This verse is no more (1) indicative of sins than those verses. If interpreting those verses (2) is permissible, then interpreting this one is likewise permissible; but if interpreting this verse is invalid, then interpreting those is even more invalid.

Second, it may be said: Even assuming that Aisha and Hafsa committed a sin, they would have repented of it (3). This is evident from the words of Allah Most High:

“If you both repent to Allah—for your hearts have indeed deviated.”

[Surah al-Tahrīm: 4]

Allah Most High thus called them both to repentance, so it should not be thought that they failed to repent—especially given their established high rank, the fact that they are the two wives (4) of our Prophet in Paradise, and the fact that Allah gave his wives the choice between the life of this world and its adornment, on the one hand, and Allah, His Messenger, and the Hereafter, on the other. They chose Allah, His Messenger, and the Hereafter. For that reason, Allah (5) forbade him to replace (6) them with other wives, and he was forbidden to marry any other women alongside them. Scholars differed as to whether this was later made permissible for him. He died leaving them behind as the Mothers of the Believers by the explicit text of the Quran.

It has also been established above that a sin may be forgiven and pardoned through repentance (7), good deeds that erase it, and afflictions (8) that expiate it.

Third, it may be said: What is mentioned concerning his wives is like what is mentioned concerning those whom he testified would enter Paradise