Over the course of his life, Muhammad had at least a dozen wives. At one point, Allah decided Muhammad had enough. In Quran 33:52, the angel Gabriel informed Muhammad that he must not marry again (unless such marriage is to a slave he owns):: "Not lawful to you, [O Muhammad], are [any additional] women after [this], nor [is it] for you to exchange them for [other] wives, even if their beauty were to please you, except what your right hand possesses [Muhammad's slaves]. And ever is Allah , over all things, an Observer."
Who had Muhammad just married prior to the revelation of Quran 33:52? Quran 33:37 indicates that it was Zaynab, who had been divorced from Muhammad's adopted son, Zeyd so that Muhammad could marry her: "So when Zeyd had performed that necessary formality (of divorce) from her, We gave her unto thee in marriage, so that (henceforth) there may be no sin for believers in respect of wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have performed the necessary formality (of release) from them." (Quran 33:37).
Did Muhammad obey Allah's command and marry no one else except his slaves? The evidence indicates he did not. After marrying Zaynab in March, 627, Muhammad would violate his own Quran at least 7 times, marrying Juwayriyah in January, 628, Ramlah in July, 628, Maymunah in February, 629, Mulayka in January, 630, Fatima in February or March of 630, Asma in June or July of 630, and Amra in approximately 631. None of these women were his slaves.
So our Debate Question is: Why did Muhammad lack the self-control to obey his Allah?
Who had Muhammad just married prior to the revelation of Quran 33:52? Quran 33:37 indicates that it was Zaynab, who had been divorced from Muhammad's adopted son, Zeyd so that Muhammad could marry her: "So when Zeyd had performed that necessary formality (of divorce) from her, We gave her unto thee in marriage, so that (henceforth) there may be no sin for believers in respect of wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have performed the necessary formality (of release) from them." (Quran 33:37).
Did Muhammad obey Allah's command and marry no one else except his slaves? The evidence indicates he did not. After marrying Zaynab in March, 627, Muhammad would violate his own Quran at least 7 times, marrying Juwayriyah in January, 628, Ramlah in July, 628, Maymunah in February, 629, Mulayka in January, 630, Fatima in February or March of 630, Asma in June or July of 630, and Amra in approximately 631. None of these women were his slaves.
So our Debate Question is: Why did Muhammad lack the self-control to obey his Allah?