On their wives, in the position of a state, meaning the first ones on their wives. Or they are maintainers over them, from the saying: So-and-so was with So-and-so and died, so So-and-so was left behind for her. An example of this is: Ziyad was in charge of Basra, meaning: he was a guardian over it. From this, they say: So-and-so is under So-and-so. Hence, a woman is called a bed. The meaning is that they are protectors of their private parts in all situations, except in the case of their marriage or concubinage, or the mention of 'except' is implied, indicated by 'not to be blamed' as if it were said: they are blamed except for their wives, meaning: they are blamed for every act except for what has been permitted to them, for they are not to be blamed for it. Or you can make it a connection for 'protectors', from the saying: protect for me the reins of my horse, by implying the meaning of negation, just as in their saying: I beseech you by Allah except you do what I requested from you except your action. If you say: why not say: from whom you possess? I say: because it was intended from the category of rational beings what is akin to non-rational beings, which are females, making the exception a limit that necessitates stopping at it. Then it was said: whoever innovates seeking beyond this limit, with its spaciousness and vastness, which is the permissibility of four free women, and of concubines whatever you wish, then those are the complete ones in transgression that is limited therein. If you say: is there evidence in it for the prohibition of mut'ah? I say: no, because the contracted mut'ah marriage is among the spouses if the marriage is valid.