Re-Reading the Interpretation of Verses 32 and 33 of Surah Aḥzāb with a Critical Approach

Sometimes, the fame of interpretation prevents re-reading of verses. Verses 32 and 33 of Surah Aḥzāb have always been the subject of interpretation, and they have interpreted it in the address to Ummahātul Muʾminīn (Mothers of the believers) and recommending hijab, chastity, and their confinement at home. It seems that this interpretation is in conflict with the dignity of the prophet (pbuh), historical evidences, context and political atmosphere of the surah. The outcome of the critical analysis of these verses by examining their keywords, showed that in the interpretation of the verses, it is possible to assume that these verses have a political content and it cannot be merely interpreted as a recommendation to the Mothers of the believers for modesty and chastity. Based on this possibility and reflection, the phrase «فلا تخضعن بالقول» means not to be humiliated, not to obey and not to be influenced by the hypocrites; and the meaning of «قرن فی بیوتکن» is to establish peace and extinguish the fire of sedition in the house. Historical evidences indicate that this interpretation entered the sources of interpretation from the early centuries with the aim of hiding the influence of hypocrisy in the homes of the Prophet's wives, and downplaying the errors of the Ummahātul Muʾminīn and subsequently the numerous rebukes of the Qurʾān.