OCCASION OF REVELATION

  After the successive victories of Moslems over their enemies, a great amount of war spoils were obtained, and Moslems became relatively rich.

      Some of the prophet's wives asked him for a share of the spoils, alluding to certain materials and goods to be provided for them. Some of the wives asked for various ornaments, yemen's cloth, Egyptian garments, Khaibar's carpet, or even maid-servants.

      The prophet knew that such requests had no end and one would call for another! After all, such kinds of demands were not becoming to a wife of the Messenger of God. So the prophet rejected their requests, and as a result of his rejection he was somehow vexed and withdrew from them for a period of one month. Then the above mentioned verses revealed and they reconciled.

EITHER SALVATION OR GAUDINESS

      In the sixth verse of this chapter (S-33:6), the prophet's wives were crowned by the exalted title of, ``THE MOTHER OF BELIEVERS.'' How could they be the mother of Moslem community (UMMAT), with their hearts in pledge of gaudiness and adornments of this world as a queen? Not only the prophet is an example of manner and good conduct for other people, that his household too should be patterns of chastity, virtue and righteous deeds, in order to be followed by people. A prophet is not a king to hold a glorious and decorated GYNAECEUM full of gaudiness and luxuriancies, and hence the verse:-

      ``O, Prophet! Tell your wives, ``If your intention is the life of this world and its adornments, come forth then, that, I may provide you with some gifts and let you go by a fair release.''

      The prophet's household and wives have a dignity far above the ordinary women. His wives are the mothers of the believers, and especial laws and regulations have been revealed for them to be observed that they do not apply to the ordinary women. Therefore, their behaviour and treatments should comply with their high position and hard responsibilities, as the wife of a Messenger of God; and the mother of an Ummat. (Moslem Community) In this regard, if they commit a sin their punishment shall be a twofold, and through the justice and Mercy of God, their good-deeds too, will bring them a reward of twice as much.

LET US CALL HAZRAT KHADIJEH TO MIND

      The youthful marriage of our prophet was with HAZRAT KHADIJEH (AS), a widow some 15 years older than him, but the best of women, and the best of wives. She was the truthful spiritual mother of believers, and the flesh and blood mother, of HAZRAT FATIMA (AS); our prophet's beloved daughter whom he called, ``THE MOTHER OF HIS FATHER''.

      Their married life lasted for 25 years, during which, contrary to all Arabs, our prophet married no other woman, and this was very unusual for a man in his position. Their mutual love, and fidelity was unique. When she died he was 50 years old, and the prophet would have probably never marriaged again. His later marriages after HAZRAT KHADIJEH (AS), were based either on Mercy excited by compassion, or to violate some unlawful taboo; and else political in nature.

      But all his wives, whoever they were had their main duties to work hard as the mother of the believers.

      They were all aware of the high position of being a prophet's wife which was to be the mother of the believers, and they also knew well that it was unlawful for man to marry his mother after the prophet.

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE

      Then in the next verse (NO.30) the immediate reference is to the high position of the prophet's wives, that if any of them committed an apparent indecency or a proved misconduct, she had to suffer a twofold punishment for it. And whoever of them fulfilled her duties to Allah and His Messenger and did righteous deeds she would have a twofold reward. This twofold reward or punishment was, for their existence with having two dimensions. One dimension belonged to themselves, and the other to the Ummat. (Moslem Community) Their life and conducts could lead or mislead others with a twofold effect, and so was their critical condition:-

      ``O, prophet's women! If any one of you commits an apparent indecency, her punishment shall have a twofold increase, and that is easy for Allah.''