38/8. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2155a — Say Your Name at the Door
It Is Disliked For The Person Who Is Seeking Permission To Say "Me" When Asked "Who Is It?"
Hadith About Saying “It Is I”: Identify Yourself Clearly
Sahih Muslim : 2155a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2155a
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْمُنْكَدِرِ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَدَعَوْتُ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ هَذَا " . قُلْتُ أَنَا . قَالَ فَخَرَجَ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ " أَنَا أَنَا " .
Jabir bin `Abdullah Narrated from:
I came to Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) and called him (with a view to seeking permission). whereupon Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said: Who is it? I said: It is I. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) came out saying: It is I. it is I.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2155aIn-book reference : Book 38, Hadith 50USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 25, Hadith 5363
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2155a
This hadith about saying “It is I” teaches a small but useful point in Islamic manners. Jabir b. Abdullah came to Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and called him with the aim of seeking permission. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked, “Who is it?” Jabir replied, “It is I.” The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) then came out repeating, “It is I, it is I.” The wording shows that the answer did not properly identify the person. When someone asks who is at the door, “I” does not tell the listener who is actually there. The practical lesson is simple: when seeking permission, give a clear answer, such as your name or a known description. This keeps the interaction clear and avoids confusion for the person inside.
What we learn from this hadith
- When asked who is at the door, a clear identity should be given.
- Saying only “It is I” may not answer the question properly.
- Seeking permission includes speaking clearly.
- Small manners at the door matter in daily life.
