diff --git a/DEPRECATIONS.md b/DEPRECATIONS.md
index cf220a0054..c7d0c128ca 100644
--- a/DEPRECATIONS.md
+++ b/DEPRECATIONS.md
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ The following is a list of deprecations, according to the [Deprecation Policy](h
 |-------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|-----------------------|-------|
 | Native MongoDB syntax in aggregation pipeline   | [#7338](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/issues/7338) | 5.0.0 (2022)                    | 6.0.0 (2023)                    | deprecated            | -     |
 | Config option `directAccess` defaults to `true` | [#6636](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/pull/6636)   | 5.0.0 (2022)                    | 6.0.0 (2023)                    | deprecated            | -     |
+| Config option `nonMasterExplain` defaults to `false` | [#7519](https://github.com/parse-community/parse-server/issues/7519)   | XXX                    | XXX | deprecated            | -     |
 
 [i_deprecation]: ## "The version and date of the deprecation."
 [i_removal]: ## "The version and date of the planned removal."
diff --git a/spec/ParseQuery.spec.js b/spec/ParseQuery.spec.js
index e196280a5c..5035a23fe0 100644
--- a/spec/ParseQuery.spec.js
+++ b/spec/ParseQuery.spec.js
@@ -5218,4 +5218,56 @@ describe('Parse.Query testing', () => {
     // Validate
     expect(result.executionStats).not.toBeUndefined();
   });
+
+  it('users cannot user explain unless nonMasterExplain is set', async () => {
+    // Create an object
+    const obj = new TestObject({ foo: 'baz', hello: 'world' });
+    await obj.save();
+    // Explicitly allow non-master explain
+    await reconfigureServer({ nonMasterExplain: true });
+    // Query TestObject with explain.
+    let query = new Parse.Query('TestObject');
+    query.equalTo('objectId', obj.id);
+    query.explain();
+    let result = await query.find(); // Must not throw
+    // Explicitly disallow non-master explain
+    await reconfigureServer({ nonMasterExplain: false });
+    try {
+      await query.find();
+      fail('users can use explain even if nonMasterExplain is set to false');
+    } catch (e) {
+      equal(e.code, Parse.Error.OPERATION_FORBIDDEN);
+      equal(e.message, 'Cannot explain');
+    }
+    try {
+      await new Parse.Query('TestObject').explain().get(obj.id);
+      fail('users can use explain even if nonMasterExplain is set to false');
+    } catch (e) {
+      equal(e.code, Parse.Error.OPERATION_FORBIDDEN);
+      equal(e.message, 'Cannot explain');
+    }
+    // Non-explain queries should still work, of course
+    query = new Parse.Query('TestObject');
+    query.equalTo('objectId', obj.id);
+    result = await query.find();
+    equal(result.length, 1);
+    equal(result[0].id, obj.id);
+  });
+  it('the master key can use explain no matter nonMasterExplain', async () => {
+    const obj = new TestObject({ foo: 'baz', hello: 'world' });
+    await obj.save();
+    const queryWithExplain = new Parse.Query('TestObject');
+    queryWithExplain.equalTo('objectId', obj.id);
+    queryWithExplain.explain();
+    const queryWoExplain = new Parse.Query('TestObject');
+    queryWoExplain.equalTo('objectId', obj.id);
+    // Explicitly disallow non-master explain
+    await reconfigureServer({ nonMasterExplain: false });
+    await queryWithExplain.find({ useMasterKey: true }); // Must not throw
+    await queryWoExplain.find({ useMasterKey: true }); // Must not throw
+    // Explicitly allow non-master explain
+    await reconfigureServer({ nonMasterExplain: true });
+    await queryWithExplain.find({ useMasterKey: true }); // Must not throw
+    await queryWoExplain.find({ useMasterKey: true }); // Must not throw
+  });
 });
diff --git a/src/Deprecator/Deprecations.js b/src/Deprecator/Deprecations.js
index e32b305fb0..4620f0aa05 100644
--- a/src/Deprecator/Deprecations.js
+++ b/src/Deprecator/Deprecations.js
@@ -22,4 +22,9 @@ module.exports = [
     solution:
       "Additionally, the environment variable 'PARSE_SERVER_ENABLE_EXPERIMENTAL_DIRECT_ACCESS' will be deprecated and renamed to 'PARSE_SERVER_DIRECT_ACCESS' in a future version; it is currently possible to use either one.",
   },
+  {
+    optionKey: 'nonMasterExplain',
+    envKey: 'PARSE_SERVER_NON_MASTER_EXPLAIN',
+    changeNewDefault: 'false',
+  },
 ];
diff --git a/src/Options/Definitions.js b/src/Options/Definitions.js
index 65799f8191..8a988bc761 100644
--- a/src/Options/Definitions.js
+++ b/src/Options/Definitions.js
@@ -277,6 +277,12 @@ module.exports.ParseServerOptions = {
     action: parsers.booleanParser,
     default: false,
   },
+  nonMasterExplain: {
+    env: 'PARSE_SERVER_NON_MASTER_EXPLAIN',
+    help: 'Allow non-master users to use the `explain` query parameter.',
+    action: parsers.booleanParser,
+    default: true,
+  },
   objectIdSize: {
     env: 'PARSE_SERVER_OBJECT_ID_SIZE',
     help: "Sets the number of characters in generated object id's, default 10",
diff --git a/src/Options/docs.js b/src/Options/docs.js
index 30b3aba1a0..6ec3dafe71 100644
--- a/src/Options/docs.js
+++ b/src/Options/docs.js
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@
  * @property {Boolean} mountGraphQL Mounts the GraphQL endpoint
  * @property {String} mountPath Mount path for the server, defaults to /parse
  * @property {Boolean} mountPlayground Mounts the GraphQL Playground - never use this option in production
+ * @property {Boolean} nonMasterExplain Allow non-master users to use the `explain` query parameter, defaults to true
  * @property {Number} objectIdSize Sets the number of characters in generated object id's, default 10
  * @property {PagesOptions} pages The options for pages such as password reset and email verification. Caution, this is an experimental feature that may not be appropriate for production.
  * @property {PasswordPolicyOptions} passwordPolicy The password policy for enforcing password related rules.
diff --git a/src/Options/index.js b/src/Options/index.js
index 5f3d9afa47..aa44f76907 100644
--- a/src/Options/index.js
+++ b/src/Options/index.js
@@ -209,6 +209,7 @@ export interface ParseServerOptions {
   cluster: ?NumberOrBoolean;
   /* middleware for express server, can be string or function */
   middleware: ?((() => void) | string);
+
   /* Starts the liveQuery server */
   startLiveQueryServer: ?boolean;
   /* Live query server configuration options (will start the liveQuery server) */
@@ -239,6 +240,9 @@ export interface ParseServerOptions {
   :ENV: PARSE_SERVER_PLAYGROUND_PATH
   :DEFAULT: /playground */
   playgroundPath: ?string;
+  /* Allow non-master users to use the `explain` query parameter.
+  :DEFAULT: true */
+  nonMasterExplain: ?boolean;
   /* Callback when server has started */
   serverStartComplete: ?(error: ?Error) => void;
   /* Callback when server has closed */
diff --git a/src/rest.js b/src/rest.js
index fca3497a5d..273c108690 100644
--- a/src/rest.js
+++ b/src/rest.js
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ function checkLiveQuery(className, config) {
 // Returns a promise for an object with optional keys 'results' and 'count'.
 function find(config, auth, className, restWhere, restOptions, clientSDK, context) {
   enforceRoleSecurity('find', className, auth);
+  if (!config.nonMasterExplain && restOptions.explain && !auth.isMaster) {
+    throw new Parse.Error(Parse.Error.OPERATION_FORBIDDEN, 'Cannot explain');
+  }
   return triggers
     .maybeRunQueryTrigger(
       triggers.Types.beforeFind,
@@ -57,6 +60,9 @@ function find(config, auth, className, restWhere, restOptions, clientSDK, contex
 const get = (config, auth, className, objectId, restOptions, clientSDK, context) => {
   var restWhere = { objectId };
   enforceRoleSecurity('get', className, auth);
+  if (!config.nonMasterExplain && restOptions.explain && !auth.isMaster) {
+    throw new Parse.Error(Parse.Error.OPERATION_FORBIDDEN, 'Cannot explain');
+  }
   return triggers
     .maybeRunQueryTrigger(
       triggers.Types.beforeFind,