Thus, following this matter, the Qur’an adds implying that...

Thus, following this matter, the Qur’an adds implying that those who ask you permission and their belief in Allah and His Messenger is not a mere oral one, but they obey you and Allah’s commandment with their soul and spirit, then give them leave. The verse says: “...Verily those who ask leave of you, are they who believe in Allah and His Messenger.

So, if they ask your leave for some affair of theirs, give leave to whom you please of them...” It is clear that such faithful persons have gathered for an important affair and they would not take permission for a trivial matter; and the purpose of the holy phrase /ša’nihim/, mentioned in this verse, is some important and necessary jobs.

On the other hand, the will of the Prophet (S) does not mean he issued permission without considering conditions and consequence of individuals’ absence, but this means that the leader is free to prevent people from going away if he thinks that their presence is vital. The evidence of this matter is verse 43 of Sura At-Taubah, No.9 in which the holy Prophet (S) was reprimanded for giving permission to some persons, where it says: “May Allah pardon you!

Why did you give them leave before you had found out those who spoke the truth and before you had known the liars?” This verse shows that even the Prophet (S) must be careful in giving permission to individuals and he must count the cost and he is divinely responsible. In the end of the verse, concerning when giving them permission, it says: “...and ask forgiveness of Allah for them. Verily Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” Now the question is that why forgiveness.

Were they still wrongdoers while they asked the permission of the Prophet (S)? There are two ways for answering this question: first, although they were allowed to their jobs, they gave more priority to their personal and private jobs than Muslims’ common job and this was not free from a kind of leaving the better[^3] and, therefore, they needed forgiveness (like asking forgiveness for a disapproved action).

Moreover, this matter shows that Muslims must not ask permission as much as possible and they must be altruistic and benevolent, because after taking permission their action is abandonment of what is primary, lest trivial matters are considered as excuses of leaving important jobs and works. The other matter is that they deserve Allah’s favour, because of their politeness toward their leader, and the Prophet (S) asks Allah’s forgiveness as thanking them.