The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4) — Page 637
that he would be issueless since he was the spiritual father of the whole of mankind. This was not an empty claim. As practical proof of this claim he would bring into being a community of righteous and most loyal spiritual sons. The Surah further says that since the Holy Prophet is the spiritual father of the Faithful, his wives are their spiritual mothers, and therefore marriage with them, after the death of the Prophet, is a grievous sin. The Holy Prophet himself is told that he is not to divorce any one of his existing wives, nor to add to their number. The wives of the Holy Prophet then, are enjoined that, being consistent with their dignity as "Mothers of the Faithful," they should observe certain rules regarding dress, etc. when going out. This injunction enjoining privacy and decorum applies equally to all Muslim women. Then the Surah says that though by the great accession to the political power and prestige of Islam, consequent on the defeat and dispersion of the confederated armies and the virtual elimination of the Banu Quraizah—the last Jewish tribe in Medina-the capacity of disbelievers for creating mischief has greatly decreased, the hypocrites will not desist from indulging in evil designs against Muslims but they will always meet with complete frustration and failure and the Islamic State will become firmly established and will continue to prosper. Towards its close, the Surah points to the high destiny of man and his great responsibilities. It purports to say that man is the acme and apex of God's creation. He has been endowed with great powers and capabilities which have been denied to other beings and, therefore, he alone among all creation can, by acting upon the laws of the Shari'ah, imbibe and demonstrate in his person Divine attributes. It is for the achievement by man of this noble object of his creation that God has been sending His Messengers and Prophets, but when these Prophets come, some people accept them and receive Divine favours while others choose the path of denial and incur His displeasure. 2551