In this Surah Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) has cautioned and warned about certain issues related to Ummaha-tul-Momineen (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہم اجمعين). There may have been some domestic issues of concern related to Prophet's (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) household which have been referred to in this Surah. Thus, it is not important for us to go into details because Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) Himself has not disclosed about these issues.

It is important to note that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) teach us by various means that cover every aspect of our lives, private and public, both.

Everything in Quran and Sunnah is meant for the teaching of people. Some people wrongly claim and try to relate human weaknesses in the lives of the Prophets and their close associates. This is not correct understanding. They should know that all these things are meant to teach the people and have no relevance with the weaknesses of the virtuous people of the proximity with Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostles. Particularly, these are meant for Muslims to understand these issues correctly and implement these teachings in their lives for their benefit in this life and in Hereafter.

There are two Ahadith that have appeared in Bukhari and other Ahadith books in this context and people relate them with the above verse. Therefore, it is important that these are mentioned here for full understanding of readers.

(i) It is in Sahih Bukhari, Vol 8, Book 83, Hadith # 68

حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا الْحَجَّاجُ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، قَالَ زَعَمَ عَطَاءٌ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ عُبَيْدَ بْنَ عُمَيْرٍ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ عَائِشَةَ، تَزْعُمُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَمْكُثُ عِنْدَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتِ جَحْشٍ، وَيَشْرَبُ عِنْدَهَا عَسَلاً، فَتَوَاصَيْتُ أَنَا وَحَفْصَةُ أَنَّ أَيَّتَنَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلْتَقُلْ إِنِّي أَجِدُ مِنْكَ رِيحَ مَغَافِيرَ، أَكَلْتَ مَغَافِيرَ فَدَخَلَ عَلَى إِحْدَاهُمَا فَقَالَتْ ذَلِكَ لَهُ‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ بَلْ شَرِبْتُ عَسَلاً عِنْدَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتِ جَحْشٍ، وَلَنْ أَعُودَ لَهُ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَنَزَلَتْ ‏{‏يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ لِمَ تُحَرِّمُ مَا أَحَلَّ اللَّهُ لَكَ‏}‏، ‏{‏إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ‏}‏، لِعَائِشَةَ وَحَفْصَةَ، ‏{‏وَإِذْ أَسَرَّ النَّبِيُّ إِلَى بَعْضِ أَزْوَاجِهِ حَدِيثًا‏}‏ لِقَوْلِهِ ‏"‏ بَلْ شَرِبْتُ عَسَلاً ‏"‏‏.‏وَقَالَ لِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مُوسَى عَنْ هِشَامٍ، ‏"‏ وَلَنْ أَعُودَ لَهُ، وَقَدْ حَلَفْتُ، فَلاَ تُخْبِرِي بِذَلِكَ أَحَدًا ‏"‏‏.‏

Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) narrated that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) used to stay (for some time) in the house of Ummul Momineen Zainab bint Jahsh (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) and he used to drink honey in her house. Ummul Momineen Hafsa (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) and I decided that when the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) entered the house of either of us, she would say, ‘I smell in you the bad smell of Maghafir (raisin). Have you eaten Maghafir?’ When he came to one of us, she said that to him. He replied (to her), ‘no, but I have drunk honey in the house of Ummul Momineen Zainab bint Jahsh (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا), and (if it smells bad) I will never drink it again.’ Then the following verse was revealed - يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ لِمَ تُحَرِّمُ مَا أَحَلَّ اللَّهُ لَكَ ۖ تَبْتَغِي مَرْضَاتَ أَزْوَاجِكَ ۚ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ - قَدْ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ تَحِلَّةَ أَيْمَانِكُمْ ۚ وَاللَّهُ مَوْلَاكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ - وَإِذْ أَسَرَّ النَّبِيُّ إِلَىٰ بَعْضِ أَزْوَاجِهِ حَدِيثًا فَلَمَّا نَبَّأَتْ بِهِ وَأَظْهَرَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ عَرَّفَ بَعْضَهُ وَأَعْرَضَ عَنْ بَعْضٍ ۖ فَلَمَّا نَبَّأَهَا بِهِ قَالَتْ مَنْ أَنْبَأَكَ هَٰذَا ۖ قَالَ نَبَّأَنِيَ الْعَلِيمُ الْخَبِيرُ- إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا ۖ [ O' Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)! Why do you leave certain thing in consideration of the wish of (some of) your wives while Allah has made it lawful to you? Allah has already given you absolution from such oaths. Allah is your Lord, and He is Knowledgeable and Wise. And (remember) when the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) confided a matter to one of his wives, she disclosed it (to another wife). And Allah made it known to him; he informed part of it (to one of his wife) and left a part. Then when he told her (the other wife) of it, she said: 'Who told you this?' He said: 'The All Knowing, All Aware (Allah) has told me.' If you both (wives) turn in repentance to Allah (it will be better) as your hearts have indeed so inclined (to oppose what the prophet ﷺ likes).] (At-Tahrim: 1-4)

The above Hadith is self-explanatory.

(ii) It is in Sahih Bukhari, Vol 3, Bk 46, Hadith # 29

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي ثَوْرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ لَمْ أَزَلْ حَرِيصًا عَلَى أَنْ أَسْأَلَ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ الْمَرْأَتَيْنِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم اللَّتَيْنِ قَالَ اللَّهُ لَهُمَا ‏{‏إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا‏}‏ فَحَجَجْتُ مَعَهُ فَعَدَلَ وَعَدَلْتُ مَعَهُ بِالإِدَاوَةِ، فَتَبَرَّزَ حَتَّى جَاءَ، فَسَكَبْتُ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الإِدَاوَةِ، فَتَوَضَّأَ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَنِ الْمَرْأَتَانِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم اللَّتَانِ قَالَ لَهُمَا ‏{‏إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ‏}‏ فَقَالَ وَاعَجَبِي لَكَ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ عَائِشَةُ وَحَفْصَةُ، ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبَلَ عُمَرُ الْحَدِيثَ يَسُوقُهُ، فَقَالَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ وَجَارٌ لِي مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فِي بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، وَهْىَ مِنْ عَوَالِي الْمَدِينَةِ، وَكُنَّا نَتَنَاوَبُ النُّزُولَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَيَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا وَأَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا، فَإِذَا نَزَلْتُ جِئْتُهُ مِنْ خَبَرِ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ مِنَ الأَمْرِ وَغَيْرِهِ، وَإِذَا نَزَلَ فَعَلَ مِثْلَهُ، وَكُنَّا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ، فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا عَلَى الأَنْصَارِ إِذَا هُمْ قَوْمٌ تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ، فَطَفِقَ نِسَاؤُنَا يَأْخُذْنَ مِنْ أَدَبِ نِسَاءِ الأَنْصَارِ، فَصِحْتُ عَلَى امْرَأَتِي، فَرَاجَعَتْنِي، فَأَنْكَرْتُ أَنْ تُرَاجِعَنِي، فَقَالَتْ وَلِمَ تُنْكِرُ أَنْ أُرَاجِعَكَ فَوَاللَّهِ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَيُرَاجِعْنَهُ، وَإِنَّ إِحْدَاهُنَّ لَتَهْجُرُهُ الْيَوْمَ حَتَّى اللَّيْلِ‏.‏ فَأَفْزَعَنِي، فَقُلْتُ خَابَتْ مَنْ فَعَلَ مِنْهُنَّ بِعَظِيمٍ‏.‏ ثُمَّ جَمَعْتُ عَلَىَّ ثِيَابِي، فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَقُلْتُ أَىْ حَفْصَةُ، أَتُغَاضِبُ إِحْدَاكُنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْيَوْمَ حَتَّى اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَتْ نَعَمْ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ خَابَتْ وَخَسِرَتْ، أَفَتَأْمَنُ أَنْ يَغْضَبَ اللَّهُ لِغَضَبِ رَسُولِهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَتَهْلِكِينَ لاَ تَسْتَكْثِرِي عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلاَ تُرَاجِعِيهِ فِي شَىْءٍ وَلاَ تَهْجُرِيهِ، وَاسْأَلِينِي مَا بَدَا لَكِ، وَلاَ يَغُرَّنَّكِ أَنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ هِيَ أَوْضَأَ مِنْكِ وَأَحَبَّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يُرِيدُ عَائِشَةَ ـ وَكُنَّا تَحَدَّثْنَا أَنَّ غَسَّانَ تُنْعِلُ النِّعَالَ لِغَزْوِنَا، فَنَزَلَ صَاحِبِي يَوْمَ نَوْبَتِهِ فَرَجَعَ عِشَاءً، فَضَرَبَ بَابِي ضَرْبًا شَدِيدًا، وَقَالَ أَنَائِمٌ هُوَ فَفَزِعْتُ فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَيْهِ‏.‏ وَقَالَ حَدَثَ أَمْرٌ عَظِيمٌ‏.‏ قُلْتُ مَا هُوَ أَجَاءَتْ غَسَّانُ قَالَ لاَ، بَلْ أَعْظَمُ مِنْهُ وَأَطْوَلُ، طَلَّقَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نِسَاءَهُ‏.‏ قَالَ قَدْ خَابَتْ حَفْصَةُ وَخَسِرَتْ، كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ أَنَّ هَذَا يُوشِكُ أَنْ يَكُونَ، فَجَمَعْتُ عَلَىَّ ثِيَابِي، فَصَلَّيْتُ صَلاَةَ الْفَجْرِ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَدَخَلَ مَشْرُبَةً لَهُ فَاعْتَزَلَ فِيهَا، فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ، فَإِذَا هِيَ تَبْكِي‏.‏ قُلْتُ مَا يُبْكِيكِ أَوَلَمْ أَكُنْ حَذَّرْتُكِ أَطَلَّقَكُنَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتْ لاَ أَدْرِي هُوَ ذَا فِي الْمَشْرُبَةِ‏.‏ فَخَرَجْتُ، فَجِئْتُ الْمِنْبَرَ، فَإِذَا حَوْلَهُ رَهْطٌ يَبْكِي بَعْضُهُمْ، فَجَلَسْتُ مَعَهُمْ قَلِيلاً ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ، فَجِئْتُ الْمَشْرُبَةَ الَّتِي هُوَ فِيهَا فَقُلْتُ لِغُلاَمٍ لَهُ أَسْوَدَ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ‏.‏ فَدَخَلَ، فَكَلَّمَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ خَرَجَ، فَقَالَ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ، فَصَمَتَ، فَانْصَرَفْتُ حَتَّى جَلَسْتُ مَعَ الرَّهْطِ الَّذِينَ عِنْدَ الْمِنْبَرِ، ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَجِئْتُ، فَذَكَرَ مِثْلَهُ، فَجَلَسْتُ مَعَ الرَّهْطِ الَّذِينَ عِنْدَ الْمِنْبَرِ، ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَجِئْتُ الْغُلاَمَ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ‏.‏ فَذَكَرَ مِثْلَهُ، فَلَمَّا وَلَّيْتُ مُنْصَرِفًا، فَإِذَا الْغُلاَمُ يَدْعُونِي قَالَ أَذِنَ لَكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ، فَإِذَا هُوَ مُضْطَجِعٌ عَلَى رِمَالِ حَصِيرٍ لَيْسَ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهُ فِرَاشٌ، قَدْ أَثَّرَ الرِّمَالُ بِجَنْبِهِ، مُتَّكِئٌ عَلَى وِسَادَةٍ مِنْ أَدَمٍ حَشْوُهَا لِيفٌ، فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ قُلْتُ وَأَنَا قَائِمٌ طَلَّقْتَ نِسَاءَكَ فَرَفَعَ بَصَرَهُ إِلَىَّ، فَقَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ ‏"‏‏.‏ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ ـ وَأَنَا قَائِمٌ أَسْتَأْنِسُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، لَوْ رَأَيْتَنِي، وَكُنَّا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ، فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا عَلَى قَوْمٍ تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ، فَذَكَرَهُ، فَتَبَسَّمَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، ثُمَّ قُلْتُ لَوْ رَأَيْتَنِي، وَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ، فَقُلْتُ لاَ يَغُرَّنَّكِ أَنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ هِيَ أَوْضَأَ مِنْكِ وَأَحَبَّ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يُرِيدُ عَائِشَةَ ـ فَتَبَسَّمَ أُخْرَى، فَجَلَسْتُ حِينَ رَأَيْتُهُ تَبَسَّمَ، ثُمَّ رَفَعْتُ بَصَرِي فِي بَيْتِهِ، فَوَاللَّهِ مَا رَأَيْتُ فِيهِ شَيْئًا يَرُدُّ الْبَصَرَ غَيْرَ أَهَبَةٍ ثَلاَثَةٍ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ ادْعُ اللَّهَ فَلْيُوَسِّعْ عَلَى أُمَّتِكَ، فَإِنَّ فَارِسَ وَالرُّومَ وُسِّعَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأُعْطُوا الدُّنْيَا، وَهُمْ لاَ يَعْبُدُونَ اللَّهَ، وَكَانَ مُتَّكِئًا‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ أَوَفِي شَكٍّ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ أُولَئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَيِّبَاتُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ‏"‏‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي‏.‏ فَاعْتَزَلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَلِكَ الْحَدِيثِ حِينَ أَفْشَتْهُ حَفْصَةُ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ، وَكَانَ قَدْ قَالَ ‏"‏ مَا أَنَا بِدَاخِلٍ عَلَيْهِنَّ شَهْرًا ‏"‏‏.‏ مِنْ شِدَّةِ مَوْجَدَتِهِ عَلَيْهِنَّ حِينَ عَاتَبَهُ اللَّهُ‏.‏ فَلَمَّا مَضَتْ تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ دَخَلَ عَلَى عَائِشَةَ فَبَدَأَ بِهَا، فَقَالَتْ لَهُ عَائِشَةُ إِنَّكَ أَقْسَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ تَدْخُلَ عَلَيْنَا شَهْرًا، وَإِنَّا أَصْبَحْنَا لِتِسْعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ لَيْلَةً، أَعُدُّهَا عَدًّا‏.‏ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ الشَّهْرُ تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ ‏"‏‏.‏ وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ الشَّهْرُ تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ‏.‏ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَأُنْزِلَتْ آيَةُ التَّخْيِيرِ فَبَدَأَ بِي أَوَّلَ امْرَأَةٍ، فَقَالَ ‏"‏ إِنِّي ذَاكِرٌ لَكِ أَمْرًا، وَلاَ عَلَيْكِ أَنْ لاَ تَعْجَلِي حَتَّى تَسْتَأْمِرِي أَبَوَيْكِ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَتْ قَدْ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّ أَبَوَىَّ لَمْ يَكُونَا يَأْمُرَانِي بِفِرَاقِكَ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَالَ ‏{‏يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لأَزْوَاجِكَ‏}‏ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ ‏{‏ عَظِيمًا‏}‏ ‏"‏‏.‏ قُلْتُ أَفِي هَذَا أَسْتَأْمِرُ أَبَوَىَّ فَإِنِّي أُرِيدُ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَالدَّارَ الآخِرَةَ‏.‏ ثُمَّ خَيَّرَ نِسَاءَهُ، فَقُلْنَ مِثْلَ مَا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ‏.‏

Abdullah bin Abbas (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) narrated that he had been eager to ask Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) about the two Ummahatul Momineen from among the Ummahatul Momineen of the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) household regarding whom Allah said – إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا [If you both turn in repentance to Allah (it will be better) as your hearts have indeed so inclined (to oppose what the prophet ﷺ likes)] (At-Tahrim - 4), till he performed Hajj along with Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ). On our way back, Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) went aside (to answer the call of nature) and I also went aside along with him carrying a tumbler of water. When he had answered the call of nature and returned. I poured water on his hands from the tumbler, and he performed ablution. I said, ‘O Chief of the believers, ‘who were the two Ummahatul Momineen from among the Ummahatul Momineen of the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) household regarding whom Allah said – إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا [If you both turn in repentance to Allah (it will be better) as your hearts have indeed so inclined (to oppose what the prophet ﷺ likes)] (An-Tahrim - 4), He said, ‘I am astonished at your question, O Ibn Abbas (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ). They were Ummul Momineen Aisha and Hafsa (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہنَّ).’ Then Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) went on and said, ‘I and an Ansari neighbor of mine from Bani Umaiya bin Zaid who used to live in Awali Al-Madina, used to visit the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) in turns. He used to go one day, and I another day. When I went, I would bring him the news of what had happened that day regarding the instructions and orders and when he went, he used to do the same for me. We, the people of Quraish, used to have authority over women, but when we came to live with the Ansar, we noticed that the Ansari women had the upper hand over their men, so our women started getting influenced from the Ansari women. Once I shouted at my wife and she paid me back in my coin and I disliked that she should answer me back. She said, 'why do you take it ill that I retort upon you? By Allah, the wives of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) retort upon him, and some of them may not speak with him for the whole day till night.' What she said scared me and I said to her, 'whoever among them does so, will be a great loser.' Then I dressed myself and went to Ummul Momineen Hafsa (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) and asked her, 'does any of you keep Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) angry all day long till night?' She replied in the affirmative. I said, 'she is a ruined losing person (and will never have success)! Doesn't she fear that Allah may get angry for the anger of Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) and thus she will be ruined? Do not ask Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) too many things, and do not retort upon him in any case, and do not desert him. Demand from me whatever you like, and do not be tempted to imitate your neighbor (others) in their behavior towards the Prophet ﷺ), for she (Ummul Momineen Aisha رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) is more beautiful than you, and more beloved to Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). In those days it was rumored that Ghassan, (a tribe living in Sham) was getting prepared their horses to invade us. My companion went (to the Prophet ﷺ) on the day of his turn, went, and returned to us at night and knocked at my door violently, asking whether I was sleeping. I was scared (by the hard knocking) and came out to him. He said that a great thing had happened. I asked him, what is it? Have Ghassan come? He replied that it was worse and more serious than that and added that Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) had divorced all his wives. I said, Ummul Momineen Hafsa (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) is a ruined loser! I expected that would happen some-day.' So, I dressed myself and offered the Fajr prayer with the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). Then the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) entered an upper room and stayed there alone. I went to Ummul Momineen Hafsa (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) and found her weeping. I asked her, 'why are you weeping? Didn't I warn you? Have Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) divorced you all?' She replied, 'I don't know. He is there in the upper room.' I then went out and came to the pulpit and found a group of people around it and some of them were weeping. Then I sat with them for some time but could not endure the situation. So, I went to the upper room where the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) was and requested to a black slave of his, ‘will you get the permission of (Allah's Apostle ﷺ) for Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) (to enter)? The slave went in, talked to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) about it and came out saying, 'I mentioned you to him, but he did not reply.' So, I went and sat with the people who were sitting by the pulpit, but I could not bear the situation, so I went to the slave again and said, ‘will you get he permission for Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ)? He went in and brought the same reply as before. When I was leaving, behold, the slave called me saying, ‘Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) has granted you permission.’ So, I entered and saw the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) lying on a mat without bedding on it, and the mat had left its mark on the body of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), and he was leaning on a leather pillow stuffed with palm fibers. I greeted him and while still standing, I said, ‘have you divorced your wives?' He raised his eyes to me and replied in the negative. And then while still standing, I said would you like to listen to what I say, 'O Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). We, the people of Quraish used to have the upper hand over our women (wives), and when we came to the people whose women had the upper hand over them’. Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) told the whole story (about his wife). ‘On that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) smiled.’ Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) further said, ‘I then said, 'I went to (Ummul Momineen) Hafsa (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) and said to her, do not be tempted to imitate your companion (Ummul Momineen Aisha - رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) for she is more beautiful than you and more beloved to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).' The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) smiled again. When I saw him smiling, I sat down and cast a glance at the room, and by Allah, I could not see anything of importance but three hides. I said (to Allah's Messenger ﷺ) ‘kindly supplicate Allah to make your followers prosperous for the Persians and the Byzantines have been made prosperous and given worldly luxuries, though they do not worship Allah?' The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) was leaning then (and on hearing my speech he sat straight) and said, 'O Ibn Al-Khattab (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ), do you have any doubt (that the Hereafter is better than this world)? These people have been given rewards of their good deeds in this world only.' I asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), kindly ask Allah's forgiveness for me. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) did not go to his wives because of the secret which Ummul Momineen Hafsa (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) had disclosed to Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا), and he said that he would not go to his wives for one month as he was angry with them when Allah admonished him (for his oath that he would not approach Ummul Momineen Maria - رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا). When twenty-nine days had passed, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) went to Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) first. She said to him, 'you took an oath that you would not come to us for one month, and today only twenty-nine days have passed, as I have been counting them day by day.' The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said, 'the month is also of twenty-nine days.' That month consisted of twenty-nine days. Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) said, 'when the Divine revelation of choice was revealed, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) started with me, saying to me, 'I am telling you something, but you need not hurry to give the reply till you can consult your parents.’ Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) knew that her parents would not advise her to part with the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said that Allah had said - يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ إِنْ كُنْتُنَّ تُرِدْنَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا فَتَعَالَيْنَ أُمَتِّعْكُنَّ وَأُسَرِّحْكُنَّ سَرَاحًا جَمِيلًا - وَإِنْ كُنْتُنَّ تُرِدْنَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَالدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلْمُحْسِنَاتِ مِنْكُنَّ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا [O' Noble Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), say to your wives: 'If you desire the life of this world and its glitter, then come, I shall give you of these and let you go in an honorable way.' 'But if you desire Allah and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) and the (everlasting) Home of the Hereafter, then Surely Allah has prepared a great reward for those of you who do good.'] (Al-Ahzab: 28-29). Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) said, 'Am I to consult my parents about this? Indeed, I prefer Allah, His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), and the Home of the Hereafter.' After that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) gave the choice to his other wives and they also gave the same reply as did Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا).

Explanation of the above Hadith

In Islam slave women were allowed to live like wives of their masters. There were different rules of marriage with them. Meaning, they need not be formally married like free women and their dower was also less than free women.

Ummul Momineen Maria al-Qibtiyya (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) was a slave girl of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) who was blessed with a son of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), named Ibrahim (عليه السلام) who died in his infancy.

When she started living in the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) household, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) had usual conjugal relations with her, but it is reported that it was kept secret for some time from other wives of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) for obvious reasons. However, Ummul Momineen Hafsa (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) came to know about the relationship. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) advised her to keep it to herself. However, she informed Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) about it. When Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) inquired about it from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), he did not like it. However, to keep them happy, he took an oath in front of them that he will not go to Ummul Momineen Maria (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) again.

But the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) was cautioned about it by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ).

It is in Quran – يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ لِمَ تُحَرِّمُ مَا أَحَلَّ اللَّهُ لَكَ ۖ تَبْتَغِي مَرْضَاتَ أَزْوَاجِكَ ۚ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ - قَدْ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ تَحِلَّةَ أَيْمَانِكُمْ ۚ وَاللَّهُ مَوْلَاكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ [ O' Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)! Why do you leave certain thing in consideration of the wish of (some of) your wives while Allah has made it lawful to you? Allah is All Forgiving, and Most Merciful. Allah has already given you absolution from such oaths. Allah is your Lord, and He is Knowledgeable and Wise.] (At-Tahreem: 1-2).

In view of this caution, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) decided not to go to all his wives for one month. The above Hadith # 29, probably refers to this episode in the following sentence:

‘(فَاعْتَزَلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَلِكَ الْحَدِيثِ حِينَ أَفْشَتْهُ حَفْصَةُ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ، وَكَانَ قَدْ قَالَ ‏"‏ مَا أَنَا بِدَاخِلٍ عَلَيْهِنَّ شَهْرًا ‏"‏‏.‏ مِنْ شِدَّةِ مَوْجَدَتِهِ عَلَيْهِنَّ حِينَ عَاتَبَهُ اللَّهُ‏) The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) did not go to his wives because of the secret which Ummul Momineen Hafsa (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) had disclosed to Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا), and he said that he would not go to his wives for one month as he was angry with them when Allah cautioned him (for his oath that he would not approach Ummul Momineen Maria - رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا).’