Why did Allah not command the Prophet, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, to marry Zaynab bint Jahsh, may Allah be pleased with her, from the outset, knowing that her marriage to Zayd ibn Harithah, may Allah be pleased with him, would not last long? And did the Prophet, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, fabricate the verses of Surat Al-Ahzab to serve his purpose, if it was not Allah who commanded him to marry her? And does the ruling on the permissibility of marrying the wife of an adopted son apply to the wife of a biological son?

All praise is due to Allah.

Firstly: Zayd ibn Harithah was known as Zayd ibn Muhammad by adoption. The Prophet (peace be upon him) married him to Zaynab bint Jahsh. When Allah abolished adoption, Zayd was attributed to his father, Harithah. Zayd complained to the Prophet about Zaynab, and Allah revealed to His Prophet that Zayd would divorce her and that she would become his wife. The Prophet concealed this news. Zayd divorced his wife, and the Prophet married her. There is nothing in this that diminishes his status. What some commentators mention of differing opinions is weak and refuted.

Secondly: It is not permissible for a person to propose to Allah Almighty or to object to His actions. Allah Almighty commanded the Messenger to marry Zaynab after Zayd divorced her for a great wisdom, which was to practically confirm the abolition of adoption, so that everyone would know that an adopted son does not have the rulings of a biological son, and that the wife of an adopted son is permissible for the one who adopted him. This practical application of legal rulings differs in its strength and effect from theoretical reality, especially concerning a matter that was widespread in the pre-Islamic era and needed to be eradicated.

Thirdly: The questioner's statement that the Prophet fabricated the verses indicates that he is not a Muslim. These verses could not have been fabricated by the Prophet; rather, they are among the proofs of his prophethood and truthfulness, because the verses contain a reproach from Allah Almighty to the Prophet (peace be upon him): (And you fear the people, while Allah is more deserving that you fear Him). If the Messenger of Allah had concealed anything, he would have concealed these verses. Zaynab was not a stranger to the Prophet, and if he had wanted to marry her before, there would have been no impediment.

Fourthly: The questioner's statement, "Does this ruling apply to the biological son?" is an attempt to cast doubt on the Shari'ah. The wife of a biological son is forbidden to the husband's father simply by virtue of the marriage contract, according to the verse: (and the wives of your sons who are from your own loins). This is an explicit text regarding the prohibition of the wife of a biological son, and that is an explicit text regarding the permissibility of marrying the wife of an adopted son. Therefore, there is no need for such a corrupt analogy, for an adopted son is not truly a son so as to take on the rulings of a son.