How should the hadith about the Prophet's strength being equal to thirty men and his rounds with his wives be understood, and why did Allah admonish Aisha and Hafsa in Surah al-Tahrim?

Summary

The hadith reported by al-Bukhari from Anas bin Malik is authentic, but the way it is understood needs correction. Ibn al-Mulaqqin gives three possibilities: it happened on return from a journey when no fixed turn applied, with the wives' consent, or on a day free of turns. Scholars such as al-Kurani and Mulla Ali al-Qari explain the strength as a special distinction of the Prophet over others. Verse 4 of Surah al-Tahrim was revealed to rebuke Aisha and Hafsa for actions that hurt the Prophet, linked to the honey incident and the disclosure of a secret, and to urge them to repent.

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