The best of the women of her time was Mary, daughter of ʿImran, and the best of the women of her time was Khadija, daughter of Khuwailid. Abu Kuraib said that Wakiʿ pointed towards the sky and the earth.  

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ وَابْنُ نُمَيْرٍ وَوَكِيعٌ وَأَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ ح وَحَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدَةُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ كُلُّهُمْ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ وَاللَّفْظُ حَدِيثُ أَبِي أُسَامَةَ ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ عَنْ هِشَامٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ عَلِيًّا بِالْكُوفَةِ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ خَيْرُ نِسَائِهَا مَرْيَمُ بِنْتُ عِمْرَانَ وَخَيْرُ نِسَائِهَا خَدِيجَةُ بِنْتُ خُوَيْلِدٍ قَالَ أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ وَأَشَارَ وَكِيعٌ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ  

There are many persons amongst men who are quite perfect but there are none perfect amongst women except Mary, daughter of 'Imran, Asiya wife of Pharaoh, and the excellence of 'A'isha as compared to women is that of Tharid over all other foods.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَمَلَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ كَثِيرٌ وَلَمْ يَكْمُلْ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ غَيْرُ مَرْيَمَ بِنْتِ عِمْرَانَ وَآسِيَةَ امْرَأَةِ فِرْعَوْنَ وَإِنَّ فَضْلَ عَائِشَةَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ كَفَضْلِ الثَّرِيدِ عَلَى سَائِرِ الطَّعَامِ  

Messenger of Allah, lo. Khadija is coming to you with a vessel of seasoned food or drink. When she comes to you, offer her greetings from her Lord, the Exalted and Glorious, and on my behalf and give her glad tidings of a palace of jewels in Paradise wherein there is no noise and no toil. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira through another chain of transmitters with a slight variation of wording.  

أَتَى جِبْرِيلُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَذِهِ خَدِيجَةُ قَدْ أَتَتْكَ مَعَهَا إِنَاءٌ فِيهِ إِدَامٌ أَوْ طَعَامٌ أَوْ شَرَابٌ فَإِذَا هِيَ أَتَتْكَ فَاقْرَأْ عَلَيْهَا السَّلاَمَ مِنْ رَبِّهَا ﷻ وَمِنِّي وَبَشِّرْهَا بِبَيْتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مِنْ قَصَبٍ لاَ صَخَبَ فِيهِ وَلاَ نَصَبَ قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فِي رِوَايَتِهِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ وَلَمْ يَقُلْ سَمِعْتُ وَلَمْ يَقُلْ فِي الْحَدِيثِ وَمِنِّي  

I said to 'Abdullah b. Abi Aufa: Did Messenger of Allah ﷺ give glad tidings of Paradise to Khadija? He said: Yes. He did give glad tidings to her of a palace of jewels in Paradise wherein there would be no noise and no toil.  

قُلْتُ لِعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي أَوْفَى أَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَشَّرَ خَدِيجَةَ بِبَيْتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ قَالَ نَعَمْ بَشَّرَهَا بِبَيْتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مِنْ قَصَبٍ لاَ صَخَبَ فِيهِ وَلاَ نَصَبَ  

This hadith has been narrated on the a tliority of Ibn Abi Aufa through other chains of transmitters.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ بِمِثْلِهِ  

'A'isha reported that Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him) gave glad tidings to Khadija bint Khuwailid of a palace in Paradise.  

بَشَّرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ خَدِيجَةَ بِنْتَ خُوَيْلِدٍ بِبَيْتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ  

Never did I feel jealous of any woman as I was jealous of Khadija. She had died three years before he (the Holy Prophet) married me. I often heard him praise her, and his lord, the Exalted and Glorious, had commanded him to give her the glad tidings of a palace of jewels in Paradise: and whenever he slaughtered a sheep he presented (its meat) to her female companions.  

مَا غِرْتُ عَلَى امْرَأَةٍ مَا غِرْتُ عَلَى خَدِيجَةَ وَلَقَدْ هَلَكَتْ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَنِي بِثَلاَثِ سِنِينَ لِمَا كُنْتُ أَسْمَعُهُ يَذْكُرُهَا وَلَقَدْ أَمَرَهُ رَبُّهُ ﷻ أَنْ يُبَشِّرَهَا بِبَيْتٍ مِنْ قَصَبٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَإِنْ كَانَ لَيَذْبَحُ الشَّاةَ ثُمَّ يُهْدِيهَا إِلَى خَلاَئِلِهَا  

Never did I feel jealous of the wives of Allah's Apostle ﷺ but in case of Khadija, although I did no, (have the privilege to) see her. She further added that whenever Messenger of Allah ﷺ slaughtered a sheep, he said: Send it to the companions of Khadija I annoyed him one day and said: (It is) Khadija only who always prevails upon your mind. Thereupon Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Her love had been nurtured in my heart by Allah Himself.  

مَا غِرْتُ عَلَى نِسَاءِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ إِلاَّ عَلَى خَدِيجَةَ وَإِنِّي لَمْ أُدْرِكْهَا قَالَتْ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا ذَبَحَ الشَّاةَ فَيَقُولُ أَرْسِلُوا بِهَا إِلَى أَصْدِقَاءِ خَدِيجَةَ قَالَتْ فَأَغْضَبْتُهُ يَوْمًا فَقُلْتُ خَدِيجَةَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِنِّي قَدْ رُزِقْتُ حُبَّهَا  

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Abu Usama up to the slaughtering of a sheep, but he. did not make mention of the subsequent words.  

حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ نَحْوَ حَدِيثِ أَبِي أُسَامَةَ إِلَى قِصَّةِ الشَّاةِ وَلَمْ يَذْكُرِ الزِّيَادَةَ بَعْدَهَا  

Never did I feel jealous of any wife amongst the wives of Allah's Apostle ﷺ as I feel in case of Khadija (though I had never seen her), for he praised her very often.  

مَا غِرْتُ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ عَلَى امْرَأَةٍ مِنْ نِسَائِهِ مَا غِرْتُ عَلَى خَدِيجَةَ لِكَثْرَةِ ذِكْرِهِ إِيَّاهَا وَمَا رَأَيْتُهَا قَطُّ  

'A'isha reported that Allah's Apostle ﷺ did not marry any other woman till her (Khadija's) death.  

لَمْ يَتَزَوَّجِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ عَلَى خَدِيجَةَ حَتَّى مَاتَتْ  

O Allah, it is Hala, daughter of Khuwailid, and I felt jealous and said: Why do you remember one of those old women of the Quraish with gums red and who is long dead-while Allah has given you a better one in her stead?  

قَالَتِ اسْتَأْذَنَتْ هَالَةُ بِنْتُ خُوَيْلِدٍ أُخْتُ خَدِيجَةَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَعَرَفَ اسْتِئْذَانَ خَدِيجَةَ فَارْتَاحَ لِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ اللَّهُمَّ هَالَةُ بِنْتُ خُوَيْلِدٍ فَغِرْتُ فَقُلْتُ وَمَا تَذْكُرُ مِنْ عَجُوزٍ مِنْ عَجَائِزِ قُرَيْشٍ حَمْرَاءِ الشِّدْقَيْنِ هَلَكَتْ فِي الدَّهْرِ فَأَبْدَلَكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا مِنْهَا  

I saw you in a dream for three nights when an angel brought you to me in a silk cloth and he said: Here is your wife, and when I removed (the cloth) from your face, lo, it was yourself, so I said: If this is from Allah, let Him carry it out.  

أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أُرِيتُكِ فِي الْمَنَامِ ثَلاَثَ لَيَالٍ جَاءَنِي بِكِ الْمَلَكُ فِي سَرَقَةٍ مِنْ حَرِيرٍ فَيَقُولُ هَذِهِ امْرَأَتُكَ فَأَكْشِفُ عَنْ وَجْهِكِ فَإِذَا أَنْتِ هِيَ فَأَقُولُ إِنْ يَكُ هَذَا مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ يُمْضِهِ  

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hisham with the same chain of transmitters.  

عَنْ هِشَامٍ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ نَحْوَهُ  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me: I can well discern when you are pleased with me and when you are annoyed with me. I said: How do you discern it? Thereupon be said: When you are pleased with me you say;" No, by the Lord of Muhammad," and when you are annoyed with me, you say:" No, by the Lord of Ibrahim." I said: Messenger of Allah, by Allah, I in fact leave your name (when I am annoyed with you).  

لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِنِّي لأَعْلَمُ إِذَا كُنْتِ عَنِّي رَاضِيَةً وَإِذَا كُنْتِ عَلَىَّ غَضْبَى قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ وَمِنْ أَيْنَ تَعْرِفُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ أَمَّا إِذَا كُنْتِ عَنِّي رَاضِيَةً فَإِنَّكِ تَقُولِينَ لاَ وَرَبِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَإِذَا كُنْتِ غَضْبَى قُلْتِ لاَ وَرَبِّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ أَجَلْ وَاللَّهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا أَهْجُرُ إِلاَّ اسْمَكَ  

" No, by the Lord of Ibrahim," and he did not make mention of what follows subsequently.  

عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ لاَ وَرَبِّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَلَمْ يَذْكُرْ مَا بَعْدَهُ  

'A'isha reported that she used to play with dolls in the presence of Messenger of Allah ﷺ and when her playmates came to her they left (the house) because they felt shy of Messenger of Allah ﷺ, whereas Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent them to her.  

أَنَّهَا كَانَتْ تَلْعَبُ بِالْبَنَاتِ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ وَكَانَتْ تَأْتِينِي صَوَاحِبِي فَكُنَّ يَنْقَمِعْنَ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُسَرِّبُهُنَّ إِلَىَّ  

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hisham with the same chain of transmitters with a slight variation of wording.  

وَقَالَ فِي حَدِيثِ جَرِيرٍ كُنْتُ أَلْعَبُ بِالْبَنَاتِ فِي بَيْتِهِ وَهُنَّ اللُّعَبُ  

'A'isha reported that people sent their gifts when it was the turn of 'A'isha seeking thereby the pleasure of Messenger of Allah ﷺ.  

أَنَّ النَّاسَ كَانُوا يَتَحَرَّوْنَ بِهَدَايَاهُمْ يَوْمَ عَائِشَةَ يَبْتَغُونَ بِذَلِكَ مَرْضَاةَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ  

The wives of Allah's Apostle ﷺ sent Fatima, the daughter of Messenger of Allah ﷺ, to Allah's Apostle ﷺ. She sought permission to get in as he had been lying with me in my mantle. He gave her permission and she said: Messenger of Allah, verily, your wives have sent me to you in order to ask you to observe equity in case of the daughter of Abu Quhafa. She (ʿA'isha) said: I kept quiet. Thereupon Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to her (Fatima): O daughter, don't you love whom I love? She said: Yes, (I do). Thereupon he said: I love this one. Fatima then stood up as she heard this from Messenger of Allah ﷺ and went to the wives of Allah's Apostle ﷺ and informed them of what she had said to him and what Messenger of Allah ﷺ had said to her. Thereupon they said to her: We think that you have been of no avail to us. You may again go to Messenger of Allah ﷺ and tell him that his wives seek equity in case of the daughter of Abu Quhafa. Fatima said: By Allah, I will never talk to him about this matter. ʿA'isha (further) reported: The wives of Allah's Apostle ﷺ then sent Zainab b. Jahsh, the wife of Allah's Apostle ﷺ, and she was one who was somewhat equal in rank with me in the eyes of Messenger of Allah ﷺ and I have never seen a woman more advanced in religious piety than Zainab, more God-conscious, more truthful, more alive to the ties of blood, more generous and having more sense of self-sacrifice in practical life and having more charitable disposition and thus more close to God, the Exalted, than her. She, however, lost temper very soon but was soon calm. Messenger of Allah ﷺ permitted her to enter as she (ʿA'isha) was along with Messenger of Allah ﷺ in her mantle, in the same very state when Fatima had entered. She said: Messenger of Allah, your wives have sent me to you seeking equity in case of the daughter of Abu Quhafa. She then came to me and showed harshness to me and I was seeing the eyes of Messenger of Allah ﷺ whether he would permit me. Zainab went on until I came to know that Messenger of Allah ﷺ would not disapprove if I retorted. Then I exchanged hot words until I made her quiet. Thereupon Messenger of Allah ﷺ smiled and said: She is the daughter of Abu Bakr.  

أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَتْ أَرْسَلَ أَزْوَاجُ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَاسْتَأْذَنَتْ عَلَيْهِ وَهُوَ مُضْطَجِعٌ مَعِي فِي مِرْطِي فَأَذِنَ لَهَا فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَكَ أَرْسَلْنَنِي إِلَيْكَ يَسْأَلْنَكَ الْعَدْلَ فِي ابْنَةِ أَبِي قُحَافَةَ وَأَنَا سَاكِتَةٌ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ لَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَىْ بُنَيَّةُ أَلَسْتِ تُحِبِّينَ مَا أُحِبُّ فَقَالَتْ بَلَى قَالَ فَأَحِبِّي هَذِهِ قَالَتْ فَقَامَتْ فَاطِمَةُ حِينَ سَمِعَتْ ذَلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَرَجَعَتْ إِلَى أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَأَخْبَرَتْهُنَّ بِالَّذِي قَالَتْ وَبِالَّذِي قَالَ لَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْنَ لَهَا مَا نُرَاكِ أَغْنَيْتِ عَنَّا مِنْ شَىْءٍ فَارْجِعِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُولِي لَهُ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَكَ يَنْشُدْنَكَ الْعَدْلَ فِي ابْنَةِ أَبِي قُحَافَةَ فَقَالَتْ فَاطِمَةُ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أُكَلِّمُهُ فِيهَا أَبَدًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَأَرْسَلَ أَزْوَاجُ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَهِيَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْهُنَّ فِي الْمَنْزِلَةِ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَلَمْ أَرَ امْرَأَةً قَطُّ خَيْرًا فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ زَيْنَبَ وَأَتْقَى لِلَّهِ وَأَصْدَقَ حَدِيثًا وَأَوْصَلَ لِلرَّحِمِ وَأَعْظَمَ صَدَقَةً وَأَشَدَّ ابْتِذَالاً لِنَفْسِهَا فِي الْعَمَلِ الَّذِي تَصَدَّقُ بِهِ وَتَقَرَّبُ بِهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ تَعَالَى مَا عَدَا سَوْرَةً مِنْ حَدٍّ كَانَتْ فِيهَا تُسْرِعُ مِنْهَا الْفَيْئَةَ قَالَتْ فَاسْتَأْذَنَتْ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَعَ عَائِشَةَ فِي مِرْطِهَا عَلَى الْحَالَةِ الَّتِي دَخَلَتْ فَاطِمَةُ عَلَيْهَا وَهُوَ بِهَا فَأَذِنَ لَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَكَ أَرْسَلْنَنِي إِلَيْكَ يَسْأَلْنَكَ الْعَدْلَ فِي ابْنَةِ أَبِي قُحَافَةَ قَالَتْ ثُمَّ وَقَعَتْ بِي فَاسْتَطَالَتْ عَلَىَّ وَأَنَا أَرْقُبُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَأَرْقُبُ طَرْفَهُ هَلْ يَأْذَنُ لِي فِيهَا قَالَتْ فَلَمْ تَبْرَحْ زَيْنَبُ حَتَّى عَرَفْتُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ لاَ يَكْرَهُ أَنْ أَنْتَصِرَ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا وَقَعْتُ بِهَا لَمْ أَنْشَبْهَا حِينَ أَنْحَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا قَالَتْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَتَبَسَّمَ إِنَّهَا ابْنَةُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ  

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with the same chain of transmitters, but with a slight variation of wording.  

عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ مِثْلَهُ فِي الْمَعْنَى غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ فَلَمَّا وَقَعْتُ بِهَا لَمْ أَنْشَبْهَا أَنْ أَثْخَنْتُهَا غَلَبَةً  

Where I would be tomorrow, where I would be tomorrow (thinking, that the turn of 'A'isha was not very near) and when it was my turn, Allah called him to his Heavenly Home and his head was between my neck and chest.  

إِنْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ لَيَتَفَقَّدُ يَقُولُ أَيْنَ أَنَا الْيَوْمَ أَيْنَ أَنَا غَدًا اسْتِبْطَاءً لِيَوْمِ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا كَانَ يَوْمِي قَبَضَهُ اللَّهُ بَيْنَ سَحْرِي وَنَحْرِي  

O Allah, grant me pardon, show mercy to me, enjoin me to companions (on High).  

أَنَّهَا سَمِعَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَمُوتَ وَهُوَ مُسْنِدٌ إِلَى صَدْرِهَا وَأَصْغَتْ إِلَيْهِ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالرَّفِيقِ  

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hisham through another chain of transmitters.  

عَنْ هِشَامٍ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ مِثْلَهُ  

I heard that never a prophet dies until he is given an option to opt the life of (this) world or that of the Hereafter. She further said: I heard Messenger of Allah ﷺ say in his last illness in which he' died. I heard him saying in gruffness of the voice: Along with those persons upon whom Allah bestowed favours from amongst the Apostles, the testifiers of truth, the martyrs, the pious and goodly company are they (iv. 69). (It was on bearing these words) that I thought that he had been given choice (and he opted to live with these pious persons in the Paradise).  

أَسْمَعُ أَنَّهُ لَنْ يَمُوتَ نَبِيٌّ حَتَّى يُخَيَّرَ بَيْنَ الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ قَالَتْ فَسَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فِي مَرَضِهِ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ وَأَخَذَتْهُ بُحَّةٌ يَقُولُ { مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ وَحَسُنَ أُولَئِكَ رَفِيقًا} قَالَتْ فَظَنَنْتُهُ خُيِّرَ حِينَئِذٍ  

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Sa'd with the same chain of transmitters.  

عَنْ سَعْدٍ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ مِثْلَهُ  

Never a prophet dies in a state that he is not made to see his abode in Paradise, and then given a choice. 'A'isha said that when Messenger of Allah ﷺ was about to leave the world, his head was over her thigh and he had fallen into swoon three times. When he felt relief his eyes were fixed at the ceiling. He then said: O Allah, along with the high companions (i. e. along with the Apostles who live in the most elevated place of the Paradise). (On hearing these words), I then said (to myself) He is not going to opt us and I remembered a hadith which he had narrated to us as he was healthy and in which he said: No prophet dies until he sees his abode in Paradise, he is then given a choice. 'A'isha said: These were the last words which Messenger of Allah ﷺ spoke (the words are): O Allah, with companions on High.  

أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ وَهُوَ صَحِيحٌ إِنَّهُ لَمْ يُقْبَضْ نَبِيٌّ قَطُّ حَتَّى يَرَى مَقْعَدَهُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ ثُمَّ يُخَيَّرُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَلَمَّا نَزَلَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَرَأْسُهُ عَلَى فَخِذِي غُشِيَ عَلَيْهِ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ أَفَاقَ فَأَشْخَصَ بَصَرَهُ إِلَى السَّقْفِ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ الرَّفِيقَ الأَعْلَى قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ قُلْتُ إِذًا لاَ يَخْتَارُنَا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَعَرَفْتُ الْحَدِيثَ الَّذِي كَانَ يُحَدِّثُنَا بِهِ وَهُوَ صَحِيحٌ فِي قَوْلِهِ إِنَّهُ لَمْ يُقْبَضْ نَبِيٌّ قَطُّ حَتَّى يَرَى مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ ثُمَّ يُخَيَّرُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَكَانَتْ تِلْكَ آخِرُ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَوْلَهُ اللَّهُمَّ الرَّفِيقَ الأَعْلَى  

Would you like to ride upon my camel tonight and allow me to ride upon your camel and you would see (what you do not generally see) and I would see (what I do not see) generally? She said: Yes. So 'A'isha rode upon the camel of Hafsa and Hafsa rode upon the camel of 'A'isha and Messenger of Allah ﷺ came near the camel of 'A'isha. (whereas) Hafsa had been riding over that. He greeted her and then rode with her until they came down. She ('A'isha) thus missed (the company of the Holy Prophet) and when they sat down, 'A'isha felt jealous. She put her foot in the grass and said: O Allah, let the scorpion sting me or the serpent bite me. And so far as thy Messenger is concerned, I cannot say anything about him.  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا خَرَجَ أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ نِسَائِهِ فَطَارَتِ الْقُرْعَةُ عَلَى عَائِشَةَ وَحَفْصَةَ فَخَرَجَتَا مَعَهُ جَمِيعًا وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا كَانَ بِاللَّيْلِ سَارَ مَعَ عَائِشَةَ يَتَحَدَّثُ مَعَهَا فَقَالَتْ حَفْصَةُ لِعَائِشَةَ أَلاَ تَرْكَبِينَ اللَّيْلَةَ بَعِيرِي وَأَرْكَبُ بَعِيرَكِ فَتَنْظُرِينَ وَأَنْظُرُ قَالَتْ بَلَى فَرَكِبَتْ عَائِشَةُ عَلَى بَعِيرِ حَفْصَةَ وَرَكِبَتْ حَفْصَةُ عَلَى بَعِيرِ عَائِشَةَ فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِلَى جَمَلِ عَائِشَةَ وَعَلَيْهِ حَفْصَةُ فَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ صَارَ مَعَهَا حَتَّى نَزَلُوا فَافْتَقَدَتْهُ عَائِشَةُ فَغَارَتْ فَلَمَّا نَزَلُوا جَعَلَتْ تَجْعَلُ رِجْلَهَا بَيْنَ الإِذْخِرِ وَتَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ سَلِّطْ عَلَىَّ عَقْرَبًا أَوْ حَيَّةً تَلْدَغُنِي رَسُولُكَ وَلاَ أَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ أَقُولَ لَهُ شَيْئًا  

The excellence of 'A'isha over women is like the excellence of Tharid over all other foods.  

سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ فَضْلُ عَائِشَةَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ كَفَضْلِ الثَّرِيدِ عَلَى سَائِرِ الطَّعَامِ  

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Anas b. Malik through other chains of transmitters.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ بِمِثْلِهِ وَلَيْسَ فِي حَدِيثِهِمَا سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَفِي حَدِيثِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ  

Gabriel offered you greetings and I said: So there should be peace and mercy of Allah upon him.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ لَهَا إِنَّ جِبْرِيلَ يَقْرَأُ عَلَيْكِ السَّلاَمَ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ وَعَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ  

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of 'A'isha through another chain of transmitters.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ لَهَا بِمِثْلِ حَدِيثِهِمَا  

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zakriyya' through another chain of transmitters.  

عَنْ زَكَرِيَّاءَ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ مِثْلَهُ  

'A'isha, here is Gabriel offering you greetings. She said: 1 made a reply: Let there be peace and blessings of Allah upon him, and added: He sees what I do not see.  

أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَا عَائِشُ هَذَا جِبْرِيلُ يَقْرَأُ عَلَيْكِ السَّلاَمَ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ وَعَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ قَالَتْ وَهُوَ يَرَى مَا لاَ أَرَى  

My husband is a sort of the meat of a lean camel placed at the top of a hill, which it is difficult to climb up, nor (the meat) is good enough that one finds in oneself the urge to take it away (from the top of that mountain). The second one said: My husband (is so bad) that I am afraid I would not be able to describe his faults-both visible and invisible completely. The third one said: My husband is a long-statured fellow (i. e. he lacks intelligence). If I give vent to my feelings about him, he would divorce me, and if I keep quiet I would be made to live in a state of suspense (neither completely abandoned by him nor entertained as wife). The fourth one said: My husband is like the night of Tihama (the night of Hijaz and Mecca), neither too cold nor hot, neither there is any fear of him nor grief. The fifth one said: My husband is (like) a leopard as he enters the house, and behaves like a lion when he gets out, and he does not ask about that which he leaves in the house. The sixth one said: So far as my husband is concerned, he eats so much that nothing is left back and when he drinks he drinks that no drop is left behind. And when he lies down he wraps his body and does not touch me so that he may know my grief. The seventh one said: My husband is heavy in spirit, having no brightness in him, impotent, suffering from all kinds of conceivable diseases, heaving such rough manners that he may break my head or wound my body, or may do both. The eighth one said: My husband is as sweet as the sweet-smelling plant, and as soft as the softness of the hare. The ninth one said: My husband is the master of a lofty building, long-statured, having heaps of ashes (at his door) and his house is near the meeting place and the inn. The tenth one said: My husband is Malik, and how fine Malik is, much above appreciation and praise (of mine). He has many folds of his camel, more in number than the pastures for them. When they (the camels) hear the sound of music they become sure that they are going to be slaughtered. The eleventh one said: My husband is Abu Zara'. How fine Abu Zara' is! He has suspended in my ears heavy ornaments and (fed me liberally) that my sinews and bones are covered with fat. So he made me happy. He found me among the shepherds living in the side of the mountain, and he made me the owner of the horses, camels and lands and heaps of grain and he finds no fault with me. I sleep and get up in the morning (at my own sweet will) and drink to my heart's content. The mother of Abu Zara', how fine is the mother of Abu Zara'! Her bundles are heavily packed (or receptacles in her house are filled to the brim) and the house quite spacious. So far as the son of Abu Zara' is concerned, his bed is as soft as a green palm-stick drawn forth from its bark, or like a sword drawn forth from its scabbard, and whom just an arm of a lamb is enough to satiate. So far as the daughter of Abu Zara' is concerned, how fine is the daughter of Abu Zara', obedient to her father, obedient to her mother, wearing sufficient flesh and a source of jealousy for her co-wife. As for the slave-girl of Abu Zara', how fine is she; she does not disclose our affairs to others (outside the four walls of the house). She does not remove our wheat, or provision, or take it forth, or squander it, but she preserves it faithfully (as a sacred trust). And she does not let the house fill with rubbish. One day Abu Zara' went out (of his house) when the milk was churned in the vessels, that he met a woman, having two children like leopards playing with her pomegranates (chest) under her vest. He divorced me (Umm Zara') and married that woman (whom Abu Zara') met on the way. I (Umm Zara') later on married another person, a chief, who was an expert rider, and a fine archer: he bestowed upon me many gifts and gave me one pair of every kind of animal and said: Umm Zara', make use of everything (you need) and send forth to your parents (but the fact) is that even if I combine all the gifts that he bestowed upon me, they stand no comparison to the least gift of Abu Zara'. 'A'isha reported that Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me: I am for you as Abu Zara' was for Umm Zara'.  

أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ جَلَسَ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ امْرَأَةً فَتَعَاهَدْنَ وَتَعَاقَدْنَ أَنْ لاَ يَكْتُمْنَ مِنْ أَخْبَارِ أَزْوَاجِهِنَّ شَيْئًا قَالَتِ الأُولَى زَوْجِي لَحْمُ جَمَلٍ غَثٌّ عَلَى رَأْسِ جَبَلٍ وَعْرٍ لاَ سَهْلٌ فَيُرْتَقَى وَلاَ سَمِينٌ فَيُنْتَقَلَ قَالَتِ الثَّانِيَةُ زَوْجِي لاَ أَبُثُّ خَبَرَهُ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ لاَ أَذَرَهُ إِنْ أَذْكُرْهُ أَذْكُرْ عُجَرَهُ وَبُجَرَهُ قَالَتِ الثَّالِثَةُ زَوْجِي الْعَشَنَّقُ إِنْ أَنْطِقْ أُطَلَّقْ وَإِنْ أَسْكُتْ أُعَلَّقْ قَالَتِ الرَّابِعَةُ زَوْجِي كَلَيْلِ تِهَامَةَ لاَ حَرٌّ وَلاَ قُرٌّ وَلاَ مَخَافَةَ وَلاَ سَآمَةَ قَالَتِ الْخَامِسَةُ زَوْجِي إِنْ دَخَلَ فَهِدَ وَإِنْ خَرَجَ أَسِدَ وَلاَ يَسْأَلُ عَمَّا عَهِدَ قَالَتِ السَّادِسَةُ زَوْجِي إِنْ أَكَلَ لَفَّ وَإِنْ شَرِبَ اشْتَفَّ وَإِنِ اضْطَجَعَ الْتَفَّ وَلاَ يُولِجُ الْكَفَّ لِيَعْلَمَ الْبَثَّ قَالَتِ السَّابِعَةُ زَوْجِي غَيَايَاءُ أَوْ عَيَايَاءُ طَبَاقَاءُ كُلُّ دَاءٍ لَهُ دَاءٌ شَجَّكِ أَوْ فَلَّكِ أَوْ جَمَعَ كُلاًّ لَكِ قَالَتِ الثَّامِنَةُ زَوْجِي الرِّيحُ رِيحُ زَرْنَبٍ وَالْمَسُّ مَسُّ أَرْنَبٍ قَالَتِ التَّاسِعَةُ زَوْجِي رَفِيعُ الْعِمَادِ طَوِيلُ النِّجَادِ عَظِيمُ الرَّمَادِ قَرِيبُ الْبَيْتِ مِنَ النَّادِي قَالَتِ الْعَاشِرَةُ زَوْجِي مَالِكٌ وَمَا مَالِكٌ مَالِكٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ ذَلِكِ لَهُ إِبِلٌ كَثِيرَاتُ الْمَبَارِكِ قَلِيلاَتُ الْمَسَارِحِ إِذَا سَمِعْنَ صَوْتَ الْمِزْهَرِ أَيْقَنَّ أَنَّهُنَّ هَوَالِكُ قَالَتِ الْحَادِيَةَ عَشْرَةَ زَوْجِي أَبُو زَرْعٍ فَمَا أَبُو زَرْعٍ أَنَاسَ مِنْ حُلِيٍّ أُذُنَىَّ وَمَلأَ مِنْ شَحْمٍ عَضُدَىَّ وَبَجَّحَنِي فَبَجِحَتْ إِلَىَّ نَفْسِي وَجَدَنِي فِي أَهْلِ غُنَيْمَةٍ بِشَقٍّ فَجَعَلَنِي فِي أَهْلِ صَهِيلٍ وَأَطِيطٍ وَدَائِسٍ وَمُنَقٍّ فَعِنْدَهُ أَقُولُ فَلاَ أُقَبَّحُ وَأَرْقُدُ فَأَتَصَبَّحُ وَأَشْرَبُ فَأَتَقَنَّحُ أُمُّ أَبِي زَرْعٍ فَمَا أُمُّ أَبِي زَرْعٍ عُكُومُهَا رَدَاحٌ وَبَيْتُهَا فَسَاحٌ ابْنُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ فَمَا ابْنُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ مَضْجِعُهُ كَمَسَلِّ شَطْبَةٍ وَيُشْبِعُهُ ذِرَاعُ الْجَفْرَةِ بِنْتُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ فَمَا بِنْتُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ طَوْعُ أَبِيهَا وَطَوْعُ أُمِّهَا وَمِلْءُ كِسَائِهَا وَغَيْظُ جَارَتِهَا جَارِيَةُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ فَمَا جَارِيَةُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ لاَ تَبُثُّ حَدِيثَنَا تَبْثِيثًا وَلاَ تُنَقِّثُ مِيرَتَنَا تَنْقِيثًا وَلاَ تَمْلأُ بَيْتَنَا تَعْشِيشًا قَالَتْ خَرَجَ أَبُو زَرْعٍ وَالأَوْطَابُ تُمْخَضُ فَلَقِيَ امْرَأَةً مَعَهَا وَلَدَانِ لَهَا كَالْفَهْدَيْنِ يَلْعَبَانِ مِنْ تَحْتِ خَصْرِهَا بِرُمَّانَتَيْنِ فَطَلَّقَنِي وَنَكَحَهَا فَنَكَحْتُ بَعْدَهُ رَجُلاً سَرِيًّا رَكِبَ شَرِيًّا وَأَخَذَ خَطِّيًّا وَأَرَاحَ عَلَىَّ نَعَمًا ثَرِيًّا وَأَعْطَانِي مِنْ كُلِّ رَائِحَةٍ زَوْجًا قَالَ كُلِي أُمَّ زَرْعٍ وَمِيرِي أَهْلَكِ فَلَوْ جَمَعْتُ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ أَعْطَانِي مَا بَلَغَ أَصْغَرَ آنِيَةِ أَبِي زَرْعٍ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ كُنْتُ لَكِ كَأَبِي زَرْعٍ لأُمِّ زَرْعٍ  

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Hisham b. 'Urwa but with a slight variation of wording.  

وَقَالَ وَصِفْرُ رِدَائِهَا وَخَيْرُ نِسَائِهَا وَعَقْرُ جَارَتِهَا وَقَالَ وَلاَ تَنْقُثُ مِيرَتَنَا تَنْقِيثًا وَقَالَ وَأَعْطَانِي مِنْ كُلِّ ذَابِحَةٍ زَوْجًا  

The sons of Hisham b. Mughira have asked my permission to marry their daughter with 'Ali b. Abi Talib (that refers to the daughter of Abu Jahl for whom 'All had sent a proposal for marriage). But I would not allow them, I would not allow them, I would not allow them (and the only alternative possible is) that 'Ali should divorce my daughter (and then marry their daughter), for my daughter is part of me. He who disturbs her in fact disturbs me and he who offends her offends me.  

أَنَّحَدَّثَهُ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ بَنِي هِشَامِ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ اسْتَأْذَنُونِي أَنْ يُنْكِحُوا ابْنَتَهُمْ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَلاَ آذَنُ لَهُمْ ثُمَّ لاَ آذَنُ لَهُمْ ثُمَّ لاَ آذَنُ لَهُمْ إِلاَّ أَنْ يُحِبَّ ابْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ أَنْ يُطَلِّقَ ابْنَتِي وَيَنْكِحَ ابْنَتَهُمْ فَإِنَّمَا ابْنَتِي بَضْعَةٌ مِنِّي يَرِيبُنِي مَا رَابَهَا وَيُؤْذِينِي مَا آذَاهَا  

Fatima is a part of me. He in fact tortures me who tortures her.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِنَّمَا فَاطِمَةُ بَضْعَةٌ مِنِّي يُؤْذِينِي مَا آذَاهَا  

Is there any work for me which you ask me to do? I said to him: No. He again said to me: Would you not give me the sword of Messenger of Allah ﷺ for I fear that the people may snatch it from you? By Allah, if you give that to me, no one would be able to take it away, so long as there is life in me. Verily 'Ali b. Abi Talib sent a proposal of marriage to the daughter of Abu Jahl in spite of (the fact that his wife) Fatima (had been living in his house). Thereupon I heard Messenger of Allah ﷺ say while addressing the people on the pulpit. I was adolescing in those days. He said: Fatima is a part of me and I fear that she may be put to trial in regard to religion. He then made a mention of his son-in law who had been from the tribe of 'Abd Shams and praised his behaviour as a son-in-law and said: Whatever he said to me he told the truth and whatever he promised he fulfilled it for me. I am not going to declare forbidden what is lawful and make lawful what is forbidden, but, by Allah, the daaghter of Messenger of Allah and the daughter of the enemy of Allah can never be combined at one place.  

لَهُ هَلْ لَكَ إِلَىَّ مِنْ حَاجَةٍ تَأْمُرُنِي بِهَا قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ لاَ قَالَ لَهُ هَلْ أَنْتَ مُعْطِيَّ سَيْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَإِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ يَغْلِبَكَ الْقَوْمُ عَلَيْهِ وَايْمُ اللَّهِ لَئِنْ أَعْطَيْتَنِيهِ لاَ يُخْلَصُ إِلَيْهِ أَبَدًا حَتَّى تَبْلُغَ نَفْسِي إِنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ خَطَبَ بِنْتَ أَبِي جَهْلٍ عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ فَسَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ يَخْطُبُ النَّاسَ فِي ذَلِكَ عَلَى مِنْبَرِهِ هَذَا وَأَنَا يَوْمَئِذٍ مُحْتَلِمٌ فَقَالَ إِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ مِنِّي وَإِنِّي أَتَخَوَّفُ أَنْ تُفْتَنَ فِي دِينِهَا قَالَ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ صِهْرًا لَهُ مِنْ بَنِي عَبْدِ شَمْسٍ فَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ فِي مُصَاهَرَتِهِ إِيَّاهُ فَأَحْسَنَ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي فَصَدَقَنِي وَوَعَدَنِي فَأَوْفَى لِي وَإِنِّي لَسْتُ أُحَرِّمُ حَلاَلاً وَلاَ أُحِلُّ حَرَامًا وَلَكِنْ وَاللَّهِ لاَ تَجْتَمِعُ بِنْتُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَبِنْتُ عَدُوِّ اللَّهِ مَكَانًا وَاحِدًا أَبَدًا  

The people say that you never feel angry on account of your daughters and now 'Ali is going to marry the daughter of Abu Jahl. Makhramah said: Thereupon Messenger of Allah ﷺ rose up and I heard him reciting Tashahhud and say: Now to the point. I gave a daughter of mine (Zainab) to Abu'l-'As b. Rabi, and he spoke to me and spoke the truth. Verily Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad, is a part of me and I do not approve that she may be put to any trial and by Allah, the daughter of Messenger of Allah cannot be combined with the daughter of God's enemy (as the co-wives) of one person. Thereupon 'Ali gave up (the idea of his intended) marriage.  

أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ خَطَبَ بِنْتَ أَبِي جَهْلٍ وَعِنْدَهُ فَاطِمَةُ بِنْتُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَلَمَّا سَمِعَتْ بِذَلِكَ فَاطِمَةُ أَتَتِ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَتْ لَهُ إِنَّ قَوْمَكَ يَتَحَدَّثُونَ أَنَّكَ لاَ تَغْضَبُ لِبَنَاتِكَ وَهَذَا عَلِيٌّ نَاكِحًا ابْنَةَ أَبِي جَهْلٍ قَالَ الْمِسْوَرُ فَقَامَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَسَمِعْتُهُ حِينَ تَشَهَّدَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي أَنْكَحْتُ أَبَا الْعَاصِ بْنَ الرَّبِيعِ فَحَدَّثَنِي فَصَدَقَنِي وَإِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ مُضْغَةٌ مِنِّي وَإِنَّمَا أَكْرَهُ أَنْ يَفْتِنُوهَا وَإِنَّهَا وَاللَّهِ لاَ تَجْتَمِعُ بِنْتُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَبِنْتُ عَدُوِّ اللَّهِ عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ وَاحِدٍ أَبَدًا قَالَ فَتَرَكَ عَلِيٌّ الْخِطْبَةَ  

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with the same chain of transmitters.  

عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ نَحْوَهُ  

What is that which Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to you secretly and you wept and then said to you something secretly and you laughed? Thereupon she said: He informed me secretly of his death and so I wept. He then again informed me secretly that I would be the first amongst the members of his family to follow him and so I laughed.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ دَعَا فَاطِمَةَ ابْنَتَهُ فَسَارَّهَا فَبَكَتْ ثُمَّ سَارَّهَا فَضَحِكَتْ فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُلْتُ لِفَاطِمَةَ مَا هَذَا الَّذِي سَارَّكِ بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَبَكَيْتِ ثُمَّ سَارَّكِ فَضَحِكْتِ قَالَتْ سَارَّنِي فَأَخْبَرَنِي بِمَوْتِهِ فَبَكَيْتُ ثُمَّ سَارَّنِي فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَنِّي أَوَّلُ مَنْ يَتْبَعُهُ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ فَضَحِكْتُ  

We, the wives of Allah's Apostle ﷺ, were with him (during his last illness) and none was absent therefrom that Fatima, who walked after the style of Messenger of Allah ﷺ, came there, and when he saw her he welcomed her saying: You are welcome, my daughter. He their made her sit on his right side or on his left side. Then he said something secretly to her and she wept bitterly and when he found her (plunged) in grief he said to her something secretly for the second time and she laughed. I ('A'isha) said to her: Messenger of Allah has singled you amongst the women (of the family) for talking (to you something secretly) and you wept. When Messenger of Allah ﷺ recovered from illness, I said to her. What did Messenger of Allah ﷺ say to you? Thereupon she said: I am not going to disclose the secret of Messenger of Allah ﷺ. When Messenger of Allah ﷺ died, I said to her: I adjure you by the right that I have upon you that you should narrate to me what Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to you. She said: Yes, now I can do that (so listen to it). When he talked to me secretly for the first time he informed me that Gabirel was in the habit of reciting the Qur'an along with him once or twice every year, but this year it had been twice and so he perceived his death quite near, so fear Allah and be patient (and he told me) that he would be a befitting forerunner for me and so I wept as you saw me. And when he saw me in grief he talked to me secretly for the second time and said: Fatima, are you not pleased that you should be at the head of the believing women or the head of this Umma? I laughed and it was that laughter which you saw.  

كُنَّ أَزْوَاجُ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ عِنْدَهُ لَمْ يُغَادِرْ مِنْهُنَّ وَاحِدَةً فَأَقْبَلَتْ فَاطِمَةُ تَمْشِي مَا تُخْطِئُ مِشْيَتُهَا مِنْ مِشْيَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ شَيْئًا فَلَمَّا رَآهَا رَحَّبَ بِهَا فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِابْنَتِي ثُمَّ أَجْلَسَهَا عَنْ يَمِينِهِ أَوْ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ ثُمَّ سَارَّهَا فَبَكَتْ بُكَاءً شَدِيدًا فَلَمَّا رَأَى جَزَعَهَا سَارَّهَا الثَّانِيَةَ فَضَحِكَتْ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا خَصَّكِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ بَيْنِ نِسَائِهِ بِالسِّرَارِ ثُمَّ أَنْتِ تَبْكِينَ فَلَمَّا قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ سَأَلْتُهَا مَا قَالَ لَكِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ مَا كُنْتُ أُفْشِي عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ سِرَّهُ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قُلْتُ عَزَمْتُ عَلَيْكِ بِمَا لِي عَلَيْكِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ لَمَا حَدَّثْتِنِي مَا قَالَ لَكِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَتْ أَمَّا الآنَ فَنَعَمْ أَمَّا حِينَ سَارَّنِي فِي الْمَرَّةِ الأُولَى فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَنَّ جِبْرِيلَ كَانَ يُعَارِضُهُ الْقُرْآنَ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ مَرَّةً أَوْ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَإِنَّهُ عَارَضَهُ الآنَ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَإِنِّي لاَ أُرَى الأَجَلَ إِلاَّ قَدِ اقْتَرَبَ فَاتَّقِي اللَّهَ وَاصْبِرِي فَإِنَّهُ نِعْمَ السَّلَفُ أَنَا لَكِ قَالَتْ فَبَكَيْتُ بُكَائِي الَّذِي رَأَيْتِ فَلَمَّا رَأَى جَزَعِي سَارَّنِي الثَّانِيَةَ فَقَالَ يَا فَاطِمَةُ أَمَا تَرْضَىْ أَنْ تَكُونِي سَيِّدَةَ نِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَوْ سَيِّدَةَ نِسَاءِ هَذِهِ الأُمَّةِ قَالَتْ فَضَحِكْتُ ضَحِكِي الَّذِي رَأَيْتِ  

You are welcome, my daughter, and made her sit on his right side or on his left side, and then talked something secretly to her and Fatima wept. Then he talked something secretly to her and she laughed. I said to her: What makes you weep? She said: I am not going to divulge the secret of Messenger of Allah ﷺ. I (ʿA'isha) said: I have not seen (anything happening) like today, the happiness being more close to grief (as I see today) when she wept. I said to her: Has Messenger of Allah ﷺ singled you out for saying something leaving us aside? She then wept and I asked her what he said, and she said: I am not going to divulge the secrets of Messenger of Allah ﷺ. And when he died I again asked her and she said that he (the Holy Prophet) told her: Gabriel used to recite the Qur'an to me once a year and for this year it was twice and so I perceived that my death had drawn near, and that I (Fatima) would be the first amongst the members of his family who would meet him (in the Hereafter). He shall be my good forerunner and it made me weep. He again talked to me secretly (saying): Aren't you pleased that you should be the sovereign amongst the believing women or the head of women of this Ummah? And this made me laugh.  

قَالَتِ اجْتَمَعَ نِسَاءُ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَلَمْ يُغَادِرْ مِنْهُنَّ امْرَأَةً فَجَاءَتْ فَاطِمَةُ تَمْشِي كَأَنَّ مِشْيَتَهَا مِشْيَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِابْنَتِي فَأَجْلَسَهَا عَنْ يَمِينِهِ أَوْ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ ثُمَّ إِنَّهُ أَسَرَّ إِلَيْهَا حَدِيثًا فَبَكَتْ فَاطِمَةُ ثُمَّ إِنَّهُ سَارَّهَا فَضَحِكَتْ أَيْضًا فَقُلْتُ لَهَا مَا يُبْكِيكِ فَقَالَتْ مَا كُنْتُ لأُفْشِيَ سِرَّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ مَا رَأَيْتُ كَالْيَوْمِ فَرَحًا أَقْرَبَ مِنْ حُزْنٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا حِينَ بَكَتْ أَخَصَّكِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِحَدِيثِهِ دُونَنَا ثُمَّ تَبْكِينَ وَسَأَلْتُهَا عَمَّا قَالَ فَقَالَتْ مَا كُنْتُ لأُفْشِيَ سِرَّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى إِذَا قُبِضَ سَأَلْتُهَا فَقَالَتْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَدَّثَنِي أَنَّ جِبْرِيلَ كَانَ يُعَارِضُهُ بِالْقُرْآنِ كُلَّ عَامٍ مَرَّةً وَإِنَّهُ عَارَضَهُ بِهِ فِي الْعَامِ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَلاَ أُرَانِي إِلاَّ قَدْ حَضَرَ أَجَلِي وَإِنَّكِ أَوَّلُ أَهْلِي لُحُوقًا بِي وَنِعْمَ السَّلَفُ أَنَا لَكِ فَبَكَيْتُ لِذَلِكِ ثُمَّ إِنَّهُ سَارَّنِي فَقَالَ أَلاَ تَرْضَيْنَ أَنْ تَكُونِي سَيِّدَةَ نِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَوْ سَيِّدَةَ نِسَاءِ هَذِهِ الأُمَّةِ فَضَحِكْتُ لِذَلِكِ  

In case it lies in your power don't be one to enter the bazar first and the last to get out of that because there is a bustle and the standard of Satan is set there. He said: I was informed that Gabriel (Allah be pleased with him) came to Allah's Apostle ﷺ and there was with him Umin Salama and he began to talk with him. He then stood up, whereupon Allah's Apostle ﷺ said to Umm Salama: (Do you know) who was he and what did he say? She said: He was Dihya (Kalbi). He reported Umm Salama having said: By Allah, I did not deem him but only he (Dihya) until I heard the address of Allah's Apostle ﷺ informing him about us. He (the narrator) said: I said to Uthman: From whom did you hear it? He said: From Usima b. Zaid.  

لاَ تَكُونَنَّ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ يَدْخُلُ السُّوقَ وَلاَ آخِرَ مَنْ يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّهَا مَعْرَكَةُ الشَّيْطَانِ وَبِهَا يَنْصِبُ رَايَتَهُ قَالَ وَأُنْبِئْتُ أَنَّ جِبْرِيلَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ أَتَى نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَعِنْدَهُ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ قَالَ فَجَعَلَ يَتَحَدَّثُ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَقَالَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ﷺ لأُمِّ سَلَمَةَ مَنْ هَذَا أَوْ كَمَا قَالَ قَالَتْ هَذَا دِحْيَةُ قَالَ فَقَالَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ ايْمُ اللَّهِ مَا حَسِبْتُهُ إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ حَتَّى سَمِعْتُ خُطْبَةَ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُخْبِرُ خَبَرَنَا أَوْ كَمَا قَالَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لأَبِي عُثْمَانَ مِمَّنْ سَمِعْتَ هَذَا قَالَ مِنْ أُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ  

One who has the longest hands amongst you would meet me most immediately. She farther said: They (the wives of Allah's Apostle) used to measure the hands as to whose hand was the longest and it was the hand of Zainab that was the longest amongst them, as she used to work with her hand and Spend (that income) on charity.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَسْرَعُكُنَّ لَحَاقًا بِي أَطْوَلُكُنَّ يَدًا قَالَتْ فَكُنَّ يَتَطَاوَلْنَ أَيَّتُهُنَّ أَطْوَلُ يَدًا قَالَتْ فَكَانَتْ أَطْوَلَنَا يَدًا زَيْنَبُ لأَنَّهَا كَانَتْ تَعْمَلُ بِيَدِهَا وَتَصَدَّقُ  

I do not know whether it was because of the fasting (or for any other reason) that he (the Holy Prophet) refused to accept that. She raised her voice and showed annoyance to him.  

انْطَلَقَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِلَى أُمِّ أَيْمَنَ فَانْطَلَقْتُ مَعَهُ فَنَاوَلَتْهُ إِنَاءً فِيهِ شَرَابٌ قَالَ فَلاَ أَدْرِي أَصَادَفَتْهُ صَائِمًا أَوْ لَمْ يُرِدْهُ فَجَعَلَتْ تَصْخَبُ عَلَيْهِ وَتَذَمَّرُ عَلَيْهِ  

Let us visit Umm Aiman as Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to visit her. As we came to her, she wept. They (Abu Bakr and Umar) said to her: What makes you weep? What is in store (in the next world) for Allah's-Messenger ﷺ is better than (this worldly life). She said: I weep not because I am ignorant of the fact that what is in store for Messenger of Allah ﷺ (in the next world) is better than (this world), but I weep because the revelation which came from the Heaven has ceased to come. This moved both of them to tears and they began to weep along with her.  

أَبُو بَكْرٍ ؓ بَعْدَ وَفَاةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ لِعُمَرَ انْطَلِقْ بِنَا إِلَى أُمِّ أَيْمَنَ نَزُورُهَا كَمَا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَزُورُهَا فَلَمَّا انْتَهَيْنَا إِلَيْهَا بَكَتْ فَقَالاَ لَهَا مَا يُبْكِيكِ مَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ لِرَسُولِهِ ﷺ فَقَالَتْ مَا أَبْكِي أَنْ لاَ أَكُونَ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّ مَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ لِرَسُولِهِ ﷺ وَلَكِنْ أَبْكِي أَنَّ الْوَحْىَ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَهَيَّجَتْهُمَا عَلَى الْبُكَاءِ فَجَعَلاَ يَبْكِيَانِ مَعَهَا  

I feel great compassion for her. Her brother was killed while he was with me.  

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ لاَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَحَدٍ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ إِلاَّ عَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِ إِلاَّ أُمِّ سُلَيْمٍ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَيْهَا فَقِيلَ لَهُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَرْحَمُهَا قُتِلَ أَخُوهَا مَعِي  

I entered Paradise and heard the noise of steps. I said: Who is it? They said: She is Ghumaisa, daughter of Milhan, the mother of Anas b. Malik.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ دَخَلْتُ الْجَنَّةَ فَسَمِعْتُ خَشْفَةً فَقُلْتُ مَنْ هَذَا قَالُوا هَذِهِ الْغُمَيْصَاءُ بِنْتُ مِلْحَانَ أُمُّ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ