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Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Qur’an regarding the blessed wives of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), “O Wives of the Prophet, you are not like other women.” [Surah 33, Verse 32]
The verses preceding and following this verse outwardly offer guidance to the blessed wives of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and proclaims their excellence, yet in reality they are truly the praise of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) himself. The verse proclaims, “O Wives of the Prophet, you are not like other women. Your rank and commands are different from others.” However this rank and excellence is due to the fact that they are the wives of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). When this is the greatness of simply being associated with Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), imagine the degree of honour of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) himself!
The wives of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) are more excellent than the womenfolk of the entire world. There is no restriction on the word ‘women’ in this verse. Hazrat Mariam (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) and Hazrat Aasiya (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) who is the wife of Firaun and the foster mother of Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam), were the most excellent of womenfolk during their respective times on earth. The blessed wives of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) however, are the most excellent of womenfolk of every era. Allah Ta’ala states about the Bani Isra’eel, “And I exalted you over the entire world in your time.” [Surah 2, Verse 47] So, the Bani Isra’eel were truly exalted over the people of that time. Now, however, the Ummah of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is the most excellent and exalted of all nations.
There is debate over whether Hazrat Sayyidah Fatimah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) is more excellent than Hazrat Sayyidah Aisha Siddiqah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha). Some scholars say that Hazrat Aisha Siddiqah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) is more excellent based on this verse, and the blessed wives of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) were more excellent than all the blessed daughters of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), because there is no restriction in this verse. Daughters are the children while wives are the mothers, and a mother is served by children. Hazrat Aisha (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) and all the other blessed wives of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) will be with him in Jannah, while Hazrat Fatimah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) will be with Hazrat Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). Based on these reasons, we come to know that the blessed wives are more excellent than the daughters.
Still, some scholars maintain that Hazrat Fatimah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) is more excellent than the blessed wives of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) because the pure blood of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) flows in her veins. In other words, her purity is inherent while the others’ is extraneous. Hazrat Fatimah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) is the leader of the womenfolk of Jannah. Furthermore, Hazrat Fatimah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) resembled Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and was free from Haiz and Nifaas. [Madaarijun Nubuwwah]
This is why she is also called ‘Zahra’ (a fragrant flower of Paradise), ‘Fatimah’ and ‘Batool’ (both meaning to abstain from the world even though one lives in it). Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would smell Hazrat Fatimah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) and say, “I have attained the fragrance of Jannah from her.”
However we should not even discuss such matters. Both Sayyidah’s are our masters. If one is the beloved of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), then the other is the “coolness of his eyes”. If we attain the honour of even carrying their sandals on our heads on the day of Qiyaamah, success is surely destined for us. Still, if one wishes that a decision be made then in certain aspects Sayyidah Fatimah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) is more excellent and in other aspects Sayyidah Aisha Siddiqah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) is.
The blessed wives of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) are not like any other women even with regards to the commands of Islam. A female can marry again after divorce or death of her husband, but the blessed wives are the Mothers of the Faithful. A wife inherits from the estate of her late husband, but the blessed wives did not inherit anything from the estate of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Women experience Ihtilaam (nocturnal emission) while the blessed wives did not. Ihtilaam is caused by the effect of Shaitaan, so how can the cursed wretch affect the blessed wives of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)? Hazrat Umme Salma (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) heard of the Ihtilaam of women and was surprised by it because she never experienced such a thing. [Mishkaat Shareef ]
After the demise of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), the blessed wives also cut the hair from their heads. [Muslim Shareef ] They did this because they did not have any need for beautification anymore. However, it is impermissible and haraam for any other women to cut their hair. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was also buried in the room of one of the blessed wives, while husbands of other women cannot be buried in their homes. In short, there are major differences with regard to Islamic commands when speaking of the blessed wives.
Indeed the Mothers of the Faithful are the most excellent of all womenfolk, yet there is a contrast of excellence amongst them. Hazrat Khadijah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) and Hazrat Aisha (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) are more excellent than the other blessed wives. Hazrat Aisha (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) was a very young lady when Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) made Nikah with her, while Hazrat Khadijah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) was the first person he married. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also did not perform any other Nikah while Hazrat Khadijah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) was alive and his progeny spread from her. He always performed Qurbani (sacrifice) on her behalf.
On the other hand, the knowledge and wisdom of Hazrat Aisha Siddiqah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) was unrivalled amongst womenfolk. She would regularly resolve the knowledgeable differences of the Sahaabah. Her title is ‘The Beloved of Allah’s Beloved’ (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and revelation came to Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) while he was in bed with her under one sheet (an excellence granted only to her). Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) made Salaam to her, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) passed away on her lap, and her room will be visited by angels, believing humans and jinns until the day of Qiyaamah (because it is the sacred burial place of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)). Even the Holy Qur’an in Surah Noor proclaimed her chastity and modesty when she was being accused by some people. So, Muslims will recite the Holy Qur’an and testify to her purity until the end of days.
[Compiled from Shaan-e-Habeebur Rahman min Aayaatil Qur’an by Hakeemul Ummat Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan Naeemi Rahmatullah Alaih]
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to have utmost respect for the blessed wives of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Ameen.
