Written by: Hafiz Nadeem Zaheer
"O Prophet! Say to your wives, 'If you desire the life of this world and its adornments, then come, I will provide for you and release you in a handsome manner. But if you desire Allah and His Messenger and the home of the Hereafter, then indeed, Allah has prepared for the doers of good among you a great reward.' O wives of the Prophet, whoever of you should commit a clear immorality, for her the punishment would be doubled, and that is easy for Allah."(Al-Ahzab: 28-30)
Fiqh of the Quran:
- These verses refer to the incident when the noble wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) asked for an increase in their maintenance and livelihood, which the Prophet (ﷺ) disliked and temporarily separated from them. Allah revealed these verses in response.
"When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was commanded to give his wives the choice, he (ﷺ) first asked me. He (ﷺ) said: 'I am going to tell you something, but do not hasten to respond until you consult your parents.' He (ﷺ) knew that my parents would not advise me to leave him. Then he (ﷺ) recited these verses: 'O Prophet, say to your wives...' to the end of the verses. I said: 'Why would I need to consult my parents? I indeed desire Allah, His Messenger (ﷺ), and the home of the Hereafter.' Subsequently, the rest of the Prophet's wives did the same as I did."(Sahih Bukhari: 4786)
Lady Aisha (رضی اللہ عنہا) states that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) gave us the choice (to either stay with him or seek separation). We chose Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ), hence the given choice was not considered as a divorce.(Sahih Bukhari: 5262)
Points of Jurisprudence:
- It is permissible for a husband to give his wives the option: "If you wish to remain in marriage, stay; if you wish to separate (through divorce in a good manner), you are free to go."
- The greatness and status of the Mothers of the Believers (رضی اللہ عنہن) is highlighted as they chose Allah, His Messenger (ﷺ), and the Hereafter over the world and its adornments.
- Following the Sunnah and performing righteous deeds make one deserving of great rewards.
- The higher the knowledge and status bestowed, the stricter the accountability, because such individuals influence not just themselves but the entire society through their righteousness or sins.