يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَدْخُلُوا۟ بُيُوتَ ٱلنَّبِىِّ إِلَّآ أَن يُؤْذَنَ لَكُمْ إِلَىٰ طَعَامٍ غَيْرَ نَـٰظِرِينَ إِنَىٰهُ وَلَـٰكِنْ إِذَا دُعِيتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوا۟ فَإِذَا طَعِمْتُمْ فَٱنتَشِرُوا۟ وَلَا مُسْتَـْٔنِسِينَ لِحَدِيثٍ ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ يُؤْذِى ٱلنَّبِىَّ فَيَسْتَحْىِۦ مِنكُمْ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَسْتَحْىِۦ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ ۚ وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَـٰعًا فَسْـَٔلُوهُنَّ مِن وَرَآءِ حِجَابٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ لَكُمْ أَن تُؤْذُوا۟ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَآ أَن تَنكِحُوٓا۟ أَزْوَٰجَهُۥ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦٓ أَبَدًا ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَظِيمًا 53
Translations
O you who have believed, do not enter the houses of the Prophet except when you are permitted for a meal, without awaiting its readiness. But when you are invited, then enter; and when you have eaten, disperse without seeking to remain for conversation. Indeed, that [behavior] was troubling the Prophet, and he is shy of [dismissing] you. But Allāh is not shy of the truth. And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not [conceivable or lawful] for you to harm the Messenger of Allāh or to marry his wives after him, ever. Indeed, that would be in the sight of Allāh an enormity.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu la tadkhulu buyut al-nabi illa an yu'dhana lakum ila ta'amin ghayra nazirin inahu wa-lakin idha du'itum fad-khulu fa-idha ta'imtum fantashiru wa-la mustanisina li-hadith. Inna dhalikum kana yu'dhi al-nabi fa-yastahy minku, wa-Allah la yastahy min al-haqq. Wa-idha sa'altumuhunna mata'an fa-s'aluhunna min wara'i hijab. Dhalikum athhar li-qulubikum wa-qulubihinn. Wa-ma kana lakum an tu'dhu rasul Allah wa-la an tankihu azwajahu min ba'dihi abada. Inna dhalikum kana inda Allah 'azima.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes etiquette for visiting the Prophet's household, forbidding the believers from entering his homes without permission except when invited to a meal, and commanding them to leave promptly after eating without lingering for conversation. It also mandates that when needing to request items from the Prophet's wives, one must do so from behind a screen (hijab), which scholars interpret as a foundation for the modest interaction between unrelated men and women. Additionally, it strictly prohibits the believers from harming the Prophet or marrying his wives after his death, emphasizing these as serious transgressions against Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of the social customs at Medina after the Prophet's migration. According to classical tafsir, believers were sometimes overstaying their welcome at the Prophet's home, causing discomfort to him and his family. The verse addresses the impropriety of uninvited visits and establishes boundaries for the Prophet's private household, particularly regarding his wives (Mothers of the Believers), while simultaneously emphasizing their honor and protection.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari narrates that Anas ibn Malik said the Prophet married Zainab bint Jahsh, and when some guests stayed too long at the meal, the Prophet stood up as if to leave, which prompted them to depart—this illustrates the verse's concern about lingering. Additionally, Tirmidhi records that 'A'ishah confirmed the wives of the Prophet were not to be married after his death, reflecting the ayah's final prohibition.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers the importance of respecting others' privacy and boundaries, and establishing proper social etiquette in visits and interactions—principles applicable to respecting any person's home and family. It further emphasizes that modesty and screening (hijab) in interactions between unrelated men and women protect the hearts of both parties, making it a spiritual safeguard for the Muslim community.