OCCASION OF REVELATION

 When the prophet married Zainab, the divorced wife of his adopted son, he wished to declare popularly that the Pagan Era's TABOO, by which it was unlawful to marry the widow of his adopted son, was no more valid. He therefore provided for a wedding banquet, and invited the Emigrants and Helpers to a formal meal.

      When the meal was served and the table-cloth was cleared, all the guests went out and dispersed except three of them who stayed there after all and continued their idle talks with one another.

      Now the prophet had some urgent works to do and he was shy to tell them to leave the house. To make them know it, he went out for a while and then returned, and still found them busy in their chatting.

      The above verse was revealed to this effect to teach the Arabs some refined ethical rules.

      On the other hand some of the neighbours as it is still customary, when they are in need will borrow an object, such as a pot or a chattel of some kind. In the case of the prophet they would enter his house intrudingly because they considered themselves familiars and friends. Such was not a good custom to thrust oneself in, without any leave or welcome.

COMMENTS

      Through the above verse, five more commandments have been issued which are in fact rules of a refined social ethics:-

      1ِIt begins with the rules of reception and entertainment:-

      ``Do not enter the houses of the prophet without permission or being invited to a meal. And when you are invited be punctual.''

      The verse and also other verses elsewhere imply that we should not enter a house, and in particular the house of the prophet, without a leave or invitation; be it for a banquet, a formal meal, or other purposes.

      Then when we are invited as such, we have to keep the time, and be punctual. We should not go there sooner or later to bother them in their prepration or to annoy them when they are already tired, after the meal is served and the ceremony is finished. Perhaps the host is more than polite, and is ashamed to tell you to depart.

      2ِThe second instruction is:-

      ``Then when you served the meal disperse and go away.''

      This is in fact the complementary to the first instruction.

      3ِWhen the feast or meeting is finished, do not stay long and keep on with idle talks and having a chat with the others, unless you are sure that the host is pleased with that.

      4ِThe fourth instruction is about the contacts with prophet's household for borrowing an object or asking a question:-

      ``And when you ask them for an object ask them from behind a curtain.''

      The Arabic, ``HEJÄB'' has a variety of shades of meanings such as veil, curtain, partition, cover, screen, and etc.

      5ِAnd the fifth instruction considers the respect of the prophet that no one has any right to bother or hurt him, and that no one can marry his wives after him. Believers should uphold the dignity and respect of their prophet, and to a lower state, to protect the respect of his daughters, wives, and near kins.

      The prophet came with a mission from God in order to tame and train the world. He is therefore entitled to the respect of all the world, whether they believe in him or not. This is because we can see that, his mission works constantly like the forces of nature; and ages and centuries have not so far been able to frustrate the earnest endeavour of his Message, which automatically goes forward, and his religious motives are as hardy and active to day, as it was during his life time!