My father (may Allah سبحانه وتعالى be pleased with him) said in his letter to me: "Know, my son, that the origin of the matter of giving the choice (to divorce) is that Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Blessed and Exalted, was displeased with a statement made by some of the Prophet's (peace be upon him and his family) wives. They said: 'Does Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم think that if he divorces us, we will not find suitable husbands from Quraysh to marry us?' So, Allah سبحانه وتعالى commanded His Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) to separate himself from his wives for twenty-nine nights. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) secluded himself in the chamber of Umm Ibrahim. Then this verse was revealed: 'O Prophet! Say to your wives: If you desire the life of this world and its adornment, then come, I will provide for you and release you in a gracious manner. But if you desire Allah سبحانه وتعالى, His Messenger, and the Hereafter, then indeed Allah سبحانه وتعالى has prepared for the good-doers among you a great reward' (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:28-29). They chose Allah سبحانه وتعالى and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, so divorce did not occur. But if they had chosen themselves, they would have been separated."