"{If you do not find anyone in them}" means: the inhabited houses. "{Then do not enter them until permission is given to you.}" Qatadah said: Do not stand at the door of people who have turned you away from their door; for people have needs and they have occupations.
﴿فَإِنْ لَمْ تَجِدُوا فِيهَا أَحَدًا﴾ يَعْنِي: الْبُيُوتَ الْمَسْكُونَةَ ﴿فَلا تَدْخُلُوهَا حَتَّى يُؤذن لكم﴾ قَالَ قَتَادَةُ: لَا تَقِفْ عَلَى بَابِ قَوْمٍ قَدْ رَدُّوكَ عَنْ بَابِهِمْ؛ فَإِنَّ لِلنَّاسَ حَاجَاتٍ وَلَهُمْ أشغال
