The Answer to Their Second Evidence and the Explanation of Allah’s Mercy Toward the Wives of the Messenger of Allah and the Interpretation of His Saying, Exalted is He: {O wives of the Prophet, if you desire the life of this world...}

The Shaykh : The author, may Allah have mercy on him, says in his response to their argument that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is alive in his grave because his wives are forbidden to those who come after him. He says, may Allah have mercy on him, in his response to this:
"But the Messenger of Allah singled out his wives *** with a special status distinct from all other women
They were given the choice between the Messenger and others *** so they chose the Messenger for the soundness of their faith"
This was by the command of Allah Allah is the Greatest! Now, if they had chosen the world, the Messenger would not have been angry with them. Look at the gentleness of Allah toward women: if she chooses the world, she is released and given provision, she is given provision and released with a beautiful release, and she is not rebuked or asked, "How did you choose the world over the Messenger? Why?" Because a woman is deficient in intellect and religion; perhaps she may be deceived and choose the world over the Messenger, is that not so? So we do not deal with her according to the measure of her intellect, but we deal with her with the best. It appears that if it were said to a person who was given the choice regarding his wife: "Do you want me, or do you not want anyone else? If you want me, Allah will keep you alive; if you want someone else, [it is] the abyss and Satan," this is what happens with many people, because if she says, "I do not want you, I will choose someone else," does he deal with her with honor, provision, and a beautiful release? No, on the contrary. But due to the perfection of the character of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), Allah commanded him to say this: This is the counterpart meaning, so you are the doers of good, and Allah has prepared for the doers of good among you a great reward. So he began with Aisha (may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him), and she was the most beloved of women to him, because he wanted to obey the command of Allah, so he prioritized what pleases Allah over what his soul desires, and Aisha was the most beloved of women to him. And the measure of human nature would have been to begin with the other women, but he began with Aisha to be a standard. And when he gave her the choice, he said to her: meaning, you have the right to consult your parents in this. So she said: (may Allah be pleased with her). So his wives followed this. When this matter occurred from them, Allah thanked them for it and said to him: So Allah prevented him from marrying women other than them, and prevented him from divorcing them and marrying others. He said: So Allah thanked them for this state. For this reason, he said:
"But the Messenger of Allah singled out his wives *** with a special status distinct from all other women
They were given the choice between the Messenger and others *** "
What is "others"? The life of this world and its adornment.
"*** so they chose the Messenger for the soundness of their faith" Yes.