Tafsir of Al-Ahzab 33:32

Surah Al-Ahzab (33): Verse 32

Then the Almighty said: {O wives of the Prophet, you are not like any other women.}

When Allah mentioned that their punishment would be double that of others, and their reward would be like the reward of others, they became like free women in comparison to slave women. Hence, He said: {You are not like any other}.

The meaning of someone saying, "So-and-so is not like the common people," is that he is not merely defined by the general attribute of being human, but by a more specific attribute present in him—such as being knowledgeable, active, having lineage, or nobility. When the specific attribute is present, defining by the general attribute is unnecessary. For instance, if you know a man only as a man, you say, "I saw a man." But if you know his knowledge, you say, "I saw Zayd or 'Amr."

Similarly, His saying, {You are not like any other women}, means that you possess a quality not found in others: being the mothers of all believers and the wives of the best of Messengers. Just as Muhammad (peace be upon him) is not like any other man—as he said, "(I am) not like any one of you"—so too are his relatives who are honored by him. Furthermore, there is a type of suitability (Kafa'ah) between a husband and wife.

Then His Almighty saying: {if you fear Allah, then be not soft in speech}. This has two possible interpretations:

1. It is connected to what precedes it, meaning: You are not like any other if you fear Allah, because the most noble among you in the sight of Allah is the most pious.
2. It is connected to what follows it, meaning: If you fear Allah, then do not be soft in speech...

Allah Almighty, having forbidden them from indecency (the ugly deed), also forbade them from its preliminaries, which include conversing with men and yielding in speech to the wicked.

Then His Almighty saying: {lest he in whose heart is a disease should be tempted}, meaning, one whose heart is afflicted with immorality (fisq).

And His Almighty saying: {and speak a kind word}. This means mentioning Allah, and only that speech necessary for their needs.

When Allah Almighty said, {then be not soft in speech}, He immediately followed it with {and speak}, indicating that the command is not to be harsh or engage in reprehensible talk, but rather to speak what is known (Ma'ruf) and necessary, and nothing else.

{And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves like that of the former days of ignorance. And establish prayer and give zakāh and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah only intends to remove from you the impurity, O people of the household, and to purify you with [complete] purification.}