booke

314chapter fivewhom their right hands possess. And, (ladies), fear God; for God iswitness to all things. ( Al-AÈz§b 33:55)This time only the wives of the Prophet (ß) are the subject of theverse. Again, as in 24:31, it does not list all maȧrim relatives whenit allows the Prophet’s wives to reveal their bodies. Also, the versedoes not mention the zawj husband because MuÈammad (ß) as theirzawj has the right to see them naked anyway. It similarly does notmention the husband’s son, because MuÈammad (ß) did not havesons (only daughters). Likewise, it does not mention the husband’sfather, because MuÈammad (ß) was an orphan. Again, nis§"ihinna isused to refer to those ‘who come next’, that is, MuÈammad’s (ß)grandchildren. It is striking that the verse addresses the question ofthe exposure of the zÊna of the Prophet’s wives in front of men. Weknow that Allah had decreed that all believing men are to be treatedas maȧrim relatives who cannot be married:…and his wives are their mothers… ( Al-AÈz§b 33:6)Nor is it right for you that you should annoy God’s apostle, or thatyou should marry his widows after him at any time… ( Al-AÈz§b33:53)The special instruction for MuÈammad’s (ß) wives was that believingmen should talk to them from behind a screen ( al-Èij§b), in spite ofthe fact that they would never be allowed to marry them. As for thelegal force of this verse, the explicit instruction of Allah thatMuÈammad’s (ß) wives are not like any other believing women (33:32)makes it incumbent upon women not to follow the Prophet’s wivesin speaking from behind a screen. If a woman ignores God’s commandand follows the example of the Prophet’s wives she shouldthen speak from behind a Èij§b to all male persons, except to herseven maȧrim relatives and ‘those who come next’. But in so doingshe would, unnecessarily and unlawfully, impose upon herself whatAllah only preserved for MuÈammad’s (ß) wives. What the believingwomen share with MuÈammad’s (ß) wives is Allah’s command thatthey protect their private parts. Women can use whatever clothesare sanctioned by the prevailing customs and dress norms ofsociety.The following table summarises the previous sections and presentsour comparative survey of såras Al-Nis§" (4:23) and Al-Når (24:31):