(53–54) “O you who believe, do not enter the Prophet’s homes unless you are given permission to come for a meal, without waiting for it to be prepared. But when you are invited, enter; and when you have eaten, disperse, without lingering for conversation. Indeed, that was troubling the Prophet, yet he was too shy to ask you to leave. But Allah is not shy of the truth. When you ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a screen. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts. It is not for you to offend the Messenger of Allah, nor ever to marry his wives after him. That would indeed be an enormity in the sight of Allah. * Whether you reveal something or conceal it, Allah is ever Knowing of all things.”
Allah Most High commands His believing servants to observe proper etiquette with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, when entering his homes. He says: “O you who believe, do not enter the Prophet’s homes unless you are given permission to come for a meal”; that is, do not enter them without permission for the purpose of eating. Nor should you be “waiting for it to be ready”; that is, waiting around and taking your time until it is cooked, or lingering at leisure after finishing the meal. The meaning is that you may enter the Prophet’s homes only under two conditions:
You must have permission to enter, and you must remain only as long as necessary. Hence He says: “But when you are invited, enter; and when you have eaten, disperse, without lingering for conversation”; that is, either before or after the meal.
He then explained the wisdom and benefit of this prohibition, saying: “Indeed, that”—meaning your remaining beyond what was necessary—“was troubling the Prophet”; that is, he found it burdensome and difficult when you kept him from attending to the affairs of his household, “yet he was too shy of you” to say, “Leave.” It is customary for people—especially those known for generosity—to feel shy about asking guests to leave their homes. “But Allah is not shy of the truth.”
Thus, when the Sacred Law gives a command, even if one might imagine that leaving it undone would be an act of courtesy and modesty, true prudence lies entirely in following that command and being certain that whatever contravenes it is not courtesy at all. Allah Most High is not shy to command you to do whatever serves your welfare and brings ease to His Messenger.
Such was the etiquette required of them when entering his homes. As for the etiquette toward him when addressing his wives, there was either a need to do so or there was not. If there was no need, there was no reason to do so, and proper etiquette was to refrain. If there was a need—for example, to ask them for an article, a household utensil, or something similar—then they were to be asked “from behind a screen”; that is, there was to be a barrier between you and them, shielding them from view, since there was no need to see them.
Thus, looking at them was prohibited in every circumstance, while speaking with them was subject to the distinction mentioned by Allah. He then explained the wisdom behind this by saying: “That is purer for your hearts and their hearts,” because it is further removed from suspicion. The further a person keeps from the causes that invite evil, the safer it is for him and the purer his heart will be.
For this reason, among the principles of the Sacred Law whose details Allah has made abundantly clear is that all means, causes, and preliminaries leading to evil are forbidden, and that it is prescribed to avoid them in every possible way.
He then gave a comprehensive declaration and a general rule: “It is not for you”—O believers; that is, it is neither proper nor acceptable for you, but is in fact utterly reprehensible—“to offend the Messenger of Allah,” whether verbally or physically, in any matter pertaining to him, “nor ever to marry his wives after him.” This is among the things that would harm him, for he, peace and blessings be upon him, possesses a station deserving reverence, exaltation, and honor, and marrying his wives ⦗671⦘[after him] (1) would compromise that station.
Moreover, they are his wives in this world and the Hereafter, and the marital bond remains after his death. Therefore, it is not lawful for any member of his community to marry his wives after him. “That would indeed be an enormity in the sight of Allah.” This community has obeyed that command and refrained from what Allah prohibited in this regard. All praise and thanks belong to Allah.
Allah Most High then says: “Whether you reveal something”—that is, disclose it—“or conceal it, Allah is ever Knowing of all things.” He knows what is in your hearts and what you disclose, and He will recompense you for it.