“It is upon you to take permission when entering upon your mothers & your sisters.”

From: Tafseer Ibn Katheer:

 Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى says in His Noble Book:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَدْخُلُوا بُيُوتًا غَيْرَ بُيُوتِكُمْ حَتَّى تَسْتَأْنِسُوا وَتُسَلِّمُوا عَلَى أَهْلِهَا ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

O you who believe! Enter not houses other than your own, until you have asked permission and greeted those within them; that is better for you, in order that you may remember.

[An Nur 24:27] 

Ibn Katheer comments:

Hushaym stated that Ash’ath ibn Suwwaar narrated to us that ibn Mas’ood رضي اللّه عنـه said:

“It is upon you to take permission when entering upon your mothers and your sisters.”

Ash’ath said on the authority of ‘Abee ibn Thaabit who said: A woman from the Ansaar said to the Messenger صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم:

“O Messenger of Allaah, sometimes I am in a state at home in which I do not like anyone to see me in, not my father nor my sons, but men amongst my relatives keep walking in on me while I am in that state.”

 So the following verse was revealed:

“O you who believe! Enter not houses other than your own, until you have asked permission and greeted those within them…”

‘Ataa ibn Abee Rabaah asked Ibn ‘Abbaas رضي اللّه عنـه:

“Should I seek permission for entering upon my orphaned sisters who live with me in the same home?”

He replied: “Yes.”

So I repeated the question so that he may permit me but he refused saying:

“Would you accept to see her unclothed?”

I said: “No.”

He said: “Then seek permission.”

So I repeated myself again.

He said: “Do you wish to obey Allaah?”

I said: “Yes.”

He said: “Then seek permission.”

Ibn Jurayj stated that Ibn Tawoos narrated to me on the authority of his father  said:

“There is not a woman whom I hate to see naked more than one who is a Mahram.”

He used to be strict in that !!

Ibn Jurayj also stated on the authority of az Zuhree that Huzayl ibn Shurahbeel al Awdee al ‘Amaa who heard ibn Mas’ood رضي اللّه عنـه saying:

“It is upon you to take permission when entering upon your mothers.”

Ibn Jurayj stated: I asked ‘Ataa:

“Should a man take permission when entering upon his wife?”

He said: “No.”

This means that it is not obligated; otherwise it is better to let her know and not surprise her because she may be in a state in which she dislikes him to see her in.

Abu Ja’far ibn Jareer stated: Al Qaasim narrated to us…on the authority of Zaynab رضي الله عنها who said:

“When ‘Abdullaah returned from an outing and was at the door, he would loudly clear his throat and spit for fear that he would enter upon a situation that he dislikes.”

(The chain is authentic.)

Ibn Abee Haatim stated that Ahmad ibn Seenaan al Waasitee narrated to us on the authority of Abu Hurairah رضي اللّه عنـه who said:

“When ‘Abdullaah entered his home, he would take permission and speak raising his voice.”

Mujaahid stated concerning:

“…until you have taken permission…”

He said: Clearing your throat.

Al-Imaam Ahmad stated:

“If a man enters his home, it is recommended for him to clear his throat or make noise with his sandals.”