A personal situation in the life of “the prophet” seems to be the occasion for the first five verses of this sūra. Though no names are given, and the actions are obscure, Muslim tradition has supplied a story about wives in conflict over their time allowances with the prophet, including the particular names of all concerned.

66.1 – Prophet! Why do you forbid what God has permitted to you, seeking the approval of your wives?
The opening verses of this sūra provide a perfect example of “personal situation” passages that address the domestic details of the messenger. These verses focus a particular, private, and contingent concern.
Known as the “vocative,” direct addresses to “the prophet” are not very frequent in the Quran, and most of the occurrences appear in this sūra (vv. 1, 9) and Sūras 8 and 33. This particular direct address instructs the prophet in the conduct of his marriages (vv. 1–3) and in his relationships with non-Muslims (v. 9).
The Quran directly addresses “the prophet” in this way a total of thirteen times. Since the vocative is so infrequent, it is interesting to observe the contexts in which “Prophet!” is used. The vocative precedes instructions about fighting non-Muslims six times (8.64, 65, 70; 9.73; 33.1; 66.9; cf. 33.48), instructions about relationships with wives five times (33.28, 50, 59; 65.1; 66.1), instructions about response to believing women once (60.12), and once declares the prophet to be witness, warner, and bringer of good news to the believers (33.45).