Eleven women sat (at a place) and promised and contracted that they would not conceal anything of the news of their husbands. The first one said, "My husband is like the meat of a slim weak camel which is kept on the top of a mountain which is neither easy to climb, nor is the meat fat, so that one might put up with the trouble of fetching it." The second one said, "I shall not relate my husband's news, for I fear that I may not be able to finish his story, for if I describe him, I will mention all his defects and bad traits." The third one said, "My husband, the "too-tall"! if I describe him (and he hears of that) he will divorce me, and if I keep quiet, he will keep me hanging (neither divorcing me nor treating me as a wife)." The fourth one said, "My husband is (moderate in temper) like the night of Tihama: neither hot nor cold; I am neither afraid of him, nor am I discontented with him." The fifth one said, "My husband, when entering (the house) is a leopard (sleeps a lot), and when going out, is a lion (boasts a lot). He does not ask about whatever is in the house." The sixth one said, "If my husband eats, he eats too much (leaving the dishes empty), and if he drinks he leaves nothing; if he sleeps he sleeps he rolls himself (alone in our blankets); and he does not insert his palm to inquire about my feelings." The seventh one said, "My husband is a wrong-doer or weak and foolish. All the defects are present in him. He may injure your head or your body or may do both." The eighth one said, "My husband is soft to touch like a rabbit and smells like a Zarnab (a kind of good smelling grass)." The ninth one said, "My husband is a tall generous man wearing a long strap for carrying his sword. His ashes are abundant (i.e. generous to his guests) and his house is near to the people (who would easily consult him)." The tenth one said, "My husband is Malik (possessor), and what is Malik? Malik is greater than whatever I say about him. (He is beyond and above all praises which can come to my mind). Most of his camels are kept at home (ready to be slaughtered for the guests) and only a few are taken to the pastures. When the camels hear the sound of the lute (or the tambourine) they realize that they are going to be slaughtered for the guests." The eleventh one said, "My husband is Abu Zarʿ and what is Abu Zarʿ (i.e., what should I say about him)? He has given me many ornaments and my ears are heavily loaded with them and my arms have become fat (i.e., I have become fat). And he has pleased me, and I have become so happy that I feel proud of myself. He found me with my family who were mere owners of sheep and living in poverty, and brought me to a respected family having horses and camels and threshing and purifying grain. Whatever I say, he does not rebuke or insult me. When I sleep, I sleep till late in the morning, and when I drink water (or milk), I drink my fill. The mother of Abu Zar and what may one say in praise of the mother of Abu Zar? Her saddle bags were always full of provision and her house was spacious. As for the son of Abu Zar, what may one say of the son of Abu Zar? His bed is as narrow as an unsheathed sword and an arm of a kid (of four months) satisfies his hunger. As for the daughter of Abu Zar, she is obedient to her father and to her mother. She has a fat well-built body and that arouses the jealousy of her husband's other wife. As for the (maid) slave girl of Abu Zar, what may one say of the (maid) slavegirl of Abu Zar? She does not uncover our secrets but keeps them, and does not waste our provisions and does not leave the rubbish scattered everywhere in our house." The eleventh lady added, "One day it so happened that Abu Zar went out at the time when the milk was being milked from the animals, and he saw a woman who had two sons like two leopards playing with her two breasts. (On seeing her) he divorced me and married her. Thereafter I married a noble man who used to ride a fast tireless horse and keep a spear in his hand. He gave me many things, and also a pair of every kind of livestock and said, Eat (of this), O Um Zar, and give provision to your relatives." She added, "Yet, all those things which my second husband gave me could not fill the smallest utensil of Abu Zar's." ʿAisha then said: Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me, "I am to you as Abu Zar was to his wife Um Zar."  

جَلَسَ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ امْرَأَةً فَتَعَاهَدْنَ وَتَعَاقَدْنَ أَنْ لاَ يَكْتُمْنَ مِنْ أَخْبَارِ أَزْوَاجِهِنَّ شَيْئًا قَالَتِ الأُولَى زَوْجِي لَحْمُ جَمَلٍ غَثٌّ عَلَى رَأْسِ جَبَلٍ لاَ سَهْلٍ فَيُرْتَقَى وَلاَ سَمِينٍ فَيُنْتَقَلُ 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 الْمَسُّ مَسُّ أَرْنَبٍ وَالرِّيحُ رِيحُ زَرْنَبٍ قَالَتِ التَّاسِعَةُ زَوْجِي رَفِيعُ الْعِمَادِ طَوِيلُ النِّجَادِ عَظِيمُ الرَّمَادِ قَرِيبُ الْبَيْتِ مِنَ النَّادِ قَالَتِ الْعَاشِرَةُ زَوْجِي مَالِكٌ وَمَا مَالِكٌ مَالِكٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ ذَلِكِ لَهُ إِبِلٌ كَثِيرَاتُ الْمَبَارِكِ قَلِيلاَتُ الْمَسَارِحِ وَإِذَا 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 بِشِقٍّ 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 وَقَالَ كُلِي أُمَّ زَرْعٍ وَمِيرِي أَهْلَكِ قَالَتْ فَلَوْ جَمَعْتُ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ أَعْطَانِيهِ مَا بَلَغَ أَصْغَرَ آنِيَةِ أَبِي زَرْعٍ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ كُنْتُ لَكِ كَأَبِي زَرْعٍ لأُمِّ زَرْعٍ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ سَعِيدُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ عَنْ هِشَامٍ وَلاَ تُعَشِّشُ بَيْتَنَا تَعْشِيشًا قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ فَأَتَقَمَّحُ بِالْمِيمِ وَهَذَا أَصَحُّ  

She said that eleven women sat and promised in conviction that they would not hide anything about the husbands.

The first one said: (1) 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: (2) 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: (3) 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: (4) 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: (5) 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: (6) 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: (7) 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: (8) My husband is as sweet as the sweet-smelling plant, and as soft as the softness of the hare. The ninth one said: (9) 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: (10) 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 story of Umm Zara) The eleventh one said: (11) 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'.

Aishah reported that Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me: I am for you as Abu Zara' was for Umm Zara'.  

جَلَسَ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ امْرَأَةً فَتَعَاهَدْنَ وَتَعَاقَدْنَ أَنْ لاَ يَكْتُمْنَ مِنْ أَخْبَارِ أَزْوَاجِهِنَّ شَيْئًا

قَالَتِ الأُولَى (١) زَوْجِي لَحْمُ جَمَلٍ غَثٌّ عَلَى رَأْسِ جَبَلٍ وَعْرٍ لاَ سَهْلٌ فَيُرْتَقَى وَلاَ سَمِينٌ فَيُنْتَقَلَ قَالَتِ الثَّانِيَةُ (٢) زَوْجِي لاَ أَبُثُّ خَبَرَهُ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ لاَ أَذَرَهُ إِنْ أَذْكُرْهُ أَذْكُرْ عُجَرَهُ وَبُجَرَهُ قَالَتِ الثَّالِثَةُ (٣) زَوْجِي الْعَشَنَّقُ إِنْ أَنْطِقْ أُطَلَّقْ وَإِنْ أَسْكُتْ أُعَلَّقْ قَالَتِ الرَّابِعَةُ (٤) زَوْجِي كَلَيْلِ تِهَامَةَ لاَ حَرٌّ وَلاَ قُرٌّ وَلاَ مَخَافَةَ وَلاَ سَآمَةَ قَالَتِ الْخَامِسَةُ (٥) زَوْجِي إِنْ دَخَلَ فَهِدَ وَإِنْ خَرَجَ أَسِدَ وَلاَ يَسْأَلُ عَمَّا عَهِدَ

قَالَتِ السَّادِسَةُ (٦) زَوْجِي إِنْ أَكَلَ لَفَّ وَإِنْ شَرِبَ اشْتَفَّ وَإِنِ اضْطَجَعَ الْتَفَّ وَلاَ يُولِجُ الْكَفَّ لِيَعْلَمَ الْبَثَّ قَالَتِ السَّابِعَةُ (٧) زَوْجِي غَيَايَاءُ أَوْ عَيَايَاءُ طَبَاقَاءُ كُلُّ دَاءٍ لَهُ دَاءٌ شَجَّكِ أَوْ فَلَّكِ أَوْ جَمَعَ كُلاًّ لَكِ قَالَتِ الثَّامِنَةُ (٨) زَوْجِي الرِّيحُ رِيحُ زَرْنَبٍ وَالْمَسُّ مَسُّ أَرْنَبٍ قَالَتِ التَّاسِعَةُ (٩) زَوْجِي رَفِيعُ الْعِمَادِ طَوِيلُ النِّجَادِ عَظِيمُ الرَّمَادِ قَرِيبُ الْبَيْتِ مِنَ النَّادِي قَالَتِ الْعَاشِرَةُ (١٠) زَوْجِي مَالِكٌ وَمَا مَالِكٌ مَالِكٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ ذَلِكِ لَهُ إِبِلٌ كَثِيرَاتُ الْمَبَارِكِ قَلِيلاَتُ الْمَسَارِحِ إِذَا سَمِعْنَ صَوْتَ الْمِزْهَرِ أَيْقَنَّ أَنَّهُنَّ هَوَالِكُ

قَالَتِ الْحَادِيَةَ عَشْرَةَ (١١) 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  

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'. (Using translation from Muslim 2448a)  

«جَلَسَ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ امْرَأَةً فَتَعَاهَدْنَ وَتَعَاقَدْنَ أَنْ لَا يَكْتُمْنَ مِنْ أَخْبَارِ أَزْوَاجِهِنَّ شَيْئًا» قَالَتِ الْأُولَى زَوْجِي لَحْمُ جَمَلٍ غَثٍّ عَلَى رَأْسِ جَبَلٍ لَا سَهْلٌ فَيُرْتَقَى وَلَا سَمِينٌ فَيُنْتَقَلُ وَقَالَتِ الثَّانِيَةُ زَوْجِي لَا أَبُثُّ خَبَرَهُ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ لَا أَذَرَهُ إِنْ أَذْكُرْهُ أَذْكُرْ عُجَرَهُ وَبُجَرَهُ وَقَالَتِ الثَّالِثَةُ زَوْجِيَ الْعَشَنَّقُ إِنْ أَنْطِقْ أُطَلَّقْ وَإِنْ أَسْكُتْ أُعَلَّقْ وَقَالَتِ الرَّابِعَةُ زَوْجِي كَلَيْلِ تِهَامَةَ لَا حَرٌّ وَلَا قُرٌّ وَلَا مَخَافَةَ وَلَا سَآمَةَ وَقَالَتِ الْخَامِسَةُ زَوْجِي إِنْ دَخَلَ فَهِدَ وَإِنْ خَرَجَ أَسِدَ وَلَا يَسْأَلُ عَمَّا عَهِدَ وَقَالَتِ السَّادِسَةُ زَوْجِي إِنْ أَكَلَ لَفَّ وَإِنْ شَرِبَ اشْتَفَّ وَإِنِ اضْطَجَعَ الْتَفَّ وَلَا يُولِجُ الْكَفَّ لِيَعْلَمَ الْبَثَّ وَقَالَتِ السَّابِعَةُ زَوْجِي غَيَايَاءُ أَوْ عَيَايَاءُ طَبَاقَاءُ كُلُّ دَاءٍ لَهُ دَاءٌ شَجَّكِ أَوْ فَلَّكِ أَوْ جَمَعَ كَلًّا لَكِ وَقَالَتِ الثَّامِنَةُ زَوْجِي الْ مَسُّ مَسُّ أَرْنَبٍ وَالرِّيحُ رِيحُ زَرْنَبٍ قَالَتِ التَّاسِعَةُ زَوْجِي رُفَيْعُ الْعِمَادِ طَوِيلُ النِّجَادِ عَظِيمُ الرَّمَادِ قَرِيبُ الْبَيْتِ مِنَ النَّادِ قَالَتِ الْعَاشِرَةُ زَوْجِي مَالِكٌ فَمَا مَالِكٌ؟ مَالِكٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ ذَلِكَ لَهُ إِبِلٌ كَثِيرَاتُ الْمَبَارِكِ قَلِيلَاتُ الْمَسَارِحِ إِذَا سَمِعْنَ أَصْوَاتَ الْمَزَاهِرِ أَيْقَنَّ أَنَّهُنَّ هَوَالِكُ قَالَتِ الْحَادِيَةُ عَشْرَةَ زَوْجِي أَبُو زَرْعٍ وَمَا أَبُو زَرْعٍ أَنَاسَ مِنْ حُلِيِّ أُذُنِي وَمَلَأَ مِنْ شَحْمِ عَضُدَيَّ فَبَجَّحَنِي فَبَجِحَتْ إِلَيَّ نَفْسِي وَجَدَنِي فِي أَهْلِ غُنَيْمَةٍ بِشَقٍّ فَجَعَلَنِي فِي أَهْلِ صَهِيلٍ وَأَطِيطٍ وَدَائِسٍ وَمُنَقٍّ فَعِنْدَهُ أَقُولُ فَلَا أُقَبَّحُ وَأَرْقُدُ فَأَتَصَبَّحُ وَأَشْرَبُ فَأَتَقَمَّحُ أُمُّ أَبِي زَرْعٍ فَمَا أُمُّ أَبِي زَرْعٍ عُكُومُهَا رَدَاحٌ وَبَيْتُهَا فَسَاحٌ ابْنُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ فَمَا ابْنُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ مَضْجَعُهُ كَمَسَلِّ شَطْبَةٍ وَيُشْبِعُهُ ذِرَاعُ الْجَفْرَةِ وَابْنَةُ أَبَى زَرْعٍ فَمَا ابْنَةُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ طَوْعُ أَبِيهَا وَطَوْعُ أُمِّهَا وَمِلْءُ كِسَائِهَا وَغَيْظُ جَارَتِهَا جَارِيَةُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ فَمَا جَارِيَةُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ لَا تَبُثُّ حَدِيثَنَا تَبْثِيثًا وَلَا تُنَقِّثُ مِيرَتَنَا تَنْقِيثًا وَلَا تَمْلَأُ بَيْتَنَا تَعْشِيشًا قَالَتْ خَرَجَ أَبُو زَرْعٍ وَالْأَوْطَابُ تُمْخَضُ فَلَقِيَ امْرَأَةً مَعَهَا وَلَدَانِ لَهَا كَالْفَهْدَيْنِ يَلْعَبَانِ مِنْ تَحْتِ خَصْرِهَا بِرُمَّانَتَيْنِ فَطَلَّقَنِي وَنَكَحَهَا فَنَكَحْتُ بَعْدَهُ رَجُلًا سَرِيًّا رَكِبَ شَرِيًّا وَأَخَذَ خَطِّيًّا وَأَرَاحَ عَلَيَّ نَعَمًا ثَرِيًّا وَأَعْطَانِي مِنْ كُلِّ رَائِحَةٍ زَوْجًا وَقَالَ كُلِي أُمَّ زَرْعٍ وَمِيرِي أَهْلَكِ فَلَوْ جَمَعْتُ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ أَعْطَانِيهِ مَا بَلَغَ أَصْغَرَ آنِيَةِ أَبِي زَرْعٍ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «كُنْتُ لَكِ كَأَبِي زَرْعٍ لِأُمِّ زَرْعٍ» قَالَ هِشَامُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ سَأَلْتُ عِيسَى بْنَ يُونُسَ عَنِ الدَّائِسِ فَقَالَ هُوَ الْأَنْدَرُ وَالْمُنَقِّ الْغِرْبَالُ «  

Eleven women sat (at a place) and promised and contracted that they would not conceal anything of the news of their husbands. The first one said, "My husband is like the meat of a slim weak camel which is kept on the top of a mountain which is neither easy to climb, nor is the meat fat, so that one might put up with the trouble of fetching it." The second one said, "I shall not relate my husband's news, for I fear that I may not be able to finish his story, for if I describe him, I will mention all his defects and bad traits." The third one said, "My husband, the "too-tall"! if I describe him (and he hears of that) he will divorce me, and if I keep quiet, he will keep me hanging (neither divorcing me nor treating me as a wife)." The fourth one said, "My husband is (moderate in temper) like the night of Tihama: neither hot nor cold; I am neither afraid of him, nor am I discontented with him." The fifth one said, "My husband, when entering (the house) is a leopard (sleeps a lot), and when going out, is a lion (boasts a lot). He does not ask about whatever is in the house." The sixth one said, "If my husband eats, he eats too much (leaving the dishes empty), and if he drinks he leaves nothing; if he sleeps he sleeps he rolls himself (alone in our blankets); and he does not insert his palm to inquire about my feelings." The seventh one said, "My husband is a wrong-doer or weak and foolish. All the defects are present in him. He may injure your head or your body or may do both." The eighth one said, "My husband is soft to touch like a rabbit and smells like a Zarnab (a kind of good smelling grass)." The ninth one said, "My husband is a tall generous man wearing a long strap for carrying his sword. His ashes are abundant (i.e. generous to his guests) and his house is near to the people (who would easily consult him)." The tenth one said, "My husband is Malik (possessor), and what is Malik? Malik is greater than whatever I say about him. (He is beyond and above all praises which can come to my mind). Most of his camels are kept at home (ready to be slaughtered for the guests) and only a few are taken to the pastures. When the camels hear the sound of the lute (or the tambourine) they realize that they are going to be slaughtered for the guests." The eleventh one said, "My husband is Abu Zarʿ and what is Abu Zarʿ (i.e., what should I say about him)? He has given me many ornaments and my ears are heavily loaded with them and my arms have become fat (i.e., I have become fat). And he has pleased me, and I have become so happy that I feel proud of myself. He found me with my family who were mere owners of sheep and living in poverty, and brought me to a respected family having horses and camels and threshing and purifying grain. Whatever I say, he does not rebuke or insult me. When I sleep, I sleep till late in the morning, and when I drink water (or milk), I drink my fill. The mother of Abu Zar and what may one say in praise of the mother of Abu Zar? Her saddle bags were always full of provision and her house was spacious. As for the son of Abu Zar, what may one say of the son of Abu Zar? His bed is as narrow as an unsheathed sword and an arm of a kid (of four months) satisfies his hunger. As for the daughter of Abu Zar, she is obedient to her father and to her mother. She has a fat well-built body and that arouses the jealousy of her husband's other wife. As for the (maid) slave girl of Abu Zar, what may one say of the (maid) slavegirl of Abu Zar? She does not uncover our secrets but keeps them, and does not waste our provisions and does not leave the rubbish scattered everywhere in our house." The eleventh lady added, "One day it so happened that Abu Zar went out at the time when the milk was being milked from the animals, and he saw a woman who had two sons like two leopards playing with her two breasts. (On seeing her) he divorced me and married her. Thereafter I married a noble man who used to ride a fast tireless horse and keep a spear in his hand. He gave me many things, and also a pair of every kind of livestock and said, Eat (of this), O Um Zar, and give provision to your relatives." She added, "Yet, all those things which my second husband gave me could not fill the smallest utensil of Abu Zar's." ʿAisha then said: Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me, "I am to you as Abu Zar was to his wife Um Zar." (Using translation from Bukhārī 5189)  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ «اجْتَمَعَ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ امْرَأَةً فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَتَعَاقَدْنَ أَنْ يَتَصَادَقْنَ بَيْنَهُنَّ وَلَا يَكْتُمْنَ مِنْ أَخْبَارِ أَزْوَاجِهِنَّ شَيْئًا» فَقَالَتِ الْأُولَى زَوْجِي لَحْمُ جَمَلٍ غَثٍّ عَلَى رَأْسِ جَبَلٍ لَا سَهْلٍ فَيُرْتَقَى وَلَا سَمِينٍ فَيُنْتَقَلُ قَالَتِ الثَّانِيَة زَوْجِي لَا أَبُثُّ خَبَرَهُ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ لَا أَذَرَهُ إِنْ أَذْكُرْهُ أَذْكُرْ عُجَرَهُ وَبُجَرَهُ قَالَتِ الثَّالِثَةُ زَوْجِي الْعَشَنَّقُ إِنْ أَنْطِقْ أُطَلَّقْ وَإِنْ أَسْكُتْ أُعَلَّقْ قَالَتِ الرَّابِعَةُ زَوْجِي إِنْ أَكَلَ لَفَّ وَإِنْ شَرِبَ اشْتَفَّ وَإِنِ اضْطَجَعَ الْتَفَّ وَلَا يُولِجُ الْكَفَّ لِيَعْلَمَ الْبَثَّ قَالَتِ الْخَامِسَةُ زَوْجِي عَيَايَاءُ طَبَاقَاءُ كُلُّ دَاءٍ لَهُ دَاءٌ شَجَّكِ أَوْ فَلَّكِ أَوْ جَمَعَ كُلًّا لَكِ قَالَتِ السَّادِسَةُ زَوْجِي كَلَيْلِ تِهَامَةَ لَا حَرٌّ وَلَا قَرٌّ وَلَا مَخَافَةَ قَالَتِ السَّابِعَةُ زَوْجِي إِنْ دَخَلَ فَهِدَ وَإِنْ خَرَجَ أَسِدَ وَلَا يَسْأَلُ عَمَّا عَهِدَ قَالَتِ الثَّامِنَةُ زَوْجِي الْمَسُّ مَسُّ أَرْنَبٍ وَالرِّيحُ رِيحُ زَرْنَبٍ وَأَنَا أَغْلِبُهُ وَالنَّاسَ يَغْلِبُ قَالَتِ التَّاسِعَةُ زَوْجِي رُفَيْعُ الْعِمَادِ طَوِيلُ النِّجَادِ عَظِيمُ الرَّمَادِ قَرِيبُ الْبَيْتِ مِنَ النَّادِ قَالَتِ الْعَاشِرَةُ زَوْجِي مَالِكٌ هُوَ مَالِكٌ وَمَا مَالِكٌ؟ مَالِكٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ ذَلِكَ لَهُ إِبِلٌ قَلِيلَاتُ الْمَسَارِحِ كَثِيرَاتُ الْمَبَارِكِ إِذَا سَمِعْنَ صَوْتَ الْمَزَاهِرِ أَيْقَنَّ أَنَّهُنَّ هَوَالِكُ قَالَتِ الْحَادِيَةَ عَشْرَةَ زَوْجِي أَبُو زَرْعٍ وَمَا أَبُو زَرْعٍ؟ أَنَاسَ مِنْ حُلِيٍّ أُذُنَيَّ وَمَلَأَ مِنْ شَحْمِ عَضُدِيَّ وَبَجَّحَنِي فَبَجِحَتْ إِلَيَّ نَفْسِي وَجَدَنِي فِي أَهْلِ غُنَيْمَةٍ بِشِقٍّ فَجَعَلَنِي فِي أَهْلِ صَهِيلٍ وَأَطِيطٍ وَدَائِسٍ وَمُنَقٍّ فَعِنْدَهُ أَقُولُ فَلَا أُقَبَّحُ وَأَرْقُدُ فَأَتَصَبَّحُ وَأَشْرَبُ فَأَتَقَنَّحُ أُمُّ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا أُمُّ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ عُكُومُهَا رَدَاحٌ وَبَيْتُهَا فَسَاحٌ ابْنُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا ابْنُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ مَضْجَعُهُ كَمَسَلِّ شَطْبَةٍ يُشْبِعُهُ ذِرَاعُ الْجَفْرَةِ بِنْتُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا بِنْتُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ طَوْعُ أَبِيهَا وَطَوْعُ أُمِّهَا وَمِلْءُ كِسَائِهَا وَغَيْظُ جَارَتِهَا جَارِيَةُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا جَارِيَةُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ لَا تَبُثُّ حَدِيثَنَا وَلَا تَمْلَأُ مِيرَتَنَا تَنْقِيثًا لَا تَمْلَأُ بَيْتَنَا تَعْشِيشًا خَرَجَ أَبُو زَرْعٍ وَالْأَوْطَابُ تُمْخَضُ فَمَرَّ بِامْرَأَةٍ لَهَا ابْنَانِ لَهَا كَالْفَهْدَيْنِ يَلْعَبَانِ مِنْ تَحْتِ خَصْرِهَا بِرُمَّانَتَيْنِ فَطَلَّقَنِي وَنَكَحَهَا فَنَكَحْتُ بَعْدَهُ رَجُلًا سَرِيًّا رَكِبَ شَرِيًّا وَأَخَذَ خَطِّيًّا وَأَرَاحَ عَلَيَّ نَعَمًا ثَرِيًّا وَأَعْطَانِي مِنْ كُلِّ رَائِحَةٍ زَوْجًا فَقَالَ كُلِي أُمَّ زَرْعٍ وَمِيرِي أَهْلَكِ فَلَوْ جَمَعْتُ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ أَعْطَانِيهِ مَا مَلَأَ أَصْغَرَ إِنَاءٍ مِنْ آنِيَةِ أَبِي زَرْعٍ فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «كُنْتُ لَكِ كَأَبِي زَرْعٍ لِأُمِّ زَرْعٍ»  

[Machine] "I took pride in the wealth of my father during the days of ignorance, as it amounted to a hundred thousand ounces. The Prophet ﷺ said to me, 'Be silent, O Aisha, for in my eyes, I am to you as Abu Zar would be to Umm Zar.' Then, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ started talking about how eleven women had gathered during the pre-Islamic days and made a covenant to inform each other about their husbands without lying. It was asked, 'Is it you, O Fulanah?' She said, 'The night is a night of famine, without heat or cold, without fear.' It was asked, 'Is it you, O Fulanah?' She said, 'The wind is the wind of Zarnab, and it carries the scent of rabbits, and I am the majority, and the people are in majority.' It was asked, 'Is it you, O Fulanah?' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know. It is a column with lofty pillars, a tall palm trunk, and a great heavy fire, close to the house where people gather.' It was asked, 'Is it you, O Fulanah?' She said, 'I married Malik, and Malik who? He has many grazing camels, a few blessings. When they hear the sound of strainers, they are certain that it is they.' It was asked, 'Is it you, O Fulanah?' She said, 'I mention my husband, and when I mention him, I mention Ojara and Buja, and I fear that I will not mention him.' It was asked, 'Is it you, O Fulanah?' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know. When he enters, he is like a cheetah, and when he leaves, he is like a lion. He does not ask about what he entrusted.' It was asked, 'Is it you, O Fulanah?' She said, 'The flesh of a camel is lean on a mountain, neither in the fat nor in the easy ascent. It was asked, 'Is it you, O Fulanah?' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know. When he eats, he gulps, when he drinks, he gasps, when he slaughters, he says "help me", and when he sleeps, he snores, and his palm does not enter the palm of his hand, so he knows how to emit semen.' It was asked, 'Is it you, O Fulanah?' She said, 'I married Al-Asnanq. If he speaks, I am divorced, if he is silent, I am praised.' It was asked, 'Is it you, O Fulanah?' She said, 'The consequences of every disease has a cure, and it is either a tanner, a speck, or he gathers them all for you.' It was asked, 'Is it you, O Fulanah?' She said, 'I married Abu Zar, and who is Abu Zar? He is someone from adornments in my ears and full of fat in my shoulder, and he himself boasted, so I met him in a booty of war. He placed me between those who were staying and those who were returning, between the runners and the walker, and the taker of shares. I sleep with him, and I wake up in the morning and drink, and I have my morning food, and he has given me abundance from every creature as a gift.' Aisha said, 'So I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, indeed, you are better than Abu Zar.'"  

فَخُرْتُ بِمَالِ أَبِي فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَكَانَ قَدْرَ أَلْفِ أَلْفِ أُوقِيَّةٍ فَقَالَ لِيَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ «اسْكُتِي يَا عَائِشَةُ فَإِنِّي كُنْتُ لَكِ كَأَبِي زَرْعٍ لِأُمِّ زَرْعٍ» ثُمَّ أَنْشَأَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُحَدِّثُ «أَنَّ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ امْرَأَةً اجْتَمَعْنَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَتَعَاهَدْنَ لَتُخْبِرَنَّ كُلُّ امْرَأَةٍ بِمَا فِي زَوْجِهَا وَلَا تَكْذِبُ» قِيلَ «أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ» قَالَتْ اللَّيْلُ لَيْلُ تِهَامَةَ لَا حَرٌّ وَلَا بَرْدٌ وَلَا مَخَافَةَ قِيلَ «أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ» قَالَتْ الرِّيحُ رِيحُ زَرْنَبٍ وَالْمَسُّ مَسُّ أَرْنَبٍ وَأَغْلِبُهُ وَالنَّاسَ يَغْلِبُ قِيلَ «أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ» قَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ إِنَّهُ لَرَفِيعُ الْعِمَادِ طَوِيلُ النِّجَادِ عَظِيمُ الرَّمَادِ قَرِيبُ الْبَيْتِ مِنَ النَّادِ قِيلَ «أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ» قَالَتْ نَكَحْتُ مَالِكًا وَمَا مَالِكٌ؟ لَهُ إِبِلٌ كَثِيرَاتُ الْمَسَارِحِ قَلِيلَاتُ الْمَبَارِكِ إِذَا سَمِعْنَ صَوْتَ الْمَزَاهِرِ أَيْقَنَّ أَنَّهُنَّ هَوَالِكُ قِيلَ «أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ» قَالَتْ زَوْجِي أَذْكُرُهُ إِنْ أَذْكُرْهُ أَذْكُرْ عُجَرَهُ وَبُجَرَهُ أَخْشَى أَنْ لَا أَذَرَهُ قِيلَ «أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ» قَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ إِذَا دَخَلَ فَهِدَ وَإِذَا خَرَجَ أَسِدَ وَلَا يَسْأَلُ عَمَّا عَهِدَ قِيلَ «أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ» قَالَتْ لَحْمُ جَمَلٍ غَثٍّ عَلَى جَبَلٍ لَا بِالسَّمِينِ فَيُنْتَقَلُ وَلَا بِالسَّهْلِ فَيُرْتَقَى إِلَيْهِ قِيلَ «أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ» قَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ إِنَّهُ إِذَا أَكَلَ لَفَّ وَإِذَا شَرِبَ اشْتَفَّ وَإِذَا ذَبَحَ اغْتَثَّ وَإِذَا نَامَ الْتَفَّ وَلَا يَدْخُلُ الْكَفَّ فَيَعْلَمَ الْبَثَّ قِيلَ «أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ» قَالَتْ نَكَحْتُ الْعَشَنَّقَ إِنْ أَنْطِقْ أُطَلَّقْ وَإِنْ أَسْكُتْ أُعَلَّقْ قِيلَ «أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ» قَالَتْ عَيَايَاءُ طَبَاقَاءُ كُلُّ دَاءٍ لَهُ دَوَاءٌ شَجَّكِ أَوْ فَلَّكِ أَوْ جَمَعَ كُلًّا لَكِ قِيلَ «أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ» قَالَتْ نَكَحْتُ أَبَا زَرْعٍ وَمَا أَبُو زَرْعٍ؟ أَنَاسَ مِنْ حُلِيٍّ أُذُنَيَّ وَمَلَأَ مِنْ شَحْمٍ عَضُدِيَّ وَبَجَّحَ نَفْسِي فَبَجِحَتْ إِلَيَّ وَجَدَنِي فِي غُنَيْمَةٍ بِشِقٍّ فَجَعَلَنِي بَيْنَ حَائِلٍ وَصَائِلٍ وَأَطِيطٍ وَدَائِسٍ وَمُنَقٍّ فَأَنَا أَنَامُ عِنْدَهُ فَأَتَصَبَّحُ وَأَشْرَبُ فَأَتَقَمَّحُ وَأَنْطِقُ فَلَا أَتَقَبَّحُ ابْنُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا ابْنُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ مَضْجَعُهُ مَسَلُّ الشَّطْبَةِ وَيُشْبِعُهُ ذِرَاعُ الْجَفْرَةِ بِنْتُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا بِنْتُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ مِلْءُ إِزَارِهَا وَزَيْنُ أَبِيهَا وَزَيْنُ أُمِّهَا وَخَيْرُ جَارَتِهَا جَارِيَةُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا جَارِيَةُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ لَا تُخْرِجُ حَدِيثَنَا تَبْثِيثًا وَلَا تُهْلِكُ مِيرَتَنَا تَنْقِيثًا فَخَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِي أَبُو زَرْعٍ وَالْأَوْطَابُ تُمْخَضُ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِأُمِّ غُلَامَيْنِ كَالسَّقْرَيْنِ فَتَزَوَّجَهَا أَبُو زَرْعٍ وَطَلَّقَنِي فَاسْتَبْدَلْتُ وَكُلُّ بَدَلٍ أَعْوَرُ فَنَكَحْتُ شَابًّا سَرِيًّا رَكِبَ شَرِيًّا وَأَخَذَ خَطِّيًّا وَأَعْطَانِي نَعَمًا ثَرِيًّا وَأَعْطَانِي مِنْ كُلِّ سَائِمَةٍ زَوْجًا فَقَالَ امْتَارِي يَا أُمَّ زَرْعٍ مِيرِي أَهْلَكِ فَجَمَعْتُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَلَمْ يَمْلَأْ أَصْغَرَ وِعَاءٍ مِنْ أَوْعِيَةِ أَبِي زَرْعٍ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ بَلْ أَنْتَ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَبِي زَرْعٍ  

[Machine] To me, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "I have been to you like Abu Zar'in father to Umm Zar'in." Then he started narrating the Hadith of Umm Zar'in and her companions. One of them said, "My husband is Ayayaa Tabaaqaa, every sickness has a cure except for his stubbornness or foolishness or when he combines them all." Another said, "My husband is the meat of a skinny camel in a rough and steep mountain, he is neither fat nor easy to move." Another said, "My husband is Al-Asannaaq, if I remain silent, he divorces me, and if I speak, he suspends me." Another said, "My husband is someone who becomes restless when he drinks, and when he sleeps, he snores. He doesn't insert his hand in the pot, but still knows what's boiling." Another said, "My husband's news is incomplete, I fear that I won't complete it." Urwah said to her, "These are five women complaining." Another said, "My husband is a free man, like the night of Tihama. He is not hot, nor cold, nor afraid." Another said, "When he enters, he roars, and when he leaves, he becomes a lion. He doesn't ask about his properties." Another said, "My husband's scent is the scent of thyme and musk. I smell it more than others smell it." Another said, "My husband is tall and his hairs are long, he has a great pile of ashes. Our house is close to the marketplace." Another said, "My husband is Abu Malik, and who is Abu Malik? He is a man with many camels, but few blessed ones. When they hear the sound of female singers, they know it's them." Another said, "My husband is Abu Zar' and who is Abu Zar'? He is a man from noble lineage, with ears and body full of fat. I managed to deceive him, so I deceived him to get pregnant. I am the daughter of Abu Zar', and who is the daughter of Abu Zar'? Her clothes are filled, and her cloak is small. She is the best among women, but her neighbors hate her. Her father and mother obey her. She is the servant of Abu Zar', and who is the servant of Abu Zar'? She never spreads our secrets, nor spoils our reputation, nor misbehaves in our house. Abu Zar' came to me when I was in labor, and he pat me until he took me to Sahil, Taee and Dayis. I am with him, I drink, and I relax. In the morning, when I wake up, I say that I am not ugly. Abu Zar' left me, and the female camels were in labor. He saw a woman with two sons playing under her, with pomegranates on both sides. Abu Zar' married her, and divorced me. After that, I married a young man, who rode a fast horse and carried a piercing spear. He pleased me and provided me with a rich gift. He came to me on every occasion as a husband should. He said to me, 'I am your husband, and you are my wife. If I gathered everything from him, I would put it in a smaller vessel than the vessels of Abu Zar', and it wouldn't fill it.' Aisha said, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me, 'So I have been to you like Abu Zar'in father to Umm Zar'in.'"  

قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «كُنْتُ لَكِ كَأَبِي زَرْعٍ لِأُمِّ زَرْعٍ» ثُمَّ أَنْشَأَ يُحَدِّثُ بِحَدِيثِ أُمِّ زَرْعٍ وَصَوَاحِبِهَا قَالَ اجْتَمَعَ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ امْرَأَةً فَتَعَاهَدْنَ وَتَعَاقَدْنَ أَنْ يَنْعِتْنَ أَزْوَاجَهُنَّ وَيَصْدُقْنَ فَقَالَتْ إِحْدَاهُنَّ زَوْجِي عَيَايَاءُ طَبَاقَاءُ كُلُّ دَاءٍ لَهُ دَاءٌ شَجَّكِ أَوْ فَلَّكِ أَوْ جَمَعَ كُلًّا لَكِ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى زَوْجِي لَحْمُ جَمَلٍ غَثٍّ بِجَبَلٍ وَعْرٍ لَا سَمِينٍ فَيُرْتَقَى إِلَيْهِ وَلَا سَهْلٍ فَيُنْتَقَلُ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى زَوْجِي الْعَشَنَّقُ إِنْ أَسْكُتْ أُطَلَّقْ وَإِنْ أَنْطِقْ أُعَلَّقْ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى زَوْجِي إِذَا شَرِبَ اشْتَفَّ وَإِذَا رَقَدَ الْتَفَّ وَلَا يُولِجُ الْكَفَّ فَيَعْلَمُ الْبَثَّ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى زَوْجِي لَا أُتِمُّ خَبَرَهُ أَخْشَى أَنْ لَا أَذَرَهُ قَالَ لَهُ عُرْوَةُ هَؤُلَاءِ خَمْسَةٌ يَشْكُونَ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى زَوْجِي حُرٌّ كَلَيْلِ تِهَامَةَ لَا حَرٌّ وَلَا بَارِدٌ وَلَا مَخَافَةَ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى زَوْجِي إِذَا دَخَلَ فَهِدَ وَإِذَا خَرَجَ أَسِدَ وَلَا يَسْأَلُ عَمَّا عَهِدَ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى زَوْجِي الرِّيحُ رِيحُ زَرْنَبٍ وَالْمَسُّ مَسُّ أَرْنَبٍ أَغْلِبُهُ وَالنَّاسَ يَغْلِبُ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى زَوْجِي رُفَيْعُ الْعِمَادِ طَوِيلُ النِّجَادِ عَظِيمُ الرَّمَادِ قَرِيبُ الْبَيْتِ مِنَ النَّادِ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى زَوْجِي أَبُو مَالِكٍ وَمَا أَبُو مَالِكٍ؟ ذُو إِبِلٍ كَثِيرَةِ الْمَسَالِكِ قَلِيلَةِ الْمَبَارِكِ إِذَا سَمِعْنَ صَوْتَ الْمَزَاهِرِ أَيْقَنَّ أَنَّهُنَّ هَوَالِكُ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى زَوْجِي أَبُو زَرْعٍ وَمَا أَبُو زَرْعٍ؟ أَنَاسَ مِنْ حُلِيٍّ أُذُنَيَّ وَمَلَأَ مِنْ شَحْمٍ عَضُدَيَّ وَبَجَحَ نَفْسِي فَبَجِحْتُ إِلَيْهِ ابْنُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا ابْنُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ مَضْجَعُهُ كَمَسَلِّ الشَّطْبَةِ وَيُشْبِعُهُ ذِرَاعُ الْجَفْرَةِ بِنْتُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا بِنْتُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ مِلْءُ كِسَائِهَا وَصِغَرُ رِدَائِهَا وَخَيْرُ نِسَائِهَا وَغَيْظُ جَارَاتِهَا وَطَوْعُ أَبِيهَا وَطَوْعُ أُمِّهَا خَادِمُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا خَادِمُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ لَا تَبُثُّ حَدِيثَنَا تَبْثِيثًا وَلَا تُفْسِدُ مِيرَتَنَا تَنْقِيثًا وَلَا تَعَشَّى بَيْتَنَا تَعْشِيشًا أَتَانِي أَبُو زَرْعٍ وَأَنَا فِي شِقٍّ فَبَلَحَنِي فَذَهَبَ بِي إِلَى أَهْلِ صَهِيلٍ وَأَطِيطٍ وَدَائِسٍ وَمُنَقٍّ فَأَنَا عِنْدَهُ أَشْرَبُ وَأَتَقَنَّحُ وَأَرْقُدُ فَأَتَصَبَّحُ وَأَقُولُ فَلَا أُقَبَّحُ خَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِي أَبُو زَرْعٍ وَالْأَوْطَابُ تُمْخَضُ فَأَبْصَرَ امْرَأَةً لَهَا ابْنَانِ كَالْفَهْدَيْنِ يَلْعَبَانِ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا بِرُمَّانَتَيْنِ فَنَكَحَهَا أَبُو زَرْعٍ وَطَلَّقَنِي فَنَكَحْتُ بَعْدَهُ شَابًّا سَرِيًّا رَكِبَ فَرَسًا شَرِيًّا وَأَخَذَ رُمْحًا خَطِّيًّا وَأَرَاحَ عَلَى بِنْتِي نَعَمًا ثَرِيًّا وَأَتَانِي فِي كُلِّ سَائِمَةٍ زَوْجًا فَقَالَ كُلِي وَمِيرِي أَهْلَكِ فَلَوْ جَمَعْتُ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ أَصَبْتُهُ مِنْهُ فَجَعَلْتُهُ فِي أَصْغَرِ وِعَاءٍ مِنْ أَوْعِيَةِ أَبِي زَرْعٍ مَا مَلَأَهُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «فَكُنْتُ لَكِ كَأَبِي زَرْعٍ لِأُمِّ زَرْعٍ»  

[Machine] For me, Messenger of Allah ﷺ , you were like a father who plants and a mother who waters. So I said, "O Messenger of Allah, who is Abu Zar and who is Umm Zar?" He said, "Ten women gathered together and swore that they would not lie about their husbands. One of them said, 'I will not tell his secret, for I fear I will not be able to carry it.' Another said, 'He is like a wild bull on a mountain, neither fat nor thin, so he cannot be easily reached or moved.' Another said, 'When he eats, he devours and when he drinks, he drinks passionately, and his hands do not go into the dish without bringing out the bones.' Another said, 'He is like a night of full moon, neither hot nor cold, and there is no fear in him.' Another said, 'When he enters, he becomes like a leopard, and when he comes out, he becomes like a lion, and he does not ask about what he has entrusted.' Another said, 'His scent is like that of basil, and his touch is like that of a rabbit.' Another said, 'He is tall and slim, with mighty shoulders and ashes around him, and he is close to the house and can be easily called for.' Another said, 'He is a wealthy man, with many camels that travel long distances, though there are few blessings in their paths.' When they hear the sound of the flute, they are certain that he is the one.' Another said, 'He is Abu Zar.' I asked, 'Who is Abu Zar?' She replied, 'He is a man of blessings and agriculture who has made me forget my adornments, my ears and the flesh of my arms. He has possessed my own self, and whenever I am with him, I feel calm. I awake in the morning and drink. I quench my thirst and do not feel repulsed. I say, 'I will never be disgusted.' He took me from my family and placed me in the family of Suhayl, where I reside with loud noises, echoes, cracks, and dust. He is the son of Abu Zar.' I asked, 'Who is the son of Abu Zar?' She replied, 'His resting place is like a mountain peak, and the length of a sugar cane is enough for him.' She is the daughter of Abu Zar.' I asked, 'Who is the daughter of Abu Zar?' She replied, 'Her clothes are perfect, and her cloak is tied around her waist. She is a source of joy for her father and mother, and a decoration for her family. She is not metaphorical, but rather a servant of Abu Zar.' I asked, 'Who is the servant of Abu Zar?' She replied, 'He does not spread our secrets widely, nor does he spoil our manners. Abu Zar left me, and the camels began to give birth. He then saw a woman with two sons, like young leopards, playing under her. He married her and divorced me, and so I married a young man secretly. He left me poor, and took his share, then he brought me a lot of gifts and said, 'This is for your family, O Umm Zar.' I said, 'If all of this were placed in a vessel from Abu Zar's belongings, it would not be enough to fill it.' Aisha said, 'So I said, O Messenger of Allah, you are better for me than Abu Zar to Umm Zar.'  

قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «كُنْتُ لَكِ كَأَبِي زَرْعٍ لِأُمِّ زَرْعٍ» فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ وَمَا أَبُو زَرْعٍ وَأُمُّ زَرْعٍ؟ قَالَ اجْتَمَعْنَ عَشْرُ نِسْوَةٍ فَأَقْسَمْنَ لَيَصْدُقْنَ عَنْ أَزْوَاجِهِنَّ فَقَالَتْ إِحْدَاهُنُّ لَا أُخْبِرُ خَبَرَهُ أَخْشَى أَنْ لَا أَذَرَهُ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى هُوَ الْعَشَنَّقُ إِنْ أَسْكُتْ أُعَلَّقْ وَإِنْ أَنْطِقْ أُطَلَّقْ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى هُوَ لَحْمُ جَمَلٍ غَثٍّ عَلَى جَبَلٍ لَا سَمِينٍ فَيُرْتَقَى إِلَيْهِ وَلَا سَهْلٍ فَيُنْتَقَلُ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى هُوَ إِذَا أَكَلَ لَفَّ وَإِذَا شَرِبَ اشْتَفَّ وَلَا يَدْخُلُ الْكَفَّ فَيَخْرُجُ الْبَثَّ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى هُوَ لَيْلُ تِهَامَةَ لَا حَرٌّ وَلَا قَرٌّ وَلَا مَخَافَةَ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى هُوَ إِذَا دَخَلَ فَهِدَ وَإِذَا خَرَجَ أَسِدَ وَلَا يَسْأَلُ عَمَّا عَهِدَ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى الرِّيحُ رِيحُ زَرْنَبٍ وَالْمَسُّ مَسُّ أَرْنَبٍ وَإِنَّمَا أَغْلِبُهُ وَالنَّاسَ يَغْلِبُ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى هُوَ طَوِيلُ الزِّنَادِ رُفَيْعُ الْعِمَادِ عَظِيمُ الرَّمَادِ قَرِيبُ الْبَيْتِ مِنَ النَّادِ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى هُوَ مَالِكٌ وَمَا مَالِكٌ؟ لَهُ إِبِلٌ كَثِيرَاتُ الْمَسَالِكِ قَلِيلَاتُ الْمَبَارِكِ إِذَا سَمِعْنَ صَوْتَ الْمِزْمَارِ أَيْقَنَّ أَنَّهُنَّ هَوَالِكُ قَالَتِ الْأُخْرَى هُوَ أَبُو زَرْعٍ وَمَا أَبُو زَرْعٍ؟ صَاحِبُ نَعَمٍ وَزَرْعٍ آنَسَنِي فَآنَسَتْ مِنْ حُلِيٍّ أُذُنَيَّ وَمِنْ شَحْمٍ عَضُدِيَّ وَبَجَّحَنِي فَبَجِحَتْ إِلَيَّ نَفْسِي فَعِنْدَهُ أَرْقُدُ فَأَتَصَبَّحُ وَأَشْرَبُ فَأَتَقَمَّحُ وَأَقُولُ فَلَا أُقَبَّحُ أَخَذَنِي مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ بِشِقٍّ فَجَعَلَنِي فِي أَهْلِ صَهِيلٍ وَأَطِيطٍ وَدَائِسٍ وَمُنَقٍّ ابْنُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا ابْنُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ مَرْقَدُهُ كَالشَّطْبَةِ وَيَكْفِيهِ ذِرَاعُ الْقَصَبَةِ بِنْتُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا بِنْتُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ مِلْءُ كِسَائِهَا وَعَطْفُ رِدَائِهَا وَقُرَّةُ عَيْنٍ لِأَبِيهَا وَأُمِّهَا وَزَيْنٌ لِأَهْلِهَا وَغَيْرُ مُجَازٍ بِهَا خَادِمُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا خَادِمُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ؟ لَا تَفْشِي حَدِيثَنَا تَبْثِيثًا وَلَا تُفْسِدُ مِيرَتَنَا تَنْقِيثًا فَخَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِي أَبُو زَرْعٍ وَالْأَوْطَابُ تُمْخَضُ فَرَأَى امْرَأَةً مَعَهَا ابْنَانِ لَهَا كَالْفَهْدَيْنِ يَلْعَبَانِ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا بِرُمَّانَتَيْنِ فَنَكَحَهَا وَطَلَّقَنِي فَنَكَحْتُ بَعْدَهُ شَابًّا سَرِيًّا فَخَرَجَ شَحِيًّا وَأَخَذَ خَطِّيًّا فَسَاقَ نَعَمًا ثَرِيًّا وَأَعْطَانِي مِنْ كُلِّ سَائِمَةٍ زَوْجًا وَقَالَ مِيرِي أَهْلَكِ يَا أُمَّ زَرْعٍ فَقُلْتُ لَوْ كَانَ هَذَا أَجْمَعُ فِي وِعَاءٍ مِنْ أَوْعِيَةِ أَبِي زَرْعٍ لَمْ تَمْلِهِ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَنْتَ خَيْرٌ لِي مِنْ أَبِي زَرْعٍ لِأُمِّ زَرْعٍ  

[Machine] Here is the translation of the passage into English:

"I bragged about my father's wealth during the pre-Islamic era, and he had accumulated a thousand weights," so the Prophet ﷺ said, "Be silent, O Aisha, for I am to you as Abu Zar' was to Umm Zar'." Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ began to narrate the story: "Eleven women gathered during the pre-Islamic period and agreed that each would tell the truth about her husband without lying."

Someone asked, "And you, O so-and-so?" She said, "The night is like the night of Tihama, neither hot nor cold, and no fear."

Someone else was asked, "And you, O so-and-so?" She said, "The scent is like the scent of Zarnab, and the touch is like the touch of a rabbit. We overpower him, and he overpowers people."

Someone else was asked, "And you, O so-and-so?" She said, "By Allah, I know that he is of lofty stature, long straps and generous hospitality, close to the meeting place of the public."

Someone else was asked, "And you, O so-and-so?" She said, "I married Malik, and what is Malik's wealth? He has camels that roam abundantly and rarely stay idle. When they hear the sound of the lute, they know they are doomed."

Someone else was asked, "And you, O so-and-so?" She said, "Leave me alone, for if I mention him, I speak of his faults, and I fear I won't stop."

Someone else was asked, "And you, O so-and-so?" She said, "Thin camel meat on a mountain: neither fat so it can be climbed nor low-lying so it can be moved."

Someone else was asked, "And you, O so-and-so?" She said, "By Allah, I know that when he enters, he is like a panther and when he exits, he is like a lion."

Someone else was asked, "And you, O so-and-so?" She said, "By Allah, I know that when he eats, he consumes fully, when he drinks, he drains in one gulp. When he slaughters, he savors, and when he sleeps, he curls up, and he does not intrude to discover matters."

Someone else was asked, "And you, O so-and-so?" She said, "I married Ashannaq. If I remain silent, I am suspended, and if I speak, I am divorced."

Someone else was asked, "And you, O so-and-so?" She said, "He is incapacitated and lacks direction; every ailment is for him, inflicting wounds and fracturing bones, or it causes total exhaustion."

Someone else was asked, "And you, O so-and-so?" She said, "I married Abu Zar'. What is Abu Zar'? He adorned my ears and filled me with joy and companionship. He satisfied me with food until I became content. He found me among modest herds and placed me between wealth and horses, luxuries and festivities. I sleep, wake up in opulence, drink, and am satisfied, and speak without being rebuked."

"The son of Abu Zar', and what is the son of Abu Zar'? His bedding is as long as a sword scabbard and he eats to his satisfaction."

"The daughter of Abu Zar', and what is the daughter of Abu Zar'? Her clothing is full, and she is a decoration to her father and mother and a pride to her neighbor."

"The servant of Abu Zar', and what is the servant of Abu Zar'? She does not disclose our secrets and does not waste our resources."

He divorced me while the milking vessels were still full, then he found a woman with two hawkish children and married her, divorcing me. I replaced him with another, but every replacement is lesser. I married a noble young man who rode swift mounts and carried weaponry. He gave me abundant cattle and from each livestock, a pair. He said, 'Take this, O Umm Zar’, and support your family with it.' I collected it all, but it could not fill the smallest of Abu Zar’s vessels."

Aisha said, "O Messenger of Allah, you are better than Abu Zar’."  

«فَخُرْتُ بِمَالِ أَبِي فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَكَانَ قَدْ أَلَّفَ أَلْفَ وَقِيَّةٍ» فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ اسْكُتِي يَا عَائِشَةُ فَإِنِّي كُنْتُ لَكِ كَأَبِي زَرْعٍ لِأُمِّ زَرْعٍ ثُمَّ أَنْشَأَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ لَهُ يُحَدِّثُ «إِنَّ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ امْرَأَةً اجْتَمَعْنَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَتَعَاهَدْنَ لَتُخْبِرَنَّ كُلُّ امْرَأَةٍ بِمَا فِي زَوْجِهَا وَلَا تَكْذِبُ» قِيلَ أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ قَالَتِ «اللَّيْلُ لَيْلُ تِهَامَةَ لَا حَرَّ وَلَا بَرْدَ وَلَا مَخَافَةَ» قِيلَ أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ قَالَتْ «الرِّيحُ رِيحُ الزَّرْنَبِ وَالْمَسُّ مَسُّ أَرْنَبِ وَنَغْلِبُهُ وَالنَّاسَ يَغْلِبُ» قِيلَ أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ قَالَتْ «وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ إِنَّهُ لرفيعُ الْعِمَادِ طَوِيلُ النِّجَادِ عَظِيمُ الرَّمَادِ قَرِيبُ الْبَيْتِ مِنَ النَّادِ» قِيلَ أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ قَالَتْ «نَكَحْتُ مَالِكًا وَمَا مَالِكٌ لَهُ إِبِلٌ كَثِيرَاتُ الْمَسَارِحِ قَلِيلَاتُ الْمَبَارِحِ إِذَا سَمِعْنَ صَوْتَ الْمِزْهَرِ أَيْقَنَّ أَنَّهُنَّ هَوَالِكُ» قِيلَ أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ قَالَتْ «ذَرْنِي لَا أَذْكُرَهُ إِنْ أَذْكُرُهُ أَذْكُرُ عُجَرَهُ وَبُجَرَهُ أَخْشَى أَنْ لَا أَذَرَهُ» قِيلَ أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ قَالَتْ «لَحْمُ جَمَلٍ غَثٍّ عَلَى جَبَلٍ لَا سَمِينٍ فَيُرْتَقَى عَلَيْهِ وَلَا بِالسَّهْلِ فَيُنْتَقَلُ» قِيلَ أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ قَالَتْ «وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ إِنَّهُ إِذَا دَخَلَ فَهِدَ وَإِذَا خَرَجَ فَأَسِدَ» [250] قِيلَ أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ قَالَتْ «وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ أَنَّهُ إِذَا أَكَلَ اقْتَفَّ وَإِذَا شَرِبَ اشْتَفَّ وَإِذَا ذَبَحَ اغْتَثَّ وَإِذَا نَامَ الْتَفَّ وَلَا يُدْخِلُ الْكَفَّ لِيَعْلَمَ الْبَثَّ» قِيلَ أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ قَالَتْ «نَكَحْتُ الْعَشَنَّقَ إِنْ أَسْكُتْ أُعَلَّقْ وَإِنْ أَنْطِقْ أُطَلَّقْ» قِيلَ أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ قَالَتْ «عَيَايَاءُ طَبَاقَاءُ كُلُّ دَاءٍ لَهُ دَاءٌ شَجَّكِ أَوْ فَلَّكِ أَوْ جَمَعَ كَلَّا لَكِ» قِيلَ أَنْتِ يَا فُلَانَةُ قَالَتْ «نَكَحْتُ أَبَا زَرْعٍ فَمَا أَبُو زَرْعٍ؟ أَنَاسَ أُذُنَيَّ وَفَرَّعَ فَأَخْرَجَ مِنْ شَحْمِ عَضُدَيَّ فَبَجَّحَ نَفْسِي فَبَجَحَتْ إِلَيَّ فَوَجَدَنِي فِي غُنَيْمَةٍ بِشِقٍّ فَجَعَلَنِي بَيْنَ جَامِلٍ وَصَاهِلٍ وَأَطِيطٍ وَدَائِسٍ وَمُنَقٍّ فَأَنَا أَنَامُ عِنْدَهُ فَأَتَصَبَّحُ وَأَشْرَبُ فَأَتَقَمَّحُ وَأَنْطِقُ فَلَا أُقَبَّحُ» ابْنُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا ابْنُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ مَضْجَعُهُ مَسَلُّ الشَّطْبَةِ وَيُشْبِعُهُ ذِرَاعُ الْجَفْرَةِ ابْنَةُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا ابْنَةُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ مِلْءُ إِزَارِهَا وَصَفْرُ رِدَائِهَا وَزَيْنُ أَبِيهَا وَزَيْنُ أُمِّهَا وَحَيْرُ جَارَتِهَا جَارِيَةُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ وَمَا جَارِيَةُ أَبِي زَرْعٍ لَا تُخْرِجُ حَدِيثَنَا تَفْتِيشًا وَلَا تُهْلِكُ مِيرَتَنَا تَبْثِيثًا فَخَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِي وَالْأَوْطَابُ تُمْخَضُ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِأُمِّ غُلَامَيْنِ كَالصَّقْرَيْنِ فَتَزَوَّجَهَا أَبُو زَرْعٍ وَطَلَّقَنِي فَاسْتَبْدَلْتُ وَكُلُّ بَدَلٍ أَعْوَرُ فَنَكَحْتُ شَابًّا سَرِيًّا رَكِبَ شَرِيًّا وَأَخَذَ خَطِّيًّا وَأَعْطَانِي نَعَمًا ثَرِيًّا وَأَعْطَانِي مِنْ كُلِّ سَائِمَةٍ زَوْجًا وَقَالَ «امْتَارِي بِهَذَا يَا أُمَّ زَرْعٍ وَمِيرِي أَهْلَكِ فَجَمَعْتُ ذَلِكَ كُلَّهُ فَلَمْ يَمْلَأْ أَصْغَرَ وِعَاءٍ مِنْ أَوْعِيَةِ أَبِي زَرْعٍ» قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ «بَلْ أَنْتَ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَبِي زَرْعٍ»  

Eleven women sat (at a place) and promised and contracted that they would not conceal anything of the news of their husbands. The first one said, "My husband is like the meat of a slim weak camel which is kept on the top of a mountain which is neither easy to climb, nor is the meat fat, so that one might put up with the trouble of fetching it." The second one said, "I shall not relate my husband's news, for I fear that I may not be able to finish his story, for if I describe him, I will mention all his defects and bad traits." The third one said, "My husband, the "too-tall"! if I describe him (and he hears of that) he will divorce me, and if I keep quiet, he will keep me hanging (neither divorcing me nor treating me as a wife)." The fourth one said, "My husband is (moderate in temper) like the night of Tihama: neither hot nor cold; I am neither afraid of him, nor am I discontented with him." The fifth one said, "My husband, when entering (the house) is a leopard (sleeps a lot), and when going out, is a lion (boasts a lot). He does not ask about whatever is in the house." The sixth one said, "If my husband eats, he eats too much (leaving the dishes empty), and if he drinks he leaves nothing; if he sleeps he sleeps he rolls himself (alone in our blankets); and he does not insert his palm to inquire about my feelings." The seventh one said, "My husband is a wrong-doer or weak and foolish. All the defects are present in him. He may injure your head or your body or may do both." The eighth one said, "My husband is soft to touch like a rabbit and smells like a Zarnab (a kind of good smelling grass)." The ninth one said, "My husband is a tall generous man wearing a long strap for carrying his sword. His ashes are abundant (i.e. generous to his guests) and his house is near to the people (who would easily consult him)." The tenth one said, "My husband is Malik (possessor), and what is Malik? Malik is greater than whatever I say about him. (He is beyond and above all praises which can come to my mind). Most of his camels are kept at home (ready to be slaughtered for the guests) and only a few are taken to the pastures. When the camels hear the sound of the lute (or the tambourine) they realize that they are going to be slaughtered for the guests." The eleventh one said, "My husband is Abu Zarʿ and what is Abu Zarʿ (i.e., what should I say about him)? He has given me many ornaments and my ears are heavily loaded with them and my arms have become fat (i.e., I have become fat). And he has pleased me, and I have become so happy that I feel proud of myself. He found me with my family who were mere owners of sheep and living in poverty, and brought me to a respected family having horses and camels and threshing and purifying grain. Whatever I say, he does not rebuke or insult me. When I sleep, I sleep till late in the morning, and when I drink water (or milk), I drink my fill. The mother of Abu Zar and what may one say in praise of the mother of Abu Zar? Her saddle bags were always full of provision and her house was spacious. As for the son of Abu Zar, what may one say of the son of Abu Zar? His bed is as narrow as an unsheathed sword and an arm of a kid (of four months) satisfies his hunger. As for the daughter of Abu Zar, she is obedient to her father and to her mother. She has a fat well-built body and that arouses the jealousy of her husband's other wife. As for the (maid) slave girl of Abu Zar, what may one say of the (maid) slavegirl of Abu Zar? She does not uncover our secrets but keeps them, and does not waste our provisions and does not leave the rubbish scattered everywhere in our house." The eleventh lady added, "One day it so happened that Abu Zar went out at the time when the milk was being milked from the animals, and he saw a woman who had two sons like two leopards playing with her two breasts. (On seeing her) he divorced me and married her. Thereafter I married a noble man who used to ride a fast tireless horse and keep a spear in his hand. He gave me many things, and also a pair of every kind of livestock and said, Eat (of this), O Um Zar, and give provision to your relatives." She added, "Yet, all those things which my second husband gave me could not fill the smallest utensil of Abu Zar's." ʿAisha then said: Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me, "I am to you as Abu Zar was to his wife Um Zar." (Using translation from Bukhārī 5189)   

"اجتمع إحدى عشرة امرأةً في الجاهلية ، فتعاقدن على أن يتصادقْن بينهن ولا يكتمن من أخبار أزواجهن شيئا، فقالت الأولى: زوجى لحمُ جملٍ غثَّ ، على رأس جبلٍ وعرٍ، لا سهلَ فَيُرتقَى، ولا سَمينَ فَيُنتقَى ، قالت الثانية: زوجى لا أَبُثّ خبرَه، إِنى أخاف ألا أذَرَه، إن أذكره أَذكر عُجَره وبُجرَهَ ، قالت الثالثة: زوجى العَشنَّقُ ، إن أنطِقْ أُطَلَّقْ، وإن أسكت أُعَلَّقْ، قالت الرابعةُ: زوجى إن أكل لفَّ، وإن شربَ اشتفَّ، وإن اضّطجع التفَّ، ولا يولج الكفَّ، ليعلم البثَّ ، قالت الخامسةُ: زوجى عايَاءُ طَبَاقَاءُ كلُّ داءِ لَهُ داء، شجَّكَ او فَلَّكِ أو جَمَعَ كلَّا لَكِ، قالت السادسة: زوجى كليْلِ تِهامَةَ، لا حَرَّ، ولا قُرَّ، ولا مخافةَ ولا سآمَةَ، قالت السابعة: زوجى إن دَخَلَ فَهِدَ وإن خرج أَسِدَ، ولا يَسْأَلُ عما عُهِدَ، قالت الثامنةُ: زوجى المسُّ مَسُّ أرنبٍ، والريح ريح زرنبٍ، وأنا أغلِبُهَ والناس يغِلبُ، قالت التاسعة، زوجى رفيع العماد، طويلُ النجادِ، عظيم الرَّمادِ، قرِيبُ البيت من النادِ، قالت العاشرة: زوجى مالكٌ ومَا مالِكٌ؟ مالكٌ خير من ذلك، له إبلٌ كثيراتُ المبارك، قليلاتُ المسارح، إذا سمعن صوت المِزْهَرِ أيقنَّ أنهنَّ هوالكُ، قالت الحادية عشر: زوجى أبو زرع وما أبو زرع؟ ) ، (أناس من حُلِىِّ أَذُنى، وملأ من شحمٍ عَضُدِى، وبجحنى فَبَجَحَتْ إِلى نَفْسِى، وجدنى في أهل غُنيمة بِشقٍّ، فجعلنى في أهل صهيل وأطيط ودائسٍ ومنقٍ ، فعنده أقول فلا أُقَبَّحُ، وَأَرقد فأَتصبَّحُ، وَأشرب فأَتفتَّحُ، أم أبى زرعٍ فما أم أَبى زرع؟ عُكُومُها رادحٌ، وبيتها فساحٌ، ابن أبى زرع فما ابن أبى زرع؟ مَضجَعُه كمَسَلِّ شطبة، وتشبعه ذراعُ الجفرةِ، بنتُ أبى زرعٍ، فما بنتُ أبى زرع؟ طوعُ أبيها وطوعُ أمَّها، وملءُ كسائها وغيظ جاراتها، جارية أبى زرع، فما جاريةُ أبى زرع؟ لا تبثُّ حديثنا تبثيثًا، ولا تَنْقُثُ مِيرتَنَا تَنْقِيثًا ولا تملأ بيتنا تعشيشًا ، قالت: خرج أبو زرعِ والأوطابُ تُمْخَضُ، فلقى امرأةً معها ولدانِ لها كالفهدين يلعبان من تحت خَصْرِهَا برمّانتين، فطلقنى ونكحها، فنكحت رجُلًا سرِّيًا ركب شَرَّيًا ، وأخذ خَطِّيًا ، وأراح علىَّ نعمًا ثريًا، وأعطانى من كلِّ رائحةِ زوجًا، قال: كلى أمَّ زَرعْ، وميرى أهَلكِ فلو جمعتُ كلَّ شَئٍ أعطانى ما بلغ أصغر آنِيه أبى زرع، قالت عائشة: قال لى رسول الله ﷺ : كنت لك كأبى زرعٍ لأمِّ ذَرعٍ").