DID THE HOUSES IN MEDINA HAVE DOORS?

[Taqavi]

Did the houses in Medina during the time of the Prophet (SAW) have doors?

 

In response to this question, it should be noted that houses typically had doors in the centuries and eras preceding the Prophet (SAW). This fact is evident not only in historical texts but also clearly mentioned in the Quran. For example, in the story of Prophet Joseph (Yusuf) and Zuleikha, the Quran indicates that Zuleikha closed the doors to conceal her intentions. [1] This demonstrates the existence of doors during that time.

Quranic Evidence: During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), houses in Medina did have fences and doors. The Quran mentions that if you have access to the keys of a house, you are allowed to take food from it. [2]

Numerous narrations:

Narrations that prove the existence of doors for people's houses during the time of the Prophet (SAW):

For example, Sijistani narrated that the Prophet (SAW) instructed Umar to "Go and bring food for these people." The narrator recounts that Umar took them to a room, retrieved a key from his belt, and opened the door. [3]

Additionally, in his book "Sahih Muslim," Muslim reported that the Prophet (SAW) commanded us to close the doors of our houses at night. [4]

Narrations that prove the existence of a door for the house of the Prophet (SAW):

 Ibn Kathir al-Dimashqi writes: The rooms of the Prophet’s house were woven from ar’ar branches and wood with hair, and he cites from the history of Bukhari:  The door of the Prophet's house had no doorknobs, and people would knock with their fingers or nails. [5]

Bukhari also mentions in "Al-Adab al-Mufrad" that Muhammad ibn Hilal observed the houses of the Prophet's wives. He noted that their coverings were woven from hair. When I asked him about Aisha's house, he said, "The door of her house opened toward Damascus." I inquired whether it had one leaf or two. He replied that it had only one leaf, and when I asked about its material, he said it was made from the wood of the ar'ar tree or the sāj tree. [6]

Imam Kazem (AS) narrates that on the night the Prophet passed away, he called Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husayn (AS) together, closed the door, and had a lengthy conversation with Fatimah. When it became quite late, Ali and his two sons came out of the house, waiting behind the door with the people. [7]

In another narration, Imam Kazem (AS) reports that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) gathered Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husayn (AS), closed the door behind them, and said: “O my family, those nearest to Allah! May the Lord send peace upon you…”[8]

Narrations that prove the existence of a door for the house of Ali and Fatimah (AS):

In the story of the marriage of Fatimah Zahra and the Commander of the Faithful (AS), it is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) called Ali (AS) and performed the same act that he had done with Fatimah. Then he recited the same supplication for Ali that he had recited for Fatimah (SA). Then he said to Ali and Fatimah (AS): Get up and go to your house, may Allah make you kind to each other! And bless your offspring! And grant you a good end! The Messenger of Allah (SAW) got up after these supplications and closed the door of the house. [9]

Muhammad ibn Jarir Tabari, a Shia scholar, also writes: Salman says, ‘I went to Fatimah’s house, knocked on the door, and obtained permission to enter. She allowed me to come in. When I entered, I saw her sitting.’ [10]

Furthermore, in narrations that describe the incident of the attack on the house of Ali and Fatimah (AS), it is mentioned:

‘Umar said, ‘Let us go to her.’ Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Khalid ibn Walid, Mugheerah ibn Shu’bah, Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, Salim (the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfah), Qunfudh, and I set out with them. When we reached the door, Fatimah saw them and closed the door in their faces. She had no doubt that they would not enter without her permission. However, Umar struck the door with his foot, breaking it. The door was made of palm.’ [11]

Additionally, in another narration by Ibn Qutaybah, it is stated: 'Umar and a group with him arrived at Fatimah’s house. They knocked on the door, and when Fatimah heard their voices, she cried out: ‘O my father, O Messenger of Allah! After you, What injustices we have seen from Umar ibn al-Khattab and Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhafah!’[12]

In conclusion, based on historical evidence and reliable narrations, it can be inferred that not only were the houses in Medina equipped with doors, but the houses of the Prophet (SAW) and Imam Ali and Lady Fatimah (AS) also had doors.

 

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[1] . Al-Yusuf: 23. (وَغَلَّقَتِ الْأَبْوَابَ)    

[2] . An-Nur: 61. (أَوْ مَا مَلَكْتُمْ مَفَاتِحَهُ)    

[3] . Sunan Abi Dawood: Al-Sijistani, Abu Dawood, Vol. 4, p. 360.

[4] . Sahih Muslim: Muslim, Vol. 3, p. 1593.

[5] . Al-Bidaya wal-Nihaya: Ibn Kathir, Vol. 3, p. 268.

[6] . Al-Adab al-Mufrad with Annotations: Al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, p. 416. Similar narrations are also mentioned: Samt al-Nujum al-Awali fi Anba’ al-Awail wal-Tawali: Al-Asami, Vol. 1, p. 367 / Tarikh Makkah al-Musharrafah wal-Masjid al-Haram wal-Madinah al-Sharifah wal-Qabr al-Sharif: Ibn al-Dhia, Vol. 1, p. 268.

[7] . Bihar al-Anwar: Al-Allama al-Majlisi, Vol. 22, p. 490.

[8] . Ibid: Vol. 24, p. 219.

[9] . Musannaf Abd al-Razzaq al-San’ani: Al-San’ani, Abd al-Razzaq, Vol. 5, p. 486 / Al-Mu’jam al-Kabeer: Al-Tabarani, Vol. 24, p. 132 / Sharh al-Akhbar fi Fada’il al-A’imma al-Athar: Al-Qadi al-Nu’man al-Maghribi, Vol. 2, p. 359 / Bihar al-Anwar: Al-Allama al-Majlisi, Vol. 43, p. 122.

[10] . Dalail al-Imamah: Al-Tabari al-Saghir, Muhammad ibn Jarir, Vol. 1, p. 107.

[11] . Tafsir al-Ayyashi: Al-Ayyashi, Muhammad ibn Mas’ud, Vol. 2, p. 66 / Al-Ikhtisas: Al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Vol. 1, p. 186 / Bihar al-Anwar: Al-Allama al-Majlisi, Vol. 28, p. 227.

[12] . Al-Imamah wal-Siyasah: Al-Dinawari, Ibn Qutaybah, Vol. 1, p. 30.