Vr. 33 (1857) While the previous verse dealt with the observance of the purity and decency which muslim women in general, and the wives of the Holy Prophet in particular, had to effect in their practical life, to be guarded in their dealings with the other sex, this verse prescribes a further restriction on their remaining indoors in their houses and their strict offering of the prescribed daily prayers and giving away of the poor rate and their being subservient to God and the Holy Prophet. Every wife of the Holy Prophet strictly observed this ordinance.

The portion of this verse relating to the divinely effected purity of the Holy Ahlul Bait needs a proper explanation commenting with reference to its correct context. This portion of the verse is a separate ayat or verse by itself revealed separately on particular occasions but placed here as it deals with the wives of the Holy Prophet. The location of this verse here if studied properly makes it obvious that it has its own significant and important purpose behind it. While the address in the beginning of this verse is in the feminine gender—there is the transition here in the address from the feminine to the masculine gender. While referring to the consorts of the Holy Prophet, the pronouns also are feminine. For a mixed assembly of men and women, generally the masculine gender is used. This transition in the grammatical use of the language, makes it quite obvious that the clause is quite a different matter used for a different group other than the previous one, and has been suitably placed here to show a comparative position of Ahlul-Bait in contrast to the wives of the Holy Prophet.

Amr ibne Salma who was brought up by the Holy Prophet relates:—

Ommul Momineen Ayesha's report on the revelation of this part of the verse, says that matter was repeatedly revealed which indicates its extra-importance to make people know it through various sources to bear witness to the fact so that none, be he a friend or even a foe, dare deny the special excellence and glory bestowed upon the holy ones and their divine unique position in view of the Lord. Ayesha's version fully concurs with that of Omme Salema:—

According to all the basic and the fundamental authorities like SB., SM., MIH., AD., S.Mh., MML., it has been unanimously acknowledged that the reference in the last sentence of this verse is only to the Holy Prophet, the Holy Imam Ali-ibne-Abi-Taleb, Fatema, the Lady of Light and the two sons of Lady Fatema and Ali, i.e. Hasan and Husain. It could reasonably said that the revelation of the one and same verse in the houses of two of the wives of the Holy Prophet was a divine plan to declare the exclusive position of the Ahlul-Bait, so that the two ladies may themselves vouch for their exclusion from the term Ahlul-Bait, so that any votaries on behalf of the wives of the Holy Prophets may not later attempt to includes wives in the term.

The above quoted basic Sunni authorities relate of Ayesha, Omme Salema and Abu-Sayeed Khudri that this verse was revealed referring only to the Holy Prophet, Ali, Fatema, Hasan and Husain.

The Holy Prophet has declared: