وَإِذَا بَلَغَ ٱلْأَطْفَـٰلُ مِنكُمُ ٱلْحُلُمَ فَلْيَسْتَـْٔذِنُوا۟ كَمَا ٱسْتَـْٔذَنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ 59
Translations
And when the children among you reach puberty, let them ask permission [at all times] as those before them have done. Thus does Allāh make clear to you His verses; and Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
Transliteration
Wa-idha balagh al-atfal minkum al-hulm fa-l-yasta'dhinoo kama ista'dhana alladhina min qablihim. Kadhalika yubayyinu Allahu lakum ayatihi wa-Allahu alimun hakimun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that when children reach the age of puberty (al-hulm), they must seek permission before entering private spaces, just as adults do, recognizing their transition to maturity and the need for privacy and dignity. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir note this ayah reinforces social boundaries and respect for privacy during three specific times mentioned in the preceding verses (before dawn, midday, and after night prayer), teaching Muslims to recognize developmental stages and adjust social interactions accordingly. The ayah concludes by affirming that Allah clarifies His signs through such detailed guidance, emphasizing His infinite knowledge and wisdom in legislating what is best for human society.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nur (Chapter 24), a Medinan surah primarily addressing matters of modesty, morality, and household conduct. It appears within a passage (24:58-59) concerning permission-seeking in homes, which was revealed to establish Islamic etiquette and boundaries within family life, reflecting the practical concerns of the developing Muslim community in Medina.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 5237 records that 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) explained the three times when permission is necessary based on these verses. Additionally, the hadith in Sunan Abu Dawud regarding children's accountability at puberty relates to the threshold of maturity mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to recognize and respect the developmental stages of those around us, particularly acknowledging when children transition to maturity and require greater privacy and autonomy. It reminds Muslims that Islamic law is not rigid but adaptive, accounting for changing capacities and roles as individuals grow, and that respecting boundaries strengthens family bonds and community harmony.