بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

How did Allah inform Prophet (ﷺ) about a private, confidential matter that his wife had disclosed against his wishes? Was it through a form of inspiration (Ilham) that is not part of the Quran, or did it happen differently?

To understand this, let us look at common real-world examples. People often say, “Allah saved me from a secret plot by my ill-wishers.” In these cases, Allah does not send direct revelation (Wahi) to people. Instead, He orchestrates circumstances that expose the plot. Sometimes, those plotting make a careless mistake that reveals their plans, or someone finds out and informs you. Surah Al-Kahf also, beautifully highlights how Allah works in the background using hidden, divine means to protect His righteous servants.

Since the matter between the Prophet and his wife was strictly private, Allah created specific circumstances that made the Prophet aware of the breach of trust without making it public knowledge.

This divine intervention is captured in Surah At-Tahrim (66:3):

66:3 وَإِذْ أَسَرَّ النَّبِيُّ إِلَىٰ بَعْضِ أَزْوَاجِهِ حَدِيثًا فَلَمَّا نَبَّأَتْ بِهِ وَأَظْهَرَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ عَرَّفَ بَعْضَهُ وَأَعْرَضَ عَن بَعْضٍ ۖ فَلَمَّا نَبَّأَهَا بِهِ قَالَتْ مَنْ أَنبَأَكَ هَٰذَا ۖ قَالَ نَبَّأَنِيَ الْعَلِيمُ الْخَبِيرُ

When the Prophet disclosed a matter in confidence to one of his wives, and she then divulged it (to another), and Allah made it known to him, he confirmed part thereof and repudiated a part. Then when he told her thereof, she said, “Who told thee this? “He said, “He told me Who knows and is well-acquainted (with all things).”

What is not right is for historians to speculate about the private matter of prophet’s house-hold and propagate their speculations in history books. Allah protects the privacy of his prophets and these ever curious historians don’t hesitate into engaging in prophet’s household affairs against warning in Quran that this saddens the prophet 33:53:

Part of ayat 33:53 states this fact:

33:53 يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَدْخُلُوا بُيُوتَ النَّبِيِّ إِلَّا أَن يُؤْذَنَ لَكُمْ إِلَىٰ طَعَامٍ غَيْرَ نَاظِرِينَ إِنَاهُ وَلَٰكِنْ إِذَا دُعِيتُمْ فَادْخُلُوا فَإِذَا طَعِمْتُمْ فَانتَشِرُوا وَلَا مُسْتَأْنِسِينَ لِحَدِيثٍ ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ يُؤْذِي النَّبِيَّ فَيَسْتَحْيِي مِنكُمْ ۖ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَسْتَحْيِي مِنَ الْحَقِّ

O you who believe! Do not enter the prophet’s houses,- until permission is granted to you,- for a meal, (and then) not to wait for its preparation. But when you are invited, enter; and when you have taken your meal, disperse, without showing fondness for hadith/ narrations/vain talks. Such (behaviour) persecutes the Prophet. He is ashamed to dismiss you, but Allah is not ashamed (to tell you) the truth.