's sight.' (33.53)
Asking Permission - Sahih al-Bukhari 6271
When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) married Zainab bint Jahsh, he invited the people who took their meals and then remained sitting and talking. The Prophet (ﷺ) pretended to be ready to get up, but the people did not get up. When he noticed that, he got up, and when he had got up, some of those people got up along with him and there remained three (who kept on sitting). Then the Prophet (ﷺ) came back and found those people still sitting. Later on those people got up and went away. So I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and informed him that they had left. The Prophet (ﷺ) came, and entered (his house). I wanted to enter(along with him) but he dropped a curtain between me and him. Allah then revealed: 'O you who believe! Do not enter the Prophet's Houses until leave is given... (to His statement)... Verily! That shall be an enormity, in Allah's sight.' (33.53)
Commentary on the Hadith
This narration establishes the divine injunction regarding seeking permission before entering private dwellings, particularly the homes of the Prophet (ﷺ). The incident demonstrates how even the Companions, in their eagerness to be near the Prophet, needed to learn proper etiquette.
The Prophet's subtle method of hinting through rising demonstrates his refined character in teaching manners without direct confrontation. When subtle hints failed, he withdrew completely, allowing Allah to reveal the definitive ruling.
The revelation of Surah Al-Ahzab verse 53 during this incident shows the immediate divine response to practical situations faced by the Muslim community. The verse establishes that entering private spaces without permission is considered "an enormity" in Allah's sight, emphasizing the gravity of violating personal privacy.
The curtain dropped between Anas and the Prophet symbolizes the establishment of boundaries and the importance of respecting the private life of others, even for close companions. This teaches Muslims to maintain proper decorum in social interactions and family life.
Legal and Ethical Implications
This hadith forms the foundation for Islamic rulings on seeking permission (isti'dhan) before entering homes. Scholars derive that one must seek permission three times, and if not granted, should depart.
The incident highlights the importance of recognizing social cues and not overstaying one's welcome. The Companions' prolonged sitting, though unintentional, caused inconvenience to the newly married couple.
Islamic jurisprudence extends this principle to all private spaces, emphasizing that privacy is a fundamental right in Islam. The ruling applies equally to relatives and close friends, teaching that familiarity should not lead to disregarding others' boundaries.