(55) “There is no blame upon them regarding their fathers, their sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, or those whom their right hands possess. And fear Allah. Surely Allah is ever Witness over all things.”

After stating that the Prophet’s wives were to ask for any article only from behind a screen, and since the wording was general [and applied to everyone] (1), it was necessary to exempt the mahrams mentioned here and clarify that “there is no blame upon them” for not screening themselves from them.

Paternal and maternal uncles were not mentioned in this verse, because if they need not screen themselves from those whose paternal aunts they are, nor (2) from those whose maternal aunts they are—namely, their brothers’ and sisters’ sons—despite their senior standing over them, then it follows all the more that they need not screen themselves from their own paternal and maternal uncles. Moreover, the explicit wording of the other verse, which expressly mentions paternal and maternal uncles, takes precedence over what may be inferred from this verse.

His words, “nor their women,” mean that there is no blame upon them for not screening themselves from their women—that is, women who share their religion. This would exclude disbelieving women. It is also possible that what is meant is women in general, since a woman does not screen herself from another woman. “Or those whom their right hands possess,” so long as the slave remains entirely her property.

After lifting blame regarding these people, He stipulated, in this and all other matters, that they must adhere to the fear of Allah and avoid anything prohibited by the Sacred Law. He therefore said: “And fear Allah”; that is, observe fear of Him in every circumstance. “Surely Allah is ever Witness over all things”: He witnesses His servants’ deeds, both outward and inward, hears their words, and sees their movements. He will then recompense them for all of that with the fullest and most complete recompense.