What is the Message Given to Us by Verse 33:53?
O you who have believed, do not enter the houses of the Prophet except when you are permitted for a meal, without awaiting its readiness. But when you are invited, then enter; and when you have eaten, disperse without seeking to remain for conversation. Indeed, that [behavior] was troubling the Prophet, and he is shy of [dismissing] you. But Allah is not shy of the truth. And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not [conceivable or lawful] for you to harm the Messenger of Allah or to marry his wives after him, ever. Indeed, that would be in the sight of Allah an enormity.
Some people ask, "What does the fact that the Quran contains verses about the Prophet's life, like the one above, have to do with us?" Based on this, they argue that God did not send down the Quran, but rather that these verses, intended to resolve the Prophet's own life-related difficulties, serve as evidence that the Quran was actually written by the Prophet Muhammad. Why do these verses exist?
Let's list the answers to the above claim and question as follows:
1- Firstly, the following verse clearly states that people should know that they are being tested through the verses given to them.
Verily, Allah is not ashamed to set forth a parable even of a mosquito or so much more when it is bigger (or less when it is smaller) than it. And as for those who believe, they know that it is the Truth from their Lord, but as for those who disbelieve, they say: "What did Allah intend by this parable?" By it He misleads many, and many He guides thereby. And He misleads thereby only those who are Al-Fasiqun (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah).
2- The fact that such a verse was revealed only to Prophet Muhammad, when considered under the following conditions, proves that the revelation was sent down by Allah, not written by Prophet Muhammad:
2.a- Prophet Muhammad was also a human being, and he may have experienced difficulties and hardships in his life. However, he was also a messenger tasked with conveying God's message to humanity. As a messenger, he had no right to add to or subtract from the message he received. For him to impose a rule or criticism on others based on his own life would be perceived as a religious decree and create a false impression.
2.b- In addition, at that time, Arabs had a lifestyle that would be considered inappropriate even by people today, such as entering homes unannounced. Even if Prophet Muhammad were to criticize these disturbing customs of the Arabs, whether it was to disrupt his own home peace or because of the disruptive behavior of others—for example, by saying something like, "Don't prolong your stay in my house," or "Come only when I invite you"—it would still be perceived negatively, given his role as an inviter, and would create a negative image of him as a prophet.
2.c- The Prophet, by virtue of his moral character, did not possess the qualities to say such a thing. The verse also mentions that he felt ashamed of hurting people's feelings.
2.d- It was deemed necessary for God to resolve the perceived difficulty through a verse, rather than through the prophet, in order to prevent any misunderstanding among people. Even though He, as a human being, could not do this, it was emphasized by saying, "God does not hesitate to speak the truth."
3- There are also verses that were revealed exclusively to Prophet Muhammad:
78. Establish worship at the going down of the sun until the dark of night, and (the recital of) the Qur'an at dawn. Lo! (the recital of) the Qur'an at dawn is ever witnessed.
79. And during the night wake up and pray, as an additional prayer: it may well be that your Lord will raise you to a station of praise and glory."
This verse, which states that the Prophet had extra night prayers reserved for him, was never followed as a ruling after his death. From this verse, this community understands that their Prophet was held responsible for more worship than the rest of the community. They see that the Quran, far from favoring the Prophet as some claim, actually obligates him to more worship. This creates an understanding of the Prophet and serves as a lesson.
4- The Quran also contains verses in which Prophet Muhammad was warned:
O Prophet! Why do you ban (for yourself) that which Allah has made lawful to you, seeking to please your wives? And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Allah warned His Prophet for forbidding himself something that was made lawful for him.
May Allah forgive you. Why did you grant them leave, until those who told the truth were manifest to you, and you had known the liars?
In the verse above, the prophet is criticized for not waiting until liars and truthful people could be distinguished, and for allowing those who did not want to be with the believers in the war to participate.
5. As for he who thinks himself without need(wealthy),
6. To him you give attention.
7. though you are not liable if he does not purify himself.
8. But as for he who came to you striving
9. While he fears [Allah],
10. you are neglectful of him.
From the narrations related to the verse above, we learn that a blind companion came to the Prophet while he was preaching to a wealthy Meccan. The Prophet's mistake, however, was not attending to a companion who came to him seeking help or asking a question, but instead continuing to preach Islam to the polytheists of Meccan.
73. Verily, they were about to tempt you away from that which We have revealed (the Quran) unto you (O Muhammad SAW), to fabricate something other than it against Us, and then they would certainly have taken you a friend!
74. And if We had not strengthened you, you would have almost inclined to them a little.
75. Then We would have surely made you taste a double [punishment] in this life and a double [punishment] after death, and then you would have not found for yourself any helper against Us.
And should their aversion be hard on you, find, if you can, a tunnel into the ground, or a ladder into sky, that you may bring them a sign. Had Allah wished, He would have brought them together on guidance. So do not be one of the ignorant.
These verses were not sent to us to give us a ruling. Of course, there are lessons to be learned, advice to be taken, and examples to be given from these warnings. These are also among the proofs that the entirety of the Quranic revelation is in the Book.
5. Not every verse is revealed to convey judgments to people. Some are revealed for the purpose of taking heed and learning lessons. There are also stories in the Quran that teach lessons without explicitly stating any rulings. These stories were not revealed to convey judgments, but rather for people to reflect upon, learn from, and draw lessons from.
For example, in the Quran, Prophet Joseph, whose life was threatened by being thrown into a well by his jealous brothers, years later confronts his brothers who had wronged him so much.
He said: "No reproach on you this day, may Allah forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!
It is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad, especially having benefited from the moral lesson instilled and recommended by the story of Joseph, forgave the Quraysh polytheists who had subjected him and the believers to years of unimaginable insults and torment, on the day Mecca was conquered, and said, "I will address you as Joseph addressed his brothers. Today there will be no condemnation or reprimands. Go, you are all free."
As a conclusion, the message we can derive from verse 53 of Surah Al-Ahzab, which was revealed concerning the homes of the Prophet, his wives, and the Muslims they interacted with, can be briefly summarized as follows: respecting the privacy of the home, not unnecessarily burdening those in positions of authority, avoiding causing inappropriate situations by respecting private settings, and showing greater consideration to those in positions of respect. It is not possible to derive direct rulings from this verse for today's context.
The fact that, with the death of the Prophet and his wives, there was no one left to implement certain verses does not constitute a deficiency for the people who were the recipients of the revelation. Furthermore, none of the aforementioned reasons lead to ignoring or denying other "do" commands that the Quran directs us to follow.
Unfortunately, for those who do not consider the evidence in the Quran, the universe, and humanity to understand that the verses are from God, there is no better answer than what is given in the following verses...
And they swear by Allah their strongest oaths that if a sign came to them, they would surely believe in it. Say, "The signs are only with Allah." And what will make you perceive that even if a sign came, they would not believe.
I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant upon the earth without right; and if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it. And if they see the way of consciousness, they will not adopt it as a way; but if they see the way of error, they will adopt it as a way. That is because they have denied Our signs and they were heedless of them.