Surah An-Nur 24:56
ﲅ ﲆ ﲇ ﲈ ﲉ ﲊ ﲋ ﲌ
And establish prayer and give zakah and obey the Messenger - that you may receive mercy.
Tafsir of An-Nur 24:56-57
Tafsir
Mafatih al-Ghayb
Verse range: 24:56-57
Surah An-Nur (The Light): Verses 56-57
Regarding the interpretation of establishing the prayer (أقيموا الصلاة), giving the zakah (وآتوا), the particle la'alla (لعل), and the word mercy (الرحمة), all of these have been previously mentioned many times.
On the Verse: {Do not think that those who disbelieve can escape [God's punishment] on earth.} (24:55)
The meaning of {لا تحسبن الذين كفروا معجزين فى الارض} is: Do not think, O Muhammad, that those who disbelieve are surpassing or outstripping [God's power] such that they can frustrate Me from apprehending them.
It has also been recited as {لا يحسبن} (with a Yā' dotted from below). There are several interpretations for this variation:
- The two objects are mu'jizīn fī al-arḍ (those who frustrate/escape on earth). The meaning then is: Let not those who disbelieve think that anyone can frustrate God on earth, lest they become hopeful of achieving such a thing themselves.
- The implied subject is the Messenger (peace be upon him), due to the preceding mention of obedience to the Messenger in {وأطيعوا الرسول} (An-Nur: 54). The meaning is: Let not those who disbelieve think that the Messenger is frustrated/incapable.
- The original structure was likely wa lā yuḥsabunnahu alladhīna kafarū mu'jizīn (and let them not think that those who disbelieve frustrate Him), and the first object pronoun (referring to God/the Messenger) was omitted.
On the Verse: {And their refuge will be the Fire, and wretched is the resting place.}
The author of Al-Kashshāf stated: The structure does not permit this statement to be directly connected to {لا تحسبن} (Do not think), because the former is a negation, while this is an affirmation. Therefore, it is connected by the conjunction wāw (و) to an implied preceding statement, estimated as: "Do not think that those who disbelieve can escape on earth; rather, they are subdued, and their refuge is the Fire."
Verse 58: {O you who have believed, let those whom your right hands possess and those who have not yet reached puberty among you ask permission of you three times: before the dawn prayer, and when you put off your clothes at noon, and after the night prayer. These are three times of privacy for you. There is no blame upon you nor upon them after these [times] for going around among you—some of you [frequenting] others. Thus does God make clear to you the verses. And God is Knowing and Wise.}
Verse 59: {And when the children among you reach puberty, let them ask permission as those who were before them asked permission. Thus does God make clear to you His verses. And God is Knowing and Wise.}
Verse 60: {And elderly women not expecting marriage—there is no blame upon them if they put off their outer garments, but not displaying [too much] of their adornment. But it is better for them if they remain modest. And God is Hearing and Knowing.}
Summary of Interpretation:
The verses address the etiquette of seeking permission (Ist'dhan) for entry into private quarters, specifically concerning slaves/servants and young children.
- Servants and Pre-Pubescent Children (V. 58): Those whom your right hands possess (slaves/concubines) and those children who have not reached the age of discretion must seek permission three specific times:
- Before the Fajr (dawn) prayer.
- When you remove your clothes at noon (ẓahīrah).
- After the 'Ishā' (night) prayer. These are times when you are in a state of undress (three times of privacy for you). After these times, there is no blame upon you or them if they move about among you, as some may need to attend to others. Thus, God clarifies the signs for you.
- Reaching Puberty (V. 59): When children among you reach puberty (ḥulm), they must seek permission just as those before them (the adult servants) sought permission. Thus, God clarifies His signs for you.
- Elderly Women (V. 60): Elderly women who no longer anticipate marriage (i.e., past the age of childbearing and not seeking remarriage) are permitted to remove their outer garments (ثيابهن) without blame, provided they do not display their adornment (زينة). However, it is better for them to maintain modesty (يستعففن). God is Hearing and Knowing.