Why did Allah declare Ayesha as Ummul Momineen

Since there is no contradiction in the Holy Quran, it is necessary to examine the verse that declares the wives as Ummul Momineen (Surah Ahzab (33): Verse 6) in the light of other verses.

We do not have to look far as the answer lies in Surah Ahzab itself in Verse 53:
‘…nor is it right for you that you should annoy Allah’s Messenger, or that you should marry his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in Allah’s sight an enormity.’
(Surah Ahzab (33): Verse 53)

So Ayesha and other wives were Ummul Momineen (mother of believing men) only so that Muslims would not marry them after the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) demise.

More than being an honour for the wives, the status of Ummul Momineen actually accords respect and honour to the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) since his widows are off-limits for Muslims, while he (s.a.w.a.) was free to marry their women and widows.

To interpret this in any other way is to lower the position of the one (s.a.w.a.) Allah has raised and to raise the position of the one Allah has lowered.

All claims that the wives are Ummul Momineen due to their personal virtues, piety, worship, etc. are pure conjecture and have no basis in the Quran.

Ayesha denies being the mother of all believing women

Tafseer e Mazhari

One day one woman addressed Ayesha as ‘Ummul  Momineen’.

 Upon this Ayesha became enraged and declared – I am not your mother, but (only) of your men.

 Celebrated Sunni scholar Muhyiddin Ibne Arabi – popular as Ibne Arabi asserts – This hadis is authentic (Sahih).

Other references include:
1. Qurtubbi under Tafsir of verse 6 of Surah al-Ahzaab (Surah 33: Verse 6)
2. Imam Baihaqi in his Sunnan (from الشعبيّ)
3. Tabaqaat Ibne Sa’d (from another chain than الشعبيّ)
4. Tafsir Mazhari (Urdu Edition, under Tafsir of Surah 33, Verse 6) by Qazi Sanaullah Panipati – the highly regarded scholar from the Indian sub-continent