Although some individuals reach puberty without ever having a wet dream, the usual case is that they do. Consequently, once the child has experienced such a dream and thereby attained puberty, he may not enter the house without first asking leave. Before that point the matter is lenient, yet there are three periods of privacy for which seeking permission is absolutely obligatory. Allah the Exalted says, “O you who believe, let those whom your right hands possess and those of your children who have not yet reached puberty ask permission of you three times” (Q 24:58):

1. The first is before the dawn prayer.
2. The second is when you put off your clothes at midday.
3. The third is after the night prayer.

During these three intervals permission must be sought—even by small children—because a person may be preparing to sleep and wearing garments in which he would not like anyone to see him. For that reason, asking leave at these three times is compulsory.

As for a child’s looking at a woman, the ruling is not tied to puberty; it depends on whether the child is known to look at women with desire. If this is observed—even when he is only ten years old—she must veil herself from him. Allah says, “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to display their adornment except what is apparent thereof, and to draw their head-coverings over their bosoms, and not to display their adornment except to their husbands…” (Q 24:31), meaning: to their husbands, up to