Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear brother assalamualaikum

Can you explain me about the following statement what you have given for question no 1785

Example-4: The specific permission that Prophet Mohamed (saws) does not have to do justice between his several wives. This was a leniency given only to the Messenger of Allah (saws); the other believers who have more than one wife must do justice between them in giving his time, wealth, property, gifts, etc. equally amongst them.

Plz clearyfy as this answer is creating some doubts in my mind how can you say that prophet (SAWS) does not have to do justice between wives. where as Prophet (SAWS) said the best amoung you are the one who are best to their wives & i am best to my wives. dear brother plz clarify i know that i have misunderstood somewhere.

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Answer:

Prophet (saws) did not have to do justice with wives

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verses 50-52:

50 O prophet! We have made lawful to thee thy wives to whom thou hast paid their dowers; and those whom thy right hand possesses out of the prisoners of war whom Allah has assigned to thee; and daughters of thy paternal uncles and aunts and daughters of thy maternal uncles and aunts who migrated (from Mecca) with thee; and any believing woman who dedicates her soul to the Prophet if the Prophet wishes to wed her; this only for thee (O Prophet (saws)) and not for the believers (at large); We know what We have appointed for them as to their wives and the captives whom their right hands possess in order that there should be no difficulty for Thee. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.

51 Thou mayest defer (the turn of) any of them (the Prophet’s (saws) wives) that thou pleasest and thou mayest receive any thou pleasest: and there is no blame on thee if thou invite one whose (turn) thou hadst set aside. This were nigher to the cooling of their eyes the prevention of their grief and their satisfaction--that of all of them--with that which thou hast to give them: and Allah knows (all) that is in your hearts: and Allah is All-Knowing Most Forbearing.

52 It is not lawful for thee ((O Prophet (saws)) to marry other) women (than that listed above) after this, nor to change them for (other) wives even though their beauty attract thee except any thy right hand should possess (as handmaidens): and Allah doth watch over all things.

Your Question: ….plz clearyfy as this answer is creating some doubts in my mind how can you say that prophet (SAWS) does not have to do justice between wives. where as Prophet (SAWS) said the best amoung you are the one who are best to their wives & i am best to my wives. dear brother plz clarify i know that i have misunderstood somewhere.

Without an iota of a doubt brother, the Prophet Mohamed (saws) was best unto his wives, and he strove harder than anyone else in the annuls of history to be equal and do justice amongst his wives……but unlike the believers who are commanded to be equal and do justice amongst their wives, the Prophet (saws), because of his rank and his many duties as a Prophet, as a special concession from his Lord, was not obliged or required to do so.

This special concession is relayed unto the Prophet (saws) through the above quoted Verse 51 of Surah Ahzaab:

‘Thou mayest defer (the turn of) any of them (the Prophet’s (saws) wives) that thou pleasest and thou mayest receive any thou pleasest: and there is no blame on thee if thou invite one whose (turn) thou hadst set aside…..’

If any other believer other than the Prophet (saws) were not to allocate equal time and resources amongst his wives, it would be considered a sin; but because of his rank and his many duties which the Prophet (saws) had to fulfill, the Lord Most Exalted had given special permission and concession to his Prophet (saws) that if for any reason, he chose to defer or receive any particular wife of his above another, there would be absolutely no blame or sin upon him. We reiterate again that this special concession and permission was only for the Prophet (saws) and not for the believers at large.

Even though the Prophet (saws) had this special concession from his Lord, all the noble and chaste wives of the Prophet (saws) themselves bore witness that the Prophet (saws) strove his utmost to be equal and do justice amongst them with the allocation of his time and his resources.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan