Did the Prophet (peace be upon him) marry after the revelation of the verse: "And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline to injustice"? And was that verse revealed before or after the verse: "Not lawful to you, [O Muhammad], are women after [this], nor [is it lawful for you] to exchange them for [other] wives, even if their beauty were to please you, except what your right hand possesses. And ever is Allah, over all things, an Observer"?

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, married nine women. This was one of his unique characteristics and a manifestation of wisdom, and he did not exceed four, as is the case for his Ummah. Allah had initially forbidden him from marrying after his wives, but then this ruling was abrogated, making it permissible for him. However, he did not marry again, out of honor for his wives. The verse in Surat An-Nisa' that limits marriage to four has no bearing on his marriage to more than four, because the ruling of that verse is specific to the Ummah. He married Maymunah after its revelation. The verse in Surat Al-Ahzab that forbade him from marrying was revealed before the verse in Surat An-Nisa'. The distinction between rulings specific to the Prophet and those for the Ummah alleviates this burden.