Quran Verses about Homes and visiting etiquette
Allah made homes a place of rest, and commands that no one enter another's house before asking permission and greeting its people, and that one turn back when asked to. Children and servants too must ask permission at certain times, and guests invited to a meal should not linger once it is over. The story of Ibrahim, who hurried to serve a calf to his guests, is an example of honouring guests.
Homes as a place of rest
وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۢ بُيُوتِكُمۡ سَكَنٗا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّن جُلُودِ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ بُيُوتٗا تَسۡتَخِفُّونَهَا يَوۡمَ ظَعۡنِكُمۡ وَيَوۡمَ إِقَامَتِكُمۡ وَمِنۡ أَصۡوَافِهَا وَأَوۡبَارِهَا وَأَشۡعَارِهَآ أَثَٰثٗا وَمَتَٰعًا إِلَىٰ حِينٖ ٨٠
Wallāhu jaʿala lakum mim buyūtikum sakanaw wa jaʿala lakum min julūdil-anʿāmi buyūtan tastakhiffūnahā yawma ẓaʿnikum wa yawma iqāmatikum wa min aṣwāfihā wa awbārihā wa ashʿārihā athāthaw wa matāʿan ilā ḥīn.
And Allāh has made for you from your homes a place of rest and made for you from the hides of the animals tents which you find light on your day of travel and your day of encampment; and from their wool, fur and hair is furnishing and enjoyment [i.e., provision] for a time.
Asking permission and greeting before entering a house
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَدۡخُلُواْ بُيُوتًا غَيۡرَ بُيُوتِكُمۡ حَتَّىٰ تَسۡتَأۡنِسُواْ وَتُسَلِّمُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَهۡلِهَاۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ ٢٧
Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū lā tadkhulū buyūtan ghayra buyūtikum ḥattā tastaʾnisū wa tusallimū ʿalā ahlihā, dhālikum khayrul lakum laʿallakum tadhakkarūn.
O you who have believed, do not enter houses other than your own houses until you ascertain welcome and greet1 their inhabitants. That is best for you; perhaps you will be reminded [i.e., advised].
Footnotes (1)
- By the words "As-salāmu ʿalaykum" ("Peace be upon you").
فَإِن لَّمۡ تَجِدُواْ فِيهَآ أَحَدٗا فَلَا تَدۡخُلُوهَا حَتَّىٰ يُؤۡذَنَ لَكُمۡۖ وَإِن قِيلَ لَكُمُ ٱرۡجِعُواْ فَٱرۡجِعُواْۖ هُوَ أَزۡكَىٰ لَكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ عَلِيمٞ ٢٨
Fa il lam tajidū fīhā aḥadan falā tadkhulūhā ḥattā yuʾdhana lakum, wa in qīla lakumurjiʿū farjiʿū, huwa azkā lakum, wallāhu bimā taʿmalūna ʿalīm.
And if you do not find anyone therein, do not enter them until permission has been given you. And if it is said to you, "Go back,"1 then go back; it is purer for you. And Allāh is Knowing of what you do.
Footnotes (1)
- Or a similar expression showing that the occupants are not prepared to receive visitors (which should be respected).
لَّيۡسَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَدۡخُلُواْ بُيُوتًا غَيۡرَ مَسۡكُونَةٖ فِيهَا مَتَٰعٞ لَّكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ مَا تُبۡدُونَ وَمَا تَكۡتُمُونَ ٢٩
Laysa ʿalaykum junāḥun an tadkhulū buyūtan ghayra maskūnatin fīhā matāʿul lakum, wallāhu yaʿlamu mā tubdūna wa mā taktumūn.
There is no blame upon you for entering houses not inhabited in which there is convenience1 for you. And Allāh knows what you reveal and what you conceal.
Footnotes (1)
- Some benefit such as rest, shelter, commodities, one's personal belongings, etc.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لِيَسۡتَـٔۡذِنكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَٰنُكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَمۡ يَبۡلُغُواْ ٱلۡحُلُمَ مِنكُمۡ ثَلَٰثَ مَرَّٰتٖۚ مِّن قَبۡلِ صَلَوٰةِ ٱلۡفَجۡرِ وَحِينَ تَضَعُونَ ثِيَابَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظَّهِيرَةِ وَمِنۢ بَعۡدِ صَلَوٰةِ ٱلۡعِشَآءِۚ ثَلَٰثُ عَوۡرَٰتٖ لَّكُمۡۚ لَيۡسَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَلَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ جُنَاحُۢ بَعۡدَهُنَّۚ طَوَّٰفُونَ عَلَيۡكُم بَعۡضُكُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٖۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٞ ٥٨
Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū liyastaʾdhinkumul-ladhīna malakat aymānukum wal-ladhīna lam yablughul-ḥuluma minkum thalātha marrāt, min qabli ṣalātil-fajri wa ḥīna taḍaʿūna thiyābakum minaẓ-ẓahīrati wa mim baʿdi ṣalātil-ʿishāʾ, thalāthu ʿawrātil lakum, laysa ʿalaykum wa lā ʿalayhim junāḥum baʿdahunn, ṭawwāfūna ʿalaykum baʿḍukum ʿalā baʿḍ, kadhālika yubayyinullāhu lakumul-āyāt, wallāhu ʿalīmun ḥakīm.
O you who have believed, let those whom your right hands possess and those who have not [yet] reached puberty among you ask permission of you [before entering] at three times: before the dawn prayer and when you put aside your clothing [for rest] at noon and after the night prayer. [These are] three times of privacy1 for you. There is no blame upon you nor upon them beyond these [periods], for they continually circulate among you - some of you, among others. Thus does Allāh make clear to you the verses [i.e., His ordinances]; and Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
Footnotes (1)
- Literally, "exposure" or "being uncovered."
وَإِذَا بَلَغَ ٱلۡأَطۡفَٰلُ مِنكُمُ ٱلۡحُلُمَ فَلۡيَسۡتَـٔۡذِنُواْ كَمَا ٱسۡتَـٔۡذَنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٞ ٥٩
Wa idhā balaghal-aṭfālu minkumul-ḥuluma falyastaʾdhinū kamastaʾdhanal-ladhīna min qablihim, kadhālika yubayyinullāhu lakum āyātih, wallāhu ʿalīmun ḥakīm.
And when the children among you reach puberty, let them ask permission [at all times] as those before them have done. Thus does Allāh make clear to you His verses; and Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
لَّيۡسَ عَلَى ٱلۡأَعۡمَىٰ حَرَجٞ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَعۡرَجِ حَرَجٞ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡمَرِيضِ حَرَجٞ وَلَا عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَن تَأۡكُلُواْ مِنۢ بُيُوتِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ ءَابَآئِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ إِخۡوَٰنِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ أَخَوَٰتِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ أَعۡمَٰمِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ عَمَّٰتِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ أَخۡوَٰلِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُيُوتِ خَٰلَٰتِكُمۡ أَوۡ مَا مَلَكۡتُم مَّفَاتِحَهُۥٓ أَوۡ صَدِيقِكُمۡۚ لَيۡسَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَأۡكُلُواْ جَمِيعًا أَوۡ أَشۡتَاتٗاۚ فَإِذَا دَخَلۡتُم بُيُوتٗا فَسَلِّمُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ تَحِيَّةٗ مِّنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ مُبَٰرَكَةٗ طَيِّبَةٗۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ ٦١
Laysa ʿalal-aʿmā ḥarajuw wa lā ʿalal-aʿraji ḥarajuw wa lā ʿalal-marīḍi ḥarajuw wa lā ʿalā anfusikum an taʾkulū mim buyūtikum aw buyūti ābāʾikum aw buyūti ummahātikum aw buyūti ikhwānikum aw buyūti akhawātikum aw buyūti aʿmāmikum aw buyūti ʿammātikum aw buyūti akhwālikum aw buyūti khālātikum aw mā malaktum mafātiḥahū aw ṣadīqikum, laysa ʿalaykum junāḥun an taʾkulū jamīʿan aw ashtātā, fa idhā dakhaltum buyūtan fasallimū ʿalā anfusikum taḥiyyatam min ʿindillāhi mubārakatan ṭayyibah, kadhālika yubayyinullāhu lakumul-āyāti laʿallakum taʿqilūn.
There is not upon the blind [any] constraint nor upon the lame constraint nor upon the ill constraint nor upon yourselves when you eat from your [own] houses or the houses of your fathers or the houses of your mothers or the houses of your brothers or the houses of your sisters or the houses of your father's brothers or the houses of your father's sisters or the houses of your mother's brothers or the houses of your mother's sisters or [from houses] whose keys you possess or [from the house] of your friend. There is no blame upon you whether you eat together or separately. But when you enter houses, give greetings of peace1 upon each other - a greeting from Allāh, blessed and good. Thus does Allāh make clear to you the verses [of ordinance] that you may understand.
Footnotes (1)
- Saying, "As-salāmu ʿalaykum" ("Peace be upon you").
Conduct as a guest
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَدۡخُلُواْ بُيُوتَ ٱلنَّبِيِّ إِلَّآ أَن يُؤۡذَنَ لَكُمۡ إِلَىٰ طَعَامٍ غَيۡرَ نَٰظِرِينَ إِنَىٰهُ وَلَٰكِنۡ إِذَا دُعِيتُمۡ فَٱدۡخُلُواْ فَإِذَا طَعِمۡتُمۡ فَٱنتَشِرُواْ وَلَا مُسۡتَـٔۡنِسِينَ لِحَدِيثٍۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمۡ كَانَ يُؤۡذِي ٱلنَّبِيَّ فَيَسۡتَحۡيِۦ مِنكُمۡۖ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَسۡتَحۡيِۦ مِنَ ٱلۡحَقِّۚ وَإِذَا سَأَلۡتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَٰعٗا فَسۡـَٔلُوهُنَّ مِن وَرَآءِ حِجَابٖۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ أَطۡهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمۡ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّۚ وَمَا كَانَ لَكُمۡ أَن تُؤۡذُواْ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَآ أَن تَنكِحُوٓاْ أَزۡوَٰجَهُۥ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦٓ أَبَدًاۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمۡ كَانَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَظِيمًا ٥٣
Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū lā tadkhulū buyūtan-nabiyyi illā ay yuʾdhana lakum ilā ṭaʿāmin ghayra nāẓirīna ināhu wa lākin idhā duʿītum fadkhulū fa idhā ṭaʿimtum fantashirū wa lā mustaʾnisīna liḥadīth, inna dhālikum kāna yuʾdhin-nabiyya fayastaḥyī minkum, wallāhu lā yastaḥyī minal-ḥaqq, wa idhā saʾaltumūhunna matāʿan fasʾalūhunna miw warāʾi ḥijāb, dhālikum aṭharu liqulūbikum wa qulūbihinn, wa mā kāna lakum an tuʾdhū rasūlallāhi wa lā an tankiḥū azwājahū mim baʿdihī abadā, inna dhālikum kāna ʿindallāhi ʿaẓīmā.
O you who have believed, do not enter the houses of the Prophet except when you are permitted for a meal, without awaiting its readiness. But when you are invited, then enter; and when you have eaten, disperse without seeking to remain for conversation. Indeed, that [behavior] was troubling the Prophet, and he is shy of [dismissing] you. But Allāh is not shy of the truth. And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not [conceivable or lawful] for you to harm the Messenger of Allāh or to marry his wives after him, ever. Indeed, that would be in the sight of Allāh an enormity.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنَادُونَكَ مِن وَرَآءِ ٱلۡحُجُرَٰتِ أَكۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡقِلُونَ ٤
Innal-ladhīna yunādūnaka miw warāʾil-ḥujurāti aktharuhum lā yaʿqilūn.
Indeed, those who call you, [O Muḥammad], from behind the chambers - most of them do not use reason.
وَلَوۡ أَنَّهُمۡ صَبَرُواْ حَتَّىٰ تَخۡرُجَ إِلَيۡهِمۡ لَكَانَ خَيۡرٗا لَّهُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ ٥
Wa law annahum ṣabarū ḥattā takhruja ilayhim lakāna khayral lahum, wallāhu ghafūrur raḥīm.
And if they had been patient until you [could] come out to them, it would have been better for them. But Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Honouring and hosting guests
وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَتۡ رُسُلُنَآ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ بِٱلۡبُشۡرَىٰ قَالُواْ سَلَٰمٗاۖ قَالَ سَلَٰمٞۖ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَن جَآءَ بِعِجۡلٍ حَنِيذٖ ٦٩
Wa laqad jāʾat rusulunā ibrāhīma bil-bushrā qālū salāmā, qāla salām, famā labitha an jāʾa biʿijlin ḥanīdh.
And certainly did Our messengers [i.e., angels] come to Abraham with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and did not delay in bringing [them] a roasted calf.
فَلَمَّا رَءَآ أَيۡدِيَهُمۡ لَا تَصِلُ إِلَيۡهِ نَكِرَهُمۡ وَأَوۡجَسَ مِنۡهُمۡ خِيفَةٗۚ قَالُواْ لَا تَخَفۡ إِنَّآ أُرۡسِلۡنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوۡمِ لُوطٖ ٧٠
Falammā raʾā aydiyahum lā taṣilu ilayhi nakirahum wa awjasa minhum khīfah, qālū lā takhaf innā ursilnā ilā qawmi lūṭ.
But when he saw their hands not reaching for it, he distrusted them and felt from them apprehension.1 They said, "Fear not. We have been sent to the people of Lot."
Footnotes (1)
- Traditionally, if a guest refused to eat, it meant that he harbored ill will toward the host or intended him harm.
وَلَمَّا جَهَّزَهُم بِجَهَازِهِمۡ قَالَ ٱئۡتُونِي بِأَخٖ لَّكُم مِّنۡ أَبِيكُمۡۚ أَلَا تَرَوۡنَ أَنِّيٓ أُوفِي ٱلۡكَيۡلَ وَأَنَا۠ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡمُنزِلِينَ ٥٩
Wa lammā jahhazahum bijahāzihim qālaʾtūnī biʾakhil lakum min abīkum, alā tarawna annī ūfil-kayla wa ana khayrul-munzilīn.
And when he had furnished them with their supplies, he said, "Bring me a brother of yours from your father.1 Do you not see that I give full measure and that I am the best of accommodators?
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., Benjamin, who had been kept at home by his father Jacob.
وَنَبِّئۡهُمۡ عَن ضَيۡفِ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ ٥١
Wa nabbiʾhum ʿan ḍayfi ibrāhīm.
And inform them about the guests of Abraham,
إِذۡ دَخَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِ فَقَالُواْ سَلَٰمٗا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمۡ وَجِلُونَ ٥٢
Idh dakhalū ʿalayhi faqālū salāman qāla innā minkum wajilūn.
When they entered upon him and said, "Peace." [Abraham] said, "Indeed, we are fearful [i.e., apprehensive] of you."
فَٱنطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَتَيَآ أَهۡلَ قَرۡيَةٍ ٱسۡتَطۡعَمَآ أَهۡلَهَا فَأَبَوۡاْ أَن يُضَيِّفُوهُمَا فَوَجَدَا فِيهَا جِدَارٗا يُرِيدُ أَن يَنقَضَّ فَأَقَامَهُۥۖ قَالَ لَوۡ شِئۡتَ لَتَّخَذۡتَ عَلَيۡهِ أَجۡرٗا ٧٧
Fanṭalaqā ḥattā idhā atayā ahla qaryatinistaṭʿamā ahlahā fa abaw ay yuḍayyifūhumā fawajadā fīhā jidāray yurīdu ay yanqaḍḍa fa aqāmah, qāla law shiʾta lattakhadhta ʿalayhi ajrā.
So they set out, until when they came to the people of a town, they asked its people for food, but they refused to offer them hospitality. And they found therein a wall about to collapse, so he [i.e., al-Khiḍr] restored it. [Moses] said, "If you wished, you could have taken for it a payment."
هَلۡ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ ضَيۡفِ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ ٱلۡمُكۡرَمِينَ ٢٤
Hal atāka ḥadīthu ḍayfi ibrāhīmal-mukramīn.
Has there reached you the story of the honored guests of Abraham?1 -
Footnotes (1)
- Who were angels given honored positions by Allāh.
إِذۡ دَخَلُواْ عَلَيۡهِ فَقَالُواْ سَلَٰمٗاۖ قَالَ سَلَٰمٞ قَوۡمٞ مُّنكَرُونَ ٢٥
Idh dakhalū ʿalayhi faqālū salāmā, qāla salāmun qawmum munkarūn.
When they entered upon him and said, "[We greet you with] peace." He answered, "[And upon you] peace; [you are] a people unknown."
فَرَاغَ إِلَىٰٓ أَهۡلِهِۦ فَجَآءَ بِعِجۡلٖ سَمِينٖ ٢٦
Farāgha ilā ahlihī fajāʾa biʿijlin samīn.
Then he went to his family and came with a fat [roasted] calf.
فَقَرَّبَهُۥٓ إِلَيۡهِمۡ قَالَ أَلَا تَأۡكُلُونَ ٢٧
Faqarrabahū ilayhim qāla alā taʾkulūn.
And placed it near them; he said, "Will you not eat?"