Was the Prophet's marriage to his wives driven by lust, and what is meant by his saying, "From your world, women and perfume have been made beloved to me," and what is the meaning of Aisha's saying, "Indeed, I see your Lord hastening to fulfill your desires"?

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, married more than four women, and this was a unique privilege for him. His marriages, peace and blessings be upon him, were to elderly women, or those in need of protection, or for social and political reasons. His marriages were not driven solely by lust. He married Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, when he was twenty-five years old, and he did not marry another woman until she passed away. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was granted the strength of thirty men in intimacy, which is evidence of his perfect physique and masculinity, and this does not detract from a man; rather, it is a sign of his complete virility.

As for the Prophet's love for women mentioned in the hadith: "From your world, women and perfume have been made beloved to me, and the coolness of my eye is in prayer," it is a natural, innate love, and it is a commendable love as long as it does not distract from the love of Allah and His Messenger; rather, it helps with it. This love might also be for the purpose of conveying religious rulings that men do not become privy to.

As for the statement of 'Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her: "I do not see but that your Lord hastens to fulfill your desire," she said that when the verse was revealed: "You may put off [the turn of] whom you will among them, and take to yourself whom you will," and the meaning of "desire" (hawa) here is inclination and love. This indicates Allah's facilitation and expansion for His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in matters, and that Allah Almighty hastens to His satisfaction.