357 Page Notes

24 Surah An-Nur (continued)

Page 357 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 357 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 357 of the standard Uthmani codex anchors some of the most politically stabilizing and domestically protective verses in the Quran. It encompasses Surah An-Nur (Chapter 24), verses 54 through 58.

This page contains two monumental structural shifts. First, it explicitly establishes the divine blueprint for leadership, governance, and societal security, promising that true political stability on earth is directly tied to pure monotheistic worship and obedience (Verses 55–56). Second, the page transitions right back into the home, introducing the strict law of Three Times of Privacy (Isti'dhan al-Atfal). This micro-level law commands families to train young children and domestic workers to seek permission before entering parental bedrooms during specific times of physical relaxation (Verses 57–58).

The Sunnah bridges these macro-political and micro-domestic laws with profound behavioral clarity.

1. Hadiths Related to Verse 54: The Burden of Leadership vs. The Duty of Obedience

Allah clarifies the distinct separation of responsibilities between the ruler and the ruled:

"Say, 'Obey Allah and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away - then upon him is only that with which he has been burdened, and upon you is that with which you have been burdened...'" (Quran 24:54).

Navigating Unjust Governance

The Sunnah unpacks this exact verse by addressing a highly difficult scenario: what happens when leaders do not fulfill their divine burden, yet expect the citizens to fulfill theirs?

• The Prophetic Verdict: Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman asked the Prophet ﷺ about future eras of political corruption. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied: "There will be leaders after me who do not follow my guidance and do not adopt my Sunnah... You must listen and obey the ruler, even if your back is struck and your wealth is taken; listen and obey."

• The Shared Accountability: Scholars note that Verse 54 provides the exact theological framework for this patience: the ruler is independently accountable for his oppression (upon him is what he is burdened with), while the citizens remain accountable for keeping the social peace (upon you is what you are burdened with).

Source Citations:

• Sahih Muslim: Book 33, Hadith 80 (Book of Leadership / Imarah).

• Sahih al-Bukhari: Book 92, Hadith 7084 (Book of Afflictions / Fitan).

2. Hadiths Related to Verse 55: The Divine Promise of Succession (Ayat al-Istikhlaf)

This verse provides the definitive divine contract for historical and political success:

"Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession (Yastakhlifannahum) upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them their religion..." (Quran 24:55).

The Historical Realization through the Khulafa

The Sunnah documents the psychological reality of the companions who experienced the direct, miraculous fulfillment of this absolute guarantee.

• From Terror to Security: Khabbab ibn al-Aratt narrated the intense atmosphere of early Makkah, where Muslims were persecuted daily. He approached the Prophet ﷺ while he was leaning against the Kaaba and pleaded, "Will you not ask Allah to help us?"

• The Prophetic Foresight: The Prophet ﷺ sat up and declared: "By Allah, this religion will be completed until a rider will travel from San'a to Hadramaut fearing nothing except Allah and the wolf for his sheep, but you are being impatient."

• Scholars of Hadith note that the political security established during the caliphates of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali was the literal, physical materialization of Verse 55.

Source Citations:

• Sahih al-Bukhari: Book 61, Hadith 3612 (Book of Virtues / Manaqib).

• Musnad Ahmad: Hadith 20921, where the companion Ubayy ibn Ka'b explicitly connects the revelation of Verse 55 to the peace achieved in Madinah.

3. Hadiths Related to Verse 58: The Three Windows of Household Privacy

Allah establishes clear legal boundaries within the home to preserve parental dignity and modesty:

"O you who have believed, let those whom your right hands possess and those who have not [yet] reached puberty among you ask permission of you [before entering] at three times: before the dawn prayer, and when you put aside your clothing [for rest] at noon, and after the night prayer. [These are] three times of privacy ('Awrat*) for you..."* (Quran 24:58).

The Household Incident of Mudlij

The Sunnah records the direct domestic event that triggered this specific civilizational legislation.

• The Accidental Intrusion: The companion Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet ﷺ sent a young helper from the Ansar named Mudlij to call Umar ibn al-Khattab to a meeting. Mudlij entered Umar's room at noon while Umar was resting in a state of undress.

• Umar’s Request for Privacy Laws: Deeply embarrassed, Umar came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, "O Messenger of Allah! I wish that Allah would reveal something to regulate how our children and servants enter our private spaces during our times of rest." Right then, Verse 58 was revealed, establishing an absolute code of mandatory knocking during those three specific shifts.

Source Citations:

• Recorded by Imam Abu Dawud in Al-Marasil, and comprehensively detailed by Ibn Abi Hatim, Al-Wahidi (Asbab al-Nuzul), and Ibn Kathir in his commentary of Verse 58.

4. Hadiths Related to Verse 58 (End): The Concept of Constant Mingling

The verse beautifully eases the burden of this law by clarifying that outside of those three specific privacy windows, children and servants can move freely through the house without constant knocking:

"...Outside of these [times], there is no blame upon you or upon them, for they are habitual movers among you (Tawwafuna 'Alaykum), heating/serving one another..." (Quran 24:58).

The Analogy of Domestic Animals

The Prophet ﷺ masterfully utilized the exact, unique phrase from this verse—"Tawwafuna 'Alaykum" (those who constantly move or mingle among you)—to solve a major household cleanliness query regarding domestic pets.

• The Cat’s Purity: Kabshah bint Ka'b narrated that she was pouring water for her father-in-line, Abu Qatadah, to make wudu. A domestic cat walked in and wanted to drink. Abu Qatadah tilted the vessel to let the cat drink from the wudu water. Seeing Kabshah looking at him in surprise, he asked, "Are you surprised, my niece?" She said, "Yes."

• The Legal Rationale: He replied that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said regarding cats: "Indeed, they are not impure; they are simply among those who constantly mingle and move among you (Innahā mina-ttawwāfīna 'alaykum)."

By using the exact linguistic layout of Verse 58, the Prophet ﷺ showed that items or creatures structurally woven into daily domestic life share an eased legal status to keep household living smooth, pure, and practical.

Source Citations:

• Sunan Abi Dawud: Hadith 75 (Book of Purification). Graded Sahih.

• Jami` at-Tirmidhi: Hadith 92.

• Sunan al-Nasa'i: Hadith 340.