the two women were polytheists, He referred to them by the word imra’ah (woman). Concerning Adam, He said: “Dwell in Paradise, you and your wife.” He said to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): “Indeed, We have made lawful to you your wives” (33:50). And concerning the believers, He said: “They will have purified spouses therein” (2:25).

A group of scholars, including al-Suhaylī and others, said: “These women were not called ‘spouses’ because they will not be their husbands’ spouses in the Hereafter. Moreover, marriage is an adornment conferred by religious law and belongs to the realm of religion. Thus, the unbelieving woman was denied this designation, as were the wives of Noah and Lot.”

Al-Suhaylī then raised an objection to his own explanation, citing Zechariah’s words, “And my wife has been barren” (19:5), and Allah’s words concerning Abraham (peace be upon him): “Then his wife came forward with a cry” (51:29).

He answered that the word imra’ah (woman) is more fitting in these passages because they concern pregnancy and childbirth. Referring to her as a woman is therefore more appropriate, since it is her womanhood that enables her to conceive and give birth, not her being a spouse.

I say: If it were said that the reason believers and their wives are described using the word azwāj (spouses) is that this word suggests resemblance, sameness of kind, and union—as its very wording implies—that would be more fitting. For a pair consists of two things that resemble one another, correspond to one another, and are alike. Hence Allah’s words:

“Gather those who committed wrong, and their counterparts” (37:22).

‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “‘Their counterparts’ means those who resemble them and are like them.” Imam Ahmad also said this. Another example is Allah’s statement:

“And when the souls are paired” (81:7).

That is, each kind will be joined with its like, whether in bliss or punishment. Concerning this verse, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The righteous with the righteous in Paradise, and the wicked with the wicked in the Fire.” This was also the view of al-Hasan, Qatādah, and the majority. It was also said that the souls of the believers will be paired with fair maidens with beautiful eyes, and the souls of the disbelievers with devils. This comes back to the first interpretation. Allah, Most High, said: “Eight mates” (6:143). He then