Another Chapter about the Previous Subject

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Your slaves and those of you who have not yet gained feeling of carnal desires must ask for your permission three times as Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has commanded. Those who have gained feeling of carnal desire must not enter the place of his mother, sister and maternal aunt or others without permission and you must not give permission unless he offers you Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) in obedience to Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’ He (the narrator) has said that abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘Your servants who have gained feeling of carnal desires must ask you for permission during three times of privacy if they come to you in such times even if their home is the same as your home.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘They must ask you for permission after al-‘Isha’ called al-‘Atmah, in the morning and at noontime when you undress. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has commanded as such because of privacy and at these times one is unaware and in retreat.’”

“This is about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . those whom your right hands possess’ (24:58) abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is just for men and not for women.’ I then asked, ‘Is it then necessary for women to ask permission in such hours?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, they can come and go.’ About, ‘. . . those who have not gained feeling of carnal desire,’ (24:58) he (the Imam) said, ‘It is a reference to yourselves (free people).’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must ask for permission, like those who have become mature, during the three hours.’”

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Those whom your right hands possess and who have not gained feeling of carnal desires must ask permission from you three times: before the morning Salat (prayer), at noontime when you undress and after Salat (prayer) of al-‘Isha’ which are three times of privacy and thereafter it is not unlawful for you and for them to come and go and move around each other. Those of you who have gained feeling of carnal desire must not enter in the place of your mother, sister, daughter and others without permission and you must not give permission unless he offers you Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) because it is obedience to the Beneficent.’”

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘O believers, those whom your right hands possess and those who have not yet gained feeling of carnal desire must ask permission from you three times’, (24:58) abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.); and in answer to a question about who such people are has said, ‘They are male and female slaves and the children who are not yet mature. They must ask permission from you during the three hours of privacy; after Salat (prayer) of al-‘Isha’ which is al-‘Atmah, when you undress at noon time and before the morning Salat (prayer). After the three privacy times, your slaves and children can come and go without permission if they wanted.’”