Commentary
It is possible: if you do not find anyone among the listeners in it, then do not enter it and be patient until you find someone to give you permission. It is also possible: if you do not find anyone among its people and you have a need in it, then do not enter it except with the permission of its people. This is because seeking permission was not legislated to prevent the intruder from seeing private parts, nor to prevent his eyes from falling upon what is not permissible to look at only. Rather, it was legislated so that one does not become aware of the conditions that people usually conceal from others and from which they protect themselves from anyone seeing them. Also, because it is an action in the property of another, it must be with their consent; otherwise, it resembles usurpation and overpowering. So, return, meaning do not insist on obtaining permission, nor intrude in easing the veil, nor stand at the doors waiting, because this brings about dislike and tarnishes the hearts of people, especially if they are of good character and accustomed to good manners. If it is prohibited due to leading to dislike, then it is necessary to refrain from everything that leads to it: such as knocking on the door violently, or calling out to the owner of the house, and other things that fall within the habits of those who are not refined among most people. And from Abu Ubaid: I have never knocked on the door of a scholar. The story of Banu Asad is sufficient as a deterrent, and what was revealed in it from His saying: 'Indeed, those who call you from behind the chambers, most of them do not understand.' If you say: Is it correct that the meaning is: and if you are not given permission and you are commanded to return, then comply and do not enter with their dislike? I say: After it was firmly established that entry is prohibited in the absence of permission from the people of the house, whether present or absent, there remains no doubt that it is forbidden, especially with the command to return accompanying the absence of permission. If you say: What if a matter arises in the house: such as a fire, or an attack by a thief, or the appearance of a wrongdoing that must be denounced? I say: That is exempted by evidence, meaning: returning is better for you and purer, as it involves the safety of hearts and distance from suspicion. Or it is more beneficial and increases goodness. Then He warned the addressees that He is aware of what they bring and what they leave behind from what they were addressed about, and He will give them their due recompense.
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