In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent
Believers, do not enter houses other than your own unless you have obtained permission and greeted their inmates. This is best for you, so that you may take heed.
If you find no one in the house, do not enter it until you are given leave; and if you are told to go back, then go back, as it is most proper for you. God has full knowledge of all that you do. (Light, Al-Noor: 24: 27-28)
We mentioned previously that in the clean and healthy society it establishes, Islam does not rely on punishment; rather its main line of defense is prevention. It does not suppress natural desires. It regulates them within a clean atmosphere that is free of deliberate stimulation. The main element in the Islamic method of educating its followers is to reduce the chances of error, eliminate temptation and to remove all impediments that prevent the satisfaction of natural desires in a perfectly natural and clean way.
It is in this light that we should look at the way Islam accords a certain sanctity for homes. When they are at home, people should not be surprised by strangers coming in without first asking leave to enter. Otherwise, people’s privacy would be invaded when they least expect that. In addition, Islam requires both men and women to lower their gaze and not expose what may arouse the sexual desire.
From the same perspective, Islam facilitates marriage for poor men and women, because marriage is the best guarantee against committing adultery. It prohibits that slaves should be set to prostitution, because prostitution encourages people to indulge in prohibited sex. Let us now take these points in more detail.
“Believers, do not enter houses other than your own unless you have obtained permission and greeted their inmates. This is best for you, so that you may take heed. If you find no one in the house, do not enter it until you are given leave; and if you are told to go back, then go back, as it is most proper for you. God has full knowledge of all that you do.”
God has made homes places of comfort where people may relax and enjoy privacy and reassurance. At home, they do not feel the need to be cautious or on the alert. Thus, they may relax and take things easy. But homes cannot be so unless their privacy is strictly respected. No one may enter a home without its people’s knowledge and permission, at the time they choose, and in the manner they prefer.
Should we be able to go into other people’s homes without seeking permission first, we may see them in situations they want to keep private, or we may see what arouses desires and opens a chance for error. This could come through a chance meeting, or a casual glance. When these are repeated, they become deliberate, motivated by the desires aroused by the casual glance in the first place. It may all develop into a sinful relation or cause a suppressed desire leading to a psychological problem.
In the pre-Islamic days in Arabia, visitors used to enter a home and then announce themselves. It could happen that inside a man may be with his wife in a position which they would not like anyone to see; or that the man or the woman could be undressed.
All this used to hurt people, and deprive them of the feeling of security at home. On the other hand, when visitors saw charms and beauty, temptation might be strong or even irresistible.
For all these reasons, God laid down the requirement to observe such fine manners, making it necessary for a Muslim to announce himself and greet the people inside before entering. This establishes a friendly atmosphere right from the first moment.
“Believers, do not enter houses other than your own unless you have obtained permission and greeted their inmates.” Seeking permission is expressed in the Arabic original in an unusual way, implying friendliness. Thus we may say that we should not enter other people’s houses until we have obtained a friendly and cordial permission. This implies that the visitor should be gentle in his approach so as to be welcomed by the people inside. Such refinement is characteristic of Islamic manners.
When permission is sought, it follows that the house is either empty or people are inside. If there is no one in, then the caller may not enter, because entry follows permission. “If you find no one in the house, do not enter it until you are given leave.” But if there is someone in, seeking permission is not enough for entry. It is merely a request, and if the request is not granted by the people inside, entry is prohibited. It is better to leave without delay: “If you are told to go back, then go back, as it is most proper for you.” The person who is told to go back should do so without feeling upset or offended. People have their secrets and they may have all reasons why they cannot receive a visitor at a particular time. It is up to them to determine their own situation.
“God has full knowledge of all that you do.” He knows people’s secrets and motives.
Places that are more or less public, like hotels, guest houses and reception halls which are separate from the main house are treated differently. We may enter such places without seeking permission first, because the very reason for seeking permission before entry does not apply to them. Requiring permission first may be inconvenient in such places.
Arab News Islam 24 October 2003
