Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) had a doorkeeper who would announce when people would arrive and seek permission for them to enter. When people would gather at the door of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) (to learn the mubaarak Ahaadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)), Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) would instruct the doorkeeper to call them in. Permission would first be granted to certain special students of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) to enter. Thereafter, permission would be given for other people to enter.