Addressing the Wives of the Prophet from Behind a Barrier
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3353
"O you who believe, do not enter the homes of the prophet unless you are invited to a meal, without you forcing such an invitation. But if you are invited, you may enter. And when you finish eating, you shall leave, without staying to wait for a narrative. This used to bother the prophet, and he was shy to tell you. But God does not shy away from the truth. And if you ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier. This is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not for you to harm the messenger of God, nor that you should marry his wives after him. This is indeed a gross offence with God."336
"The prophet is closer to the believers than themselves, and his wives are mothers to them. And the decree of God to the believers and the emigrants is that before they help their relatives, they have taken care of their own families first. Such has been decreed in the Book."3353 instructs the prophet's contemporaries to address the his wives from behind a barrier and at the same time 336 states that his wives are like mothers to the believers. Although I understand the latter to be metaphorical, I certainly do not ask something of my own mother from behind a barrier.
Does anyone know the reasoning behind this injunction? My understanding is that because among the believers there may be those with enmity toward the prophet and his family and this injunction is an overall protective measure for his wives. Also, because 3353 begins talking about the prophet's houses, it may be that those who visit these houses to ask the prophet's wives something are asked to do so behind a barrier so that the prophet's wives, who may have had a lot of inquisitors given their husband's status, would not be inconvenienced by clothing with acceptable attire and accommodating every guest who showed up at the door.
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I interpret it as, his visitors aren`t neccesarily that good. So he protects his wifes from them, and also hides them from their unclean thoughts. (So much for the status of the sahaba). These people may not have thought so much on their own also, so the need for Mohammed to think for them, AKA obey, and verses that are very straight forward.
So he did get a lot of people to obey, but they were not neccesarily the best of people, and of much faith. People and jinn. Solomon also got control of jinn. Since all idols at mecca went away, I can only assume that Mohammed got the same, both people and jinn. And the wind, that solomon gained control of. And he set the direction of the wind, towards Islam.
One may consider if, when Mohammed died, this mind that had them all in it`s grip, let go, and Islam was at mercy of the disbelievers, and got corrupted.
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If anyone is still reading this topic then you might find the following link helpful
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9603782.msg323079#msg323079
Richard
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Hi Everyone,
I imagine this came from the fact that the Prophet was clearly a popular guy. Everyone wanted to be around him so any time you could meet with him was valuable. However, this meant that he couldn't go home and relax or have a meal. So Allah said only go and have dinner with him if you are invited. Don't just show up and say "Hey your eating, mind if I ask you some stuff while you eat?"
Also with leaving after the meal was so if you were invited you wouldn't stay all night asking questions.
And the asking his wife stuff from behind a barrier probably came from the fact that people probably were bugging his wives all the time. They couldn't get any peace either. So if they were behind a barrier they could take care of stuff while people were around. I think people read too much into this one.
And about them being like mothers, this means they were important and to be loved and respected. My guess is that everyone was bugging them so they felt like they didn't get respect from people to be able to rest.
Just my crazy thoughts.
JewishDude
peace Salam, Shalom, Peace peace