“The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger and, when they are with him upon a matter requiring their collective presence, do not leave until they have sought his permission. Indeed, those who seek your permission are the ones who truly believe in Allah and His Messenger. So when they ask your permission to attend to some matter of their own, grant permission to whomever of them you wish, and ask Allah to forgive them. Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (62)

His saying, exalted is He: “The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger and, when they are with him”—that is, with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him—“upon a matter requiring their collective presence,” meaning a matter that brings them together, such as an impending battle, a prayer, Friday prayer, Eid, or a congregational gathering