38/8. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2155b — Avoid Vague Answers at the Door
It Is Disliked For The Person Who Is Seeking Permission To Say "Me" When Asked "Who Is It?"
Who Is It? The Hadith About Giving a Clear Answer
Sahih Muslim : 2155b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2155b
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، وَأَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ - وَاللَّفْظُ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ - قَالَ يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا وَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا - وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْمُنْكَدِرِ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ، اللَّهِ قَالَ اسْتَأْذَنْتُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " مَنْ هَذَا " . فَقُلْتُ أَنَا . فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَنَا أَنَا " .
Jabir bin `Abdullah Narrated from:
I sought permission from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) to see him. He said: Who is it? I said: It is I. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: It is I. it is I (these words lead me to no conclusion).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2155bIn-book reference : Book 38, Hadith 51USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 25, Hadith 5364
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2155b
This narration repeats the lesson about identifying oneself when seeking permission. Jabir b. Abdullah sought permission to see Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم). The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked, “Who is it?” Jabir answered, “It is I.” The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) replied, “It is I, it is I,” and the translation explains that such words lead to no clear conclusion. This hadith is often searched as the “Who is it? It is I” hadith. Its message is practical and easy to apply. If someone inside asks who is outside, the visitor should not give a vague answer. The person should state who they are in a way that can be understood. This is part of good manners, clear speech, and respectful permission.
What we learn from this hadith
- A vague answer does not help the person inside know who is there.
- Seeking permission should include clear identification.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) corrected unclear wording through repetition.
- Good manners include simple and useful speech.
