ﱁ ﱂ ﱃ ﱄ ﱅ ﱆ ﱇ ﱈ ﱉ ﱊ ﱋ ﱌ ﱍ ﱎ ﱏ ﱐ ﱑ ﱒ ﱓ ﱔ ﱕ
And when the children among you reach puberty, let them ask permission [at all times] as those before them have done. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses; and Allah is Knowing and Wise.
Tafsir
Verse range: 24:59
Having previously explained the ruling regarding children—that they do not need to ask permission except at the three designated times—He, the Exalted and Majestic, followed this with a clarification of their status once they reach puberty. This is to dispel the notion that, although they are "strangers" (non-mahram), they might be treated differently than other strangers due to their habit of entering. Therefore, the definite article in "the children" (al-atfal) refers to the previously mentioned group, indicating those who have not yet reached puberty and are categorized alongside the servants. That is to say: when the free, non-mahram children reach puberty, "let them ask permission" when they wish to enter upon you, "as those before them asked permission"—meaning those who were mentioned previously in His saying, "O you who have believed, do not enter houses other than your own until you ask permission and greet their inhabitants."
It has been suggested that the "before-ness" refers to the description rather than the order of mention in the noble arrangement, based on the context of the mention of puberty. That is, those who reached puberty before them. Ibn Abi Hatim narrated this from Muqatil, and some deemed it more apparent.
This has been challenged by the argument that the purpose of the comparison is to clarify the manner in which these individuals should seek permission and to provide further explanation. Such clarification is only possible by likening it to the seeking of permission of those already known to the listener. There is no doubt that the puberty of these individuals is not something that would cross anyone's mind, even if it is the case in reality. Rather, what is well-known is the mention of those [adults] before the mention of these [children]. Thus, the meaning is: let them ask permission in a manner like the permission of those mentioned before them, by asking permission at all times and returning if they are told to return, just as was detailed previously.
Many have held that "the children" refers to free, non-mahram children. Some eminent scholars have said that it refers to both free individuals and servants; thus, seeking permission is mandatory for those who have reached puberty from both groups. Based on this verse, some have made it obligatory for an adult male slave to seek permission to enter upon his mistress. In al-Bahr, it is stated: "among you" means from your children and relatives.
Ibn Abi Hatim narrated a similar interpretation from Sa'id ibn Jubayr. He also narrated from Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib that he said: "A man must ask permission to enter upon his mother, for the verse 'And when the children among you reach puberty' was revealed regarding that."
Sa'id ibn Mansur, al-Bukhari in al-Adab, Ibn al-Mundhir, Ibn Abi Hatim, and Ibn Marduyah narrated from 'Ata' that he asked Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both): "Should I ask permission to enter upon my sister?" He replied, "Yes." I said: "She is under my care, I spend on her, and she is with me in the house. Must I ask permission to enter upon her?" He replied, "Yes. Allah the Almighty says: 'Let those whom your right hands possess... and those among you who have not reached puberty... ask permission.' He did not command them to seek permission except at the three times of undress. Then Allah said: 'And when the children among you reach puberty, let them ask permission as those before them asked permission.' Thus, asking permission is a duty upon all of Allah's creation."
It is also narrated from him (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: "There is a verse that most people do not believe in, which is the verse of permission. I even command my wife to ask permission before entering upon me." Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "It is incumbent upon you to ask permission to enter upon your fathers, mothers, and sisters."
It has been reported from some that the obligation of seeking permission derived from the imperative in the verse is abrogated. Sa'id ibn Jubayr rejected this, as it is narrated from him that he said: "They say it is abrogated? No, by Allah, it is not abrogated, but people have become negligent regarding it." Al-Sha'bi said it is not abrogated. When it was said to him that people do not know of it, he replied: "Allah is the One whose help is sought."
Others have said that this is specific to cases where there is no consent or no closed door, as was the case in the first era.
"Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses; and Allah is Knowing, Wise."
The discussion regarding this is the same as that which preceded it, and the repetition is for emphasis and hyperbole in demanding the seeking of permission. Attributing the verses to the pronoun of Majesty is for their glorification, which further strengthens the aspect of emphasis and hyperbole.
