“And hold not to the ties of marriage of unbelieving women.” (Qur’an 60:10)

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If the Shi’i 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 (ra) 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(ra). Allah (swt) cleared Aisha(ra) 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 (ra) you would have to wonder why the Blessed Messenger (saw) remained married to Aisha(ra) .
Even the Shi’i admit that the Blessed Messenger (saw) never divorced Aisha (ra)
“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 the Shi’i want to say the Blessed Messenger (saw) didn’t know, we should ask on what basis 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, the Shi’i 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(ra) 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 two of our righteous servants, but they acted treacherously towards them, so they availed nothing against Allah, and it was said: Enter 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 https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/66.10
Unless someone wants to say that Ibn Abbas (ra) 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 (ra), 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 (as) and Noah (as), we do not know if their wives were apart of some arranged marriage.
Whereas we know that the Blessed Messenger (saw) chose Aisha (ra) as his wife. So the point still stands against those of the Shi’i who hold bad things in their heart towards Aisha (ra). Was the Blessed Messenger (saw) exercising sound decision-making when choosing Aisha (ra) as a wife?
“O you who believe! Truly, 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! Indeed, among your wives and children there are enemies for you, so beware of them of obeying them in neglecting the performance of good deeds such as struggling or emigrating — because the reason why this verse was revealed was precisely their obedience of them in such matters. And if you pardon them for their impeding you from such good deeds, justifying it on account of the distress that parting with you causes them, and overlook such enmity and forgive them, then assuredly, Allah is Forgiving Merciful.
Source: Tanwir Al-Miqbas min Tafsir Ibn Abbas https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/64.14
Prima Qur’an comments
This statement, explained by Ibn Abbas(ra), is made specifically 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 (ra) is an adversary of Ali.
By that, it COULD mean that the children of Ali 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 overlooking faults.
The Children of Fatima (ra) and Ali are described as a fitna by the Blessed Prophet (saw).
“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.”
Narrated by Buraydah ibn al-Hasib:
The Messenger of Allah (saw) delivered a speech to us; meanwhile, al-Hasan and al-Husayn came upon there stumbling, wearing red shirts. He came down from the pulpit, took them and ascended it with them. He then said: Allah truly said: “Your property and your children are only (fitnat) trial” (Ixiv.15). I saw both of them, and I could not wait. Afterwards, he resumed the speech.
Source: (https://sunnah.com/abudawud:1109)

So what are we to make of the Blessed Messenger (saw) calling the children of Ali (ra) 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(ra). She is included 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)
You might be interested in reading the following articles:
https://primaquran.com/2022/10/04/for-those-shia-who-do-slander-aisha-ra/
https://primaquran.com/2022/10/04/sociological-experiment-ali-umar-and-fatima/
May Allah Forgive the Ummah.
May Allah Guide the Ummah.
