When entering your home

Jabir ibn Abdullah رضى الله عنه reports that he heard the Prophet ﷺ saying, “When a person enters his house and mentions the name of Allah at the time of entering it, and when having his meal, the shaytaan says (addressing other devils): ‘You have no place to spend the night and no evening meal.’ but when he enters without mentioning the name of Allah upon entry, the shaytaan says, ‘You have found a place to spend the night.’ and when he does not mention the name of Allah when having his meal, he (shaytaan addressing other devils) says, ‘You have found a place to spend the night and an evening meal.’” [Saheeh Muslim, hadith 2018]

– Enter the home while saying Bismillah

– The dua for entering the home can also be recited.

– Enter with the right foot. Imam Abul-Ala Hasan ibn Ahmad al-Hamzani رحمة الله عليه was a great hadith scholar of his time. He was so keen on applying this sunnah that if someone entered his home with their left foot, he would ask them to go out and re-enter with their right foot.

– Do not push or slam the door shut. Close it gently with your hands. “Allah is gentle and He loves gentleness.” [Saheeh Muslim, hadith 2593]

– If someone is sleeping, enter quietly whether day or night.

– Say salaam when entering, whether someone is home or not.

Anas bin Malik رضى الله عنه reports. “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me: ‘O my little son! When you enter upon your family, then say the Salam, it will be a barakah (blessing) for you and upon the inhabitants of your home.’” [Jami’ Tirmidhi, hadith 2698]

– Qatadah bin Di’amah al-Sadusi رحمة الله عليه said, “Greet your family when you enter your home. They are the most worthy of your greeting.”

– Imam Nawawi رحمة الله عليه has written that it is preferred to say  بسم لله الرحمن الرحيم  when you enter your home or the home of others.

– When entering your home make your presence known to anyone at home. Avoid startling or frightening them. Abu Ubaidah Amir ibn Abdullah ibn Masud رحمة الله عليه says, “My father Abdullah bin Masud  رضى الله عنه used to announce his arrival by calling his family in a cordial tone.”

– Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal  رحمة الله عليه said, “When a person enters his home, it is recommended that he makes noise by clearing his throat or tapping his shoes.” His son Abdullah said, “When returning home from the masjid, my father used to announce his arrival before entering by tapping with his shoes or clearing  his throat.”

– Today, knocking the door gently or ringing the doorbell can be done to make your arrival known.

– A woman came to Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal  رحمة الله عليه seeking his answer on a religious matter. She banged at his door loudly. He came out saying, “This is the banging of the police.”

– Allah loves gentleness in everything

[Islamic Manners, Shaykh Abdul Fattah, trans. M. Zahid Abu Ghudda]