Tafsir of An-Nur 24:27

The First: It is derived from al-isti'nas (seeking familiarity) in the outward sense, which is the opposite of al-istiwhash (feeling alienated/lonely). One who knocks on another’s door does not know if they will be granted entry or not; thus, they feel a sense of alienation due to the uncertainty of the situation. When permission is granted, they feel at ease (ista'nasa). The meaning is: "until permission is granted to you." This is like His saying: {Do not enter the houses of the Prophet unless permission is given to you} (Al-Ahzab: 53). This is a form of metonymy (kinayah) and implication (irdaf), because this type of seeking familiarity implies permission, so it is used in place of the word "permission."

The Second: It is derived from al-isti'nas in the sense of seeking information and discovery (al-isti'lam wa al-istikshaf). It is the istif'al form of anasa (to see), meaning to see something clearly and openly. The meaning is: "until you seek to know and discover the situation—whether your entry is desired or not." From this is the saying: "Seek to know (ista'nis) if you see anyone," and "I sought to know (ista'nastu) and saw no one," meaning: I inquired and sought information. From this is the verse of Al-Nabigha: "Upon one who seeks familiarity in solitude."

It is also possible it is derived from al-ins (human), meaning to inquire if there is a human present.

Regarding the practice: Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) said: We asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what is al-isti'nas?" He replied: "A man speaks with Tasbih (SubhanAllah), Takbir (Allahu Akbar), and Tahmid (Alhamdulillah), and clears his throat to alert the people of the house." As for the greeting, he should say: "Peace be upon you, may I enter?" three times; if he is granted permission, he enters, otherwise he returns.

Abu Musa al-Ash'ari came to the door of Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) and said: "Peace be upon you, may I enter?" He said it three times, then left. He said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: 'Seeking permission is three times.'"

A man once asked the Prophet (ﷺ): "May I enter (a'aliju)?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said to a woman named Rawdah: "Go to this man and teach him, for he does not know how to seek permission. Tell him to say: 'Peace be upon you, may I enter?'" The man heard her, repeated it, and the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Enter."

In the Pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah), a man would enter another’s house saying: "Good morning to you, good evening to you," and then enter. He might find the man with his wife under one blanket. Allah forbade this and taught what is better and more beautiful. How many doors of religion have people abandoned, treating them like abrogated laws? The door of seeking permission is one of them. You are in your house, and suddenly someone is upon you without permission or greeting—neither Islamic nor Jahili—even though he has heard what Allah revealed and what the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said. But where are the listening ears?

• Regarding the readings: In the reading of Abdullah (Ibn Mas'ud), it is: {Until you greet its people and seek permission}. Ibn Abbas and Sa'id ibn Jubayr said: "It is only {until you seek permission}, and the scribe made a mistake." This narration is not to be relied upon. In the reading of Ubayy, it is: {Until you seek permission}.

{ذالكم} (That): This seeking of permission and greeting {is better for you} than the greeting of the Jahiliyyah and al-dumur (entering without permission). Its root is damar (destruction), as if the one who does it is "destroyed" due to the gravity of what he has committed. In the Hadith: "Whoever’s eye precedes his permission has destroyed himself."

It is narrated that a man asked the Prophet (ﷺ): "Should I seek permission to enter upon my mother?" He said: "Yes." The man said: "She has no servant but me; must I seek permission every time I enter?" He said: "Would you like to see her naked?" The man said: "No." He said: "Then seek permission."

{لعلكم تذكرون} (That you may remember): Meaning: This was sent down to you, or it is said: This is for you, with the intention that you may remember, take heed, and learn what you have been commanded regarding the etiquette of seeking permission.

{فإن لم تجدوا فيهآ أحدا فلا تدخلوها حتى يؤذن لكم وإن قيل لكم ارجعوا فارجعوا هو أزكى لكم والله بما تعملون عليم} (And if you do not find anyone therein, do not enter until permission is given to you. And if it is said to you, "Return," then return; that is purer for you. And Allah is Knowing of what you do.)