chaste, unsuspecting, believing women possess a distinction beyond that of women who are merely chaste. This—and Allah knows best—is because the faith of the Prophet’s wives, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is attested to: they are the Mothers of the Believers and the wives of His Prophet in this world and the Hereafter. Of Muslim women generally, however, what is usually known is only their outward profession of faith.
Moreover, Allah, glorified is He, said concerning the account of ‘Ā’ishah:
“And the one among them who took the leading part in it will have a great punishment.”
His singling out the one who took the leading part, rather than the others, indicates that the great punishment applies specifically to him. He also said:
“Had it not been for Allah’s favour upon you and His mercy in this world and the Hereafter, a great punishment would have afflicted you for what you had engaged in.”
Thus, it is understood that the great punishment does not afflict everyone who makes an accusation of unchastity, but only the one who takes the leading part in it. Here, however, He said:
“And they will have a great punishment.”
It is therefore understood that the one who accuses the Mothers of the Believers thereby disparages His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and takes the leading part in the slander. This describes the hypocrite Ibn Ubayy. And Allah knows best.
According to this view, this verse also constitutes evidence consistent with that other verse: since accusing the Mothers of the Believers causes harm to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, the perpetrator is cursed in this world and the Hereafter. This is why Ibn ‘Abbās said, “There is no repentance for this,” because the repentance of one who harms the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is not accepted. Or he may mean that, if such a person repents of the accusation, his repentance is not accepted until he embraces Islam anew.
On this understanding, accusing them of unchastity constitutes hypocrisy that renders the offender liable to death, if it is intended to harm the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, or is done with the knowledge that they are his wives in the Hereafter. For no prophet’s wife has ever committed adultery.