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laysa ʿalaykum junāḥun ʾan tadkhulū buyūtan ghayra maskūnatin fīhā matāʿun lakum wa-llāhu yaʿlamu mā tubdūna wa-mā taktumūna
There will be no sin upon you in entering [without announcing] uninhabited houses wherein you have goods belonging to you. Allah knows whatever you disclose and whatever you conceal.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Sura An-Nur - Verse 29
29. “ (It is) no sin for you that you enter uninhabited houses wherein you have some goods, and Allah knows what you reveal and what you conceal.”
Public places that have no special inhabitants, such as: hotels, caravanserais, shops, and baths which are open to all and people can enter and enjoy their advantages, are treated differently than personal homes and require no permission for entrance. Therefore, in view of the fact that each ordinance has some exceptions through which problems and difficulties are solved rationally, in this verse it says:
“ (It is) no sin for you that you enter uninhabited houses wherein you have some goods...”
In the end of the verse, the Qur’an adds:
“...and Allah knows what you reveal and what you conceal.”
The above phrase perhaps refers to this matter that some individuals may sometimes misuse this exception and enter uninhabited homes on the pretext of this ordinance to find out some secrets. Or they sometimes enter some inhabited houses on the excuse that they did not know they are inhabited. But Allah (s.w.t.) is aware of all of these affairs and knows well about those who misuse. Thus, going to public centers while having no beneficial aim and only for wandering or meandering is often forbidden.