My apologies brother. I am so used to being attacked, it was just a pure reflex. I understand your question and my limited knowledge and reasoning comprehends it to be a clear sign that the option was of plural and the Prophet (SAW) took all in twos except the women to clearly show that there is only one who will be considered to be part of the Ahlul Bayt. As MaMooli pointed out the wives are part of the family but not as Ahlul Bayt as mentioned in quran, where Allah chooses the select few from the lineage to be part of the select group.
No need to apologise brother.
The way I see it is that when Allah (swt) says something in plural it stays plural.
So when the word “Our Women” is used it can only imply Prophet (saw)’s wives and daughters.
I am not going second guess why Prophet (saw) did not take his wives along but only thing that comes to my mind is Prophet (saw)’s geerah (I think it translates as man’s jealousy concerning his wife/wives.)
As MaMooli pointed out the wives are part of the family but not as Ahlul Bayt as mentioned in quran, where Allah chooses the select few from the lineage to be part of the select group.
brother righteous – you have conceded that wives are part of the family but the word the Ahlul Bayt is in Arabic meaning ‘people of house’ and can only mean man's family.
Brother, there is another incidence in Quran where Allah (swt) has addressed the wife of a Prophet as Ahlul Bayt [people of the house]
Qalat ya waylata aalidu waana AAajoozun wahatha baAAlee shaykhan inna hatha lashayon AAajeebun
11:72 She said: "Alas for me! shall I bear a child, seeing I am an old woman, and my husband here is an old man? That would indeed be a wonderful thing!"
Qaloo ataAAjabeena min amri Allahi rahmatu Allahi wabarakatuhu AAalaykum ahla albayti innahu hameedun majeedun
11:73 They said: "Dost thou wonder at Allah's decree? The grace of Allah and His blessings on you, o ye people of the house! for He is indeed worthy of all praise, full of all glory!"
And there are authentic hadith where the Prophet (saw) addresses his wives as ahlul bayti.