Author: Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amn Puri
It is legislated to send blessings upon the pure wives of the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), as they are considered part of the Ahl al-Bayt according to the Quran and Sunnah. This is evident from the following:
"Indeed, Allah intends to remove from you impurity, O people of the [Prophet's] household, and to purify you with [extensive] purification."
(Al-Ahzab: 33)
In the interpretation of this verse, the scholar of the Ummah, the interpreter of the Quran, and the Mufassir among the Companions, Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), says:
"This verse was specifically revealed about the wives of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)."
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 6/410, authenticated by Salamah, with a sound chain)
Ikrimah (may Allah have mercy on him), a student of Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), says:
"Whoever wishes, I am ready to engage in Mubahalah (prayer duel) with him that this verse was revealed concerning the pure wives of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)."
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 6/411, authenticated by Salamah, with a sound chain)
In the interpretation of this verse, the famous scholar of Ahl al-Sunnah, Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him), states:
"This verse is an explicit text indicating that the wives of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) are included in the Ahl al-Bayt because they are the reason for the revelation of this verse."
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 6/410, authenticated by Salamah)
He further adds:
"If it is meant that they were the only reason for the revelation, this is correct. However, if it is intended that they are the only ones included in the Ahl al-Bayt, this is questionable, as there are hadiths that indicate the concept of Ahl al-Bayt is broader than this."
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 6/411, authenticated by Salamah)
This means that although this verse mentions the inclusion of the pure wives in the Ahl al-Bayt, authentic hadiths indicate that the Prophet's (صلى الله عليه وسلم) relatives are also included in the Ahl al-Bayt. In fact, if the wives are considered Ahl al-Bayt, then the relatives are even more deserving of being part of the Ahl al-Bayt.
In this regard, Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) further states:
"Then, the one who ponders over the Quran will have no doubt that the wives of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) are included in Allah’s statement: 'Indeed, Allah intends to remove from you impurity, O people of the [Prophet's] household, and to purify you with [extensive] purification.' This is because the context of the speech is directed at them. This is why, after mentioning all this, Allah says: 'And remember what is recited in your houses of the verses of Allah and wisdom.' This means: act upon what Allah reveals to His Messenger in your houses of the Quran and Sunnah. This interpretation is made by Qatadah and others. What it means is:
O wives of the Prophet! Remember this blessing that has been specifically granted to you among all people, that revelation descends in your houses and not in the houses of others. Aisha al-Siddiqah, the daughter of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, was foremost among them in this blessing, the most benefiting from this privilege, and the one who received the largest share of this encompassing mercy. This is because no revelation was sent to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) in the bed of any other wife except her, as he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) explicitly stated. Some scholars said that this was due to the fact that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) did not marry any virgin besides her, and she did not have intimacy with any man other than him. Hence, her character was more appropriate to be distinguished by this honor and unique in this high rank. However, when his wives are among the Ahl al-Bayt, his relatives are even more deserving of this title, as stated in the hadith:
'And my family is more deserving (of this title).' This is similar to what is established in Sahih Muslim, where the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was asked about the mosque that was founded on piety from the first day, and he said: 'It is this mosque of mine.' Although this verse was revealed about the mosque of Quba, it is still appropriate to name the Prophet's mosque by this name since it was also founded on piety from the first day. The matter of the Ahl al-Bayt is similar (in that although the Quran mentions the pure wives as Ahl al-Bayt, the Prophet’s relatives are also included as his household)."
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 6/415, 416, authenticated by Salamah)
It is legislated to send blessings upon the pure wives of the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), as they are considered part of the Ahl al-Bayt according to the Quran and Sunnah. This is evident from the following:
In the Light of the Quran:
Allah addresses the pure wives of the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) in the Quran:"Indeed, Allah intends to remove from you impurity, O people of the [Prophet's] household, and to purify you with [extensive] purification."
(Al-Ahzab: 33)
In the interpretation of this verse, the scholar of the Ummah, the interpreter of the Quran, and the Mufassir among the Companions, Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), says:
"This verse was specifically revealed about the wives of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)."
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 6/410, authenticated by Salamah, with a sound chain)
Ikrimah (may Allah have mercy on him), a student of Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), says:
"Whoever wishes, I am ready to engage in Mubahalah (prayer duel) with him that this verse was revealed concerning the pure wives of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)."
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 6/411, authenticated by Salamah, with a sound chain)
In the interpretation of this verse, the famous scholar of Ahl al-Sunnah, Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him), states:
"This verse is an explicit text indicating that the wives of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) are included in the Ahl al-Bayt because they are the reason for the revelation of this verse."
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 6/410, authenticated by Salamah)
He further adds:
"If it is meant that they were the only reason for the revelation, this is correct. However, if it is intended that they are the only ones included in the Ahl al-Bayt, this is questionable, as there are hadiths that indicate the concept of Ahl al-Bayt is broader than this."
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 6/411, authenticated by Salamah)
This means that although this verse mentions the inclusion of the pure wives in the Ahl al-Bayt, authentic hadiths indicate that the Prophet's (صلى الله عليه وسلم) relatives are also included in the Ahl al-Bayt. In fact, if the wives are considered Ahl al-Bayt, then the relatives are even more deserving of being part of the Ahl al-Bayt.
In this regard, Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) further states:
"Then, the one who ponders over the Quran will have no doubt that the wives of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) are included in Allah’s statement: 'Indeed, Allah intends to remove from you impurity, O people of the [Prophet's] household, and to purify you with [extensive] purification.' This is because the context of the speech is directed at them. This is why, after mentioning all this, Allah says: 'And remember what is recited in your houses of the verses of Allah and wisdom.' This means: act upon what Allah reveals to His Messenger in your houses of the Quran and Sunnah. This interpretation is made by Qatadah and others. What it means is:
O wives of the Prophet! Remember this blessing that has been specifically granted to you among all people, that revelation descends in your houses and not in the houses of others. Aisha al-Siddiqah, the daughter of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, was foremost among them in this blessing, the most benefiting from this privilege, and the one who received the largest share of this encompassing mercy. This is because no revelation was sent to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) in the bed of any other wife except her, as he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) explicitly stated. Some scholars said that this was due to the fact that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) did not marry any virgin besides her, and she did not have intimacy with any man other than him. Hence, her character was more appropriate to be distinguished by this honor and unique in this high rank. However, when his wives are among the Ahl al-Bayt, his relatives are even more deserving of this title, as stated in the hadith:
'And my family is more deserving (of this title).' This is similar to what is established in Sahih Muslim, where the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was asked about the mosque that was founded on piety from the first day, and he said: 'It is this mosque of mine.' Although this verse was revealed about the mosque of Quba, it is still appropriate to name the Prophet's mosque by this name since it was also founded on piety from the first day. The matter of the Ahl al-Bayt is similar (in that although the Quran mentions the pure wives as Ahl al-Bayt, the Prophet’s relatives are also included as his household)."
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 6/415, 416, authenticated by Salamah)