'In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful' His saying, exalted and glorious is He: ﴿There is no blame upon you for entering houses not inhabited in which there is for you a benefit. And Allah knows what you reveal and what you conceal.﴾ It has been narrated that some people, when the verse of seeking permission was revealed, became overly meticulous about the matter. They would not approach a ruined place or an inhabited one except that they would greet and seek permission. Then this verse was revealed. Allah, the Exalted, permitted in it the lifting of seeking permission in every house that no one inhabits. This is because the reason for seeking permission is the fear of exposing the sanctities. When the reason is removed, the ruling is removed. The people of interpretation have given examples of these houses. Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah, Qatadah, and Mujahid said: They are the inns that are on the paths of travelers. Mujahid said: No one inhabits them, but they are designated for every traveler to seek refuge in them, and there is a benefit for them in it, meaning enjoyment from their utility. And 'Ata' likened uninhabited houses to the ruins that a person enters to relieve himself. In this, too, there is a benefit. Ibn Zayd and al-Sha'bi said: They are the shops of the markets. Al-Sha'bi said: Because they brought their goods and placed them in them and said to the people: Come! This is a statement whose speaker is mistaken, as the houses of the markets are prohibited with the wealth of the people, not permissible for anyone who wishes to enter them by consensus. No one enters them except one who has been permitted. Rather, their owners are entrusted with keeping people away from them. Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah also said: The Exalted intended the houses of Mecca. This is based on the saying that they are not owned and that the people are partners in them, and that Mecca was taken by force. The judge Abu Muhammad, may Allah have mercy on him, said: This is in this matter the weak opinion, refuted by his saying, blessings and peace be upon him: 'Did Aqil leave us a house?' and his saying: 'Whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyan' and whoever enters his house, and other aspects of consideration. The rest of the verse is clear; its apparent meaning is a threat.