RevelationReadings differThe stronger opinion ties Surah al-Tahrim to this incident involving Maria; an alternative account (see the honey incident at a wife's house) attributes it instead to an oath over honey: Episode 97 names the wife in that version as Sawda, differing from the Zaynab bint Jahsh account recorded elsewhere.
Jealousy of Hafsa RA over Maria & the Revelation of Surah al-Tahrim
The stronger opinion ties Surah al-Tahrim to this incident involving Maria; an alternative account (see the honey incident at a wife's house) attributes it instead to an oath over honey: Episode 97 names the wife in that version as Sawda, differing from the Zaynab bint Jahsh account recorded elsewhere.
What happened
While Hafsa bint Umar RA was away from home, the Prophet ﷺ called Maria al-Qibtiyya RA to Hafsa's house. Hafsa returned earlier than expected and saw Maria leaving. Angered, she confronted the Prophet ﷺ, who placated her until she made him promise never to see Maria again; he swore he had made Maria forbidden to himself, and told Hafsa to keep this between the two of them, not to tell Aisha RA. Hafsa nonetheless told Aisha, boasting that she had caused the Prophet ﷺ to give up Maria: the two of them were, at times, close friends and at other times rivals, and both were jealous of Maria's beauty (it is said this jealousy was also why the Prophet ﷺ moved Maria to al-Awali, away from the Masjid). When the Prophet ﷺ asked Hafsa how she had found out, Hafsa asked who had told him, not realizing Allah had informed him directly. Allah then revealed the opening verses of Surah al-Tahrim [66:1-5], instructing the Prophet ﷺ to break his oath (paying the kaffarah), rebuking Hafsa and Aisha for their conspiracy, and warning the Prophet ﷺ's wives generally. Maria was returned to the Prophet ﷺ.
Significance
This is held to be the stronger of two opinions on the occasion of Surah al-Tahrim's revelation (the other involving honey at a wife's house); Ibn Abbas RA later asked Umar ibn al-Khattab RA directly who the "two wives" of the surah were, and Umar RA, despite Hafsa being his own daughter, confirmed it was Aisha and Hafsa, showing the early companions did not consider the matter too private to discuss.
Hafsa bint Umar RADramatizedThe exact wording of Hafsa's boast to Aisha is not preserved in the source; only that she told her, seeking to make her jealous, that she had caused the Prophet ﷺ to give up Maria.To Aisha RA
Saying · c. 8 AH
I caused the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to give up Maria.
“If you two [wives] repent to Allah, [it is best], for your hearts have deviated. But if you cooperate against him -- then indeed, Allah is his Protector, and Jibril and the righteous of the believers and the angels, moreover, are [his] assistants.”
This ayah -- addressed to "the two wives" whose hearts had deviated -- is part of Surat al-Tahrim's rebuke of Hafsa RA and Aisha RA over this incident.
“Perhaps his Lord, if he divorced you [all], would substitute for him wives better than you -- submitting [to Allah], believing, devoutly obedient, repentant, worshiping, and traveling -- [ones] previously married and virgins.”
This ayah, warning that Allah could give the Prophet ﷺ better wives, is part of Surat al-Tahrim's rebuke over this incident.
“Allah has already ordained for you [Muslims] the dissolution of your oaths. And Allah is your Protector, and He is the Knowing, the Wise.”
This ayah, on the dissolution of oaths, is part of Surat al-Tahrim's response to the Prophet ﷺ swearing off Maria RA to placate Hafsa RA, described at this event.
“And [remember] when the Prophet confided to one of his wives a statement; and when she informed [another] of it and Allah showed it to him, he made known part of it and ignored a part. And when he informed her about it, she said, "Who told you this?" He said, "I was informed by the Knowing, the Acquainted."”
This is the specific asbab al-nuzul: Surat at-Tahrim's opening verses were revealed about this Hafsa/Maria incident, and the post directly quotes this ayah's closing line.