The angels will reply to this Salam. (Rad-dul-Muhtar, vol. 9, pp. 682) One can also say the following:

اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَیْكَ  اَیُّھَا  النَّبِیُّ

Translation: O Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم Salam be upon you.

The sacred and blessed soul of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is present in the homes of Muslims. (Sharh Ash-Shifa lil-Qaari, vol. 2, pp. 118)

1.         Before you enter someone’s home, say ‘اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ! May I come in?’

2.         If permission for entry is not given, return happily without getting annoyed. Perhaps they may not have given permission due to some compulsion.

3.         When someone knocks on your door, it is a Sunnah to ask who it is. The person who knocked should mention his name, for example, Muhammad Ilyas. Instead of telling the name, saying such things as Madinah! ‘It’s me’, ‘open the door’ etc. is not a Sunnah.

4.         After you have mentioned your name, stand at a side so that you do not look inside the house as soon as the door opens.

5.         It is prohibited to glance into someone’s home. Some houses are higher than the other adjoining ones. Therefore, those living in higher houses should take great care when looking out from the balcony or window of their house.

6.         When you go to someone’s home, do not unnecessarily criticize their home arrangements, as this could be hurtful to them.

7.         When leaving, make Du’a for the household, thank them, make Salam, and gift them with a Sunnah-Inspiring booklet, if possible.