“Women impure are for men impure, and men impure for women impure and women of purity are for men of purity, and men of purity are for women of purity: these are not affected by what people say: for them there is forgiveness, and a provision honourable.” (Qur’an 24:26)
If our brothers from among the Shi’i Muslims believe that the Blessed Prophet Muhammed (saw) was infallible in every way, this should also include his choice of wives. Rather or not the Blessed Messenger (saw) chose Aisha as his wife or Allah (swt) chose her as his wife.
“Indeed, those who falsely accuse chaste, unaware and believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter; and they will have a great punishment.” (Qur’an 24:23)
These verses above were revealed on an occasion in which some of the companions made insinuations about the noble wife Aisha. Allah (swt) cleared Aisha of the insinuations and has clearly questioned the faith of those who would repeat such allegations.
However, if some want to assume that this verse exonerates Maria Al-Qibtiyya and not Aisha you would have to wonder why the Blessed Messenger (saw) remained married to Aisha.
Even our Shi’i brothers admit that the Blessed Messenger (saw) never divorced Aisha – “women of purity are for men of purity.”
“Moreover, one of His signs is that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find tranquility in them, and He ordained between you love and compassion.” (Qura’n 30:21
“And hold not to the ties of marriage of unbelieving women.” (Qur’an 60:10)
Now if our Shi’i brothers want to say the Blessed Messenger (saw) didn’t know we should ask on what basis do they know then? On what basis are they better informed about the wife of the Blessed Messenger (saw) than the Blessed Messenger (saw) is himself!
Even still, our Shi’i brothers will often bring up the following verse and ask if the wives of Lot and Noah (May Allah’s peace be upon them), were either made pure simply by their marriage to these noble prophets or were the best choice for them.
What is interesting about them doing this is that there is not a denial that Aisha was indeed the wife of the Blessed Messenger (saw).
“Allah sets forth an example to those who disbelieve: the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot, they were both under two of Our righteous servants, but they acted treacherously towards them so they availed them nothing against Allah, and it was said: Enter both the fire with those who enter.” (Quran 66:10)
Let us see how a member of the ‘Ahl Bayt’ has explained this verse.
“Allah warned ‘A’ishah and Hafsah because they hurt the Prophet (saw). By mentioning the example of the wives of Noah and Lot, saying: Allah explains (an example) a trait (for those who disbelieve) by mentioning the two disbelieving women: (the wife of Noah) Wahilah (and the wife of Lot) Wa’ilah, (who were under two of our righteous slaves) messengers (yet betrayed them) yet opposed them in religion, displaying belief outwardly while hiding their disbelief inwardly, such that they kept their hypocrisy in their hearts; but they did not betray their husbands in the sense that they committed adultery, for no wife of a prophet had ever done this, (so that they the husbands availed them naught) benefited them naught (against Allah) against the chastisement of Allah; i.e. the righteousness of their husbands did not benefit them while they were disbelievers (and it was said (unto them): Enter the Fire) in the Hereafter (along with those who enter) the Fire.”
Source: (Tanwir Al-Miqbas min Tafsir Ibn Abbas)
Unless someone wants to say that Ibn Abbas made a flaw in his commentary of the verse, this is what the great scholar has had to say.
If someone says that they do not accept the Tafsir of Ibn Abbas (r.a) then this should be noted. However, the person should be reminded that the verse in the Qur’an does not specify what the betrayal of the wives was. The other point is this. In the case of Lot (a.s) and Noah (a.s) we do not know if their wives were apart of some arranged marriage.
Whereas we know that the Blessed Messenger (saw) chose Aisha (r.a) as his wife. So the point still stands against our Shi’i brothers. Was the Blessed Messenger (saw) exercising sound decision-making when choosing Aisha as a wife?
“O you who believe! Truly, among your wives and your children are enemies to yourselves: so beware of them! But if you forgive and overlook, and cover up their faults, truly Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Quran 64:14)
Let us see how a member of the ‘Ahl Bayt’ has explained this verse.
“(O you who believe) in Muhammad (saw) and the Qur’an! (Lo! Among your wives and your children) who are in Mecca (there are enemies for you) in that they barred you from migration and jihad, (therefore beware of them) lest you fail to migrate or engage in jihad. (And if you efface) if you pardon them for barring you (and overlook) and turn away from them, and not punish them (and forgive) their sins after they have migrated from Mecca to Medina, (then lo! Allah is Forgiving) He forgives he who repents, (Merciful) towards he who dies repentant.”
Source: (Tanwir Al-Miqbas min Tafsir Ibn Abbas)
Comments
This statement explained by Ibn Abbas is made specific to the people that migrated from Mecca to Medina. However, if someone wants to make this verse Amm or general, it now applies to anyone who has a wife or children.
By that it COULD mean that Fatima (r.a) is an adversary of Ali (r.a).
By that it COULD mean that the children of Ali (r.a) are an adversary to him. If you are going to take a general meaning of it.
Not only this but the verse COULD imply something that is not as grave as it sounds. Especially as it encourages forgiveness, covering up and over looking faults.
The Children of Fatima (r.a) and Ali (r.a) described as a fitna.
“Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women children, Qanatir Al-Muqantarah of gold and silver, branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world’s life, but Allah has the excellent return with him.)” (Qur’an 3:14) and the Ayah after it. Imam Ahmad recorded that Buraydah said, “The Messenger of Allah was giving a speech and Al-Hasan and Husayn came in wearing red shirts, walking and tripping. The Messenger descended from the Minbar, held them and placed them in front of them and said,
«صَدَقَ اللهُ وَرَسُولُهُ إِنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ، نَظَرْتُ إِلَى هَذَيْنِ الصَّبِيَّيْنِ يَمْشِيَانِ وَيَعْثُرَانِ، فَلَمْ أَصْبِرْ حَتْى قَطَعْتُ حَدِيثِي وَرَفَعْتُهُمَا (Allah and His Messenger said the truth,` Truly, your wealth and your children are a Fitnah.’ I saw these two boys walking and tripping and could not be patient until I stopped my speech and picked them up.)” This was recorded by the Sunan compilers, and At-Tirmidhi said, “Hasan Gharib.”
So what are we to make of the Blessed Messenger (saw) calling the children of Ali and Fatima a fitna?
Fitna never has pleasant connotations in the Qur’an.
So this COULD be understood as something not so severe as in the usual sense of understanding the word fitna.
In the end, we can say that the Blessed Prophet Muhammed (saw) was Masoom in the choice of his wives, including chief among them the Mother of the Believers, Aisha. She is including among the ‘Ahl Bayt’ and those purified by Allah (swt). The Creator of the universe came to her defense in a revelation of the Qur’an.
As our Creator who is both Merciful and Severe in punishment has reminded us:
“Indeed, those who falsely accuse chaste, unaware and believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter; and they will have a great punishment.” (Qur’an 24:23)
We would encourage you to read our article here: https://primaquran.com/purification-of-the-ahl-bayt/
Prima Quran 
Salaam,
While I am not Shia, that statement seems verifiable by Quran.
Or are you saying the wife of Prophet Lot (pbuh) was deemed pure, simply by relation, and that she was the best choice among women for the Lot?
Jafar,
Hello,
“While I am not Shia, that statement seems verifiable by Quran.”
Seems is the correct word. The ideal that Prophets are masoom is not a concept in the Holy Qur’an.
Any quotations from you would be greatly appreciated. As we take the Prima Qur’an approach. We do not approach the Holy Qur’an with our sectarian suppositions; rather we allow the Holy Qur’an to open our hearts to truth.
“Or are you saying the wife of Prophet Lot (pbuh) was deemed pure, simply by relation, and that she was the best choice among women for the Lot?”
I am not saying anything. Allah (swt) is saying to the Shi’a that if Aisha is impure what does it say about the Blessed Messenger (saw) ?
And if she was initially pure and became impure , in other words IF that state is able to change what does it say about the doctrine of one being ‘masoom’ ?
Lastly the Holy Qur’an has in several places that having blood ties or being a descendant of someone does not guarantee a person purity. Noah and his sons for example. Allah (swt) says: “They are not your family.”
You have Prophet Adam and his two sons. One murdered the other.
Lastly, I would take very seriously anyone who would falsely accuse chaste woman and yes a woman is chaste (innocent) until proven beyond a shadow of a doubt other wise.
So maybe we could reflect on that when using the wife of Prophet Lot (upon him be peace) as a rhetorical device.
I hope this is helpful