The youthful marriage of our prophet was with HAZRAT KHADIJEH (AS), a widow some 15 years older than him, but the best of women, and the best of wives. She was the truthful spiritual mother of believers, and the flesh and blood mother, of HAZRAT FATIMA (AS); our prophet's beloved daughter whom he called, ``THE MOTHER OF HIS FATHER''.

      Their married life lasted for 25 years, during which, contrary to all Arabs, our prophet married no other woman, and this was very unusual for a man in his position. Their mutual love, and fidelity was unique. When she died he was 50 years old, and the prophet would have probably never marriaged again. His later marriages after HAZRAT KHADIJEH (AS), were based either on Mercy excited by compassion, or to violate some unlawful taboo; and else political in nature.

      But all his wives, whoever they were had their main duties to work hard as the mother of the believers.

      They were all aware of the high position of being a prophet's wife which was to be the mother of the believers, and they also knew well that it was unlawful for man to marry his mother after the prophet.

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE

      Then in the next verse (NO.30) the immediate reference is to the high position of the prophet's wives, that if any of them committed an apparent indecency or a proved misconduct, she had to suffer a twofold punishment for it. And whoever of them fulfilled her duties to Allah and His Messenger and did righteous deeds she would have a twofold reward. This twofold reward or punishment was, for their existence with having two dimensions. One dimension belonged to themselves, and the other to the Ummat. (Moslem Community) Their life and conducts could lead or mislead others with a twofold effect, and so was their critical condition:-

      ``O, prophet's women! If any one of you commits an apparent indecency, her punishment shall have a twofold increase, and that is easy for Allah.''

THE END OF PART (21)