They do not seek your permission; it is not the habit of the believers. He said: And His saying, 'They do not seek your permission, those who believe in Allah' - up to His saying - 'Indeed, only those who do not believe in Allah seek your permission' ... the verse. He said: Its meaning is that it is not the habit of the believers to seek your permission to strive in jihad ... etc. Ahmad said: This etiquette should be followed in all cases. It is not appropriate for a person to seek his brother's permission to do him a favor, nor for the host to seek his guest's permission to present food to him. For seeking permission in such situations is a sign of affectation and reluctance. Blessings of Allah and peace be upon His friend! He reached such a level of generosity and etiquette with his guests that he would not engage in any preparations for hospitality in their sight. Therefore, Allah praised him through the tongue of His Messenger, blessings and peace be upon him, for this beautiful quality and noble manners. Allah, the Exalted, said: 'Then he went to his family and came with a fat calf,' meaning he went away from their sight so that they would not notice him. The one who is concerned about his guest's affairs in their sight might be considered as seeking permission from them for hospitality. This is one of the etiquettes that those of nobility and virtue should adhere to. More severe than seeking permission to go out for jihad and support the religion is the reluctance to hasten to it after being urged and called. The worst condition of the reluctant one - when the people are called to the campaign - is that he clings to a branch of hypocrisy. We seek refuge in Allah from incurring His wrath. They do not seek your permission to strive in jihad, and the elite among the emigrants and the helpers would say: 'We will never seek permission from the Prophet, and we will always strive with our wealth and our souls alongside him.' And the meaning of 'to strive' is that they dislike to strive. And Allah is All-Knowing of the righteous, a testimony for them to be counted among the righteous, and a promise for them of abundant reward.