Sahih Muslim — Hadith #13200

(Ishak b. Ibrahim also narrated to us: Nadr b. Shumayl and Abu Amir al-Akadi narrated to us. Muhammad b. Musanna also narrated: Wahb b. Jarir narrated to me. Abd al-Rahman b. Bishr also narrated: Bahz narrated to us. All these narrators have narrated from Shu'ba with this chain of narration. In their hadith, there is the phrase: "He did not like this..." This hadith has been recorded by Bukhari and Tirmidhi in the chapter on "Seeking Permission"; by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah in "Kitab al-Adab"; and by Nasai in "Kitab al-Yawm" from various narrators. In a narration by Bukhari, Hazrat Jabir said: "I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about a debt of my father and knocked on the door. He said, 'Who is it?' I replied, 'It is me!' Then he said, 'It is me! It is me!' Perhaps he was displeased by this." Scholars have disliked it when someone at the door, upon being asked "Who is it?", simply says "It is me!" without identifying themselves. Their evidence for this is this hadith. Because simply saying "It is me!" does not yield any benefit. Ambiguity persists. To eliminate this, the person at the door should state their name and, if necessary, the names of their father and grandfather in a way that makes them recognizable. There is no harm in saying, "I am so-and-so!" For example, when Umm Hani wanted to enter the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) presence, and was asked, "Who is it?", she replied, "I am Umm Hani!" He gave the answer. If simply stating his name does not reveal his identity, it is permissible to introduce himself by using his title, such as "I am such and such a scholar" or "I am such and such a judge."