Q: What is the Islamic etiquette with regards to answering the door when someone knocks. Some people don't answer the door or delay for quite some time before answering the door for no reason at all. In some cases if the person is eating or reading Qur'an, etc, he doesn't answer the door or delays unnecessarily. The person doesn't even announce to the knocker informing him that he has heard him. Is this not inconveniencing the visitors? Please explain the correct conduct and etiquette.
A: When one goes to meet or visit someone then since the time and privacy of the one visited is sought, Shariah commands that we seek permission from him prior to meeting him. The Islamic etiquette in regard to seeking permission is that one should knock thrice. If there is no response, one should leave. One should not continue knocking as this will cause inconvenience to those visited. As far as the one visited is concerned, he is at liberty to meet the person who has come to visit him if he wishes. However if he does not wish to meet him, he should inform him that he is unable to meet him at this time (due to being engaged in some work or for some other reason) and not unnecessarily keep him waiting.
وإن أتى دار غيره يستأذن للدخول ثلاثا يقول في كل مرة السلام عليكم يا أهل البيت أيدخل فلان ويمكث بعد كل مرة مقدار ما يفرغ الآكل والمتوضىء والمصلي أربع ركعات فإذا أذن له دخل وإلا رجع سالما عن الحقد والعداوة (رد المحتار 6/413)
قال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ألم أخبر أنك تصوم النهار وتقوم الليل قال قلت بلى يا رسول الله قال فلا تفعل صم وأفطر ونم وقم فإن لجسدك عليك حقاً وإن لعينيك عليك حقاً وإن لزوجك عليك حقاً وإن لزورك عليك حقاً (الجمع بين الصحيحين 3/325)
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