O Prophet, why do you prohibit [yourself from] what Allah has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Tafseer
{ يا أيها النبي لم تحرم ما أحل الله لك } من أمَتِكَ مارية القبطية لما واقعها في بيت حفصة وكانت غائبة فجاءت وشق عليها كون ذلك في بيتها وعلى فراشها حيث قلت: هي حرام عليَّ { تبتغي } بتحريمها { مرضات أزواجك } أي رضاهن { والله غفور رحيم } غفر لك هذا التحريم .
{O Prophet, why do you forbid what God has made lawful for you?} your slave girl Maria the Copt, when you had intercourse with her in Hafsa’s house while she was away, and she came and it was difficult for her that this was in her house and on her bed, since you said: She is forbidden to me. {You seek} by forbidding her {to please your wives} that is, to please them. {And God is Forgiving and Merciful} He forgave you this prohibition.
