Before we look into this matter let us begin by citing the narrations from the tongue of Aisha. All of the traditions are from Sahih Bukhari.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 92, Number 462:
حَدَّثَنَا الأُوَيْسِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ، عَنْ صَالِحٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، حَدَّثَنِي عُرْوَةُ، وَابْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ، وَعَلْقَمَةُ بْنُ وَقَّاصٍ، وَعُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الإِفْكِ قَالَتْ وَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْىُ يَسْأَلُهُمَا، وَهْوَ يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ، فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ بِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ، وَأَمَّا عَلِيٌّ فَقَالَ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ، وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ، وَسَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ. فَقَالَ " هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْ شَىْءٍ يَرِيبُكِ ". قَالَتْ مَا رَأَيْتُ أَمْرًا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا فَتَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُهُ. فَقَامَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَقَالَ " يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذِرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِي، وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلاَّ خَيْرًا ". فَذَكَرَ بَرَاءَةَ عَائِشَةَ. وَقَالَ أَبُو أُسَامَةَ عَنْ هِشَامٍ.
Narrated ‘Aisha:
After the slanderers had given a forged statement against her, Allah’s Apostle called ‘Ali bin Abi Talib and Usama bin Zaid when the Divine Inspiration was delayed. He wanted to ask them and consult them about the question of divorcing me. Usama gave his evidence that was based on what he knew about my innocence, but ‘Ali said, “Allah has not put restrictions on you and there are many women other than her. Furthermore you may ask the slave girl who will tell you the truth.” So the Prophet asked Barira (my slave girl), “Have you seen anything that may arouse your suspicion?” She replied, “I have not seen anything more than that she is a little girl who sleeps, leaving the dough of her family (unguarded) that the domestic goats come and eat it.” Then the Prophet stood on the pulpit and said, “O Muslims! Who will help me against the man who has harmed me by slandering my wife? By Allah, I know nothing about my family except good.” The narrator added: Then the Prophet mentioned the innocence of ‘Aisha. (See Hadith No. 274, Vol. 6)
Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 92, Number 463:
حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ أَبِي زَكَرِيَّاءَ الْغَسَّانِيُّ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَطَبَ النَّاسَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ " مَا تُشِيرُونَ عَلَىَّ فِي قَوْمٍ يَسُبُّونَ أَهْلِي مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ سُوءٍ قَطُّ ". وَعَنْ عُرْوَةَ قَالَ لَمَّا أُخْبِرَتْ عَائِشَةُ بِالأَمْرِ قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَتَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ أَنْطَلِقَ إِلَى أَهْلِي. فَأَذِنَ لَهَا وَأَرْسَلَ مَعَهَا الْغُلاَمَ. وَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ سُبْحَانَكَ مَا يَكُونُ لَنَا أَنْ نَتَكَلَّمَ بِهَذَا، سُبْحَانَكَ هَذَا بُهْتَانٌ عَظِيمٌ.
Narrated Aisha:
Allah’s Apostle addressed the people, and after praising and glorifying Allah, he said, “What do you suggest to me regarding those people who are abusing my wife? I have never known anything bad about her.” The sub-narrator, ‘Urwa, said: When ‘Aisha was told of the slander, she said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Will you allow me to go to my parents’ home?” He allowed her and sent a slave along with her. An Ansari man said, “Subhanaka! It is not right for us to speak about this. Subhanaka! This is a great lie!”
Sahih al-Bukhari Volume 4, Book 55, Hadith 602:
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَلاَمٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ فُضَيْلٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حُصَيْنٌ، عَنْ شَقِيقٍ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أُمَّ رُومَانَ، وَهْىَ أُمُّ عَائِشَةَ، عَمَّا قِيلَ فِيهَا مَا قِيلَ قَالَتْ بَيْنَمَا أَنَا مَعَ عَائِشَةَ جَالِسَتَانِ، إِذْ وَلَجَتْ عَلَيْنَا امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ، وَهْىَ تَقُولُ فَعَلَ اللَّهُ بِفُلاَنٍ وَفَعَلَ. قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ لِمَ قَالَتْ إِنَّهُ نَمَا ذِكْرَ الْحَدِيثِ. فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ أَىُّ حَدِيثٍ فَأَخْبَرَتْهَا. قَالَتْ فَسَمِعَهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتْ نَعَمْ. فَخَرَّتْ مَغْشِيًّا عَلَيْهَا، فَمَا أَفَاقَتْ إِلاَّ وَعَلَيْهَا حُمَّى بِنَافِضٍ، فَجَاءَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " مَا لِهَذِهِ ". قُلْتُ حُمَّى أَخَذَتْهَا مِنْ أَجْلِ حَدِيثٍ تُحُدِّثَ بِهِ، فَقَعَدَتْ فَقَالَتْ وَاللَّهِ لَئِنْ حَلَفْتُ لاَ تُصَدِّقُونِي، وَلَئِنِ اعْتَذَرْتُ لاَ تَعْذِرُونِي، فَمَثَلِي وَمَثَلُكُمْ كَمَثَلِ يَعْقُوبَ وَبَنِيهِ، فَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ. فَانْصَرَفَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ مَا أَنْزَلَ، فَأَخْبَرَهَا فَقَالَتْ بِحَمْدِ اللَّهِ لاَ بِحَمْدِ أَحَدٍ.
Narrated Masruq:
I asked Um Ruman, `Aisha's mother about the accusation forged against `Aisha. She said, "While I was sitting with `Aisha, an Ansari woman came to us and said, 'Let Allah condemn such-and-such person.' I asked her, 'Why do you say so?' She replied, 'For he has spread the (slanderous) story.' `Aisha said, 'What story?' The woman then told her the story. `Aisha asked, 'Have Abu Bakr and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) heard about it ?' She said, 'Yes.' `Aisha fell down senseless (on hearing that), and when she came to her senses, she got fever and shaking of the body. The Prophet (ﷺ) came and asked, 'What is wrong with her?' I said, 'She has got fever because of a story which has been rumored.' `Aisha got up and said, 'By Allah! Even if I took an oath, you would not believe me, and if I put forward an excuse, You would not excuse me. My example and your example is just like that example of Jacob and his sons. Against that which you assert, it is Allah (Alone) Whose Help can be sought.' (12.18) The Prophet (ﷺ) left and then Allah revealed the Verses (concerning the matter), and on that `Aisha said, 'Thanks to Allah (only) and not to anybody else."
Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 464:
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ حُصَيْنٍ، عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَسْرُوقُ بْنُ الأَجْدَعِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَتْنِي أُمُّ رُومَانَ ـ وَهْىَ أُمُّ عَائِشَةَ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ بَيْنَا أَنَا قَاعِدَةٌ أَنَا وَعَائِشَةُ إِذْ وَلَجَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فَقَالَتْ فَعَلَ اللَّهُ بِفُلاَنٍ وَفَعَلَ. فَقَالَتْ أُمُّ رُومَانَ وَمَا ذَاكَ قَالَتْ ابْنِي فِيمَنْ حَدَّثَ الْحَدِيثَ. قَالَتْ وَمَا ذَاكَ قَالَتْ كَذَا وَكَذَا. قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ سَمِعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتْ نَعَمْ. قَالَتْ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ. فَخَرَّتْ مَغْشِيًّا عَلَيْهَا، فَمَا أَفَاقَتْ إِلاَّ وَعَلَيْهَا حُمَّى بِنَافِضٍ، فَطَرَحْتُ عَلَيْهَا ثِيَابَهَا فَغَطَّيْتُهَا. فَجَاءَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " مَا شَأْنُ هَذِهِ ". قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَخَذَتْهَا الْحُمَّى بِنَافِضٍ. قَالَ " فَلَعَلَّ فِي حَدِيثٍ تُحُدِّثَ بِهِ ". قَالَتْ نَعَمْ. فَقَعَدَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقَالَتْ وَاللَّهِ لَئِنْ حَلَفْتُ لاَ تُصَدِّقُونِي، وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ لاَ تَعْذِرُونِي، مَثَلِي وَمَثَلُكُمْ كَيَعْقُوبَ وَبَنِيهِ، وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ، قَالَتْ وَانْصَرَفَ وَلَمْ يَقُلْ شَيْئًا، فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عُذْرَهَا ـ قَالَتْ ـ بِحَمْدِ اللَّهِ لاَ بِحَمْدِ أَحَدٍ وَلاَ بِحَمْدِكَ.
Narrated Masruq bin Al-Aida:
Um Ruman, the mother of ‘Aisha said that while ‘Aisha and she were sitting, an Ansari woman came and said, “May Allah harm such and-such a person!” Um Ruman said to her, What is the matter?” She replied, “My son was amongst those who talked of the story (of the Slander).” Um Ruman said, “What is that?” She said, “So-and-so….” and narrated the whole story. On that ‘Aisha said, “Did Allah’s Apostle hear about that?” She replies, “yes.” ‘Aisha further said, “And Abu Bakr too?” She replied, “Yes.” On that, ‘Aisha fell down fainting, and when she came to her senses, she had got fever with rigors. I put her clothes over her and covered her. The Prophet came and asked, “What is wrong with this (lady)?” Um Ruman replied, “O Allah’s Apostle! She (i.e. ‘Aisha) has got temperature with rigors.” He said, “Perhaps it is because of the story that has been talked about?” She said, “Yes.” ‘Aisha sat up and said, “By Allah, if I took an oath (that I am innocent), you would not believe me, and if I said (that I am not innocent), you would not excuse me. My and your example is like that of Jacob and his sons (as Jacob said ): ‘It is Allah (Alone) Whose Help can be sought against that you assert.’ Um Ruman said, “The Prophet then went out saying nothing. Then Allah declared her innocence. On that, ‘Aisha said (to the Prophet), “I thank Allah only; thank neither anybody else nor you.”
Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 465:
حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ نَافِعِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي مُلَيْكَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ كَانَتْ تَقْرَأُ {إِذْ تَلِقُونَهُ بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ} وَتَقُولُ الْوَلْقُ الْكَذِبُ. قَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي مُلَيْكَةَ وَكَانَتْ أَعْلَمَ مِنْ غَيْرِهَا بِذَلِكَ لأَنَّهُ نَزَلَ فِيهَا.
Narrated Ibn Abi Malaika:
‘Aisha used to recite this Verse:– ‘Ida taliqunahu bi-alsinatikum’ (24.15) “(As you tell lie with your tongues.)” and used to say “Al-Walaq” means “telling of a lie. “She knew this Verse more than anybody else as it was revealed about her.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 281:
وَقَالَ أَبُو أُسَامَةَ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ لَمَّا ذُكِرَ مِنْ شَأْنِي الَّذِي ذُكِرَ وَمَا عَلِمْتُ بِهِ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِيَّ خَطِيبًا، فَتَشَهَّدَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ " أَمَّا بَعْدُ أَشِيرُوا عَلَىَّ فِي أُنَاسٍ أَبَنُوا أَهْلِي، وَايْمُ اللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي مِنْ سُوءٍ، وَأَبَنُوهُمْ بِمَنْ وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ سُوءٍ قَطُّ، وَلاَ يَدْخُلُ بَيْتِي قَطُّ إِلاَّ وَأَنَا حَاضِرٌ، وَلاَ غِبْتُ فِي سَفَرٍ إِلاَّ غَابَ مَعِي ". فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ ائْذَنْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنْ نَضْرِبَ أَعْنَاقَهُمْ، وَقَامَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي الْخَزْرَجِ، وَكَانَتْ أُمُّ حَسَّانَ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ مِنْ رَهْطِ ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلِ، فَقَالَ كَذَبْتَ، أَمَا وَاللَّهِ، أَنْ لَوْ كَانُوا مِنَ الأَوْسِ مَا أَحْبَبْتَ أَنْ تُضْرَبَ أَعْنَاقُهُمْ. حَتَّى كَادَ أَنْ يَكُونَ بَيْنَ الأَوْسِ وَالْخَزْرَجِ شَرٌّ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ، وَمَا عَلِمْتُ فَلَمَّا كَانَ مَسَاءُ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ خَرَجْتُ لِبَعْضِ حَاجَتِي وَمَعِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ. فَعَثَرَتْ وَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ. فَقُلْتُ أَىْ أُمِّ تَسُبِّينَ ابْنَكِ وَسَكَتَتْ ثُمَّ عَثَرَتِ الثَّانِيَةَ فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ، فَقُلْتُ لَهَا تَسُبِّينَ ابْنَكِ ثُمَّ عَثَرَتِ الثَّالِثَةَ فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ. فَانْتَهَرْتُهَا، فَقَالَتْ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَسُبُّهُ إِلاَّ فِيكِ. فَقُلْتُ فِي أَىِّ شَأْنِي قَالَتْ فَبَقَرَتْ لِي الْحَدِيثَ فَقُلْتُ وَقَدْ كَانَ هَذَا قَالَتْ نَعَمْ وَاللَّهِ، فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي كَأَنَّ الَّذِي خَرَجْتُ لَهُ لاَ أَجِدُ مِنْهُ قَلِيلاً وَلاَ كَثِيرًا، وَوُعِكْتُ فَقُلْتُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَرْسِلْنِي إِلَى بَيْتِ أَبِي. فَأَرْسَلَ مَعِي الْغُلاَمَ، فَدَخَلْتُ الدَّارَ فَوَجَدْتُ أُمَّ رُومَانَ فِي السُّفْلِ وَأَبَا بَكْرٍ فَوْقَ الْبَيْتِ يَقْرَأُ. فَقَالَتْ أُمِّي مَا جَاءَ بِكِ يَا بُنَيَّةُ فَأَخْبَرْتُهَا وَذَكَرْتُ لَهَا الْحَدِيثَ، وَإِذَا هُوَ لَمْ يَبْلُغْ مِنْهَا مِثْلَ مَا بَلَغَ مِنِّي، فَقَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ خَفِّضِي عَلَيْكِ الشَّأْنَ، فَإِنَّهُ وَاللَّهِ، لَقَلَّمَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ حَسْنَاءُ عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا، لَهَا ضَرَائِرُ، إِلاَّ حَسَدْنَهَا وَقِيلَ فِيهَا. وَإِذَا هُوَ لَمْ يَبْلُغْ مِنْهَا مَا بَلَغَ مِنِّي، قُلْتُ وَقَدْ عَلِمَ بِهِ أَبِي قَالَتْ نَعَمْ. قُلْتُ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتْ نَعَمْ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَاسْتَعْبَرْتُ وَبَكَيْتُ، فَسَمِعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ صَوْتِي وَهْوَ فَوْقَ الْبَيْتِ يَقْرَأُ، فَنَزَلَ فَقَالَ لأُمِّي مَا شَأْنُهَا قَالَتْ بَلَغَهَا الَّذِي ذُكِرَ مِنْ شَأْنِهَا. فَفَاضَتْ عَيْنَاهُ، قَالَ أَقْسَمْتُ عَلَيْكِ أَىْ بُنَيَّةُ إِلاَّ رَجَعْتِ إِلَى بَيْتِكِ، فَرَجَعْتُ وَلَقَدْ جَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَيْتِي، فَسَأَلَ عَنِّي خَادِمَتِي فَقَالَتْ لاَ وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهَا عَيْبًا إِلاَّ أَنَّهَا كَانَتْ تَرْقُدُ حَتَّى تَدْخُلَ الشَّاةُ فَتَأْكُلَ خَمِيرَهَا أَوْ عَجِينَهَا. وَانْتَهَرَهَا بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِهِ فَقَالَ اصْدُقِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى أَسْقَطُوا لَهَا بِهِ فَقَالَتْ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ، وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهَا إِلاَّ مَا يَعْلَمُ الصَّائِغُ عَلَى تِبْرِ الذَّهَبِ الأَحْمَرِ. وَبَلَغَ الأَمْرُ إِلَى ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي قِيلَ لَهُ، فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهِ مَا كَشَفْتُ كَنَفَ أُنْثَى قَطُّ. قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُتِلَ شَهِيدًا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ. قَالَتْ وَأَصْبَحَ أَبَوَاىَ عِنْدِي، فَلَمْ يَزَالاَ حَتَّى دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَقَدْ صَلَّى الْعَصْرَ، ثُمَّ دَخَلَ وَقَدِ اكْتَنَفَنِي أَبَوَاىَ عَنْ يَمِينِي وَعَنْ شِمَالِي، فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ " أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ، إِنْ كُنْتِ قَارَفْتِ سُوءًا أَوْ ظَلَمْتِ، فَتُوبِي إِلَى اللَّهِ، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ". قَالَتْ وَقَدْ جَاءَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فَهْىَ جَالِسَةٌ بِالْبَابِ فَقُلْتُ أَلاَ تَسْتَحِي مِنْ هَذِهِ الْمَرْأَةِ أَنْ تَذْكُرَ شَيْئًا. فَوَعَظَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَالْتَفَتُّ إِلَى أَبِي فَقُلْتُ أَجِبْهُ. قَالَ فَمَاذَا أَقُولُ فَالْتَفَتُّ إِلَى أُمِّي فَقُلْتُ أَجِيبِيهِ. فَقَالَتْ أَقُولُ مَاذَا فَلَمَّا لَمْ يُجِيبَاهُ تَشَهَّدْتُ فَحَمِدْتُ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَيْتُ عَلَيْهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ، ثُمَّ قُلْتُ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَوَاللَّهِ لَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي لَمْ أَفْعَلْ. وَاللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَشْهَدُ إِنِّي لَصَادِقَةٌ، مَا ذَاكَ بِنَافِعِي عِنْدَكُمْ، لَقَدْ تَكَلَّمْتُمْ بِهِ وَأُشْرِبَتْهُ قُلُوبُكُمْ، وَإِنْ قُلْتُ إِنِّي فَعَلْتُ. وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي لَمْ أَفْعَلْ، لَتَقُولُنَّ قَدْ بَاءَتْ بِهِ عَلَى نَفْسِهَا، وَإِنِّي وَاللَّهِ مَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلاً ـ وَالْتَمَسْتُ اسْمَ يَعْقُوبَ فَلَمْ أَقْدِرْ عَلَيْهِ ـ إِلاَّ أَبَا يُوسُفَ حِينَ قَالَ {فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} وَأُنْزِلَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ سَاعَتِهِ فَسَكَتْنَا، فَرُفِعَ عَنْهُ وَإِنِّي لأَتَبَيَّنُ السُّرُورَ فِي وَجْهِهِ وَهْوَ يَمْسَحُ جَبِينَهُ وَيَقُولُ " أَبْشِرِي يَا عَائِشَةُ، فَقَدْ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ بَرَاءَتَكِ ". قَالَتْ وَكُنْتُ أَشَدَّ مَا كُنْتُ غَضَبًا فَقَالَ لِي أَبَوَاىَ قُومِي إِلَيْهِ. فَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ، وَلاَ أَحْمَدُهُ وَلاَ أَحْمَدُكُمَا، وَلَكِنْ أَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ بَرَاءَتِي، لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ، فَمَا أَنْكَرْتُمُوهُ وَلاَ غَيَّرْتُمُوهُ، وَكَانَتْ عَائِشَةُ تَقُولُ أَمَّا زَيْنَبُ ابْنَةُ جَحْشٍ فَعَصَمَهَا اللَّهُ بِدِينِهَا، فَلَمْ تَقُلْ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا، وَأَمَّا أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ، وَكَانَ الَّذِي يَتَكَلَّمُ فِيهِ مِسْطَحٌ وَحَسَّانُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ وَالْمُنَافِقُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أُبَىٍّ، وَهْوَ الَّذِي كَانَ يَسْتَوْشِيهِ وَيَجْمَعُهُ، وَهْوَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَهُ مِنْهُمْ هُوَ وَحَمْنَةُ قَالَتْ فَحَلَفَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ أَنْ لاَ يَنْفَعَ مِسْطَحًا بِنَافِعَةٍ أَبَدًا، فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ {وَلاَ يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ} إِلَى آخِرِ الآيَةِ يَعْنِي أَبَا بَكْرٍ vوَالسَّعَةِ أَنْ يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ} ـ يَعْنِي مِسْطَحًا ـ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {أَلاَ تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ} حَتَّى قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى وَاللَّهِ يَا رَبَّنَا إِنَّا لَنُحِبُّ أَنْ تَغْفِرَ لَنَا، وَعَادَ لَهُ بِمَا كَانَ يَصْنَعُ.
Narrated Aisha:
When there was said about me what was said which I myself was unaware of, Allah’s Apostle got up and addressed the people. He recited Tashah-hud, and after glorifying and praising Allah as He deserved, he said, “To proceed: O people Give me your opinion regarding those people who made a forged story against my wife. By Allah, I do not know anything bad about her. By Allah, they accused her of being with a man about whom I have never known anything bad, and he never entered my house unless I was present there, and whenever I went on a journey, he went with me.” Sad bin Mu’adh got up and said, “O Allah’s Apostle Allow me to chop their heads off” Then a man from the Al-Khazraj (Sa’d bin ‘Ubada) to whom the mother of (the poet) Hassan bin Thabit was a relative, got up and said (to Sad bin Mu’adh), “You have told a lie! By Allah, if those persons were from the Aus Tribe, you would not like to chop their heads off.” It was probable that some evil would take place between the Aus and the Khazraj in the mosque, and I was unaware of all that. In the evening of that day, I went out for some of my needs (i.e. to relieve myself), and Um Mistah was accompanying me. On our return, Um Mistah stumbled and said, “Let Mistah. be ruined” I said to her, “O mother Why do you abuse your Son” On that Um Mistah became silent for a while, and stumbling again, she said, “Let Mistah be ruined” I said to her, “Why do you abuse your son?” She stumbled for the third time and said, “Let Mistah be ruined” whereupon I rebuked her for that. She said, “By Allah, I do not abuse him except because of you.” I asked her, “Concerning what of my affairs?” So she disclosed the whole story to me. I said, “Has this really happened?” She replied, “Yes, by Allah.” I returned to my house, astonished (and distressed) that I did not know for what purpose I had gone out. Then I became sick (fever) and said to Allah’s Apostle “Send me to my father’s house.” So he sent a slave with me, and when I entered the house, I found Um Rum-an (my mother) downstairs while (my father) Abu Bakr was reciting something upstairs. My mother asked, “What has brought you, O (my) daughter?” I informed her and mentioned to her the whole story, but she did not feel it as I did. She said, “O my daughter! Take it easy, for there is never a charming lady loved by her husband who has other wives but that they feel jealous of her and speak badly of her.” But she did not feel the news as I did. I asked (her), “Does my father know about it?” She said, “yes” I asked, Does Allah’s Apostle know about it too?” She said, “Yes, Allah’s Apostle does too.” So the tears filled my eyes and I wept. Abu Bakr, who was reading upstairs heard my voice and came down and asked my mother, “What is the matter with her? ” She said, “She has heard what has been said about her (as regards the story of Al-lfk).” On that Abu- Bakr wept and said, “I beseech you by Allah, O my daughter, to go back to your home” I went back to my home and Allah’s Apostle had come to my house and asked my maid-servant about me (my character). The maid-servant said, “By Allah, I do not know of any defect in her character except that she sleeps and let the sheep enter (her house) and eat her dough.” On that, some of the Prophet’s companions spoke harshly to her and said, “Tell the truth to Allah’s Apostle.” Finally they told her of the affair (of the slander). She said, “Subhan Allah! By Allah, I know nothing against her except what goldsmith knows about a piece of pure gold.” Then this news reached the man who was accused, and he said, “Subhan Allah! By Allah, I have never uncovered the private parts of any woman.” Later that man was martyred in Allah’s Cause. Next morning my parents came to pay me a visit and they stayed with me till Allah’s Apostle came to me after he had offered the Asr prayer. He came to me while my parents were sitting around me on my right and my left. He praised and glorified Allah and said, “Now then O ‘Aisha! If you have committed a bad deed or you have wronged (yourself), then repent to Allah as Allah accepts the repentance from his slaves.” An Al-Ansari woman had come and was sitting near the gate. I said (to the Prophet). “Isn’t it improper that you speak in such a way in the presence of this lady? Allah’s Apostle then gave a piece of advice and I turned to my father and requested him to answer him (on my behalf). My father said, “What should I say?” Then I turned to my mother and asked her to answer him. She said, “What should I say?” When my parents did not give a reply to the Prophet, I said, “I testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Apostle!” And after praising and glorifying Allah as He deserves, I said, “Now then, by Allah, if I were to tell you that I have not done (this evil action) and Allah is a witness that I am telling the truth, that would not be of any use to me on your part because you (people) have spoken about it and your hearts have absorbed it; and if I were to tell you that I have done this sin and Allah knows that I have not done it, then you will say, ‘She has confessed herself guilty.” By Allah, ‘I do not see a suitable example for me and you but the example of (I tried to remember Jacob’s name but couldn’t) Joseph’s father when he said; So (for me) “Patience is most fitting against that which you assert. It is Allah (alone) whose help can be sought.’ At that very hour the Divine Inspiration came to Allah’s Apostle and we remained silent. Then the Inspiration was over and I noticed the signs of happiness on his face while he was removing (the sweat) from his forehead and saying, “Have the good tidings O ‘ “Aisha! Allah has revealed your innocence.” At that time I was extremely angry. My parents said to me. “Get up and go to him.” I said, “By Allah, I will not do it and will not thank him nor thank either of you, but I will thank Allah Who has revealed my innocence. You have heard this story but neither did not deny it nor change it (to defend me),” (Aisha used to say:) “But as regards Zainab bint Jahsh, (the Prophet’s wife), Allah protected her because of her piety, so she did not say anything except good (about me), but her sister, Hamna, was ruined among those who were ruined. Those who used to speak evil about me were Mistah, Hassan bin Thabit, and the hypocrite, Abdullah bin Ubai, who used to spread that news and tempt others to speak of it, and it was he and Hamna who had the greater share therein. Abu Bakr took an oath that he would never do any favor to Mistah at all. Then Allah revealed the Divine Verse:–
“Let not those among you who are good and wealthy (i.e. Abu Bakr) swear not to give (any sort of help) to their kinsmen, and those in need, (i.e. Mistah) …Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (24.22)
On that, Abu Bakr said, “Yes, by Allah, O our Lord! We wish that You should forgive us.” So Abu Bakr again started giving to Mistah the expenditure which he used to give him before.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 212:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ صَالِحٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ،. قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنَا الْحَجَّاجُ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ النُّمَيْرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا يُونُسُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ الأَيْلِيُّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الزُّهْرِيَّ، سَمِعْتُ عُرْوَةَ بْنَ الزُّبَيْرِ، وَسَعِيدَ بْنَ الْمُسَيَّبِ، وَعَلْقَمَةَ بْنَ وَقَّاصٍ، وَعُبَيْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ حَدِيثِ، عَائِشَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا فَبَرَّأَهَا اللَّهُ، كُلٌّ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنَ الْحَدِيثِ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللَّهُ، وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللَّهَ وَتُوبِي إِلَيْهِ ". قُلْتُ إِنِّي وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَجِدُ مَثَلاً إِلاَّ أَبَا يُوسُفَ {فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} وَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالإِفْكِ} الْعَشْرَ الآيَاتِ.
Narrated Az-Zuhri:
Urwa bin Az-Zubair, Said bin Al-Musaiyab, ‘Al-Qama bin Waqqas and ‘Ubaidullah bin ‘Abdullah related the narration of ‘Aisha, the wife the Prophet, when the slanderers had said about her what they had said and Allah later declared her innocence. Each of them related a part of the narration (wherein) the Prophet said (to ‘Aisha). “If you are innocent, then Allah will declare your innocence: but if you have committed a sin, then ask for Allah’s Forgiveness and repent to him.” ‘Aisha said, “By Allah, I find no example for my case except that of Joseph’s father (when he said), ‘So (for me) patience is most fitting.’ ” Then Allah revealed the ten Verses:– “Verily those who spread the slander are a gang amongst you..” (24.11)
Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 213:
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ حُصَيْنٍ، عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَسْرُوقُ بْنُ الأَجْدَعِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَتْنِي أُمُّ رُومَانَ، وَهْىَ أُمُّ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ بَيْنَا أَنَا وَعَائِشَةُ أَخَذَتْهَا الْحُمَّى، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لَعَلَّ فِي حَدِيثٍ تُحُدِّثَ ". قَالَتْ نَعَمْ وَقَعَدَتْ عَائِشَةُ قَالَتْ مَثَلِي وَمَثَلُكُمْ كَيَعْقُوبَ وَبَنِيهِ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ.
Narrated Umm Ruman:
Who was ‘Aisha’s mother: While I was with ‘Aisha, ‘Aisha got a fever, whereupon the Prophet said, “Probably her fever is caused by the story related by the people (about her).” I said, “Yes.” Then ‘Aisha sat up and said, “My example and your example is similar to that of Jacob and his sons:–’Nay, but your minds have made up a tale. So (for me) patience is most fitting. It is Allah (alone) Whose help can be sought against that which you assert.’ (12.18)
Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 274:
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ يُونُسَ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ، وَسَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ، وَعَلْقَمَةُ بْنُ وَقَّاصٍ، وَعُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، عَنْ حَدِيثِ، عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا، فَبَرَّأَهَا اللَّهُ مِمَّا قَالُوا وَكُلٌّ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنَ الْحَدِيثِ، وَبَعْضُ حَدِيثِهِمْ يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضًا، وَإِنْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْعَى لَهُ مِنْ بَعْضٍ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي عُرْوَةُ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ أَزْوَاجِهِ، فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَعَهُ، قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا، فَخَرَجَ سَهْمِي، فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَعْدَ مَا نَزَلَ الْحِجَابُ، فَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي وَأُنْزَلُ فِيهِ فَسِرْنَا حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ وَقَفَلَ، وَدَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ قَافِلِينَ آذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ، فَقُمْتُ حِينَ آذَنُوا بِالرَّحِيلِ، فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ، فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى رَحْلِي، فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ لِي مِنْ جَزْعِ ظَفَارِ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَالْتَمَسْتُ عِقْدِي وَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَرْحَلُونَ لِي، فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي، فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ رَكِبْتُ، وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ، وَكَانَ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يُثْقِلْهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ، إِنَّمَا تَأْكُلُ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ خِفَّةَ الْهَوْدَجِ حِينَ رَفَعُوهُ، وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ، فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ وَسَارُوا، فَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَ مَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ، فَجِئْتُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ، وَلَيْسَ بِهَا دَاعٍ وَلاَ مُجِيبٌ، فَأَمَمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ بِهِ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَىَّ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ، وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ، فَأَدْلَجَ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي، فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ، فَأَتَانِي فَعَرَفَنِي حِينَ رَآنِي، وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ الْحِجَابِ، فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ عَرَفَنِي فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي، وَاللَّهِ مَا كَلَّمَنِي كَلِمَةً وَلاَ سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ، حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ عَلَى يَدَيْهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِي الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ، بَعْدَ مَا نَزَلُوا مُوغِرِينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ، فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ، وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى الإِفْكَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ أُبَىٍّ ابْنَ سَلُولَ فَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ، فَاشْتَكَيْتُ حِينَ قَدِمْتُ شَهْرًا، وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَصْحَابِ الإِفْكِ، لاَ أَشْعُرُ بِشَىْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ، وَهْوَ يَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لاَ أَعْرِفُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم اللَّطَفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ حِينَ أَشْتَكِي، إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَيُسَلِّمُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ " كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ ". ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُ، فَذَاكَ الَّذِي يَرِيبُنِي، وَلاَ أَشْعُرُ حَتَّى خَرَجْتُ بَعْدَ مَا نَقَهْتُ، فَخَرَجَتْ مَعِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ، وَهْوَ مُتَبَرَّزُنَا، وَكُنَّا لاَ نَخْرُجُ إِلاَّ لَيْلاً إِلَى لَيْلٍ، وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَ الْكُنُفَ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا، وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الأُوَلِ فِي التَّبَرُّزِ قِبَلَ الْغَائِطِ، فَكُنَّا نَتَأَذَّى بِالْكُنُفِ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَهَا عِنْدَ بُيُوتِنَا فَانْطَلَقْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ، وَهْىَ ابْنَةُ أَبِي رُهْمِ بْنِ عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ، وَأُمُّهَا بِنْتُ صَخْرِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ خَالَةُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ، وَابْنُهَا مِسْطَحُ بْنُ أُثَاثَةَ، فَأَقْبَلْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ بَيْتِي، قَدْ فَرَغْنَا مِنْ شَأْنِنَا، فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ. فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلاً شَهِدَ بَدْرًا قَالَتْ أَىْ هَنْتَاهُ، أَوَلَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ وَمَا قَالَ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا عَلَى مَرَضِي، فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي وَدَخَلَ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَعْنِي سَلَّمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ " كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ ". فَقُلْتُ أَتَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ آتِيَ أَبَوَىَّ قَالَتْ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا، قَالَتْ فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَجِئْتُ أَبَوَىَّ فَقُلْتُ لأُمِّي يَا أُمَّتَاهْ، مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ قَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ، هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكَ فَوَاللَّهِ، لَقَلَّمَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ قَطُّ وَضِيئَةً عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا وَلَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلاَّ كَثَّرْنَ عَلَيْهَا. قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَلَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا قَالَتْ فَبَكَيْتُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لاَ يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ، وَلاَ أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ أَبْكِي فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ، وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْىُ، يَسْتَأْمِرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ، قَالَتْ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ فَأَشَارَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ، وَبِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ لَهُمْ فِي نَفْسِهِ مِنَ الْوُدِّ، فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أَهْلَكَ، وَمَا نَعْلَمُ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا، وَأَمَّا عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ، وَإِنْ تَسْأَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ، قَالَتْ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ " أَىْ بَرِيرَةُ، هَلْ رَأَيْتِ عَلَيْهَا مِنْ شَىْءٍ يَرِيبُكِ ". قَالَتْ بَرِيرَةُ لاَ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ، إِنْ رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا أَمْرًا أَغْمِصُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ، تَنَامُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا، فَتَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُهُ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَاسْتَعْذَرَ يَوْمَئِذٍ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَىٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ، قَالَتْ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهْوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ " يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذِرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ، قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِي، فَوَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلاَّ خَيْرًا، وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلاً، مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا، وَمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلاَّ مَعِي ". فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ الأَنْصَارِيُّ، فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنَا أَعْذِرُكَ مِنْهُ، إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الأَوْسِ، ضَرَبْتُ عُنُقَهُ، وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ، أَمَرْتَنَا، فَفَعَلْنَا أَمْرَكَ، قَالَتْ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَهْوَ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ، وَكَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلاً صَالِحًا، وَلَكِنِ احْتَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدٍ كَذَبْتَ، لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ لاَ تَقْتُلُهُ، وَلاَ تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ، فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ وَهْوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ سَعْدٍ، فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ كَذَبْتَ، لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ لَنَقْتُلَنَّهُ، فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ، فَتَثَاوَرَ الْحَيَّانِ الأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا أَنْ يَقْتَتِلُوا، وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَائِمٌ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ، فَلَمْ يَزَلْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ، قَالَتْ فَمَكُثْتُ يَوْمِي ذَلِكَ لاَ يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلاَ أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ، قَالَتْ فَأَصْبَحَ أَبَوَاىَ عِنْدِي ـ وَقَدْ بَكَيْتُ لَيْلَتَيْنِ وَيَوْمًا لاَ أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ وَلاَ يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ ـ يَظُنَّانِ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي، قَالَتْ فَبَيْنَمَا هُمَا جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي، فَاسْتَأْذَنَتْ عَلَىَّ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ، فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا، فَجَلَسَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي، قَالَتْ فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ قَالَتْ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ مَا قِيلَ قَبْلَهَا، وَقَدْ لَبِثَ شَهْرًا، لاَ يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فِي شَأْنِي، قَالَتْ فَتَشَهَّدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حِينَ جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ " أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ، فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا، فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللَّهُ، وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللَّهَ وَتُوبِي إِلَيْهِ، فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِذَنْبِهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ إِلَى اللَّهِ تَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ ". قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَقَالَتَهُ، قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً، فَقُلْتُ لأَبِي أَجِبْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِيمَا قَالَ. قَالَ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقُلْتُ لأُمِّي أَجِيبِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم. قَالَتْ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لاَ أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ، إِنِّي وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ، وَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ فَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لاَ تُصَدِّقُونِي بِذَلِكَ، وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفْتُ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ، وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُنِّي، وَاللَّهِ مَا أَجِدُ لَكُمْ مَثَلاً إِلاَّ قَوْلَ أَبِي يُوسُفَ قَالَ {فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} قَالَتْ ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ فَاضْطَجَعْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي، قَالَتْ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ، وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ مُبَرِّئِي بِبَرَاءَتِي، وَلَكِنْ وَاللَّهِ مَا كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ أَنَّ اللَّهَ مُنْزِلٌ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيًا يُتْلَى، وَلَشَأْنِي فِي نَفْسِي كَانَ أَحْقَرَ مِنْ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ اللَّهُ فِيَّ بِأَمْرٍ يُتْلَى، وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي اللَّهُ بِهَا، قَالَتْ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلاَ خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ، فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ حَتَّى إِنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ، وَهْوَ فِي يَوْمٍ شَاتٍ مِنْ ثِقَلِ الْقَوْلِ الَّذِي يُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ، قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا سُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم سُرِّيَ عَنْهُ وَهْوَ يَضْحَكُ، فَكَانَتْ أَوَّلُ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا " يَا عَائِشَةُ، أَمَّا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ ". فَقَالَتْ أُمِّي قُومِي إِلَيْهِ. قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ، لاَ أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ، وَلاَ أَحْمَدُ إِلاَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ. وَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ لاَ تَحْسِبُوهُ} الْعَشْرَ الآيَاتِ كُلَّهَا، فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ هَذَا فِي بَرَاءَتِي قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحِ بْنِ أُثَاثَةَ لِقَرَابَتِهِ مِنْهُ، وَفَقْرِهِ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا بَعْدَ الَّذِي قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ مَا قَالَ، فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ {وَلاَ يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَنْ يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا أَلاَ تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ} قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى، وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لِي، فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ النَّفَقَةَ الَّتِي كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ، وَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَنْزِعُهَا مِنْهُ أَبَدًا. قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَسْأَلُ زَيْنَبَ ابْنَةَ جَحْشٍ عَنْ أَمْرِي، فَقَالَ " يَا زَيْنَبُ مَاذَا عَلِمْتِ أَوْ رَأَيْتِ ". فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي، مَا عَلِمْتُ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا. قَالَتْ وَهْىَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَعَصَمَهَا اللَّهُ بِالْوَرَعِ، وَطَفِقَتْ أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ تُحَارِبُ لَهَا فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الإِفْكِ.
Narrated Aisha:
(The wife of the Prophet) Whenever Allah’s Apostle intended to go on a journey, he used to draw lots among his wives and would take with him the one on whom the lot had fallen. Once he drew lots when he wanted to carry out a Ghazwa, and the lot came upon me. So I proceeded with Allah’s Apostle after Allah’s order of veiling (the women) had been revealed and thus I was carried in my howdah (on a camel) and dismounted while still in it. We carried on our journey, and when Allah’s Apostle had finished his Ghazwa and returned and we approached Medina, Allah’s Apostle ordered us to proceed at night. When the army was ordered to resume the homeward journey, I got up and walked on till I left the army (camp) behind. When I had answered the call of nature, I went towards my howdah, but behold ! A necklace of mine made of Jaz Azfar (a kind of black bead) was broken and I looked for it and my search for it detained me. The group of people who used to carry me, came and carried my howdah on to the back of my camel on which I was riding, considering that I was there. At that time women were light in weight and were not fleshy for they used to eat little (food), so those people did not feel the lightness of the howdah while raising it up, and I was still a young lady. They drove away the camel and proceeded. Then I found my necklace after the army had gone. I came to their camp but found nobody therein so I went to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would miss me and come back in my search. While I was sitting at my place, I felt sleepy and slept. Safwan bin Al-Mu’attil As-Sulami Adh-Dhakw-ani was behind the army. He had started in the last part of the night and reached my stationing place in the morning and saw the figure of a sleeping person. He came to me and recognized me on seeing me for he used to see me before veiling. I got up because of his saying: “Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun,” which he uttered on recognizing me. I covered my face with my garment, and by Allah, he did not say to me a single word except, “Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun,” till he made his she-camel kneel down whereupon he trod on its forelegs and I mounted it. Then Safwan set out, leading the she-camel that was carrying me, till we met the army while they were resting during the hot midday. Then whoever was meant for destruction, fell in destruction, and the leader of the Ifk (forged statement) was ‘Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. After this we arrived at Medina and I became ill for one month while the people were spreading the forged statements of the people of the Ifk, and I was not aware of anything thereof. But what aroused my doubt while I was sick, was that I was no longer receiving from Allah’s Apostle the same kindness as I used to receive when I fell sick. Allah’s Apostle would enter upon me, say a greeting and add, “How is that (lady)?” and then depart.
That aroused my suspicion but I was not aware of the propagated evil till I recovered from my ailment. I went out with Um Mistah to answer the call of nature towards Al-Manasi, the place where we used to relieve ourselves, and used not to go out for this purpose except from night to night, and that was before we had lavatories close to our houses. And this habit of ours was similar to the habit of the old ‘Arabs (in the deserts or in the tents) concerning the evacuation of the bowels, for we considered it troublesome and harmful to take lavatories in the houses. So I went out with Um Mistah who was the daughter of Abi Ruhm bin Abd Manaf, and her mother was daughter of Sakhr bin Amir who was the aunt of Abi Bakr As-Siddiq, and her son was Mistah bin Uthatha. When we had finished our affair, Um Mistah and I came back towards my house. Um Mistah stumbled over her robe whereupon she said, “Let Mistah be ruined ! ” I said to her, “What a bad word you have said! Do you abuse a man who has taken part in the Battle of Badr?’ She said, “O you there! Didn’t you hear what he has said?” I said, “And what did he say?” She then told me the statement of the people of the Ifk (forged statement) which added to my ailment. When I returned home, Allah’s Apostle came to me, and after greeting, he said, “How is that (lady)?” I said, “Will you allow me to go to my parents?” At that time I intended to be sure of the news through them. Allah’s Apostle allowed me and I went to my parents and asked my mother, “O my mother! What are the people talking about?” My mother said, “O my daughter! Take it easy, for by Allah, there is no charming lady who is loved by her husband who has other wives as well, but that those wives would find fault with her.” I said, “Subhan Allah! Did the people really talk about that?”
That night I kept on weeping the whole night till the morning. My tears never stopped, nor did I sleep, and morning broke while I was still weeping, Allah’s Apostle called ‘Ali bin Abi Talib and Usama bin Zaid when the Divine Inspiration delayed, in order to consult them as to the idea of divorcing his wife. Usama bin Zaid told Allah’s Apostle of what he knew about the innocence of his wife and of his affection he kept for her. He said, “O Allah’s Apostle! She is your wife, and we do not know anything about her except good.” But ‘Ali bin Abi Talib said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Allah does not impose restrictions on you; and there are plenty of women other than her. If you however, ask (her) slave girl, she will tell you the truth.” ‘Aisha added: So Allah’s Apostle called for Barira and said, “O Barira! Did you ever see anything which might have aroused your suspicion? (as regards Aisha). Barira said, “By Allah Who has sent you with the truth, I have never seen anything regarding Aisha which I would blame her for except that she is a girl of immature age who sometimes sleeps and leaves the dough of her family unprotected so that the domestic goats come and eat it.” So Allah’s Apostle got up (and addressed) the people an asked for somebody who would take revenge on ‘Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul then. Allah’s Apostle, while on the pulpit, said, “O Muslims! Who will help me against a man who has hurt me by slandering my family? By Allah, I know nothing except good about my family, and people have blamed a man of whom I know nothing except good, and he never used to visit my family except with me,” Sad bin Muadh Al-Ansari got up and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! By Allah, I will relieve you from him. If he be from the tribe of (Bani) Al-Aus, then I will chop his head off; and if he be from our brethren, the Khazraj, then you give us your order and we will obey it.” On that, Sad bin ‘Ubada got up, and he was the chief of the Khazraj, and before this incident he had been a pious man but he was incited by his zeal for his tribe. He said to Sad (bin Muadh), “By Allah the Eternal, you have told a lie! You shall not kill him and you will never be able to kill him!” On that, Usaid bin Hudair, the cousin of Sad (bin Muadh) got up and said to Sad bin ‘Ubada, “You are a liar! By Allah the Eternal, we will surely kill him; and you are a hypocrite defending the hypocrites!” So the two tribes of Al-Aus and Al-Khazraj got excited till they were on the point of fighting with each other while Allah’s Apostle was standing on the pulpit. Allah’s Apostle continued quietening them till they became silent whereupon he became silent too. On that day I kept on weeping so much that neither did my tears stop, nor could I sleep. In the morning my parents were with me, and I had wept for two nights and a day without sleeping and with incessant tears till they thought that my liver would burst with weeping. While they were with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked permission to see me. I admitted her and she sat and started weeping with me. While I was in that state, Allah’s Apostle came to us, greeted, and sat down,. He had never sat with me since the day what was said, was said. He had stayed a month without receiving any Divine Inspiration concerning my case. Allah’s Apostle recited the Tashahhud after he had sat down, and then said, “Thereafter, O ‘Aisha! I have been informed such and-such a thing about you; and if you are innocent, Allah will reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then ask for Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him, for when a slave confesses his sin and then repents to Allah, Allah accepts his repentance.” When Allah’s Apostle had finished his speech, my tears ceased completely so that I no longer felt even a drop thereof. Then I said to my father, “Reply to Allah’s Apostle on my behalf as to what he said.” He said, “By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah’s Apostle.” Then I said to my mother, “Reply to Allah’s Apostle.”
She said, “I do not know what to say to Allah’s Apostle.” Still a young girl as I was and though I had little knowledge of the Quran, I said, “By Allah, I know that you heard this story (of the Ifk) so much so that it has been planted in your minds and you have believed it. So now, if I tell you that I am innocent, and Allah knows that I am innocent, you will not believe me; and if I confess something, and Allah knows that I am innocent of it, you will believe me. By Allah, I cannot find of you an example except that of Joseph’s father: “So (for me) patience is most fitting against that which you assert and it is Allah (Alone) Whose help can be sought. Then I turned away and lay on my bed, and at that time I knew that I was innocent and that Allah would reveal my innocence. But by Allah, I never thought that Allah would sent down about my affair, Divine Inspiration that would be recited (forever), as I considered myself too unworthy to be talked of by Allah with something that was to be recited: but I hoped that Allah’s Apostle might have a vision in which Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah, Allah’s Apostle had not left his seat and nobody had left the house when the Divine Inspiration came to Allah’s Apostle . So there overtook him the same hard condition which used to overtake him (when he was Divinely Inspired) so that the drops of his sweat were running down, like pearls, though it was a (cold) winter day, and that was because of the heaviness of the Statement which was revealed to him. When that state of Allah’s Apostle was over, and he was smiling when he was relieved, the first word he said was, “Aisha, Allah has declared your innocence.” My mother said to me, “Get up and go to him.” I said, “By Allah, I will not go to him and I will not thank anybody but Allah.” So Allah revealed: “Verily! They who spread the Slander are a gang among you. Think it not….” (24.11-20).
When Allah revealed this to confirm my innocence, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq who used to provide for Mistah bin Uthatha because of the latter’s kinship to him and his poverty, said, “By Allah, I will never provide for Mistah anything after what he has said about Aisha”. So Allah revealed:
“Let not those among you who are good and are wealthy swear not to give (help) to their kinsmen, those in need, and those who have left their homes for Allah’s Cause. Let them Pardon and forgive (i.e. do not punish them). Do you not love that should forgive you? Verily Allah is Oft-forgiving. Most Merciful.” (24.22)
Abu Bakr said, “Yes, by Allah, I wish that Allah should forgive me.” So he resumed giving Mistah the aid he used to give him before and said, “By Allah, I will never withhold it from him at all.” Aisha further said: Allah’s Apostle also asked Zainab bint Jahsh about my case. He said, “O Zainab! What have you seen?” She replied, “O Allah’s Apostle! I protect my hearing and my sight (by refraining from telling lies). I know nothing but good (about Aisha).” Of all the wives of Allah’s Apostle, it was Zainab who aspired to receive from him the same favor as I used to receive, yet, Allah saved her (from telling lies) because of her piety. But her sister, Hamna, kept on fighting on her behalf so she was destroyed as were those who invented and spread the slander.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 462:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ صَالِحٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ، وَسَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ، وَعَلْقَمَةُ بْنُ وَقَّاصٍ، وَعُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، رضى الله عنها زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا، وَكُلُّهُمْ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنْ حَدِيثِهَا، وَبَعْضُهُمْ كَانَ أَوْعَى لِحَدِيثِهَا مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَأَثْبَتَ لَهُ اقْتِصَاصًا، وَقَدْ وَعَيْتُ عَنْ كُلِّ رَجُلٍ مِنْهُمُ الْحَدِيثَ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، وَبَعْضُ حَدِيثِهِمْ يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضًا، وَإِنْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْعَى لَهُ مِنْ بَعْضٍ، قَالُوا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا أَرَادَ سَفَرًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ أَزْوَاجِهِ، فَأَيُّهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا، خَرَجَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَعَهُ، قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ فِيهَا سَهْمِي، فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَعْدَ مَا أُنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ، فَكُنْتُ أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي وَأُنْزَلُ فِيهِ، فَسِرْنَا حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ وَقَفَلَ، دَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ قَافِلِينَ، آذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ، فَقُمْتُ حِينَ آذَنُوا بِالرَّحِيلِ فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ، فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى رَحْلِي، فَلَمَسْتُ صَدْرِي، فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ لِي مِنْ جَزْعِ ظَفَارِ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ، فَرَجَعْتُ فَالْتَمَسْتُ عِقْدِي، فَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ، قَالَتْ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يُرَحِّلُونِي فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي، فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ عَلَيْهِ، وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ، وَكَانَ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يَهْبُلْنَ وَلَمْ يَغْشَهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ، إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلْنَ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ، فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ خِفَّةَ الْهَوْدَجِ حِينَ رَفَعُوهُ وَحَمَلُوهُ، وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ، فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ فَسَارُوا، وَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَ مَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ، فَجِئْتُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ بِهَا مِنْهُمْ دَاعٍ وَلاَ مُجِيبٌ، فَتَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ بِهِ، وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَىَّ، فَبَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ، وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ، فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ، فَعَرَفَنِي حِينَ رَآنِي، وَكَانَ رَآنِي قَبْلَ الْحِجَابِ، فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ عَرَفَنِي، فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي، وَاللَّهِ مَا تَكَلَّمْنَا بِكَلِمَةٍ وَلاَ سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ، وَهَوَى حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ، فَوَطِئَ عَلَى يَدِهَا، فَقُمْتُ إِلَيْهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا، فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِي الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ مُوغِرِينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ، وَهُمْ نُزُولٌ ـ قَالَتْ ـ فَهَلَكَ {فِيَّ} مَنْ هَلَكَ، وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَ الإِفْكِ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ أُبَىٍّ ابْنَ سَلُولَ. قَالَ عُرْوَةُ أُخْبِرْتُ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يُشَاعُ وَيُتَحَدَّثُ بِهِ عِنْدَهُ، فَيُقِرُّهُ وَيَسْتَمِعُهُ وَيَسْتَوْشِيهِ. وَقَالَ عُرْوَةُ أَيْضًا لَمْ يُسَمَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ الإِفْكِ أَيْضًا إِلاَّ حَسَّانُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ، وَمِسْطَحُ بْنُ أُثَاثَةَ، وَحَمْنَةُ بِنْتُ جَحْشٍ فِي نَاسٍ آخَرِينَ، لاَ عِلْمَ لِي بِهِمْ، غَيْرَ أَنَّهُمْ عُصْبَةٌ ـ كَمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى ـ وَإِنَّ كُبْرَ ذَلِكَ يُقَالُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أُبَىٍّ ابْنُ سَلُولَ. قَالَ عُرْوَةُ كَانَتْ عَائِشَةُ تَكْرَهُ أَنْ يُسَبَّ عِنْدَهَا حَسَّانُ، وَتَقُولُ إِنَّهُ الَّذِي قَالَ:
فَإِنَّ أَبِي وَوَالِدَهُ وَعِرْضِي لِعِرْضِ مُحَمَّدٍ مِنْكُمْ وِقَاءُ
قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ حِينَ قَدِمْتُ شَهْرًا، وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَصْحَابِ الإِفْكِ، لاَ أَشْعُرُ بِشَىْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ، وَهْوَ يَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لاَ أَعْرِفُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ حِينَ أَشْتَكِي، إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَيُسَلِّمُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ " كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ " ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُ، فَذَلِكَ يَرِيبُنِي وَلاَ أَشْعُرُ بِالشَّرِّ، حَتَّى خَرَجْتُ حِينَ نَقَهْتُ، فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ أُمِّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ، وَكَانَ مُتَبَرَّزَنَا، وَكُنَّا لاَ نَخْرُجُ إِلاَّ لَيْلاً إِلَى لَيْلٍ، وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَ الْكُنُفَ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا. قَالَتْ وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الأُوَلِ فِي الْبَرِّيَّةِ قِبَلَ الْغَائِطِ، وَكُنَّا نَتَأَذَّى بِالْكُنُفِ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَهَا عِنْدَ بُيُوتِنَا، قَالَتْ فَانْطَلَقْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ وَهْىَ ابْنَةُ أَبِي رُهْمِ بْنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ بْنِ عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ، وَأُمُّهَا بِنْتُ صَخْرِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ خَالَةُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ، وَابْنُهَا مِسْطَحُ بْنُ أُثَاثَةَ بْنِ عَبَّادِ بْنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ، فَأَقْبَلْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ بَيْتِي، حِينَ فَرَغْنَا مِنْ شَأْنِنَا، فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ. فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ، أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلاً شَهِدَ بَدْرًا فَقَالَتْ أَىْ هَنْتَاهْ وَلَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ قَالَتْ وَقُلْتُ مَا قَالَ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الإِفْكِ ـ قَالَتْ ـ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا عَلَى مَرَضِي، فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ " كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ ". فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَتَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ آتِيَ أَبَوَىَّ قَالَتْ وَأُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا، قَالَتْ فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، فَقُلْتُ لأُمِّي يَا أُمَّتَاهُ مَاذَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ قَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكِ، فَوَاللَّهِ لَقَلَّمَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ قَطُّ وَضِيئَةً عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا لَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلاَّ كَثَّرْنَ عَلَيْهَا. قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ أَوَلَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا قَالَتْ فَبَكَيْتُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ، حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لاَ يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ، وَلاَ أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ، ثُمَّ أَصْبَحْتُ أَبْكِي ـ قَالَتْ ـ وَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْىُ يَسْأَلُهُمَا وَيَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ ـ قَالَتْ ـ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ، وَبِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ لَهُمْ فِي نَفْسِهِ، فَقَالَ أُسَامَةُ أَهْلَكَ وَلاَ نَعْلَمُ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا. وَأَمَّا عَلِيٌّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ، وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ، وَسَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ. قَالَتْ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ " أَىْ بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْ شَىْءٍ يَرِيبُكِ ". قَالَتْ لَهُ بَرِيرَةُ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا أَمْرًا قَطُّ أَغْمِصُهُ، غَيْرَ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا، فَتَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُهُ ـ قَالَتْ ـ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ يَوْمِهِ، فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَىٍّ وَهْوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَقَالَ " يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذِرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي عَنْهُ أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِي، وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلاَّ خَيْرًا، وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلاً مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا، وَمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلاَّ مَعِي ". قَالَتْ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ أَخُو بَنِي عَبْدِ الأَشْهَلِ فَقَالَ أَنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَعْذِرُكَ، فَإِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الأَوْسِ ضَرَبْتُ عُنُقَهُ، وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا أَمْرَكَ. قَالَتْ فَقَامَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ، وَكَانَتْ أُمُّ حَسَّانَ بِنْتَ عَمِّهِ مِنْ فَخِذِهِ، وَهْوَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ، وَهْوَ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ ـ قَالَتْ ـ وَكَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلاً صَالِحًا، وَلَكِنِ احْتَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدٍ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ لاَ تَقْتُلُهُ، وَلاَ تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ، وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ رَهْطِكَ مَا أَحْبَبْتَ أَنْ يُقْتَلَ. فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ ـ وَهْوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ سَعْدٍ ـ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ لَنَقْتُلَنَّهُ، فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ. قَالَتْ فَثَارَ الْحَيَّانِ الأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا أَنْ يَقْتَتِلُوا، وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَائِمٌ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ ـ قَالَتْ ـ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ ـ قَالَتْ ـ فَبَكَيْتُ يَوْمِي ذَلِكَ كُلَّهُ، لاَ يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ، وَلاَ أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ ـ قَالَتْ ـ وَأَصْبَحَ أَبَوَاىَ عِنْدِي، وَقَدْ بَكَيْتُ لَيْلَتَيْنِ وَيَوْمًا، لاَ يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ، وَلاَ أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ، حَتَّى إِنِّي لأَظُنُّ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي، فَبَيْنَا أَبَوَاىَ جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي فَاسْتَأْذَنَتْ عَلَىَّ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ، فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا، فَجَلَسَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي ـ قَالَتْ ـ فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَيْنَا، فَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ ـ قَالَتْ ـ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ مَا قِيلَ قَبْلَهَا، وَقَدْ لَبِثَ شَهْرًا لاَ يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فِي شَأْنِي بِشَىْءٍ ـ قَالَتْ ـ فَتَشَهَّدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حِينَ جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ " أَمَّا بَعْدُ، يَا عَائِشَةُ إِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِي عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا، فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً، فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللَّهُ، وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ، فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللَّهَ وَتُوبِي إِلَيْهِ، فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ ثُمَّ تَابَ تَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ ". قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً، فَقُلْتُ لأَبِي أَجِبْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِّي فِيمَا قَالَ. فَقَالَ أَبِي وَاللَّهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم. فَقُلْتُ لأُمِّي أَجِيبِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِيمَا قَالَ. قَالَتْ أُمِّي وَاللَّهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم. فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لاَ أَقْرَأُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ كَثِيرًا إِنِّي وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ، فَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لاَ تُصَدِّقُونِي، وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفْتُ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ، وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُنِّي، فَوَاللَّهِ لاَ أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلاً إِلاَّ أَبَا يُوسُفَ حِينَ قَالَ {فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ وَاضْطَجَعْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي، وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي حِينَئِذٍ بَرِيئَةٌ، وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ مُبَرِّئِي بِبَرَاءَتِي وَلَكِنْ وَاللَّهِ مَا كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ أَنَّ اللَّهَ مُنْزِلٌ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيًا يُتْلَى، لَشَأْنِي فِي نَفْسِي كَانَ أَحْقَرَ مِنْ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ اللَّهُ فِيَّ بِأَمْرٍ، وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي اللَّهُ بِهَا، فَوَاللَّهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَجْلِسَهُ، وَلاَ خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ، حَتَّى أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ، فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ، حَتَّى إِنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ وَهْوَ فِي يَوْمٍ شَاتٍ، مِنْ ثِقَلِ الْقَوْلِ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ـ قَالَتْ ـ فَسُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهْوَ يَضْحَكُ، فَكَانَتْ أَوَّلَ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا أَنْ قَالَ " يَا عَائِشَةُ أَمَّا اللَّهُ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ ". قَالَتْ فَقَالَتْ لِي أُمِّي قُومِي إِلَيْهِ. فَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ، فَإِنِّي لاَ أَحْمَدُ إِلاَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ـ قَالَتْ ـ وَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالإِفْكِ} الْعَشْرَ الآيَاتِ، ثُمَّ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ هَذَا فِي بَرَاءَتِي. قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ ـ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحِ بْنِ أُثَاثَةَ لِقَرَابَتِهِ مِنْهُ وَفَقْرِهِ ـ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا بَعْدَ الَّذِي قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ مَا قَالَ. فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ { وَلاَ يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ} إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ} قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ بَلَى وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ النَّفَقَةَ الَّتِي كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ لَا أَنْزِعُهَا مِنْهُ أَبَدًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ سَأَلَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ عَنْ أَمْرِي فَقَالَ لِزَيْنَبَ مَاذَا عَلِمْتِ أَوْ رَأَيْتِ فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَهِيَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَعَصَمَهَا اللَّهُ بِالْوَرَعِ قَالَتْ وَطَفِقَتْ أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ تُحَارِبُ لَهَا فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ فَهَذَا الَّذِي بَلَغَنِي مِنْ حَدِيثِ هَؤُلَاءِ الرَّهْطِ ثُمَّ قَالَ عُرْوَةُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَاللَّهِ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ الَّذِي قِيلَ لَهُ مَا قِيلَ لَيَقُولُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ مَا كَشَفْتُ مِنْ كَنَفِ أُنْثَى قَطُّ قَالَتْ ثُمَّ قُتِلَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ
Narrated ‘Aisha:
Whenever Allah’s Apostle intended to go on a journey, he used to draw lots amongst his wives, and Allah’s Apostle used to take with him the one on whom the lot fell. He drew lots amongst us during one of the Ghazwat which he fought. The lot fell on me and so I proceeded with Allah’s Apostle after Allah’s order of veiling (the women) had been revealed. I was carried (on the back of a camel) in my howdah and carried down while still in it (when we came to a halt). So we went on till Allah’s Apostle had finished from that Ghazwa of his and returned.
When we approached the city of Medina he announced at night that it was time for departure. So when they announced the news of departure, I got up and went away from the army camps, and after finishing from the call of nature, I came back to my riding animal. I touched my chest to find that my necklace which was made of Zifar beads (i.e. Yemenite beads partly black and partly white) were missing. So I returned to look for my necklace and my search for it detained me. (In the meanwhile) the people who used to carry me on my camel, came and took my howdah and put it on the back of my camel on which I used to ride, as they considered that I was in it. In those days women were light in weight for they did not get fat, and flesh did not cover their bodies in abundance as they used to eat only a little food. Those people therefore disregarded the lightness of the howdah while lifting and carrying it; and at that time I was still a young girl. They made the camel rise and all of them left (along with it). I found my necklace after the army had gone.
Then I came to their camping place to find no call maker of them, nor one who would respond to the call. So I intended to go to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would miss me and come back to me (in my search). While I was sitting in my resting place, I was overwhelmed by sleep and slept. Safwan bin Al-Muattal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwani was behind the army. When he reached my place in the morning, he saw the figure of a sleeping person and he recognized me on seeing me as he had seen me before the order of compulsory veiling (was prescribed). So I woke up when he recited Istirja’ (i.e. “Inna lillahi wa inna llaihi raji’un”) as soon as he recognized me. I veiled my face with my head cover at once, and by Allah, we did not speak a single word, and I did not hear him saying any word besides his Istirja’. He dismounted from his camel and made it kneel down, putting his leg on its front legs and then I got up and rode on it. Then he set out leading the camel that was carrying me till we overtook the army in the extreme heat of midday while they were at a halt (taking a rest). (Because of the event) some people brought destruction upon themselves and the one who spread the Ifk (i.e. slander) more, was ‘Abdullah bin Ubai Ibn Salul.”
(Urwa said, “The people propagated the slander and talked about it in his (i.e. ‘Abdullah’s) presence and he confirmed it and listened to it and asked about it to let it prevail.” Urwa also added, “None was mentioned as members of the slanderous group besides (‘Abdullah) except Hassan bin Thabit and Mistah bin Uthatha and Hamna bint Jahsh along with others about whom I have no knowledge, but they were a group as Allah said. It is said that the one who carried most of the slander was ‘Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul.” Urwa added, “‘Aisha disliked to have Hassan abused in her presence and she used to say, ‘It was he who said: My father and his (i.e. my father’s) father and my honor are all for the protection of Muhammad’s honor from you.”).
‘Aisha added, “After we returned to Medina, I became ill for a month. The people were propagating the forged statements of the slanderers while I was unaware of anything of all that, but I felt that in my present ailment, I was not receiving the same kindness from Allah’s Apostle as I used to receive when I got sick. (But now) Allah’s Apostle would only come, greet me and say,’ How is that (lady)?’ and leave. That roused my doubts, but I did not discover the evil (i.e. slander) till I went out after my convalescence, I went out with Um Mistah to Al-Manasi’ where we used to answer the call of nature and we used not to go out (to answer the call of nature) except at night, and that was before we had latrines near our houses. And this habit of ours concerning evacuating the bowels, was similar to the habits of the old ‘Arabs living in the deserts, for it would be troublesome for us to take latrines near our houses. So I and Um Mistah who was the daughter of Abu Ruhm bin Al-Muttalib bin Abd Manaf, whose mother was the daughter of Sakhr bin ‘Amir and the aunt of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and whose son was Mistah bin Uthatha bin ‘Abbas bin Al-Muttalib, went out. I and Um Mistah returned to my house after we finished answering the call of nature. Um Mistah stumbled by getting her foot entangled in her covering sheet and on that she said, ‘Let Mistah be ruined!’ I said, ‘What a hard word you have said. Do you abuse a man who took part in the battle of Badr?’ On that she said, ‘O you Hantah! Didn’t you hear what he (i.e. Mistah) said? ‘I said, ‘What did he say?’
Then she told me the slander of the people of Ifk. So my ailment was aggravated, and when I reached my home, Allah’s Apostle came to me, and after greeting me, said, ‘How is that (lady)?’ I said, ‘Will you allow me to go to my parents?’ as I wanted to be sure about the news through them. Allah’s Apostle allowed me (and I went to my parents) and asked my mother, ‘O mother! What are the people talking about?’ She said, ‘O my daughter! Don’t worry, for scarcely is there a charming woman who is loved by her husband and whose husband has other wives besides herself that they (i.e. women) would find faults with her.’ I said, ‘Subhan-Allah! (I testify to the uniqueness of Allah). Are the people really talking in this way?’ I kept on weeping that night till dawn I could neither stop weeping nor sleep then in the morning again, I kept on weeping. When the Divine Inspiration was delayed.
Allah’s Apostle called ‘Ali bin Abi Talib and Usama bin Zaid to ask and consult them about divorcing me. Usama bin Zaid said what he knew of my innocence, and the respect he preserved in himself for me. Usama said, ‘(O Allah’s Apostle!) She is your wife and we do not know anything except good about her.’ ‘Ali bin Abi Talib said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Allah does not put you in difficulty and there are plenty of women other than she, yet, ask the maid-servant who will tell you the truth.’ On that Allah’s Apostle called Barira (i.e. the maid-servant) and said, ‘O Barira! Did you ever see anything which aroused your suspicion?’ Barira said to him, ‘By Him Who has sent you with the Truth. I have never seen anything in her (i.e. Aisha) which I would conceal, except that she is a young girl who sleeps leaving the dough of her family exposed so that the domestic goats come and eat it.’
So, on that day, Allah’s Apostle got up on the pulpit and complained about ‘Abdullah bin Ubai (bin Salul) before his companions, saying, ‘O you Muslims! Who will relieve me from that man who has hurt me with his evil statement about my family? By Allah, I know nothing except good about my family and they have blamed a man about whom I know nothing except good and he used never to enter my home except with me.’ Sad bin Mu’adh the brother of Banu ‘Abd Al-Ashhal got up and said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! I will relieve you from him; if he is from the tribe of Al-Aus, then I will chop his head off, and if he is from our brothers, i.e. Al-Khazraj, then order us, and we will fulfill your order.’ On that, a man from Al-Khazraj got up. Um Hassan, his cousin, was from his branch tribe, and he was Sad bin Ubada, chief of Al-Khazraj. Before this incident, he was a pious man, but his love for his tribe goaded him into saying to Sad (bin Mu’adh). ‘By Allah, you have told a lie; you shall not and cannot kill him. If he belonged to your people, you would not wish him to be killed.’
On that, Usaid bin Hudair, who was the cousin of Sad (bin Mu’adh) got up and said to Sad bin ‘Ubada, ‘By Allah! You are a liar! We will surely kill him, and you are a hypocrite arguing on the behalf of hypocrites.’ On this, the two tribes of Al-Aus and Al Khazraj got so much excited that they were about to fight while Allah’s Apostle was standing on the pulpit. Allah’s Apostle kept on quietening them till they became silent and so did he. All that day I kept on weeping with my tears never ceasing, and I could never sleep.
In the morning my parents were with me and I wept for two nights and a day with my tears never ceasing and I could never sleep till I thought that my liver would burst from weeping. So, while my parents were sitting with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked me to grant her admittance. I allowed her to come in, and when she came in, she sat down and started weeping with me. While we were in this state, Allah’s Apostle came, greeted us and sat down. He had never sat with me since that day of the slander. A month had elapsed and no Divine Inspiration came to him about my case. Allah’s Apostle then recited Tashah-hud and then said, ‘Amma Badu, O ‘Aisha! I have been informed so-and-so about you; if you are innocent, then soon Allah will reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him for forgiveness for when a slave confesses his sins and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.’
When Allah’s Apostle finished his speech, my tears ceased flowing completely that I no longer felt a single drop of tear flowing. I said to my father, ‘Reply to Allah’s Apostle on my behalf concerning what he has said.’ My father said, ‘By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah’s Apostle .’ Then I said to my mother, ‘Reply to Allah’s Apostle on my behalf concerning what he has said.’ She said, ‘By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah’s Apostle.’ In spite of the fact that I was a young girl and had a little knowledge of Quran, I said, ‘By Allah, no doubt I know that you heard this (slanderous) speech so that it has been planted in your hearts (i.e. minds) and you have taken it as a truth. Now if I tell you that I am innocent, you will not believe me, and if confess to you about it, and Allah knows that I am innocent, you will surely believe me. By Allah, I find no similitude for me and you except that of Joseph’s father when he said, ‘(For me) patience in the most fitting against that which you assert; it is Allah (Alone) Whose Help can be sought.’ Then I turned to the other side and lay on my bed; and Allah knew then that I was innocent and hoped that Allah would reveal my innocence. But, by Allah, I never thought that Allah would reveal about my case, Divine Inspiration, that would be recited (forever) as I considered myself too unworthy to be talked of by Allah with something of my concern, but I hoped that Allah’s Apostle might have a dream in which Allah would prove my innocence. But, by Allah, before Allah’s Apostle left his seat and before any of the household left, the Divine inspiration came to Allah’s Apostle.
So there overtook him the same hard condition which used to overtake him, (when he used to be inspired Divinely). The sweat was dropping from his body like pearls though it was a wintry day and that was because of the weighty statement which was being revealed to him. When that state of Allah’s Apostle was over, he got up smiling, and the first word he said was, ‘O ‘Aisha! Allah has declared your innocence!’ Then my Mother said to me, ‘Get up and go to him (i.e. Allah’s Apostle). I replied, ‘By Allah, I will not go to him, and I praise none but Allah. So Allah revealed the ten Verses:– “Verily! They who spread the slander Are a gang, among you………….” (24.11-20)
Allah revealed those Quranic Verses to declare my innocence. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq who used to disburse money for Mistah bin Uthatha because of his relationship to him and his poverty, said, ‘By Allah, I will never give to Mistah bin Uthatha anything after what he has said about Aisha.’ Then Allah revealed:-
“And let not those among you who are good and wealthy swear not to give (any sort of help) to their kinsmen, those in need, and those who have left their homes for Allah’s cause, let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.” (24.22)
Abu Bakr As-Siddiq said, ‘Yes, by Allah, I would like that Allah forgive me.’ and went on giving Mistah the money he used to give him before. He also added, ‘By Allah, I will never deprive him of it at all.’
Aisha further said:.” Allah’s Apostle also asked Zainab bint Jahsh (i.e. his wife) about my case. He said to Zainab, ‘What do you know and what did you see?” She replied, “O Allah’s Apostle! I refrain from claiming falsely that I have heard or seen anything. By Allah, I know nothing except good (about ‘Aisha).’ From amongst the wives of the Prophet Zainab was my peer (in beauty and in the love she received from the Prophet) but Allah saved her from that evil because of her piety. Her sister Hamna, started struggling on her behalf and she was destroyed along with those who were destroyed. The man who was blamed said, ‘Subhan-Allah! By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, I have never uncovered the cover (i.e. veil) of any female.’ Later on the man was martyred in Allah’s Cause.”
Before we address the analysis and conclusions submitted by Ibn al Hashimi let us point out some blatant discrepancies.
In Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 281, Umm Mistah accompanies Aisha to answer the call of nature here all we know is her name but in other traditions her ancestry has been cited whilst in Volume 6, Book 60, Number 274 we are told Um Mistah who was the daughter of Abi Ruhm bin Abd Manaf, and her mother was daughter of Sakhr bin Amir who was the aunt of Abi Bakr As-Siddiq, and her son was Mistah bin Uthatha. Unusually her ancestry differs in Aisha’s citation of the event in Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 462, Um Mistah who was the daughter of Abu Ruhm bin Al-Muttalib bin Abd Manaf, whose mother was the daughter of Sakhr bin ‘Amir and the aunt of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and whose son was Mistah bin Uthatha bin ‘Abbas bin Al-Muttalib, went out
So here as we can see Um Mistah is the granddaughter of Abd Manaf whilst in the previous tradition she is referred to as the daughter of Abd Manaf.
In Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 281 whilst Um Mistah stumbled three times in the other traditions she only mentioned to have stumbled on one occasion.
In Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 274 Aisha informs us: “He had stayed a month without receiving any Divine Inspiration concerning my case”. Here Aisha informs that the delay was purely over her matter but in Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 462 she says “When the Divine Inspiration was delayed” so there was a blanket ban on the Wahi.
We read in Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 281 that Aisha speaks to both her parents about the matter whilst in Volume 6, Book 60, Number 274 and Volume 5, Book 59, Number 462 she only speaks to her mother the conversation with her father is nowhere to be found.
The traditions are in agreement that Aisha obtained receipt of the scandal via Umm Mistah, but they contradict one another in terms of timing. In Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 281 the Prophet (s) makes a plea before the mosque with regards to the innocence of his wife. At this point Aisha knows nothing of the scandal, she learns about that night Umm Mistah informs her. In Volume 6, Book 60, Number 274 Umm Mistah informs Aisha, so that by the time the Prophet (s) issues his public plea in the Mosque she was fully aware of what had been said about her. Why is there such an evident discrepancy?
In Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 281 Aisha explains the cause of her anger and in particular singles out the lack of support from her parents “I said, “By Allah, I will not do it and will not thank him nor thank either of you, but I will thank Allah Who has revealed my innocence. You have heard this story but neither did not deny it nor change it (to defend me),”. Compare this to Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 274 Aisha makes mentions as to why she was so angry
” I said, “By Allah, I will not go to him and I will not thank anybody but Allah.” So Allah revealed: “Verily! They who spread the Slander are a gang among you. Think it not….” (24.11-20).
Ibn al Hashimi states:
Incident of al-Ifk
On the way back to Medina, the Muslim army stopped for a rest, but then the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) unexpectedly ordered the army to continue the march again. Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) noticed that her onyx necklace was missing so she retraced her steps to find it. When she finally found it and returned to the camp, the Muslim army had already left without her. Her litter was veiled so her absence was not noticed.
First and foremost there existed no unexpected element. Aisha was fully aware that the army was about to depart, pursuant to the order of Rasulullah (s). She stated:
“…When the army was ordered to resume the homeward journey, I got up and walked on till I left the army (camp) behind. When I had answered the call of nature, I went towards my howdah, but behold ! A necklace of mine made of Jaz Azfar (a kind of black bead) was broken and I looked for it and my search for it detained me. The group of people who used to carry me, came and carried my howdah on to the back of my camel on which I was riding, considering that I was therein. At that time women were light in weight and were not fleshy for they used to eat little (food), so those people did not feel the lightness of the howdah while raising it up, and I was still a young lady. They drove away the camel and proceeded”.
● What was the battle that Aisha mentions they were returning from?
● Where was the Prophet (s) when Aisha went to relieve herself?
● She went when the Prophet (s) gave the order to leave, why didn’t she approach the Prophet (s) as she needed to relieve herself?
● Why did she not take any other female her, after all she was in unfamiliar
● Can any other example be given of a woman that would be so careless whilst in an unfamiliar terrain?
● On the one hand she is looking for a necklace, knowing that the caravan is due to depart at any minute, why was locating it of such importance?
● If it was so important why did she not simply tell her husband that she had lost this crucial accessory necessary for the journey home?
● When the army had left why did all those present not notice that Aisha was missing?
● Ibn al Hashimi informs us ‘Her litter was veiled so her absence was not noticed’ Aisha says in those days women were typically light so there simply would have been no knowledge about whether or not she was in the howdah, even if we accept this, is it not unusual that the Prophet (s) nor anyone else notices that Aisha is not in the howdah, what did the Prophet s), Abu Bakr and indeed no other individual take the time to engage Aisha on the journey back, is this not curious? We also see no evidence of Rasulullah (s) sending anyone, are we to say for that night through to the morning when Aisha returned no one had the slightest knowledge that Aisha was missing?
Ibn al Hashimi states:
young Muslim man named Safwan (رضّى الله عنه), who had fallen behind the army after taking a rest, reached the camp during the night and found her lying fast asleep. Safwan (رضّى الله عنه) recognized her and escorted her back to the Muslim army and the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم).
Unfortunately, some hypocrites who had seen Safwan (رضّى الله عنه) and Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) arrive alone together began to gossip and spread slanderous lies about them. Eventually the story reached the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) himself and by then the whole community was talking about what might or might not have happened between the two young Muslims.
Naturally, the believers were certain that nothing bad had happened, but the Munafiqoon (hypocrites) thought otherwise and were not afraid to insinuate that was the case, accusing the Prophet’s wife of engaging in an adulterous affair.
Ibn al Hashimi suggests Safwan had taken a rest, what is his evidence? We see nothing from Bukhari that informs us of this. Moreover there is nothing from the tradition that suggests that the Prophet (s) had ordered Safwan to go and locate his wife. If anything he (s) would have located one of her mahram relatives. No decent man would send a non-mahram man to bring his wife back to the camp. So the question is what was he doing there? Moreover for the sake of clarification:
● Who was Safwan bin Al-Muattal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwan? Was he from the Muhajirin, the Ansar or some other tribe?
● Why was Safwan bin Al-Muattal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwan so far behind the departing army; did the Prophet (s) order him to remain behind or was it of his own volition?
● We see no evidence of the Prophet (s) determining whether or not Aisha was in the tent, when she finally caught up with him, did she not seek to vent her legendary frustration and inquire why her husband had not at any point checked to see if she was there? Would a normal wife not find this lack of care unusual and indeed hurtful?
Ibn al Hashimi states:
Aisha’s Feelings (رضّى الله عنها) are Hurt
The accusations against Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) hurt her deeply and she soon fell so sick that she asked the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) if she could return to her parent’s house until the matter was cleared up.
This is false, she did not return to the home of her parents until the matter had been cleared up she went to ascertain their knowledge about what was being circulated. She stated:
‘Will you allow me to go to my parents?’ as I wanted to be sure about the news through them. Allah’s Apostle allowed me (and I went to my parents) and asked my mother, ‘O mother! What are the people talking about?’
Now Ibn al Hashimi’s dishonesty aside, we would like to know:
● Why did she seek permission to visit the home of her parents?
● What was the matter that Aisha was seeking to look into?
● What further clarity was Aisha seeking to gauge by visiting her parents?
● Whilst Ibn al Hashimi suggests that the Sahaba never thought ill of Aisha it was all a hypocritical conspiracy, the mother of Aisha places the finger of blame on matters much closer to home, not from believers, but from the mother of the believers! She states:there is no charming lady who is loved by her husband who has other wives as well, but that those wives would find fault with her.” Who were these jealous wives spreading false rumors about Aisha? Would they also fall within the category of hypocrites? During the entirety of this sorry episode we hear nothing from any other wife defending Aisha, why not? Were they not under any duty to rush to aid their counterpart? Moreover Urwa informs us in Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 47, Number 755:The wives of Allah’s Apostle were in two groups. One group consisted of ‘Aisha, Hafsa, Safiyya and Sauda; and the other group consisted of Um Salama and the other wives of Allah’s Apostle. With this in mind how is it that not one of them came out to defend her from this shameless slander? If Zainab bint Jahsh who disliked Aisha, is cited as vouching for Aisha’s innocence, the testimony comes not from the mouth of Zainab but from what Aisha. Who were these wives that were giving publicity to this event? Neither Aisha, nor her parents disclose their names, why not?
● It may well be probable that tensions can exist in a polygamous marriage, between women that may have led to them keeping away but there would have been no reason for other female Sahabia not coming to console Aisha. Yet the testimony of Aisha is that “an Ansari woman asked permission to see me. I admitted her and she sat and started weeping with me”. Why do we not learn of any other women of the Muhajrin and Ansar coming to console and support Aisha during her hour of need? Why is that? Did they not care about what had been said about her? They were after all the wives of the Sahaba, all of whom (as Ibn al Hashimi suggests) were certain of Aisha’s innocence?
● The Ansari woman that did attend, did not say a single word of support, she came in and proceeded to weep with Aisha, had she just attended for the purpose of crying?
● Why was the identity of this woman kept a secret?
Ibn al Hashimi states:
The Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) then tried to vindicate Aisha’s honor (رضّى الله عنها) by calling everyone to the mosque and publicly defending her reputation, but the hypocrites who had started the trouble in the first place only made matters worse, so that arguments broke out all over the mosque, and people had almost come to blows over the matter before the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) calmed them down and silenced them.
The dispute that broke out was an unholy row between the Khazraj and Aus, what should we assume of all those that disregarded the integrity of Aisha and preferred to exploit the matter into a complete tribal dispute? The blows over the matter had nothing to do with protecting the decency of Aisha it was all to do with protecting one’s tribal lineage, and protecting those that slandered Aisha, is this not shameless? It was not a handful of people, had that been the case an almighty tribal war would not have broken out in the manner that it did. Is it also not shameless that the loyal Sahaba totally lost interest for what the Prophet (s) had stated? Is it not amazing that everyone is summoned in the mosque and not a single Sahabi shows consideration for the words of the Prophet (s) and the order issued by him? Doesn’t Ibn al-Hashimi always sing praises over the brave loyal Sahaba that would implement every order of the Prophet (s) forthwith? In another article
Ibn al Hashimi proclaimed:
The Shia propagandists slander the Prophet’s wife, Aisha. It should be noted, however, that the Munafiqoon (Hypocrites) and Kufaar (Disbelievers) have always sought to hurt the Prophet by slandering his wife; as such, there is nothing new in the Shia tactics. During the lifetime of the Prophet, many of the enemies of Islam hurt the Prophet by slandering his wife, and this pained the Prophet very much. The Prophet said:
“Who would exonerate me from the accusations of that person who has troubled me in regards to my family? By Allah, I find nothing in my wife but goodness!”
(Sahih Muslim, Book 37, Number 6673)
The Prophet has asked who will exonerate him from the accusations made against his wife. It will be the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah that will do that, Insha-Allah!
Ibn al Hashimi might well be insisting that this mantle of defending Aisha has been taken by the Ahl’ul Sunnah, but it certainly was not one grasped by the Salaf that his cult professes to adhere to. The partial citation of the sermon that Ibn al Hashimi quoted relates to the very sermon under discussion, and yet the Sahaba present failed to display even a remote level of exuberance to defend Aisha from the serious allegation that had been made against her. When the Salaf cared little for defending Aisha, what gives Ibn al Hashimi the mandate to depart from the path trodden by them? Not a single one of these loyal Sahaba had the decency to implement the request of the Prophet (s). Where was the respect for Rasulullah (s) and the honor for Aisha here? Why did not a single Sahabi present therein rise to implement the order of Rasulullah (s)? Where for example was the loyal Umar ibn al Khattab, who would always have his sword aloft in non-war scenarios to defend the honor of Rasulullah (s)?
Ibn al Hashimi states:
The Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) said to Abdullah ibn Ubayy, leader of the Munafiqoon: “O Muslims, who will deal with a man [i.e. Abdullah ibn Ubayy] who I have heard is speaking in an offensive manner about my family? By Allah, I know nothing but good about my family.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
First and foremost the Nasibi has intentionally relayed the event backwards. The tribal dispute broke out following the said comments of Rasulullah (s) not before. Why has he not informed his readership of this fact? Why has he failed to point out the complete disregard the Sahaba had for the words of Rasulullah (s)?
● When the Prophet (s) publicly asked for retribution against the man responsible for spreading the slander, why was this not followed through?
● Why did this turn into a tribal row wherein the propagator of the lie was afforded protection?
● In this day and age we see the defenders of Aisha automatically jump up to defend Aisha from any criticism leveled against her of her conduct, but yet when the Prophet (s) asks that action be brought against those slandering Aisha, the Sahaba do nothing, rather they completely forget about the matter and instead deem settling old tribal scores to be more important, is this not truly shameful?
● When the situation calmed down the Prophet (s) abandoned further talk on the matter, is this not evidence that it was clear to him that they had no interest in respecting him or protecting the honor of his wife?
● Why did the Prophet (s) only vent his frustration at ‘Abdullah bin Ubai (bin Salul) when others were also spreading these lies?
● Why didn’t the Prophet (s) simply place ‘Abdullah bin Ubai (bin Salul) on trial?
● Why didn’t the parents of Aisha bring a libel claim against ‘Abdullah bin Ubai (bin Salul), to be decided by the Prophet (s)?
● Saad bin Ubada, chief of Al-Khazraj sought to protect Abdullah bin Ubaii and a tribal dispute broke out, why did that occur?
● After Sad bin Mu’adh responded to the call of the Prophet, why did Sad bin Ubadah get up, followed by Usaid bin Haidar why did all this happen?
● Usaid bin Hudair says to Sad bin ‘Ubada, “…you are a hypocrite arguing on the behalf of hypocrites” – so who were these hypocrites that he was alluding to?
● Who were those that were raising their voices and behaving so atrociously in the presence of the Prophet (s)?
● Were these from amongst the Sahaba of the Prophet or some other group?
● If they were Sahaba who were they, believers or hypocrites?
● If it comprised both believers and hypocrites, where did these individuals go following the death of the Prophet (s)?
● When these individuals conducted themselves so atrociously before the Prophet (s) did they just disappear after his death, or had their objective been attained by that point?
Ibn al Hashimi states:
Ali (رضّى الله عنه) Defends Aisha (رضّى الله عنها)The Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) was a person with a lot of Gheerah (protective jealousy) which, according to the Sunnah, is considered a good quality in Muslim men. So the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) was naturally incensed by the accusations that his wife had slept with another man. These accusations caused him a great deal of agitation. The Companions of the Prophet (رضّى الله عنهم) saw how miserable the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) had become over this issue, and so it was that Ali (رضّى الله عنه) said to him: “O Allah’s Apostle! Allah does not impose restrictions on you, and there are plenty of women other than her. If however, you ask her slave girl, she will tell you the truth!” (Bukhari)
First and foremost Ibn al Hashimi is yet again narrating this consultation exercise backwards. He seems to suggest that after the aborted sermon in the mosque, the Prophet (s) then entered into discussions with the Sahaba over how to resolve the matter. This is false, gauging their opinion occurred first and the aborted Khutbah followed that, which is clear from the evidence of Aisha in Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 92, Number 462. Moreover the counsel of the Sahaba as a body had not been sought, rather only Ali (as) and Usamah had been consulted.
Now we would like to ask:
● The Prophet (s) sought the counsel of Ali (as) and Usamah, why was Umar not summoned when he is commonly deemed the key adviser of the Prophet (s) who was fond of interfering in the personal matters of the Prophet (s), and whose counsel was preferred to the opinion of Rasul (s) on a number of occasions to the extent that (as per Sunni traditions) Allah (swt) preferred his decision making over that of the Prophet (s)?
● Unusually Umar is nowhere to be found during the entire episode, why is that?
● Was this military campaign one wherein the Prophet (s) did without his alleged most brave fearless warrior?
● If he was present why is he notably absent throughout the event?
● We see no evidence of Umar approaching Abu Bakr, nor is he present in the mosque of the Prophet (s) when the Khazraj and Aus have a row amidst the sermon of the Prophet (s), why is he absent?
Ibn al Hashimi states:
The popular Shia author and scholar Al-Tijani cited this as evidence that Ali (رضّى الله عنه) told the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) to divorce Aisha (رضّى الله عنها). He declares that this is recorded in Sunni accounts as well and he off-handedly cites the above Hadith from Bukhari as his “evidence.” This is what we like to call “Half-Hadith-ing” [i.e. using half of a Hadith to “prove” one’s point]. If we look at the other half of the Hadith, we see that it negates Al-Tijani’s claim that Ali (رضّى الله عنه) told the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) to divorce Aisha (رضّى الله عنها).
Imam Ali (as) was indeed making it clear that Rasulullah (s) had the option to divorce Aisha if he so wished. Maula Ali (as) merely set out the options available, and he was stating that there were other proverbial fish in the sea, if Rasulullah (s) wanted he could replace her with another wife. He was merely stating that in light of the slander he could divorce simply to silence the tongues of others. It doesn’t mean Aisha had done anything wrong, rather he was setting out the options that were available to him. Maudoodi who Ibn al Hashimi has referred to as an Imam (as we have previously cited) has also stated that Imam Ali (as) set out the option:
The greatest falsehood, rather a calumny, in this connection is the assertion by the Umayyads that it was Hadrat `Ali who had been referred to in this verse. A saying of Hisham bin `Abdul Malik has been cited in Bukhari, Tabarani and Baihaqi to the effect: “The one who had the greatest share of responsibility in it” refers to `Ali bin Abi Talib. The fact, however, is that Hadrat `Ali had no hand whatsoever in this mischief. The truth is that when Hadrat `Ali saw the Holy Prophet in a perturbed state of mind and the Holy Prophet asked for his counsel, he said: “Allah in this matter has not laid any restriction on you: suitable women are plenty: you may if you like divorce `A’ishah and marry another woman.” But this did not at all mean that Hadrat `Ali had supported the accusation against Hadrat `A’ishah. His object was only to allay the Holy Prophet’s mental anguish.
If the response of Ali (as) referring to alternative spouses went against Aisha, how different was this to that said by Allah (swt) in Surah Tahrim? The Bukhari narration records “Ali bin Abi Talib said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Allah does not put you in difficulty and there are plenty of women other than she” and Allah (swt) says:
It may be, if he divorced you (all), that Allah will give him in exchange consorts better than you,- who submit (their wills), who believe, who are devout, who turn to Allah in repentance, who worship (in humility), who travel (for Faith) and fast,- previously married or virgins.
What is the difference between the two statements?
Tijani suggests that this option given to Rasulullah (s) by Ali caused her resentment towards him, let us for arguments sake say that his conclusion is false, could Ibn al Hashimi kindly provide us with an explanation as to why she hated Ali (as) to such an extreme that she loathed mentioning his name, as the man aiding the Prophet (s) as he entered his mosque, and prostrated in happiness upon receipt of his death? At least Tijani offers a reason. Could you kindly expand on the grounds for such hatred?
Ibn al Hashimi insists that the culpability of Aisha was a reality that no Sahabi entertained, Aisha’s testimony becomes all the more interesting when we see what Imam Ali (as) had proposed. Imam Ali (as) set out the option available but also testified that Aisha was innocent and suggested that the maid servant be interviewed to affirm this fact. Now let us see the conduct of the Sahaba in this regard. Before doing so let us point out a clear discrepancy in Aisha’s testimony. In Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 281 Aisha states ‘Allah’s Apostle had come to my house and asked my maid-servant about me (my character)’ whilst in Volume 5, Book 59, Number 462 after seeking the counsel of Usamah and Ali (as) he summons for the maid servant, that would not have been necessary if he was situate inside the home of Aisha. Which of these narrations is correct and why the discrepancy? If Ibn al Hashimi insists that they are both the same then the quizzing of the maid-servant in Volume 6, Book 60, Number 281 indicates that the Prophet (s) was alone, whilst her testimony in Sahih Bukhari Volume 5 Book 59, Number 462 suggests that the Prophet (s) conducted a public inquisition of the her maid servant.
At this juncture it is important to address two comments:
Ibn al Hashimi insists:
The Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) was a person with a lot of Gheerah (protective jealousy) which, according to the Sunnah, is considered a good quality in Muslim men.
If anything Aisha’s testimony in the traditions under discussion, allege that Rasulullah (s) was devoid of Gheerah for his wife, not brimming with it. Why (as per this tradition) would the Prophet (s) who has so much Gheerah for his family be conducting a public inquiry to ascertain the innocence of his wife? Would the normal person not seek to take the maid servant to the side and seek clarity? Was this approach not demeaning the Prophet (s) and Aisha? There is a concept in English ‘Do not wash your dirty clothes in public’ was the Prophet (s) not doing just that by turning an inquiry into the conduct of his wife a public spectacle? The argument advanced by Ibn al Hashimi does not in any way concur with what the tradition informs us.
Ibn al Hashimi states:
Naturally, the believers were certain that nothing bad had happened, but the Munafiqoon (hypocrites) thought otherwise and were not afraid to insinuate that was the case, accusing the Prophet’s wife of engaging in an adulterous affair.
Let us see the certainty of the Sahaba from Sahih Bukhari Volume 5 Book 59, Number 462:
The maid-servant said, “By Allah, I do not know of any defect in her character except that she sleeps and let the sheep enter (her house) and eat her dough.” On that, some of the Prophet’s companions spoke harshly to her and said, “Tell the truth to Allah’s Apostle.”
Just consider the impromptu response, wherein they are openly expressing their doubts about Aisha’s character in the presence of Rasulullah (s) by suggesting the maid-servant is lying “Tell the truth to Allah’s Apostle.” – is such an outburst that both embarrasses Rasulullah (s) and casts aspersions on the character of Aisha acceptable? If only Aisha had publicly named these shameless Sahaba that were publicly seeking to mar her good name, in a manner timed to embarrass Rasulullah (s)! Clearly Aisha must have known who these Sahaba were, we are informed that Rasulullah quizzed the maid-servant inside the home of Aisha, and this occurred after the verse of veiling, that suggests those inside the house at the time must have been the close relatives of Aisha, so who were these shameless Sahaba? Did these Sahaba have faith in the innocence of Aisha? If so, why were they cajoling the maid servant in this manner? If hypocrites were casting aspersions on Aisha, can we assume that these Sahaba were also hypocrites?
One fact that Ibn al Hashimi and his ilk are reluctant to mention is what happens next. The correct order is as follows, Rasulullah (s):
1. sought the counsel of Usamah and Ali (as) over how to proceed on the matter
2. then questioned the maid servant who attested to her innocence
3. then endorsed the innocence of Aisha at the mosque pulpit that was interrupted by the atrocious conduct of the Khazraj and Aus.
Having complete confidence in the innocence of Aisha he then attends her home and says as follows: ‘Amma Badu, O Aisha! I have been informed so-and-so about you; if you are innocent, then soon Allah will reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him for forgiveness for when a slave confesses his sins and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.’
Now Ibn al Hashimi please answer these points:
● Having sought the counsel of Usamah, Ali (as) and Barira that confirmed her innocence, and his public declaration of support on the pulpit that led to serious disorder between those in attendance, he (s) now knew that his wife was innocent. This being the case why did he then approach and say ‘Aisha! I have been informed so-and-so about you; if you are innocent, then soon Allah will reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him for forgiveness for when a slave confesses his sins and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.’? Did he not accept the testimony of the just Sahaba? If he did then that explains his pulpit speech, so why did he then still have a niggling doubt in his mind? What can we say of this portrayal of Rasulullah, one wherein he publicly unequivocally supports his wife, but then expresses doubts when he sees her personally? Is this no different to the spouses of modern day politicians who publicly support their partners in the face of allegations over their infidelity, but privately entertain such allegations as quite plausible? This is called hypocrisy and lying, was Aisha suggesting that the Prophet (s) was behaving in a similar manner?
● When the Prophet (s) updated Aisha she turned to her parents asking that they reply, they offered no response, why not?
Aisha’s narrative then continues as follows:
“…When Allah’s Apostle finished his speech, my tears ceased flowing completely and I no longer felt a single drop of tear flowing. I said to my father, ‘Reply to Allah’s Apostle on my behalf concerning what he has said.’ My father said, ‘By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah’s Apostle .’ Then I said to my mother, ‘Reply to Allah’s Apostle on my behalf concerning what he has said.’ She said, ‘By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah’s Apostle”.
What sort of parents are those that don’t rush to protect their daughters' innocence? Umm Ruman does not even say a single word, why not? We know of no parents that will sit quietly when such shameless accusations have been leveled against their daughter.
Turning to the munafiqoon, verily we are in no doubt that those shameless individuals that slandered Aisha were hypocrites of the highest order. What we find curious is why so little has been cascaded to us about them. There existed an entire group that slandered Aisha during the event of Ifk, yet Aisha only informs us of Safwan bin Al-Mu’attil As-Sulami Adh-Dhakw and ‘Abdullah bin Ubai, why is that?
Aisha attests that “None was mentioned as members of the slanderous group besides (‘Abdullah) except Hassan bin Thabit and Mistah bin Uthatha and Hamna bint Jahsh along with others about whom I have no knowledge, but they were a group as Allah said “There is no doubt that those that propagated the lie were the Kuffar that had infiltrated the Muslim ranks” i.e. they were hypocrites, and it was not just a handful of persons rather an entire group. There certainly must have been someone that knew the identity of these entire group members? Is it not likely that Aisha would have sought to discover the names of all those responsible? Once she had done so, why did she choose to just cite a few offenders and not provide a comprehensive list of those that were clear enemies of the Deen?
Aisha should have cascaded these names to the Muslims of that time after all if they were so dangerous during the life of Rasulullah (s) could they not have caused even greater damage after he left the earth? Why did she choose to remain silent?
Crucially, where did these hypocrites go after the death of the Prophet (s)? Did they vanish into thin air, or did they have any connection with the era of the rightly guided khalifas?
Ibn al Hashimi states:
It would be none other than Allah Himself who would declare Aisha’s innocence (رضّى الله عنها) and vindicate her of the slander levied against her. Allah revealed to the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) the following verses, condemning those Munafiqoon who doubted Aisha’s innocence (رضّى الله عنها) and slandered her honor:
[24:11] “Surely those who fabricate the lie are a group from among you…Every man will receive what he has earned for this sin, and whoever had the greater part in it will have a grievous punishment.”
[24:12] “Why did the men and women believers, when they heard it, not think good of their own folk and say: ‘This is clearly a lie?’”
[24:13] “Why did they not produce four witnesses? Since they did not produce witnesses, they are certainly liars in the sight of Allah.”
[24:14] “If it were not for the grace of Allah, and His mercy on you in this world and in the next world, an awful doom would have overtaken you for what you repeated.”
[24:15] “Since you received it with your tongues, and repeated what you did not know anything about with your mouths, you thought it was a trifle, but in the sight of Allah it is serious.”
[24:16] “Why, when you heard it, did you not say: ‘It is not for us to repeat this, Glory be to You (O Allah), this is a serious slander.’”
[24:17] “Allah warns you to never repeat anything like this again, if you are indeed believers!”
[24:18] “And Allah makes the signs clear to you; and Allah is Knowing, Wise.”
[24:19] “Surely those who love to spread around slander about those who believe will have a painful punishment in this world and in the next world; and Allah knows and you do not know.”
[24:20] “And had it not been for the Grace of Allah and His Mercy on you, (Allah would have hastened the punishment upon you). And that Allah is full of kindness, Most Merciful.”
[24:21] “O you who believe! Follow not the footsteps of Shaitan…”
[24:22] “And…Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? …”
[24:23] “Verily, those who accuse chaste women, who never even think of anything touching their chastity and are good believers, are cursed in this life and in the Hereafter, and for them will be a great torment.”
[24:24] “On the Day when their tongues, their hands, and their legs or feet will bear witness against them as to what they used to do.”
[24:25] “On that Day Allah will pay them the recompense of their deeds in full, and they will know that Allah, He is the Manifest Truth.”
[24:26] “Vile women are for vile men, and vile men for vile women. Good women are for good men, and good men for good women; such are innocent of that which people say: For them is pardon and a bountiful provision.”
As we had previously pointed out there exists a discrepancy, in Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 274 Aisha informs us “He had stayed a month without receiving any Divine Inspiration concerning my case”. Here Aisha informs that the delay was purely over her matter but in Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 462 she says “When the Divine Inspiration was delayed” so there was a blanket ban on the Wahi.
Our questions are as follows:
● Why the month-long wait, was Allah (swt) conducting an investigation into the matter, to ascertain whether / or not Aisha was innocent? Why did the Wahi stop during this period, was it on account of anger towards the Ummah?
● Why did Allah (swt) not seek to resolve the matter on the day of Ifk?
● Why was He (swt) waiting for just over a month?
● Has this Wahi hiatus not simply been cited to exalt the status of Aisha?
● Why did Rasulullah (s) reject the sworn testimony of Aisha? She was making it clear that Rasulullah (s) was prepared to accept a lie spread by others but will not accept the truth as attested to by her, even if she makes an oath in this regard. This is a very serious accusation against Rasulullah (s) accusing him of not acting in an equitable manner, content with accepting tittle tattle. Her pre-empting what Rasulullah (s) was thinking contradicts the words of Allah swt in Surah Hujurat verse 1:
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُقَدِّمُوا۟ بَيْنَ يَدَىِ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ۖ
O ye who believe! Be not forward in the presence of Allah and His messenger
Likewise , Allah swt says in Surah Tauba verse 61:
وَمِنْهُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ أُذُنٌ ۚ قُلْ أُذُنُ خَيْرٍ لَّكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَيُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلَّذِينَ
And of them are those who vex the Prophet and say: He is only a hearer. Say: A hearer of good for you, who believeth in Allah and is true to the believers, and a mercy for such of you as believe.
This verse actually descended to counter the evil tongues of the hypocrites who were essentially suggesting Rasulullah (s) listens but does nothing practical. In his commentary of this verse Ibn Ibn Kathir says in Tafsir Ibn Kathir Vol 4, pg. 308 - 309
"Hypocrites annoy the Prophet”
Allah (swt) says, some hypocrites bother the Messenger of Allah by questioning his character, saying,هُوَ أُذُنٌ(he is (lending his) ear), to those who say anything about us; he believes whoever talks to him. Therefore, if we went to him and swore, he would believe us. Similar was reported from Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and Qatadah"
One is puzzled as to why Aisha did not trust Rasulullah (s) the Mercy of Mankind and think he (s) would look out for her best interest, when even the hypocrites were certain that if they were to offer excuses for their conduct to Rasulullah (s) he would accept it
Whilst these are just side questions, let us make it clear that we are in no doubt that this verse descended to declare the innocence of Aisha. Worthy of note is after the exoneration of Aisha the traditions inform us that Umm Ruman told her to convey her salutation to the Prophet (s) she refused, why did she disobey her mother?
A further example of her atrocious behavior appears in Sunan Tirmidhi Hadith number 3180 following the descent of Surah Nur:
قَالَتْ وَأُنْزِلَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ سَاعَتِهِ فَسَكَتْنَا فَرُفِعَ عَنْهُ وَإِنِّي لأَتَبَيَّنُ السُّرُورَ فِي وَجْهِهِ وَهُوَ يَمْسَحُ جَبِينَهُ وَيَقُولُ " الْبُشْرَى يَا عَائِشَةُ فَقَدْ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ بَرَاءَتَكِ " . قَالَتْ وَكُنْتُ أَشَدَّ مَا كُنْتُ غَضَبًا فَقَالَ لِي أَبَوَاىَ قُومِي إِلَيْهِ . فَقُلْتُ لاَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلاَ أَحْمَدُهُ وَلاَ أَحْمَدُكُمَا وَلَكِنْ أَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ بَرَاءَتِي لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ فَمَا أَنْكَرْتُمُوهُ وَلاَ غَيَّرْتُمُوهُ وَكَانَتْ
"It was at that time that Revelation came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and we remained silent. Then the Revelation was over, and I noticed the signs of happiness on his face while he was wiping (the sweat) from his forehead and saying: 'Have the good tidings O 'Aishah! Allah has revealed your innocence.' At that time I was extremely angry. My parents said to me: 'Get up and go to him.' I said: 'By Allah, I will not do it, and will not thank him nor either of you, but I will thank Allah, Who has revealed my innocence.
It is due to the elevated status that Rasulullah (s) had that his wives were bestowed with the title "Mothers of the Faithful '' - it is therefore unfortunate that A'isha bore a grudge towards Rasulullah (s) with regards to this incident. Bearing such feelings of animosity carries no implications for Rasulullah (s) but it does affect the believer. It is also worth pointing out that A'isha did not follow the instructions of her parents in this matter, despite the Shariah deeming obedience to one's parents to be obligatory.
Ibn al Hashimi states:
Sometimes Shia will have a hard time absorbing these verses, so they will oftentimes try denying that these verses were revealed in relation to Aisha (رضّى الله عنها). They will even completely deny the incident of al-Ifk, which is a known historical event recorded in the preserved annals of history and is even in the authentic Shia books.
This is a blatant lie, the Shia are in no doubt whatsoever that the said verses descended to make it clear that the allegation made against Aisha by some Sahaba was completely false, she had done nothing untoward on the night in question. Ibn al Hashimi then goes on to cite Shia Tafsir confirming the descent of this verse, there is no need to quote them verbatim here, as it merely corroborates what all Shia believe, namely that the verse confirms that Aisha had done nothing wrong.
In this regards whilst discussing the exoneration of Aisha from the allegation of fornication in the Qur'an, the renowned Sunni scholar Sayyid Maḥmūd ibn ‘Abd Allāh al-Ḥusaynī al-Ālūsī al-Baghdādī wrote in Ar-Rūh al-Ma'ānī fī Tafsīri-l-Qur'āni-l-'Aẓīm wa Sab'u-l-Mathānī Volume 18 page 122:
"No Shia accuses any wife of Rasulullah (s) of lewd conduct, and if any of their narrations use such disrespectful terminology, they don't rely upon it"
Ibn al Hashimi argues:
If the Shia accuse Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) of being vile, then they are accusing the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) of being vile. Allah says: “Vile women are for vile men, and vile men for vile women. Good women are for good men, and good men for good women; such are innocent of that which people say: For them is pardon and a bountiful provision.” (Quran, 24:26) This is the absolute verdict on the character of Aisha (رضّى الله عنها), and stands as a refutation against all the slander made against her. This verse was revealed in regards to Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) in the incident of al-Ifk, and this is agreed upon by even the authentic Shia Tafseer. So we wonder then why the Shia feel comfortable with slandering her character.
In their attempt to defend Aisha, Ansar.org state:
Aysha deserved all this respect, regard, and more from Ahl Al-Sunnah because she is the wife of the pure prophet peace be upon him that he chose to be his wife because she is pure too. Allah Almighty says, “Women impure are for men impure, and men impure for women impure and women of purity are for men of purity, and men of purity are for women of purity: these are not affected by what people say: for them there is forgiveness, and a provision honourable.” (Surat Al-Noor, 26).
Here Allah (swt) is talking about the common example of people, a pious man will not intentionally search out an ill-chartered woman and vice versa. To say that this is a precedent that pious men ONLY have pious wives and impure men only have impure wives, is absolutely baseless and contradicts the Qur’an. To prove the fallacy of Abu Sulaiman’s claim all we need to do is to cite these two verses from Surah Tahreem verses 66:10-11, which incidentally had descended as a warning to Aisha and Hafsa:
“Allah has set forth an example to the disbelievers, the wife Of Noah and the wife of Lot. They were both married to two servants from among our righteous servants, but they were deceitful/treacherous to their husbands. And they benefited nothing before Allah on the account of their (husbands). Instead they were told: “Enter the Fire with those who enter.” Allah cited an example for the believers, the wife of Pharaoh when she said: “O my Lord, build for me a house in paradise, and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds; and save me from the people who do wrong”.
If pious men ONLY marry pious women, how is it that Prophet’s Nuh (as) and Lut (as) both had wives that are in Hell for their acts of deceit and treachery? If impious men only marry impious women then how is it Pharaoh, the enemy of Allah (swt) was married to Asiya, who is extolled for her piety?
Our opponents often make use of the cited verse for their benefit by translating and interpreting it as referring to a natural phenomenon, that only a pure man and woman can be tied in a marital bond and likewise only an impure man and woman can enter into marriage and no other situation can ever occur, this interpretation is of course flawed for more than one reason, most importantly, for the reason we explained in the above mentioned reply. Having said this, we may reveal to our readers that the verse has been worded in a figurative sense and the words ‘women’ or ‘men’ do not, per se, find mention therein; rather the Arabic words used in the verse are Khabeethat and Tayeebaat. The cunning Nawasib would certainly give the impression that it there exists a unanimous opinion that this verse provides the message that they are interpreting and strenuously advancing before us, but we would like to spoil their party as the ‘majority opinion’ regarding this verse amongst the Ahlul Sunnah is something different. Allow us to quote Baghwi who in his Tafseer, stated:
ال أكثر المفسرين: الخبيثات من القول والكلام للخبيثين من الناس. { وَٱلْخَبِيثُونَ } ، من الناس، { لِلْخَبِيثَـٰتِ } ، من القول، والكلام، { وَٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتُ } ، من القول، { لِلطَّيِّبِينَ } ، من الناس، { وَٱلطَّيِّبُونَ } ، من الناس، { لِلْطَّيِّبَـٰتِ } ، من القول، والمعنى: أن الخبيث من القول لا يليق إلا بالخبيث من الناس والطيب لا يليق إلا بالطيب من الناس
According to the majority of Mufasireen, it means that bad words and conversations are suitable for bad people and bad people are actually suitable for bad words. Similarly good words are suitable for good people and good people are suitable for good words. The conclusion of this would therefore be that bad words are always uttered by bad people and good words are always spoken by good people.
Qadhi Showkani who in his Tafseer Fatah al-Qadeer, Volume 4 page 25 has stated:
قال مجاهد، وسعيد بن جبير، وعطاء، وأكثر المفسرين: المعنى الكلمات الخبيثات من القول للخبيثين من الرجال، والخبيثون من الرجال للخبيثات من الكلمات، والكلمات الطيبات من القول للطيبين من الناس، والطيبون من الناس للطيبات من الكلمات. قال النحاس: وهذا أحسن ما قيل.
Mujahid, Saeed bin Jubair, Atta and according to the majority of Mufasireen, the term ‘Khabeethat’ means that bad words are suitable for bad men and among all the men, the bad ones are suitable for such bad words. Similarly, the term ‘Tayeebbaat’ means that decent/good words are suitable for good people and among all the people, the good ones are suitable for such good words. According to Nahas, this is the best commentary of this verse.
Nahas referred here is a prominent Sunni scholar Abu Ja'far al-Nahas (d. 338 A.H).Similarly, Thalabi in his Kashaf al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Vol. 19 pg. 119 stated:
قال أكثر المفسّرين: الخبيثات من القول للخبيثين من الناس { وَٱلْخَبِيثُونَ } من الناس { لِلْخَبِيثَاتِ } من القول { وَٱلطَّيِّبَاتُ } من القول { لِلطَّيِّبِينَ } من الناس { وَٱلطَّيِّبُونَ } من الناس { لِلْطَّيِّبَاتِ } من القول.
According to the majority of Mufasireen, bad words are suitable for bad people and bad people are suitable for bad words similarly good words are suitable for good people and good people are suitable for good words.
So here we just cited the decision rendered by the ‘majority of’ Sunni scholars regarding the actual interpretation of the cited verse and as mentioned by Ibn Abdul bar in his famed work al-Estzkar, Volume 1 page 524, the majority opinion is a proof against those who oppose such an opinion.
We would look forward to Abu Sulaiman’s commentary of these verses in light of his claim. Before we close our discussions on this verse, we should point out that there is no need to use this verse to shield the sins committed by Aisha since the verse should be understood in the context in which it was revealed, namely its discussion about fornication and chastity. No Shia or Sunni has even the slightest doubt over the chastity of the Prophet (s) and all his wives that in effect ends the debate! Therefore, even if it is accepted that this verse literally talks about ‘men’ and ‘women’ and not in figurative sense (as discussed above) even then it is to be understood in its proper context which is about fornicators and chaste men and women. Imam Shawkani in Tafsir Fatah al-Qadeer, Volume 4 page 25 confirms that the impurity and purity referred to in this verse are for fornication and chastity respectively:
الخبيثات الزواني والطيبات العفائف وكذا الخبيثون والطيبون
“Impure women are the fornicators, the women of purity are the chaste and so are the impure men and the purity of men”
Ibn al Hashimi emotively argues:
Allah Almighty Himself declared Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) innocent and warns everyone not to make any accusations or slander against Aisha (رضّى الله عنها). He says: “Allah warns you to never repeat anything like this again, if you are indeed believers!” (Quran, 24:17)
Ibn al Hashimi states:
The Shia say:The verses in Soorat al-Noor apply only to the specific charges levied against Aa’ishah in the incident of Al-Ifk and not to any other accusations against her.Rebuttal:Allah (عز و جل) says: “Allah warns you to never repeat anything similar to this again, if you are indeed believers.” [al-Noor 24:17] By the words “anything similar”, we see that it cannot possibly refer only to the incident of Al-Ifk, but rather it applies to any similar slander against Aisha (رضّى الله عنها). Indeed, accusing her of fabricating Hadith, of being one of the Imams of Kufr, and other such things are even more egregious than Zinnah. Therefore, not only is this slander similar to that of those who criticized her in the incident of Al-Ifk, but it is in fact a far more reprehensible thing to utter against her.
Ibn al Hashimi emotively argues:
No believer should feel comfortable slandering a woman who was specifically defended in the Quran by Allah Almighty, a person whom the Quran warns against slandering in the strictest of tones, declaring those who do so to be unbelievers. During the incident of al-Ifk, the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) publically denounced the Munafiqoon and said that he knew nothing bad about his family; so why then do the Shia scholars insult the Prophetic family by speaking ill of them, even when the Quran and Hadith both exonerate Aisha (رضّى الله عنها)?
Ibn al Hashimi’s knowledge of the Arabic language and use of logic is clearly deficient. Where is his linguistic proof? He has none. It is one thing to claim something, and a completely different thing to prove it, we invite Ibn al Hashimi and his fellow advocates to furnish their evidence and we will address their submissions accordingly. The reality is clear for all to see, the lessons from the verse are clear that one should not make false allegations such as those leveled against Aisha. They purely relate to the allegations that were falsely leveled against Aisha. This Nasibi really is now clutching at straws by suggesting something different. The entire verse talks about the innocence of Aisha from the particular allegation of adultery discussed above. That is the entire theme of the verse, so when Allah (swt) says:
“Allah warns you to never repeat anything like this again, if you are indeed believers!”
He (swt) is making it clear to the Sahaba that they should steer clear from saying the like of such a shameless allegation of adultery again.
If Ibn al-Hashimi and his likes are still adamant about their self deduced meaning of the verse under discussion in order to provide blanket immunity to Aisha, let us substantiate our stance through some books our opponents adhere to, such as:
1. Zad al-Masir, by Ibn Jawzi, pg. 991
2. Taysir al-Karim, by Abdulrahman al-Saadei, pg. 659
3. Tafsir Muqatil, Muqatil ibn Sulayman, Vol. 3, pg. 191
4. Tafsir ibn Abi Hatem, by Ibn Abi Hatim, Vol. 8, p2549
5. Tafsir al-Samarqandi, by Samarqandi, Vol.2, pg. 432
For the sake of brevity, let us quote from Tafsir al-Samarqandi:
أن تعودوا لمثله أبدا) يعني القذف)
“(to never repeat anything like this again) means the allegation of fornication”
The Qur'anic verses were revealed to acquit Aisha from the slander that a group of Sahaba had leveled against her, claims that were clearly baseless sinful conduct on their part. Nothing more than reading from these verses addresses that episode, it does not protect her from any future form of transgression, not even fornication. The verse of Surah Nur proves in favor of Aisha. This is like an incident when a Sahabi falsely attributed theft to a Jew. Allah (swt) exposes the slanderer and exonerates the Jew in Surah Nisa verses 105 - 112:
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِتَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِمَآ أَرَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَلَا تَكُن لِّلْخَآئِنِينَ خَصِيمً
Lo! We reveal unto thee the Scripture with the truth, that thou mayst judge between mankind by that which Allah showeth thee. And be not thou a pleader for the treacherous;
وَٱسْتَغْفِرِ ٱللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
And seek forgiveness of Allah. Lo! Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.
وَلَا تُجَٰدِلْ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ خَوَّانًا أَثِيمًا
And plead not on behalf of (people) who deceive themselves. Lo! Allah loveth not one who is treacherous and sinful.
يَسْتَخْفُونَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَا يَسْتَخْفُونَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ مَعَهُمْ إِذْ يُبَيِّتُونَ مَا لَا يَرْضَىٰ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْلِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطًا
They seek to hide from men and seek not to hide from Allah. He is with them when by night they hold discourse displeasing unto Him. Allah ever surroundeth what they do.
هَٰٓأَنتُمْ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ جَٰدَلْتُمْ عَنْهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا فَمَن يُجَٰدِلُ ٱللَّهَ عَنْهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ أَم مَّن يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَكِيلًا
Ho! ye are they who pleaded for them in the life of the world. But who will plead with Allah for them on the Day of Resurrection, or who will then be their defender?
وَمَن يَعْمَلْ سُوٓءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُۥ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ ٱللَّهَ يَجِدِ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
Yet whoso doeth evil or wrongeth his own soul, then seeketh pardon of Allah, will find Allah Forgiving, Merciful
وَمَن يَكْسِبْ إِثْمًا فَإِنَّمَا يَكْسِبُهُۥ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِۦ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
Whoso committeth sin committeth it only against himself. Allah is ever Knower, Wise
وَمَن يَكْسِبْ خَطِيٓـَٔةً أَوْ إِثْمًا ثُمَّ يَرْمِ بِهِۦ بَرِيٓـًٔا فَقَدِ ٱحْتَمَلَ بُهْتَٰنًا وَإِثْمًا مُّبِينًا
And whoso committeth a delinquency or crime, then throweth (the blame) thereof upon the innocent, hath burdened himself with falsehood and a flagrant crime.
In Tafsir Al-Jalalayn pg. 95 - 96 the reason for the descent of these verses are as follows:
Tu‘ma b. Ubayriq stole a coat of mail and hid it with a Jew. When it was discovered with the latter, Tu‘ma accused him of having stolen it, and swore by God that he [Tu‘ma] had not stolen it, and his clan asked the Prophet (s) to advocate on his behalf and absolve him, whereupon the following was revealed: Surely We have revealed to you the Book, the Qur’ān, with the truth (bi’l-haqq is semantically connected to anzalnā, ‘We have revealed’) so that you may judge between people by that which God has shown you, what God has taught you. And do not be a disputant for traitors, like Tu‘ma, disputing on their behalf.
This verse makes it clear that it is impermissible for a person to commit a sin, and then attribute it to an innocent person, that is slander and a clear sin. The verses evidence the allegation of theft against this Jew who was innocent from an allegation of theft. Whilst Allah (swt) exonerated the Jew from this specific allegation of theft, it does not exonerate him from committing theft in the future. Similarly, these verses admonish people that slandered Aisha (i.e. falsely accuse her of fornication) and issues a warning that people desist from repeating such allegations again. The verse does not guarantee Aisha from future conduct, it merely confirms that the allegations leveled against her were false and no one should repeat such false allegations.
Ibn al Hashimi seeks to back up his arguments with the views of Sunni clergy on those that slander Aisha.
Ibn al Hashimi argues:
…The punishment for apostasy (riddah) is well-known in Islaamic Sharee’ah. The one who leaves Islaam will be asked to repent by the Sharee’ah judge in an Islaamic country; if he does not repent and come back to the true religion, he will be killed as a kaafir and apostate, because of the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Whoever changes his religion, kill him.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 3017)…The scholars of Sunni Islam are all agreed that whoever condemns ‘Aa’ishah for that of which Allaah has stated she is innocent is a kaafir, because he has rejected Allaah’s statement of her innocence in Soorat al-Noor.Imaam Ibn Hazm quoted a report with an isnad going back to Hishaam ibn ‘Ammaar, who said: “I heard Maalik ibn Anas say: ‘…whoever curses ‘Aa’ishah should be killed.’ He was asked, ‘Why do you say that concerning (the one who curses) ‘Aa’ishah?’ He said, ‘Because Allaah says concerning ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her (interpretation of the meaning): “Allaah forbids you from it [slander] and warns you not to repeat the like of it forever, if you are believers.” [al-Noor 24:17]’”Maalik said: “Whoever accuses her goes against the Qur’aan, and whoever goes against the Qur’aan should be killed.”Ibn Hazm said: “This comment of Maalik’s is correct, and it is complete apostasy to reject Allaah’s words that clearly state her innocence.”
Abu Bakr ibn al-‘Arabi said: “Because the people who slandered ‘Aa’ishah accused a pure and innocent person of immorality, then Allah exonerated her. So everyone who accuses her of that of which Allah has stated she is innocent is rejecting what Allah says, and everyone who rejects what Allah says is a kaafir. This is the opinion of Maalik, and the matter is very clear to those who have insight.”
Al-Qaadi Abu Ya‘laa said: “Whoever slanders ‘Aa’ishah by accusing her of that of which Allah stated her innocence is a kaafir, without doubt. More than one imam stated this ijmaa‘ (consensus) and gave this ruling.”
Ibn Abi Moosaa said: “Whoever accuses ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, of that of which Allaah stated she was innocent has left the religion (is no longer a Muslim) and has no right to marry a Muslim woman.”
Ibn Qudaamah said: “It is a part of the Sunnah to say ‘May Allah be pleased with her’ after mentioning the wives of the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him), Mothers of the Believers who are pure and innocent of any evil. The best of them are Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid and ‘Aa’ishah al-Siddeeqah bint al-Siddeeq, whose innocence was stated by Allah; (they are) the wives of the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) in this world and the next. Whoever accuses her of that of which Allah has stated her innocence has rejected the words of Allaah All-Mighty.”
Imam al-Nawawi, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “‘Aa’ishah’s innocence of that of which she was accused is stated definitively in the Qur’aan. If anyone doubts that (may Allah protect us from such a thing), he becomes a kaafir and an apostate, by the consensus of the Muslims.”
Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy on him, said: “The ummah is agreed that whoever slanders her is a kaafir.”
Al-Haafiz ibn Katheer said, in his Tafseer: ” The scholars, may Allah have mercy on them, all agreed that whoever accuses or slanders her after the revelation of this aayah is a kaafir, because he has rejected the Qur’aan.”
Badr al-Deen al-Zirkashi said: “Whoever slanders her is a kaafir, because the Qur’aan clearly states her innocence.”
The scholars based their ruling on the one who slanders ‘Aa’ishah on the following evidence:
(1) The evidence that is derived from the verses in Soorat al-Noor that clearly state her innocence. So whoever accuses her after Allah has declared her innocent is rejecting the words of Allah, which is kufr beyond any shadow of a doubt.
(2) Slandering the family of the Prophet SAWS (peace be upon him) hurts and offends the Prophet himself, and there is no doubt that whatever hurts and offends the Prophet SAWS (peace be upon him) is kufr, by consensus (ijmaa‘). Evidence that the slander of his wife hurt and offended the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) is seen in the hadeeth of the slander (al-ifk) reported by al-Bukhaari and Muslim, in which ‘Aa’ishah says: “. . . The Messenger of Allaah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) stood up on that day and asked who would go and deal with ‘Abdullaah ibn Ubayy. He was on the minbar, and said: ‘O Muslims, who will deal with a man who I have heard is speaking in an offensive manner about my family? By Allaah, I know nothing but good about my family.’ . . .” What the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) meant was: who will be kind to me, and excuse me if I go and deal with him myself, and I give him what he deserves because I have heard that he is speaking in an offensive manner about my family. This proves that the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) was so deeply offended and hurt that he asked people whether they could deal with this person fairly.
Imaam al-Qurtubi said, in his Tafseer of the aayah “Allaah forbids you from it [slander] and warns you not to repeat the like of it forever, if you are believers.” [al-Noor 24:17]”:
“This is concerning Aa'ishah . . . because of the hurt and offense that the Messenger of Allah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) felt with regard to his honour and his family. This is kufr on the part of the one who does it.”
(3) Slandering ‘Aa’ishah implies insulting the Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him), because Allah, may He be glorified, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Bad statements are for bad people (or bad women for bad men) and bad people for bad statements (or bad men for bad women). . . ” [al-Noor 24:26]
Al-Haafiz ibn Katheer, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “I.e., Allah would not have made ‘Aa’ishah the wife of the Messenger of Allah (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) if she had not been good, because he is better than any good person. If she had been bad, she would not have been fit to marry him from a shar‘i point of view, and Allah would never even have decreed it..”
All of these edicts relate to kufr against those that attribute lechery to Aisha, we are happy to endorse this position. When Allah (swt) has said that Aisha is free from the suggestion of adultery, anyone that offers a divergent view is definitely a kaafir. The problem is Ibn al Hashimi cannot rely on these edicts to get the carte blanche authority to execute the Shia, as the edicts only relate to the allegation of adultery. Ibn al Hashimi’s efforts to widen the net, evidences his extremist mentality, and in many ways indicates his shameless support for terrorists outfits like Sipah-e-Sahaba, al Qaeda, the Taliban and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi who deem it right to shed the blood innocent Shia men, women and children. We know the extremist form of Sunnism that he ascribes to and are fully aware of the audience that he is pitching to. Whilst Ibn al-Hashimi is pushing for Shias to be killed, how did Rasulullah (s) deal with his Sahaba that slandered Aisha, including the famous poet Umm Hassan bin Thabit? So, what is the ruling on Hassan bin Thabit etc.? Why did they slander Umm Al-Mu'minin when they were the companions of the Prophet? Did the Prophet (s) declare the slanderers to be infidels and order their execution? Is there anyone who is more knowledgeable about the Shari'ah than the Messenger of Allah and is more benevolent towards the religion than him? Is there anyone who is more honorable than the Holy Prophet? Did Umm Al-Mu'minin declare anyone an infidel to be killed?
Ibn al Hashimi insists:
Any unbiased person can see that the accusations levied against Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) by the Ayatollahs are worse than those levied against her by the Munafiqoon in the incident of al-Ifk. The latter only accused Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) of Fisq (i.e. Zinnah is not Kufr), but the Ayatollahs accuse her of Kufr (i.e. fabricating Hadith is Kufr, and according to the Shia, so is preventing the Imamah of Ali [رضّى الله عنه]).
With regards to the accusation leveled against Aisha, we will address them in the next chapter. Suffice it to say, a comparison can only be drawn with such accusations, if they are false as was the case with the allegations of adultery. The verse that this Nasabi relies upon protects her from one matter alone; it makes clear that she was aloof from lechery, Alhamdulillah. This in no way means that the verse protected her from any other form of transgression. It seems that he seems to have forgotten the condemnation she received in Surah Tahreem that descended after Surah Noor, wherein she is exposed for her trickery and Allah (swt) accused her of having a crooked heart.
Whilst Allah (swt) refers to Rasulullah’s wives in different guises, Aisha and Hafsa are two wives who have been specifically admonished by Allah (swt) on account of their behavior. Abu Sulaiman can offer as many defenses as he chooses, Aisha herself testifies to her scheming with Hafsa that led to the descent of this verse.
“O Prophet! Why holdest thou to be forbidden that which Allah has made lawful to thee? Thou seekest to please thy consorts” (Surah Tahreem verse 1, Yusuf Ali’s translation).
Here are just a handful of Ahlul Sunnah texts that confirm Surah Tahreem descended following the planning of Aisha and Hafsa:
This is what we read in Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 434:
“Narrated ‘Aisha: Allah’s Apostle used to drink honey in the house of Zainab, the daughter of Jahsh, and would stay there with her. So Hafsa and I agreed secretly that, if he come to either of us, she would say to him. “It seems you have eaten Maghafir (a kind of bad-smelling resin), for I smell in you the smell of Maghafir,” (We did so) and he replied. “No, but I was drinking honey in the house of Zainab, the daughter of Jahsh, and I shall never take it again. I have taken an oath as to that, and you should not tell anybody about it”.
So Aisha admits:
1. Both her and Aisha entered into a secret plot in an effort to keep Rasulullah (s) away from the house of Ummul Momineen Zainab.
2. To achieve this objective they both lied to Rasulullah (s).
3. Allah (swt) exposed the two wives in this verse, so much so that in Surah Tahreem verse 4, He (swt) says:“If ye two turn in repentance to Him, your hearts are indeed so inclined; But if ye back up each other against him, truly Allah is his Protector, and Gabriel, and (every) righteous one among those who believe,- and furthermore, the angels – will back (him) up”.
For the sake of brevity we shall only cite the fatwa of Umar with regards to who this verse descended about. We read in Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 437:
“Narrated Ibn Abbas: I intended to ask ‘Umar about those two ladies who backed each other against ‘Allah’s Apostle . For one year I was seeking the opportunity to ask this question, but in vain, until once when I accompanied him for Hajj. While we were in Zahran, ‘Umar went to answer the call of nature and told me to follow him with some water for ablution. So I followed him with a container of water and started pouring water for him. I found it a good opportunity to ask him, so I said, “O chief of the Believers! Who were those two ladies who had backed each other (against the Prophet)?” Before I could complete my question, he replied, “They were ‘Aisha and Hafsa.”
The comments of Sayyid Abul A’la Maudoodi in his Tafheemul Qur’an, regarding this verse, a commentary which he has cited relying on some of the most revered and authentic Sunni sources, are of particular significance. We are translating the text direct from the English version, footnotes 7 and 8:
“The word saghat in the original is from Baghy which means to swerve and to become crooked. Shah Waliyullah and Shah Rafi’uddin have translated this sentence thus: “Crooked have become your hearts.” ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud, ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas, Sufyan Thauri and Dahhak have given this meaning of it: “Your hearts have swerved from the right path.” Imam Razi explains it thus: “Your hearts have swerved from what is right, and the right implies the right of the Holy Prophet (upon whom be Allah’s peace).” And ‘Allama Alusi’s commentary is: Although it is incumbent on you that you should approve what the Holy Messenger (upon whom he peace) approves and disapprove what he disapproves, yet in this matter your hearts have swerved from conformity with him and turned in opposition to him. “
*8 The word tazahur means to cooperate mutually in opposition to another person, or to be united against another person. Shah Waliyullah has translated this sentence, thus: “If you mutually join together to cause distress to the Prophet. ” Shah ‘Abdul Qadir’s translation is: “If you both overwhelm him.” Maulana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanwi’s translation runs: “And if you both continued to work thus against the Prophet. ” And Maulana Shabbir Ahmad ‘Uthmami has explained it thus: ,”lf you two continued to work and behave thus (against the Prophet).”
The verse is clearly addressed to two ladies and the context shows that these ladies arc from among the wives of the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) for in vv. 1-5 of this Surah the affairs concerning the Holy Prophet’s wives only have been discussed continuously, and this becomes obvious from the style of the Qur’an itself. As for the question who were the wives, and what was the matter which caused Allah’s displeasure, the details are found in the Hadith. In Musnad Ahmad, Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi and Nasa’i, a detailled tradition of ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas has been related, which describes the incident with sane variation in wording. Ibn ‘Abbas says:
“I had been thinking a long time to ask ‘Umar as to who were the two of the Holy Prophet’s wives, who had joined each other against him, and about whom Allah sent down this verse: In tatuba…..; but I could not muster courage because of his awe-inspiring personality until he left for Hajj and I accompanied him. On our way back while helping him to perform ablutions for the Prayer at one place I had an opportunity to ask him this question. He replied: they were ‘A’ishah and Hafsah. Then he began to relate the background, saying: “We, the people of Quraish, were used to keeping our women folk under strict control. Then. when we came to Madinah, we found that the people here were under the control of their wives, and the women of Quraish too started learning the same thing from them. One day when I became angry with my wife, I was amazed to see that she argued with me. I felt badly about her conduct. She said, ‘Why should you feel so angry at my behaviour? By God, the wives of the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) answer him back face to face,’ (the word in the original is li yuraji nahu) and some one of them remains angrily apart from hire for the whole day. (According to Bukhari: the Holy Prophet remains angry and- apart from her the whole day). Hearing this I came out of my house and went to Hafsah (who was `Umar’s daughter and the Holy Prophet’s wife). I asked her. Do you answer back to the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) face to face? She said: Yes. asked: And does one of you remain apart from him for the whole day (According to Bukhari: the Holy Prophet remains angry and apart from her for the entire day). She said: Yes. I said: Wretched is the one from among you, who behaves thus. Has one of you become so fearless of this that AIIah should afflict her with His wrath because of the wrath of His Prophet and she should perish? So, do not be rude to the Prophet (here also the words are: la turaji-’i), nor demand of him anything, but demand of me whatever you desire. Do not be misled by this that your neighbor (i.e. A’ishah) is more beautiful and dearer to the Holy Prophet. After this I left her house and went to the house of Umm Salamah, who was related to me, and talked to her on this subject. She said: Son of Khattab, you are a strange man: you have meddled in every matter until you are now interfering in the affair between Allah’s Messenger and his wives. She discouraged me. Then it so happened that an Ansari neighbor came to my house at night and he called out to me. We used to sit in the Holy Prophet’s assembly by turns and each used to pass on to the other the news of the day of his turn. It was the time when we were apprehending an attack by the Ghassanids any time. On his call when I came out of my house, he said that something of grave significance had happened. 1 said: Have the Ghassanids launched an attack? He said: No, but something even more serious! The Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) has divorced his wives. I said: Doomed is Hafsah (the words in Bukhari are: Raghima anfu Hafsah wa `Aishah). I already had a premonition of this.”
We have left out what happened after this, how next morning ‘Umar went before the Holy Prophet and tried to appease his anger. We have described this incident by combining the traditions of Musnad Ahmad and Bukhari. In this the word muraj`at which `Umar has used cannot be taken in its literal sense, but the context shows that the word has been used in the sense of answering back face to face and `Umar’s saying to his daughter: La turaji- `I Rasul Allah clearly has the meaning: Do not be impudent to the Messenger of Allah, Some people say that this is a wrong translation, and their objection is: Although it is correct to translate muraja `at as answering hack, or answering hack face to face, yet it is not correct to translate it as “bing impudent” . These objectors do not understand that if a person of a lower rank or position answers back or retorts to a person of a higher rank and position, or answers him back face to face this very thing is described as impudence. For example, if a father rebukes his son for something or feels angry at his behavior, and the son instead of keeping quiet or offering an excuse, answers back promptly this could only he described as impudence. Then, when the matter is not between a father and a son, but between the Messenger of Allah and an individual of his community, only a foolish person could say that it was not impudence.
Some other people regard this translation of ours as disrespectful, whereas it could be disrespectful in case we had had the boldness to use such words in respect of Hafsah from ourselves. We have only given the correct meaning of the words of . ‘Umar, and these words he had used while scolding and reproving his daughter for her error. Describing it as disrespectful would mean that either the father should treat his daughter with due respect and reverence even when scolding and rebuking her or else the translator should render his rebuke and reproof in a way as to make it sound respectful and reverent.
Here, what needs to be considered carefully is that if it was such an ordinary and trivial matter that when the Holy Prophet said something to his wives they would retort to Him, why was it given so much importance that in the Qur’an AIIah administered a severe warning directly to the wives themselves? And why did ‘Umar take it as such a grave matter that first he reproved his own daughter, then visited the house of the other wives and asked them to fear the wrath of Allah? And, about alI, was the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) also so sensitive that he would take offense at minor things and become annoyed with his wives, and was he, God forbid, so irritable that once having been annoyed at such things he had severed his connections with all his wives and retired to his private apartment in seclusion? If a person considers these questions deeply, he will inevitably have to adopt one of the two views in the explanation of these verses Either on account of his excessive concern for reverence for the holy wives he should not at aII mind if a fault is imputed to AIIah and His Messenger, or else he should admit in a straightforward way that at that time the attitude and behavior of these holy wives has actually become so objectionable that the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) was justified in becoming annoyed over it, and more than that, AIIah Himself was justified that He should administer a severe warning to the wives on their unseemly behavior and attitude.
These verses, particularly in light of Maudoodi’s commentary, are indeed very interesting, for the aqeedah of Ahlus Sunnah is that ALL the Sahaba are just and truthful.
وقال عياض زعم المهلب أن رائحة المغافير والعرفط حسنة وهو خلاف ما يقتضيه الحديث وخلاف ما قاله أهل اللغة
“Ayadh said that Muhalab claimed that Maghafeer and Arfat has sweet smell but this conflicts with the contents of the hadith and also opposes what the linguists stated”
Burhanuddin al-Halabi writes in Sirah Halabiya, Vol. 3 pg. 422:
في سبب نزول الآية عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يشرب عسلا عند زينب ابنة جحش ويمكث عندها فتواطأت أنا وحفصة على أيتنا دخل عليها فلتقل له صلى الله عليه وسلم أكلت مغافير أي أجد منك ريح مغافير فدخل على حفصة رضي الله عنها فقالت له ذلك فقال لها لا ولكني كنت أشرب عسلا عند زينب ابنة جحش فلن أعود له وقد حلفت لا تخبري بذلك أحدا أي لأنه صلى الله عليه وسلم لا يحب أن يظهر منه ريح كريهة لأن المغافير صمغ العوسج من شجر الثمام كريه الريح
The incident that caused the descent of this verse is that Aisha (may Allah be pleased her) said that Allah’s apostle was drinking honey at Zainab bint Jahish’s house, thus she and Hafsa conspired in union that whosoever saw him (Allah’s apostle) first, would convey that he smelt of Maghafir. He (Allah’s apostle) thereafter went to Hafsa thus she said to him such and such, he replied: “No, but I drank honey at Zainab’s house, and I won’t do that again and I would ask that you disclose this to no one”. That is because he peace be upon him did not like to smell bad, because Maghafeer is the gum of a Panicum plant that smells bad.
Attributing a lie to the Prophet carries serious consequences for we read a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 3, Hadith Number 106, Book: Kitab al-Iilm (Knowledge);
The Prophet said, “Do not tell a lie against me for whoever tells a lie against me (intentionally) then he will surely enter the Hell-fire
What is left of the Sunni doctrine that the Sahaba never attribute a lie to the Prophet (s) in light of this verse? Aisha was caught in the act, and Allah (swt) condemned her on account of her lying conduct, that both destroys the suggest that the Sahaba never attribute a lie to the Prophet (s), and specifically in relation to Aisha it destroys the moniker the Ahlul Sunnah have given her “Siddiqa'' (The Truthful one) since her lying conduct during the honey episode, conduct wherein she intentionally lied about the personal hygiene of the Prophet (s) to serve her own purpose, was an act of deceit that incurred the anger of Allah (swt) that led to her being admonished in Surah Tahreem.Will his those Mullahs who deem the Shi’a apostates for their questioning the truthfulness and sincerity of Aisha offer a verdict here? Did a Rafidhi insert this verse into the Quran? Has it been abrogated? Should it be removed? Should it have been set alight, along with the old Quranic manuscripts Uthman had on his person?
We read in Fath ul-Mun’im Sharh Sahih Muslim Vol. 5 pg. 622 by Shaykh Musa Shahin Lashin as follows
“Aisha (ra) opined that adult breastfeeding makes an individual mahram, and she practically breast fed a young man, and he would enter upon her, but the remainder mothers of the believers denied it (adult breastfeeding) as is cited in the 12th and 13th tradition”
The comments of this author, Shaykh Shahin Lashin cannot merely be dismissed as the rants of an irrelevant personality. The said author is a man of considerable avoirdupois and ticks the box of recognition in Sunni and Salafi circles for his resume is one wherein he was a hadith teacher in al-Azhar University and Imam Muhammad bin Saud university in Saudi (the main Salafi University) and in Um al-qura university in Saudi Arabia. He was after the vice president of Azhar University, credentials that evidence the fact that he is a high ranked scholar.
The said author is clearly notifying his readership that Aisha personally breastfed a Ghulam. Whilst we recognise that Ghulam is an all encompassing term that incorporates ages from an infant, a pubescent individual through to one of majority age we have translated the term here as “young man”. Lest it be argued that our translation is false and that Aisha merely breast fed an infant, we should point out that this is a commentary of Sahih Muslim, and one can gauge the author’s intention by observing the tradition and chapter upon which he commenting one. The said tradition relates to ‘suckling a grown boy’ that deals with a tradition wherein Salim a grown bearded man was suckled by the Sahla the materfamilias of the household upon the orders of Rasulullah (s) to enable him her to become his Mahram thus facilitating his ability to roam free from non-Mahram restrictions that he was hitherto observing. When the author is offering his views on the said tradition, and has along the same line opined that Aisha had done likewise, it can correctly be deduced that Aisha like Sahla suckled an adult servant.
Now Ibn al Hashimi can propagate as much hatred as he likes, by suggesting that the allegations that the Shia level against Aisha far exceed the allegations of fornication leveled against her, to which our riposte is we are yet to find any Shia suggesting that Aisha suckled an adult male! On the one hand this Nasibi insists that his adherents should take to the streets against the Shia in the same way Muslims took to the streets when the Danish Prophet cartoons controversy emerged, yet when a scholar from his own camp paints a obscene picture of a male servant juxtaposition in the lap of Aisha to acquire a Mahram status she doesn’t bat an eyelid! Ibn al Hashimi where has your proud insistence that the Ahlul Sunnah are those that rush to the defense of Aisha gone now? If the Shia via the Quran, Hadith and history deduce that there existed aspects of Aisha’s conduct that fell below the high standards expected of a wife of the Prophet (s), such as her lying during the honey episode, or her irrational conduct in the matrimonial home, that is objectionable, whilst suggesting that she of her own volition presented her breasts for suckling (nauzubillah) is completely fine!
The suggestion seems all the more obscene when one considers the fact that Aisha never bore children, meaning she never was in a position wherein she was lactating. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary suckling is defined as:
“1
a : to give milk to from the breast or udder <a mother suckling her child> b : to nurture as if by giving milk from the breast <was suckled on pulp magazines>
2
: to draw milk from the breast or udder of <lambs suckling the ewes>”
Suckling to make a recipient a Mahram carries a prerequisite that milk is ingested into the mouth of the recipient, the transfer of that milk thus creates that Mahram relationship.
If a woman is not lactating, then no suckling takes place, the entire process is therefore otiose. Now this being the case, what exactly (as alleged by Sunni scholars) was Aisha seeking to achieve when she was fully aware that she had no milk, and hence could NOT make her Ghulam her Mahram via suckling?
We read in Sahih Muslim Book 2 Hadith Number 0566:
Alqama and Aswad reported: A person stayed in the house of A’isha and in the morning began to wash his garment. A’isha said: In case you saw it (i. e. drop of semen), it would have served the purpose (of purifying the garment) if you had simply washed that spot; and in case you did not see it, it would have been enough to sprinkle water around it, for when I saw that on the garment of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). I simply scraped it off and he offered prayer, while putting that on.
We read in Sahih Muslim Book 2 Hadith Number 0572:
Abdullah b. Shihab al-Khaulani reported: I stayed in the house of ‘A’isha and had a wet dream (and perceived its effect on my garment), so (in the morning) I dipped both (the clothes) in water. This (act of mine) was watched by a maid-servant of A’isha and she informed her. She (Hadrat A’isha) sent me a message: What prompted you to act like this with your clothes? He (the narrator) said: I told that I saw in a dream what a sleeper sees. She said: Did you find (any mark of the fluid) on your clothes? I said: No. She said: Had you found anything you should have washed it. In case I found that (semen) on the garment of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) dried up, I scraped it off with my nails.
We read in Musnad Tayalisi, Vol. 3, pg. 29:
حدثنا يونس قال حدثنا أبو داود قال حدثنا شعبة عن الحكم عن إبراهيم أن همام بن الحارث كان نازلاً على عائشة فاحتلم فأبصرته جارية لعائشة يغسل أثر الجنابة من ثوبه فأخبرت عائشة فأرسلت إليه عائشة لقد رأيتني وما أزيد أن أفركه من ثوب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
Ibrahim said that al-Hareth bin Humam stayed in the house of Aisha and had a wet dream so (in the morning) began to wash his garment, this (act of him) was watched by a maid-servant of A’isha and she informed her. She (Hadrat A’isha) sent me a message: I scraped it off the garment of the Messenger of Allah.
We learn from this tradition that three different men had spent the night in the house of Aisha on three separate occasions, and whilst there they ejaculated on the garments provided, that caused Aisha to share her knowledge on how the affected area should be cleaned pursuant to the Sunnah of the Prophet (s), the said individuals are as follows:
1. An unnamed individual that ejaculated on the garments provided, came to the notice of Aisha, who personally explained how the affected area could be cleaned.
2. Abdullah b. Shihab al-Khaulani who ejaculated on the garment that led to Aisha sending a message on cleaning via a maid servant
3. al-Hareth bin Humam who ejaculated on the garment, that led to Aisha sending a message on cleaning via a maid servant
When a woman becomes a widow she will seek to try her utmost to live her life in a manner that does not cause questions about her conduct. She will seek to keep aloof from members of the opposite sex, lest such contact leads to tongues wagging. A widow may for have (during her husband’s lifetime) been introduced to his friends, they may have attended their home on frequent occasions, BUT once the husband dies that type of contact comes to an end, to protect her honor and decency she would never allow such individuals to frequent her home again in an individual capacity, since that merely invites people to raise questions about her decency. No decent self-respecting individual would wish to risk such a scandal about her, yet we find that Aisha the widow of the Prophet (s) as per these narrations allowed single men to spend the night at her home, who all coincidentally experienced wet dreams whilst residing therein, that caused her to intervene and clarify how such a mess should be cleaned up. There is a term in English “once bitten, twice shy” meaning that once someone has had a bad experience they will be more risk averse thereafter, and shall seek to avoid a repetition of the previous unfortunate event.
We would like some clarity over precisely where these men would have slept, since the apartment wherein Aisha resided was not a particularly large one, on the contrary conditions were so tight, that as per her very own testimony in Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 8, Number 379, Rasulullah (s) would pray in touching distance of her whilst she slept, so much so she would have to push her legs away to enable him (s) to prostrate, there would be no reason to offer salat in such a tight confined space if a less congested space was available elsewhere.
Now if Aisha’s allowing a non-mahram to sleep in her apartment on the first occasion was not bad enough the fact that the male ejaculated whilst residing therein, was an unfortunate episode that was bound to invite discussions from amongst the people. Any cautious person would have sought to ensure that such an unfortunate episode would not happen again, and would have sought to eliminate the risk by prohibiting men to sleep at her apartment in the future, but alas she did not as per the reports a further two men slept at her apartment, and they likewise ejaculated on the bed sheets provided.
We wish to make it clear that we are NOT in any way suggesting that there was any physical contact between Aisha and the said individuals, what we are critical of is her judgment / decision making if these narrations are to be believed. Having already been falsely accused of sexual relations during the lifetime of Rasulullah (s) would she not become more risk averse and steer clear of anything that might lead to questions over her chastity? Did she not consider that allowing sexually mature single men to spend the night at her home might raise questions about her character? We appeal to justice. What sort of perception did this leave in the eyes of outsiders? What would people think about a widow of Rasulullah (s) allowing her home to be used as a male hostel? If it was not bad enough that they were observing men sleeping in the apartment, what would people assume when all three returned in a ritually impure state?
Would these shameless Nawasib Mullah’s not have an issue if their madrassa students were to spend the night in their marital home wherein their surviving wife resided after they died? We are sure that no Mullah would entertain such a notion, yet here the Sunni scholars have suggested just that, they have suggested that Aisha allowed single men to spend the night in her house. Is it not objectionable that males were spending the night in the house of the widow of Rasulullah (s) and whilst they ejaculated on sleeping garments? Verily by recording such narratives in their books they have slandered Aisha, by presenting her as a carefree individual who had no issue about adult males spending the night in her apartment.
Ibn al Hashimi insists:
We wonder why then the Shia scholars say that they are the “followers of Ahlel Bayt” since Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) and her co-wives are the Ahlel Bayt! Allah Himself addresses them in the Quran as such.
The Quran specifically refers to the wives of the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) as Ahlel Bayt in the following verse:
“O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other of the women; If you will be on your guard, then be not soft in your speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease yearn; and speak a good word. And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance; and establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, you Ahlel Bayt (People of the House) , and to make you pure and spotless.” (Quran, 33:32-33)
The transliteration reads: “Ya nisa al-nabiyilastuna kahadin mina alnisa-i ini itaqaytuna fala takhdaAAna bialqawli fayatmaAAa allathee fee qalbihi maradun waqulna qawlan maAAroofan Waqarna fee buyootikunna wala tabarrajna tabarruja aljahiliyyati al-oola waaqimna alssalata waateena alzzakata waatiAAna Allaha warasoolahu innama yureedu Allahu liyuthhiba AAankumu alrrijsa Ahlul Bayt-i wayutahhirakum tatheeran” (Quran, 33:32-33).
Ibn al Hashimi insists that this verse corroborates Aisha’s inclusion in the verse of purity as the wife of the Prophet (s), we will point it that (as already proven) her violation of the Quranic verse to remain in her home during the battle of Jamal coupled with her own testimony not to be buried alongside the Prophet (s) in no way suggests that she was a person that had been protected for all form of impurity. Moreover we have Aisha’s very own testimony from Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 352:
Narrated Yusuf bin Mahak:
Marwan had been appointed as the governor of Hijaz by Muawiya. He delivered a sermon and mentioned Yazid bin Muawiya so that the people might take the oath of allegiance to him as the successor of his father (Muawiya). Then ‘Abdur Rahman bin Abu Bakr told him something whereupon Marwan ordered that he be arrested. But ‘Abdur-Rahman entered ‘Aisha’s house and they could not arrest him. Marwan said, “It is he (‘AbdurRahman) about whom Allah revealed this Verse:–
‘And the one who says to his parents: ‘Fie on you! Do you hold out the promise to me..?’”
On that, ‘Aisha said from behind a screen, “Allah did not reveal anything from the Qur’an about us except what was connected with the declaration of my innocence (of the slander).”
Note how Aisha cited only one verse in honor of her family, and that verse related to the verse of her innocence. Had Aisha also formed part of the verse of purity she would have definitely cited that, as it was far more significant, not only would it have protected her innocence, it would have guaranteed her protection from sins ad infinitum. Aisha’s very own admission that only one verse exists in honor of the family of Abu Bakr serves as clear evidence that there existed no nexus between her and the verse of purity. Moreover it was Aisha herself who testified the subjects of the verse of purification in Sahih Muslim.
There is no doubt that Aisha was indeed exonerated of the evil lie made against her, one however wonders why so much detail was given but the Hadith narrators before this exoneration? We have without any addition or deletion cited Aisha’s recollection of Ifk from your most authentic works Sahih Bukhari. Are the narrations not shameless and disgusting? What was the precise reason behind these narrators going into the precise minutiae of this terrible event? Would the life of Aisha remain incomplete if so much vivid detail had not been disclosed to the masses? Or could it be that such details should be presented for all to see and admire, as they were cascaded to us via the blessed tongue of Aisha? If all this was merely submitted to evidence the purity of Aisha, what is the point having placed so many blots on her character up until then? If you have a white cloth that becomes stained in some way, it does not matter how much you wash it, it will never appear as clean and shiny as when you initially purchased it.
In conclusion, it would have been far better if Bukhari had steered clear of these traditions. One wonders why Ibn al Hashimi and his ilk baselessly attack the Shia for attacking the good character of Aisha when the real culprits are the Sahaba that slandered her, protected the perpetrators in the name of tribal affiliation and even openly questioned her character in the presence of the Prophet (s). It is evident that the practice of slandering Aisha is not some Ibn Saba inspired concoction; rather it was the Sunnah of the Sahaba, who all are sources of guidance like stars in the sky for Ibn al Hashimi. It was these shameless individuals that attributed fornication to Aisha that caused divine intervention via the subsequent declaration of innocence in Surah Noor. We relied purely on the testimony of Aisha from Sahih Bukhari, for those interested in looking further into the matter, they can consult the following esteemed Sunni works:
Ibn Kathir in al Bidayah wal Nihayah, Vol 6, pg. 199 writes the following:
ثم خرج إلى الناس فخطبهم وتلا عليهم ما أنزل الله عزوجل من القرآن في ذلك ثم أمر بمسطح بن أثاثة وحسان بن ثابت وحمنة بنت جحش وكانوا ممن أفصح بالفاحشة فضربوا حدهم
“Then he (prophet) went to the people and addressed and then recited what Allah revealed in Quran, then he ordered that Mastah bin Uthatha, Hasaan bin thabit, Hamna bint Jahsh to be punished because they were among those who spread the allegation of adultery.”
As part of their propaganda, Nawasib often allege that we accuse Aisha of this, but this is a blatant lie. Aisha’s innocence ‘in this particular case’ has been vouched for in the Quran and the Shi’a have stated this clearly in their commentaries. It is unfortunate that rather than attack us these masters of fitnah don’t take into account that those who questioned Aisha’s character were none other than the Sahaba themselves. As Shia we believe that the wife of a Prophet (s) can be a kaafir or a hypocrite but she will never indulge in zinah, Allah (swt) has ensured that his chosen servants are protected from such a scandal. We wish to make it clear that may the curse of Allah (swt) be upon all those that accused Aisha of Zinah, we would invite the Nawasib to do likewise.
