Tafsir of Al-Ahzab 33:54

{If you disclose a thing}—that is, from that which holds no good, such as if you were to speak about [marrying] them—{or conceal it}—within your chests—{then indeed Allah has ever been, of all things, Knowing.} He possesses complete knowledge, and He shall reward you for the sins that emanate from you, whether manifest or hidden, inevitably. This is evidence of the [implicit] answer [to the condition], for the root is: "If you disclose a thing or conceal it, He shall reward you for it," for indeed Allah, etc.

It is said that this is the answer, meaning: "I inform you that Allah, etc." In generalizing "a thing" in both places—along with the proof for the intended meaning regarding the establishment of His Exalted knowledge concerning everything related to the wives of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)—there is increased intimidation, sternness, and exaggeration in the warning.

Regarding the cause of the revelation of this verse, it is said that when the verse of the Hijab was revealed, a man said: "Is it forbidden for us to speak to our paternal cousins except from behind a veil? If Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) dies, we shall surely marry his wives." In some narrations, it is mentioned [that he specifically named] 'Aishah or Umm Salamah.

Juwaybir reported from Ibn Abbas that a man came to one of the wives of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and spoke to her, as he was her paternal cousin. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not stand in this position after this day of yours." The man replied: "O Messenger of Allah, she is my paternal cousin; by Allah, I said nothing evil to her, nor did she say anything to me." The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: "I know that, but there is no one more jealous than Allah, and there is no one more jealous than I." The man left, then said: "He rebuked me for speaking to my paternal cousin? I shall marry her after him!" Thus, Allah the Exalted revealed this verse. The man then emancipated a slave, provided ten camels for the cause of Allah the Exalted, and performed the pilgrimage on foot as a result of his statement.

'Abd al-Razzaq, 'Abd ibn Humayd, and Ibn al-Mundhir reported from Qatadah that Talhah ibn 'Ubayd Allah said: "If the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) were to pass away, I would marry 'Aishah." Then the verse {And it is not for you...} was revealed.

Ibn 'Atiyyah said: "The claim that the speaker was Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) is not sound; that is what prevails in my opinion, and I can hardly accept its authenticity unless what is contained in the report of Ibn Abbas is accepted, which indicates great remorse."

In some narrations, it is mentioned that some hypocrites said, when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) married Umm Salamah after Abu Salamah, and Hafsah after Khunays ibn Hudhafah: "What is the matter with Muhammad? He marries our women! By Allah, if he were to die, we would draw lots for his wives." Thus, the verse was revealed. By my life, that is not far-fetched for the hypocrites, but it is further than the star Capella from the sincere believers, especially those who were given the glad tidings [of Paradise], may Allah the Exalted be pleased with them all.

I have seen it stated by some eminent scholars that the Talhah who said what he said is not Talhah, one of the ten [given the glad tidings], but rather a different Talhah from whom the recounted statement is not unlikely. This is a case of name confusion, so there is no difficulty.