Open-Mindedness towards Learning New Things

Hazrat Abu Saeed (ra) narrates, “Abu Musa Ash‘ari came to visit Hazrat Umar (ra) and sought permission saying, ‘Peace be upon you! Do I have permission to enter?’ Hazrat Umar (ra) thought to himself that he has only asked permission once. After remaining silent for a short while, Abu Musa again said, ‘Peace be upon you! Do I have permission to enter?’ Hazrat Umar (ra) replied to his greeting in his heart and then thought to himself that he has only sought permission twice.

“After waiting for a little while again, Abu Musa Ash‘ari (ra) sought permission again saying, ‘Peace be upon you! Do I have permission to enter?’ After having sought permission three times from Hazrat Umar (ra), Abu Musa Ash‘ari (ra) then left.”

When he sought permission to enter three times and did not hear a reply from Hazrat Umar (ra), he decided to leave.

“Hazrat Umar (ra) asked the doorkeeper, ‘What did Abu Musa do?’ He replied that he had left. Hazrat Umar (ra) said for Abu Musa (ra) to be brought before him. When he came before Hazrat Umar (ra), he asked him, ‘What did you do?’ He replied, ‘I have acted in accordance with the sunnah.’ Hazrat Umar (ra) replied, ‘sunnah? By Allah, you will have to prove that this is an act of sunnah, otherwise I will deal with you severely.’”

Abu Saeed Khudri (ra) further narrates, “Abu Musa (ra) then came to us. At the time, we were sat with a group of Ansar. Abu Musa Ash‘ari (ra) stated, ‘O Ansar! Is there anyone who would know the sayings of the Holy Prophet (sa) more than you! Did the Holy Prophet (sa) not say:

الْإِسْتِئْذَانُ‭ ‬ثَلَاثٌ

i.e. one can seek permission [up to] three times. If one is granted permission they may enter the house, and if they are not given permission then they should return.’ Upon hearing this, the people mocked and laughed.”

Abu Saeed Khudri (ra) further narrates, “I raised my head towards Abu Musa Ash‘ari (ra) and said, ‘Whatever punishment you receive for this, I will have an equal share of it. I bear witness that you spoke the truth.’”

The narrator says that Abu Saeed (ra) then went to Hazrat Umar (ra) and informed him of the saying of the Holy Prophet (sa). Hazrat Umar (ra) said, “Very well! I was unaware of this hadith, but now I have come to know of it.”

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Isti‘dhan, Bab ma Ja‘a fi al-Isti‘dhan Thalathah, Hadith 2690)