(the wife of the Prophet) "Whenever Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to go on a journey, he would draw lots amongst his wives and would take with him the one upon whom the lot fell. During a Ghazwa of his, he drew lots amongst us and the lot fell upon me, and I proceeded with him after Allah had decreed the use of the veil by women. I was carried in a Howdah (on the camel) and dismounted while still in it. When Messenger of Allah ﷺ was through with his Ghazwa and returned home, and we approached the city of Medina, Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered us to proceed at night. When the order of setting off was given, I walked till I was past the army to answer the call of nature. After finishing I returned (to the camp) to depart (with the others) and suddenly realized that my necklace over my chest was missing. So, I returned to look for it and was delayed because of that. The people who used to carry me on the camel, came to my Howdah and put it on the back of the camel, thinking that I was in it, as, at that time, women were light in weight, and thin and lean, and did not use to eat much. So, those people did not feel the difference in the heaviness of the Howdah while lifting it, and they put it over the camel. At that time I was a young lady. They set the camel moving and proceeded on. I found my necklace after the army had gone, and came to their camp to find nobody. So, I went to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would discover my absence and come back in my search. While in that state, I felt sleepy and slept. Safwan bin Mu'attal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwani was behind the army and reached my abode in the morning. When he saw a sleeping person, he came to me, and he used to see me before veiling. So, I got up when I heard him saying, "Inna lil-lah-wa inn a ilaihi rajiun (We are for Allah, and we will return to Him)." He made his camel knell down. He got down from his camel, and put his leg on the front legs of the camel and then I rode and sat over it. Safwan set out walking, leading the camel by the rope till we reached the army who had halted to take rest at midday. Then whoever was meant for destruction, fell into destruction, (some people accused me falsely) and the leader of the false accusers was ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. After that we returned to Medina, and I became ill for one month while the people were spreading the forged statements of the false accusers. I was feeling during my ailment as if I were not receiving the usual kindness from the Prophet ﷺ which I used to receive from him when I got sick. But he would come, greet and say, 'How is that (girl)?' I did not know anything of what was going on till I recovered from my ailment and went out with Um Mistah to the Manasi where we used to answer the call of nature, and we used not to go to answer the call of nature except from night to night and that was before we had lavatories near to our houses. And this habit of ours was similar to the habit of the old 'Arabs in the open country (or away from houses). So. I and Um Mistah bint Ruhm went out walking. Um Mistah stumbled because of her long dress and on that she said, 'Let Mistah be ruined.' I said, 'You are saying a bad word. Why are you abusing a man who took part in (the battle of) Badr?' She said, 'O Hanata (you there) didn't you hear what they said?' Then she told me the rumors of the false accusers. My sickness was aggravated, and when I returned home, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me, and after greeting he said, 'How is that (girl)?' I requested him to allow me to go to my parents. I wanted then to be sure of the news through them I Messenger of Allah ﷺ allowed me, and I went to my parents and asked my mother, 'What are the people talking about?' She said, 'O my daughter! Don't worry much about this matter. By Allah, never is there a charming woman loved by her husband who has other wives, but the women would forge false news about her.' I said, 'Glorified be Allah! Are the people really taking of this matter?' That night I kept on weeping and could not sleep till morning. In the morning Messenger of Allah ﷺ called ʿAli bin Abu Talib and Usama bin Zaid when he saw the Divine Inspiration delayed, to consul them about divorcing his wife (i.e. ʿAisha). Usama bin Zaid said what he knew of the good reputation of his wives and added, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Keep you wife, for, by Allah, we know nothing about her but good.' ʿAli bin Abu Talib said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Allah has no imposed restrictions on you, and there are many women other than she, yet you may ask the woman-servant who will tell you the truth.' On that Messenger of Allah ﷺ called Barirah and said, 'O Barirah. Did you ever see anything which roused your suspicions about her?' Barirah said, 'No, by Allah Who has sent you with the Truth, I have never seen in her anything faulty except that she is a girl of immature age, who sometimes sleeps and leaves the dough for the goats to eat.' On that day Messenger of Allah ﷺ ascended the pulpit and requested that somebody support him in punishing ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. Allah's Apostle said, 'Who will support me to punish that person (ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul) who has hurt me by slandering the reputation of my family? By Allah, I know nothing about my family but good, and they have accused a person about whom I know nothing except good, and he never entered my house except in my company.' Saʿd bin Muʿadh got up and said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! by Allah, I will relieve you from him. If that man is from the tribe of the Aus, then we will chop his head off, and if he is from our brothers, the Khazraj, then order us, and we will fulfill your order.' On that Saʿd bin 'Ubada, the chief of the Khazraj and before this incident, he had been a pious man, got up, motivated by his zeal for his tribe and said, 'By Allah, you have told a lie; you cannot kill him, and you will never be able to kill him.' On that Usaid bin Al-Hadir got up and said (to Saʿd bin 'Ubada), 'By Allah! you are a liar. By Allah, we will kill him; and you are a hypocrite, defending the hypocrites.' On this the two tribes of Aus and Khazraj got excited and were about to fight each other, while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was standing on the pulpit. He got down and quieted them till they became silent and he kept quiet. On that day I kept on weeping so much so that neither did my tears stop, nor could I sleep. In the morning my parents were with me and I had wept for two nights and a day, till I thought my liver would burst from weeping. While they were sitting with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked my permission to enter, and I allowed her to come in. She sat down and started weeping with me. While we were in this state, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and sat down and he had never sat with me since the day they forged the accusation. No revelation regarding my case came to him for a month. He recited Tashah-hud (i.e. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is His Apostle) and then said, 'O ʿAisha! I have been informed such-and-such about you; if you are innocent, then Allah will soon reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him to forgive you, for when a person confesses his sin and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.' When Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished his speech my tears ceased completely and there remained not even a single drop of it. I requested my father to reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf. My father said, By Allah, I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' I said to my mother, 'Talk to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf.' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah's Apostle. I was a young girl and did not have much knowledge of the Qur'an. I said. 'I know, by Allah, that you have listened to what people are saying and that has been planted in your minds and you have taken it as a truth. Now, if I told you that I am innocent and Allah knows that I am innocent, you would not believe me and if I confessed to you falsely that I am guilty, and Allah knows that I am innocent you would believe me. By Allah, I don't compare my situation with you except to the situation of Joseph's father (i.e. Jacob) who said, 'So (for me) patience is most fitting against that which you assert and it is Allah (Alone) whose help can be sought.' Then I turned to the other side of my bed hoping that Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah I never thought that Allah would reveal Divine Inspiration in my case, as I considered myself too inferior to be talked of in the Holy Qur'an. I had hoped that Messenger of Allah ﷺ might have a dream in which Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah, Allah's Apostle had not got up and nobody had left the house before the Divine Inspiration came to Allah's Apostle. So, there overtook him the same state which used to overtake him, (when he used to have, on being inspired divinely). He was sweating so much so that the drops of the sweat were dropping like pearls though it was a (cold) wintry day. When that state of Messenger of Allah ﷺ was over, he was smiling and the first word he said, ʿAisha! Thank Allah, for Allah has declared your innocence.' My mother told me to go to Messenger of Allah ﷺ . I replied, 'By Allah I will not go to him and will not thank but Allah.' So Allah revealed: "Verily! They who spread the slander are a gang among you . . ." (24.11) When Allah gave the declaration of my Innocence, Abu Bakr, who used to provide for Mistah bin Uthatha for he was his relative, said, 'By Allah, I will never provide Mistah with anything because of what he said about Aisha.' But Allah later revealed: -- "And let not those who are good and wealthy among you swear not to help their kinsmen, those in need and those who left their homes in Allah's Cause. Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? Verily! Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." (24.22) After that Abu Bakr said, 'Yes ! By Allah! I like that Allah should forgive me,' and resumed helping Mistah whom he used to help before. Messenger of Allah ﷺ also asked Zainab bint Jahsh (i.e. the Prophet's wife about me saying, 'What do you know and what did you see?' She replied, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I refrain to claim hearing or seeing what I have not heard or seen. By Allah, I know nothing except goodness about Aisha." Aisha further added "Zainab was competing with me (in her beauty and the Prophet's love), yet Allah protected her (from being malicious), for she had piety."  

حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا فَبَرَّأَهَا اللَّهُ مِنْهُ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ وَكُلُّهُمْ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنْ حَدِيثِهَا وَبَعْضُهُمْ أَوْعَى مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَأَثْبَتُ لَهُ اقْتِصَاصًا وَقَدْ وَعَيْتُ عَنْ كُلِّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمُ الْحَدِيثَ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي عَنْ عَائِشَةَ وَبَعْضُ حَدِيثِهِمْ يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضًا زَعَمُوا أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ سَفَرًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ أَزْوَاجِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا مَعَهُ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزَاةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَهُ بَعْدَ مَا أُنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ فَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجٍ وَأُنْزَلُ فِيهِ فَسِرْنَا حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ وَقَفَلَ وَدَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ آذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ فَقُمْتُ حِينَ آذَنُوا بِالرَّحِيلِ فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى الرَّحْلِ فَلَمَسْتُ صَدْرِي فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ لِي مِنْ جَزْعِ أَظْفَارٍ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَالْتَمَسْتُ عِقْدِي فَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ فَأَقْبَلَ الَّذِينَ يَرْحَلُونَ لِي فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ وَكَانَ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يَثْقُلْنَ وَلَمْ يَغْشَهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ وَإِنَّمَا يَأْكُلْنَ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ حِينَ رَفَعُوهُ ثِقَلَ الْهَوْدَجِ فَاحْتَمَلُوهُ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ وَسَارُوا فَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَ مَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنْزِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ فِيهِ أَحَدٌ فَأَمَمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ بِهِ فَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَىَّ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنَاىَ فَنِمْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ فَأَتَانِي وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ الْحِجَابِ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ يَدَهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِي الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ بَعْدَ مَا نَزَلُوا مُعَرِّسِينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى الإِفْكَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أُبَىٍّ ابْنُ سَلُولَ فَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ بِهَا شَهْرًا يُفِيضُونَ مِنْ قَوْلِ أَصْحَابِ الإِفْكِ وَيَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لاَ أَرَى مِنَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ حِينَ أَمْرَضُ إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ فَيُسَلِّمُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ لاَ أَشْعُرُ بِشَىْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى نَقَهْتُ فَخَرَجْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ مُتَبَرَّزُنَا لاَ نَخْرُجُ إِلاَّ لَيْلاً إِلَى لَيْلٍ وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَ الْكُنُفَ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الأُوَلِ فِي الْبَرِّيَّةِ أَوْ فِي التَّنَزُّهِ فَأَقْبَلْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ بِنْتُ أَبِي رُهْمٍ نَمْشِي فَعَثُرَتْ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلاً شَهِدَ بَدْرًا فَقَالَتْ يَا هَنْتَاهْ أَلَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالُوا فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا إِلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ فَقُلْتُ ائْذَنْ لِي إِلَى أَبَوَىَّ قَالَتْ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَتَيْتُ أَبَوَىَّ فَقُلْتُ لأُمِّي مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ بِهِ النَّاسُ فَقَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَى نَفْسِكِ الشَّأْنَ فَوَاللَّهِ لَقَلَّمَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ قَطُّ وَضِيئَةٌ عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا وَلَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلاَّ أَكْثَرْنَ عَلَيْهَا فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَلَقَدْ يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا قَالَتْ فَبِتُّ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لاَ يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلاَ أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ ثُمَّ أَصْبَحْتُ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْىُ يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ عَلَيْهِ بِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ فِي نَفْسِهِ مِنَ الْوُدِّ لَهُمْ فَقَالَ أُسَامَةُ أَهْلُكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَلاَ نَعْلَمُ وَاللَّهِ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَسَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ يَا بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ فِيهَا شَيْئًا يَرِيبُكِ فَقَالَتْ بَرِيرَةُ لاَ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ إِنْ رَأَيْتُ مِنْهَا أَمْرًا أَغْمِصُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنِ الْعَجِينَ فَتَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُهُ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ يَوْمِهِ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَىٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَنْ يَعْذِرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِي فَوَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلاَّ خَيْرًا وَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلاً مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا وَمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلاَّ مَعِي فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنَا وَاللَّهِ أَعْذِرُكَ مِنْهُ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الأَوْسِ ضَرَبْنَا عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا فِيهِ أَمْرَكَ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَهُوَ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ وَكَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلاً صَالِحًا وَلَكِنِ احْتَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ لاَ تَقْتُلُهُ وَلاَ تَقْدِرُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ الْحُضَيْرِ فَقَالَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهِ لَنَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فَثَارَ الْحَيَّانِ الأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَنَزَلَ فَخَفَّضَهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ وَبَكَيْتُ يَوْمِي لاَ يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلاَ أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدِي أَبَوَاىَ قَدْ بَكَيْتُ لَيْلَتَيْنِ وَيَوْمًا حَتَّى أَظُنُّ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي قَالَتْ فَبَيْنَا هُمَا جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي إِذِ اسْتَأْذَنَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَلَسَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَجَلَسَ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مِنْ يَوْمِ قِيلَ فِيَّ مَا قِيلَ قَبْلَهَا وَقَدْ مَكُثَ شَهْرًا لاَ يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فِي شَأْنِي شَىْءٌ قَالَتْ فَتَشَهَّدَ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَإِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِي عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللَّهُ وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللَّهَ وَتُوبِي إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِذَنْبِهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ تَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً وَقُلْتُ لأَبِي أَجِبْ عَنِّي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ لأُمِّي أَجِيبِي عَنِّي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِيمَا قَالَ قَالَتْ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لاَ أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّكُمْ سَمِعْتُمْ مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ بِهِ النَّاسُ وَوَقَرَ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنِّي لَبَرِيئَةٌ لاَ تُصَدِّقُونِي بِذَلِكَ وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفْتُ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُنِّي وَاللَّهِ مَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلاً إِلاَّ أَبَا يُوسُفَ إِذْ قَالَ {فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي وَأَنَا أَرْجُو أَنْ يُبَرِّئَنِي اللَّهُ وَلَكِنْ وَاللَّهِ مَا ظَنَنْتُ أَنْ يُنْزِلَ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيًا وَلأَنَا أَحْقَرُ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ أَنْ يُتَكَلَّمَ بِالْقُرْآنِ فِي أَمْرِي وَلَكِنِّي كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي اللَّهُ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا رَامَ مَجْلِسَهُ وَلاَ خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ حَتَّى إِنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ فِي يَوْمٍ شَاتٍ فَلَمَّا سُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلَ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا أَنْ قَالَ لِي يَا عَائِشَةُ احْمَدِي اللَّهَ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ اللَّهُ فَقَالَتْ لِي أُمِّي قُومِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ لاَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلاَ أَحْمَدُ إِلاَّ اللَّهَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ} الآيَاتِ فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ هَذَا فِي بَرَاءَتِي قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ ؓ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحِ بْنِ أُثَاثَةَ لِقَرَابَتِهِ مِنْهُ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا بَعْدَ مَا قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى {وَلاَ يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ} إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ} فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ الَّذِي كَانَ يُجْرِي عَلَيْهِ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَسْأَلُ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ عَنْ أَمْرِي فَقَالَ يَا زَيْنَبُ مَا عَلِمْتِ مَا رَأَيْتِ فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهَا إِلاَّ خَيْرًا قَالَتْ وَهْىَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي فَعَصَمَهَا اللَّهُ بِالْوَرَعِ قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنَا فُلَيْحٌ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ عَنْ عُرْوَةَ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ مِثْلَهُ قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنَا فُلَيْحٌ عَنْ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ وَيَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ مِثْلَهُ  

I saw ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab a few days before he was stabbed in Medina. He was standing with Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman and ʿUthman bin Hunaif to whom he said, "What have you done? Do you think that you have imposed more taxation on the land (of As-Swad i.e. 'Iraq) than it can bear?" They replied, "We have imposed on it what it can bear because of its great yield." ʿUmar again said, "Check whether you have imposed on the land what it can not bear." They said, "No, (we haven't)." ʿUmar added, "If Allah should keep me alive I will let the widows of Iraq need no men to support them after me." But only four days had elapsed when he was stabbed (to death ). The day he was stabbed, I was standing and there was nobody between me and him (i.e. ʿUmar) except ʿAbdullah bin ʿAbbas. Whenever ʿUmar passed between the two rows, he would say, "Stand in straight lines." When he saw no defect (in the rows), he would go forward and start the prayer with Takbir. He would recite Surat Yusuf or An-Nahl or the like in the first rakʿa so that the people may have the time to Join the prayer. As soon as he said Takbir, I heard him saying, "The dog has killed or eaten me," at the time he (i.e. the murderer) stabbed him. A non-Arab infidel proceeded on carrying a double-edged knife and stabbing all the persons he passed by on the right and left (till) he stabbed thirteen persons out of whom seven died. When one of the Muslims saw that, he threw a cloak on him. Realizing that he had been captured, the non-Arab infidel killed himself, ʿUmar held the hand of ʿAbdur-Rahman bin ʿAuf and let him lead the prayer. Those who were standing by the side of ʿUmar saw what I saw, but the people who were in the other parts of the Mosque did not see anything, but they lost the voice of ʿUmar and they were saying, "Subhan Allah! Subhan Allah! (i.e. Glorified be Allah)." ʿAbdur-Rahman bin ʿAuf led the people a short prayer. When they finished the prayer, ʿUmar said, "O Ibn ʿAbbas! Find out who attacked me." Ibn ʿAbbas kept on looking here and there for a short time and came to say. "The slave of Al Mughira." On that ʿUmar said, "The craftsman?" Ibn ʿAbbas said, "Yes." ʿUmar said, "May Allah curse him. I did not treat him unjustly. All the Praises are for Allah Who has not caused me to die at the hand of a man who claims himself to be a Muslim. No doubt, you and your father (Abbas) used to love to have more non-Arab infidels in Medina." Al-Abbas had the greatest number of slaves. Ibn ʿAbbas said to ʿUmar. "If you wish, we will do." He meant, "If you wish we will kill them." ʿUmar said, "You are mistaken (for you can't kill them) after they have spoken your language, prayed towards your Qibla, and performed Hajj like yours." Then ʿUmar was carried to his house, and we went along with him, and the people were as if they had never suffered a calamity before. Some said, "Do not worry (he will be Alright soon)." Some said, "We are afraid (that he will die)." Then an infusion of dates was brought to him and he drank it but it came out (of the wound) of his belly. Then milk was brought to him and he drank it, and it also came out of his belly. The people realized that he would die. We went to him, and the people came, praising him. A young man came saying, "O chief of the believers! Receive the glad tidings from Allah to you due to your company with Messenger of Allah ﷺ and your superiority in Islam which you know. Then you became the ruler (i.e. Caliph) and you ruled with justice and finally you have been martyred." ʿUmar said, "I wish that all these privileges will counterbalance (my shortcomings) so that I will neither lose nor gain anything." When the young man turned back to leave, his clothes seemed to be touching the ground. ʿUmar said, "Call the young man back to me." (When he came back) ʿUmar said, "O son of my brother! Lift your clothes, for this will keep your clothes clean and save you from the Punishment of your Lord." ʿUmar further said, "O ʿAbdullah bin ʿUmar! See how much I am in debt to others." When the debt was checked, it amounted to approximately eighty-six thousand. ʿUmar said, "If the property of ʿUmar's family covers the debt, then pay the debt thereof; otherwise request it from Bani ʿAdi bin Kaʿb, and if that too is not sufficient, ask for it from Quraish tribe, and do not ask for it from any one else, and pay this debt on my behalf." ʿUmar then said (to ʿAbdullah), "Go to ʿAisha (the mother of the believers) and say: "ʿUmar is paying his salutation to you. But don't say: 'The chief of the believers,' because today I am not the chief of the believers. And say: "ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab asks the permission to be buried with his two companions (i.e. the Prophet, and Abu Bakr)." ʿAbdullah greeted ʿAisha and asked for the permission for entering, and then entered to her and found her sitting and weeping. He said to her, "ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab is paying his salutations to you, and asks the permission to be buried with his two companions." She said, "I had the idea of having this place for myself, but today I prefer ʿUmar to myself." When he returned it was said (to ʿUmar), "ʿAbdullah bin ʿUmar has come." ʿUmar said, "Make me sit up." Somebody supported him against his body and ʿUmar asked (ʿAbdullah), "What news do you have?" He said, "O chief of the believers! It is as you wish. She has given the permission." ʿUmar said, "Praise be to Allah, there was nothing more important to me than this. So when I die, take me, and greet ʿAisha and say: "ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab asks the permission (to be buried with the Prophet ﷺ ), and if she gives the permission, bury me there, and if she refuses, then take me to the grave-yard of the Muslims." Then Hafsa (the mother of the believers) came with many other women walking with her. When we saw her, we went away. She went in (to ʿUmar) and wept there for sometime. When the men asked for permission to enter, she went into another place, and we heard her weeping inside. The people said (to ʿUmar), "O chief of the believers! Appoint a successor." ʿUmar said, "I do not find anyone more suitable for the job than the following persons or group whom Messenger of Allah ﷺ had been pleased with before he died." Then ʿUmar mentioned ʿAli, ʿUthman, AzZubair, Talha, Saʿd and ʿAbdur-Rahman (bin ʿAuf) and said, "Abdullah bin ʿUmar will be a witness to you, but he will have no share in the rule. His being a witness will compensate him for not sharing the right of ruling. If Saʿd becomes the ruler, it will be alright: otherwise, whoever becomes the ruler should seek his help, as I have not dismissed him because of disability or dishonesty." ʿUmar added, "I recommend that my successor takes care of the early emigrants; to know their rights and protect their honor and sacred things. I also recommend that he be kind to the Ansar who had lived in Medina before the emigrants and Belief had entered their hearts before them. I recommend that the (ruler) should accept the good of the righteous among them and excuse their wrong-doers, and I recommend that he should do good to all the people of the towns (Al-Ansar), as they are the protectors of Islam and the source of wealth and the source of annoyance to the enemy. I also recommend that nothing be taken from them except from their surplus with their consent. I also recommend that he do good to the 'Arab bedouin, as they are the origin of the 'Arabs and the material of Islam. He should take from what is inferior, amongst their properties and distribute that to the poor amongst them. I also recommend him concerning Allah's and His Apostle's protectees (i.e. Dhimmis) to fulfill their contracts and to fight for them and not to overburden them with what is beyond their ability." So when ʿUmar expired, we carried him out and set out walking. ʿAbdullah bin ʿUmar greeted (ʿAisha) and said, "ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab asks for the permission." ʿAisha said, "Bring him in." He was brought in and buried beside his two companions. When he was buried, the group (recommended by ʿUmar) held a meeting. Then ʿAbdur-Rahman said, " Reduce the candidates for rulership to three of you." Az-Zubair said, "I give up my right to ʿAli." Talha said, "I give up my right to ʿUthman," Saʿd, 'I give up my right to ʿAbdur-Rahman bin ʿAuf." ʿAbdur-Rahman then said (to ʿUthman and ʿAli), "Now which of you is willing to give up his right of candidacy to that he may choose the better of the (remaining) two, bearing in mind that Allah and Islam will be his witnesses." So both the sheiks (i.e. ʿUthman and ʿAli) kept silent. ʿAbdur-Rahman said, "Will you both leave this matter to me, and I take Allah as my Witness that I will not choose but the better of you?" They said, "Yes." So ʿAbdur-Rahman took the hand of one of them (i.e. ʿAli) and said, "You are related to Messenger of Allah ﷺ and one of the earliest Muslims as you know well. So I ask you by Allah to promise that if I select you as a ruler you will do justice, and if I select ʿUthman as a ruler you will listen to him and obey him." Then he took the other (i.e. ʿUthman) aside and said the same to him. When ʿAbdur-Rahman secured (their agreement to) this covenant, he said, "O ʿUthman! Raise your hand." So he (i.e. ʿAbdur-Rahman) gave him (i.e. ʿUthman) the solemn pledge, and then ʿAli gave him the pledge of allegiance and then all the (Medina) people gave him the pledge of allegiance.  

رَأَيْتُ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ ؓ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُصَابَ بِأَيَّامٍ بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَقَفَ عَلَى حُذَيْفَةَ بْنِ الْيَمَانِ وَعُثْمَانَ بْنِ حُنَيْفٍ قَالَ كَيْفَ فَعَلْتُمَا أَتَخَافَانِ أَنْ تَكُونَا قَدْ حَمَّلْتُمَا الأَرْضَ مَا لاَ تُطِيقُ قَالاَ حَمَّلْنَاهَا أَمْرًا هِيَ لَهُ مُطِيقَةٌ مَا فِيهَا كَبِيرُ فَضْلٍ قَالَ انْظُرَا أَنْ تَكُونَا حَمَّلْتُمَا الأَرْضَ مَا لاَ تُطِيقُ قَالَ قَالاَ لاَ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ لَئِنْ سَلَّمَنِي اللَّهُ لأَدَعَنَّ أَرَامِلَ أَهْلِ الْعِرَاقِ لاَ يَحْتَجْنَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ بَعْدِي أَبَدًا قَالَ فَمَا أَتَتْ عَلَيْهِ إِلاَّ رَابِعَةٌ حَتَّى أُصِيبَ قَالَ إِنِّي لَقَائِمٌ مَا بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ إِلاَّ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبَّاسٍ غَدَاةَ أُصِيبَ وَكَانَ إِذَا مَرَّ بَيْنَ الصَّفَّيْنِ قَالَ اسْتَوُوا حَتَّى إِذَا لَمْ يَرَ فِيهِنَّ خَلَلاً تَقَدَّمَ فَكَبَّرَ وَرُبَّمَا قَرَأَ سُورَةَ يُوسُفَ أَوِ النَّحْلَ أَوْ نَحْوَ ذَلِكَ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الأُولَى حَتَّى يَجْتَمِعَ النَّاسُ فَمَا هُوَ إِلاَّ أَنْ كَبَّرَ فَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَتَلَنِي أَوْ أَكَلَنِي الْكَلْبُ حِينَ طَعَنَهُ فَطَارَ الْعِلْجُ بِسِكِّينٍ ذَاتِ طَرَفَيْنِ لاَ يَمُرُّ عَلَى أَحَدٍ يَمِينًا وَلاَ شِمَالاً إِلاَّ طَعَنَهُ حَتَّى طَعَنَ ثَلاَثَةَ عَشَرَ رَجُلاً مَاتَ مِنْهُمْ سَبْعَةٌ فَلَمَّا رَأَى ذَلِكَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ طَرَحَ عَلَيْهِ بُرْنُسًا فَلَمَّا ظَنَّ الْعِلْجُ أَنَّهُ مَأْخُوذٌ نَحَرَ نَفْسَهُ وَتَنَاوَلَ عُمَرُ يَدَ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ فَقَدَّمَهُ فَمَنْ يَلِي عُمَرَ فَقَدْ رَأَى الَّذِي أَرَى وَأَمَّا نَوَاحِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَإِنَّهُمْ لاَ يَدْرُونَ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ فَقَدُوا صَوْتَ عُمَرَ وَهُمْ يَقُولُونَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ فَصَلَّى بِهِمْ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ صَلاَةً خَفِيفَةً فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفُوا قَالَ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ انْظُرْ مَنْ قَتَلَنِي فَجَالَ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَقَالَ غُلاَمُ الْمُغِيرَةِ قَالَ الصَّنَعُ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ قَاتَلَهُ اللَّهُ لَقَدْ أَمَرْتُ بِهِ مَعْرُوفًا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَجْعَلْ مَنِيَّتِي بِيَدِ رَجُلٍ يَدَّعِي الإِسْلاَمَ قَدْ كُنْتَ أَنْتَ وَأَبُوكَ تُحِبَّانِ أَنْ تَكْثُرَ الْعُلُوجُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَكَانَ {الْعَبَّاسُ} أَكْثَرَهُمْ رَقِيقًا فَقَالَ إِنْ شِئْتَ فَعَلْتُ أَىْ إِنْ شِئْتَ قَتَلْنَا قَالَ كَذَبْتَ بَعْدَ مَا تَكَلَّمُوا بِلِسَانِكُمْ وَصَلَّوْا قِبْلَتَكُمْ وَحَجُّوا حَجَّكُمْ فَاحْتُمِلَ إِلَى بَيْتِهِ فَانْطَلَقْنَا مَعَهُ وَكَأَنَّ النَّاسَ لَمْ تُصِبْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَبْلَ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَائِلٌ يَقُولُ لاَ بَأْسَ وَقَائِلٌ يَقُولُ أَخَافُ عَلَيْهِ فَأُتِيَ بِنَبِيذٍ فَشَرِبَهُ فَخَرَجَ مِنْ جَوْفِهِ ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِلَبَنٍ فَشَرِبَهُ فَخَرَجَ مِنْ جُرْحِهِ فَعَلِمُوا أَنَّهُ مَيِّتٌ فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَجَاءَ النَّاسُ يُثْنُونَ عَلَيْهِ وَجَاءَ رَجُلٌ شَابٌّ فَقَالَ أَبْشِرْ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِبُشْرَى اللَّهِ لَكَ مِنْ صُحْبَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَقَدَمٍ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ مَا قَدْ عَلِمْتَ ثُمَّ وَلِيتَ فَعَدَلْتَ ثُمَّ شَهَادَةٌ قَالَ وَدِدْتُ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ كَفَافٌ لاَ عَلَىَّ وَلاَ لِي فَلَمَّا أَدْبَرَ إِذَا إِزَارُهُ يَمَسُّ الأَرْضَ قَالَ رُدُّوا عَلَىَّ الْغُلاَمَ قَالَ ابْنَ أَخِي ارْفَعْ ثَوْبَكَ فَإِنَّهُ أَبْقَى لِثَوْبِكَ وَأَتْقَى لِرَبِّكَ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عُمَرَ انْظُرْ مَا عَلَىَّ مِنَ الدَّيْنِ فَحَسَبُوهُ فَوَجَدُوهُ سِتَّةً وَثَمَانِينَ أَلْفًا أَوْ نَحْوَهُ قَالَ إِنْ وَفَى لَهُ مَالُ آلِ عُمَرَ فَأَدِّهِ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ وَإِلاَّ فَسَلْ فِي بَنِي عَدِيِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَفِ أَمْوَالُهُمْ فَسَلْ فِي قُرَيْشٍ وَلاَ تَعْدُهُمْ إِلَى غَيْرِهِمْ فَأَدِّ عَنِّي هَذَا الْمَالَ انْطَلِقْ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَقُلْ يَقْرَأُ عَلَيْكِ عُمَرُ السَّلاَمَ وَلاَ تَقُلْ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَإِنِّي لَسْتُ الْيَوْمَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَمِيرًا وَقُلْ يَسْتَأْذِنُ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ أَنْ يُدْفَنَ مَعَ صَاحِبَيْهِ فَسَلَّمَ وَاسْتَأْذَنَ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا فَوَجَدَهَا قَاعِدَةً تَبْكِي فَقَالَ يَقْرَأُ عَلَيْكِ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ السَّلاَمَ وَيَسْتَأْذِنُ أَنْ يُدْفَنَ مَعَ صَاحِبَيْهِ فَقَالَتْ كُنْتُ أُرِيدُهُ لِنَفْسِي وَلأُوثِرَنَّ بِهِ الْيَوْمَ عَلَى نَفْسِي فَلَمَّا أَقْبَلَ قِيلَ هَذَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ قَدْ جَاءَ قَالَ ارْفَعُونِي فَأَسْنَدَهُ رَجُلٌ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ مَا لَدَيْكَ قَالَ الَّذِي تُحِبُّ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَذِنَتْ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ مَا كَانَ مِنْ شَىْءٍ أَهَمُّ إِلَىَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَإِذَا أَنَا قَضَيْتُ فَاحْمِلُونِي ثُمَّ سَلِّمْ فَقُلْ يَسْتَأْذِنُ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ فَإِنْ أَذِنَتْ لِي فَأَدْخِلُونِي وَإِنْ رَدَّتْنِي رُدُّونِي إِلَى مَقَابِرِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَجَاءَتْ أُمُّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَفْصَةُ وَالنِّسَاءُ تَسِيرُ مَعَهَا فَلَمَّا رَأَيْنَاهَا قُمْنَا فَوَلَجَتْ عَلَيْهِ فَبَكَتْ عِنْدَهُ سَاعَةً وَاسْتَأْذَنَ الرِّجَالُ فَوَلَجَتْ دَاخِلاً لَهُمْ فَسَمِعْنَا بُكَاءَهَا مِنَ الدَّاخِلِ فَقَالُوا أَوْصِ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اسْتَخْلِفْ قَالَ مَا أَجِدُ أَحَقَّ بِهَذَا الأَمْرِ مِنْ هَؤُلاَءِ النَّفَرِ أَوِ الرَّهْطِ الَّذِينَ تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَهْوَ عَنْهُمْ رَاضٍ فَسَمَّى عَلِيًّا وَعُثْمَانَ وَالزُّبَيْرَ وَطَلْحَةَ وَسَعْدًا وَعَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ وَقَالَ يَشْهَدُكُمْ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ وَلَيْسَ لَهُ مِنَ الأَمْرِ شَىْءٌ كَهَيْئَةِ التَّعْزِيَةِ لَهُ فَإِنْ أَصَابَتِ الإِمْرَةُ سَعْدًا فَهْوَ ذَاكَ وَإِلاَّ فَلْيَسْتَعِنْ بِهِ أَيُّكُمْ مَا أُمِّرَ فَإِنِّي لَمْ أَعْزِلْهُ عَنْ عَجْزٍ وَلاَ خِيَانَةٍ وَقَالَ أُوصِي الْخَلِيفَةَ مِنْ بَعْدِي بِالْمُهَاجِرِينَ الأَوَّلِينَ أَنْ يَعْرِفَ لَهُمْ حَقَّهُمْ وَيَحْفَظَ لَهُمْ حُرْمَتَهُمْ وَأُوصِيهِ بِالأَنْصَارِ خَيْرًا الَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُوا الدَّارَ وَالإِيمَانَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ أَنْ يُقْبَلَ مِنْ مُحْسِنِهِمْ وَأَنْ يُعْفَى عَنْ مُسِيئِهِمْ وَأُوصِيهِ بِأَهْلِ الأَمْصَارِ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّهُمْ رِدْءُ الإِسْلاَمِ وَجُبَاةُ الْمَالِ وَغَيْظُ الْعَدُوِّ وَأَنْ لاَ يُؤْخَذَ مِنْهُمْ إِلاَّ فَضْلُهُمْ عَنْ رِضَاهُمْ وَأُوصِيهِ بِالأَعْرَابِ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّهُمْ أَصْلُ الْعَرَبِ وَمَادَّةُ الإِسْلاَمِ أَنْ يُؤْخَذَ مِنْ حَوَاشِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ وَتُرَدَّ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ وَأُوصِيهِ بِذِمَّةِ اللَّهِ وَذِمَّةِ رَسُولِهِ ﷺ أَنْ يُوفَى لَهُمْ بِعَهْدِهِمْ وَأَنْ يُقَاتَلَ مِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ وَلاَ يُكَلَّفُوا إِلاَّ طَاقَتَهُمْ فَلَمَّا قُبِضَ خَرَجْنَا بِهِ فَانْطَلَقْنَا نَمْشِي فَسَلَّمَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ قَالَ يَسْتَأْذِنُ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ قَالَتْ أَدْخِلُوهُ فَأُدْخِلَ فَوُضِعَ هُنَالِكَ مَعَ صَاحِبَيْهِ فَلَمَّا فُرِغَ مِنْ دَفْنِهِ اجْتَمَعَ هَؤُلاَءِ الرَّهْطُ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ اجْعَلُوا أَمْرَكُمْ إِلَى ثَلاَثَةٍ مِنْكُمْ فَقَالَ الزُّبَيْرُ قَدْ جَعَلْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَى عَلِيٍّ فَقَالَ طَلْحَةُ قَدْ جَعَلْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَى عُثْمَانَ وَقَالَ سَعْدٌ قَدْ جَعَلْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَى عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ أَيُّكُمَا تَبَرَّأَ مِنْ هَذَا الأَمْرِ فَنَجْعَلُهُ إِلَيْهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَالإِسْلاَمُ لَيَنْظُرَنَّ أَفْضَلَهُمْ فِي نَفْسِهِ فَأُسْكِتَ الشَّيْخَانِ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ أَفَتَجْعَلُونَهُ إِلَىَّ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىَّ أَنْ لاَ آلُوَ عَنْ أَفْضَلِكُمْ قَالاَ نَعَمْ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِ أَحَدِهِمَا فَقَالَ لَكَ قَرَابَةٌ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالْقَدَمُ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ مَا قَدْ عَلِمْتَ فَاللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ لَئِنْ أَمَّرْتُكَ لَتَعْدِلَنَّ وَلَئِنْ أَمَّرْتُ عُثْمَانَ لَتَسْمَعَنَّ وَلَتُطِيعَنَّ ثُمَّ خَلاَ بِالآخَرِ فَقَالَ لَهُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَلَمَّا أَخَذَ الْمِيثَاقَ قَالَ ارْفَعْ يَدَكَ يَا عُثْمَانُ فَبَايَعَهُ فَبَايَعَ لَهُ عَلِيٌّ وَوَلَجَ أَهْلُ الدَّارِ فَبَايَعُوهُ  

(The wife of the Prophet) Whenever Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to go on a journey, he used to draw lots among his wives and would take with him the one on whom the lot had fallen. Once he drew lots when he wanted to carry out a Ghazwa, and the lot came upon me. So I proceeded with Allah's Apostle after Allah's order of veiling (the women) had been revealed and thus I was carried in my howdah (on a camel) and dismounted while still in it. We carried on our journey, and when Allah's Apostle had finished his Ghazwa and returned and we approached Medina, Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered to proceed at night. When the army was ordered to resume the homeward journey, I got up and walked on till I left the army (camp) behind. When I had answered the call of nature, I went towards my howdah, but behold ! A necklace of mine made of Jaz Azfar (a kind of black bead) was broken and I looked for it and my search for it detained me. The group of people who used to carry me, came and carried my howdah on to the back of my camel on which I was riding, considering that I was therein. At that time women were light in weight and were not fleshy for they used to eat little (food), so those people did not feel the lightness of the howdah while raising it up, and I was still a young lady. They drove away the camel and proceeded. Then I found my necklace after the army had gone. I came to their camp but found nobody therein so I went to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would miss me and come back in my search. While I was sitting at my place, I felt sleepy and slept. Safwan bin Al-Mu'attil As-Sulami Adh- Dhakw-ani was behind the army. He had started in the last part of the night and reached my stationing place in the morning and saw the figure of a sleeping person. He came to me and recognized me on seeing me for he used to see me before veiling. I got up because of his saying: "Inna Li l-lahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun," which he uttered on recognizing me. I covered my face with my garment, and by Allah, he did not say to me a single word except, "Inna Li l-lahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun," till he made his shecamel kneel down whereupon he trod on its forelegs and I mounted it. Then Safwan set out, leading the she-camel that was carrying me, till we met the army while they were resting during the hot midday. Then whoever was meant for destruction, fell in destruction, and the leader of the Ifk (forged statement) was ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. After this we arrived at Medina and I became ill for one month while the people were spreading the forged statements of the people of the Ifk, and I was not aware of anything thereof. But what aroused my doubt while I was sick, was that I was no longer receiving from Messenger of Allah ﷺ the same kindness as I used to receive when I fell sick. Messenger of Allah ﷺ would enter upon me, say a greeting and add, "How is that (lady)?" and then depart. That aroused my suspicion but I was not aware of the propagated evil till I recovered from my ailment. I went out with Um Mistah to answer the call of nature towards Al-Manasi, the place where we used to relieve ourselves, and used not to go out for this purpose except from night to night, and that was before we had lavatories close to our houses. And this habit of ours was similar to the habit of the old 'Arabs (in the deserts or in the tents) concerning the evacuation of the bowels, for we considered it troublesome and harmful to take lavatories in the houses. So I went out with Um Mistah who was the daughter of Abi Ruhm bin ʿAbd Manaf, and her mother was daughter of Sakhr bin Amir who was the aunt of Abi Bakr As-Siddiq, and her son was Mistah bin Uthatha. When we had finished our affair, Um Mistah and I came back towards my house. Um Mistah stumbled over her robe whereupon she said, "Let Mistah be ruined ! " I said to her, "What a bad word you have said! Do you abuse a man who has taken part in the Battle of Badr?' She said, "O you there! Didn't you hear what he has said?" I said, "And what did he say?" She then told me the statement of the people of the Ifk (forged statement) which added to my ailment. When I returned home, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me, and after greeting, he said, "How is that (lady)?" I said, "Will you allow me to go to my parents?" At that time I intended to be sure of the news through them. Messenger of Allah ﷺ allowed me and I went to my parents and asked my mother, "O my mother! What are the people talking about?" My mother said, "O my daughter! Take it easy, for by Allah, there is no charming lady who is loved by her husband who has other wives as well, but that those wives would find fault with her." I said, "Subhan Allah! Did the people really talk about that?" That night I kept on weeping the whole night till the morning. My tears never stopped, nor did I sleep, and morning broke while I was still weeping, Messenger of Allah ﷺ called ʿAli bin Abi Talib and Usama bin Zaid when the Divine Inspiration delayed, in order to consult them as to the idea of divorcing his wife. Usama bin Zaid told Messenger of Allah ﷺ of what he knew about the innocence of his wife and of his affection he kept for her. He said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! She is your wife, and we do not know anything about her except good." But ʿAli bin Abi Talib said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Allah does not impose restrictions on you; and there are plenty of women other than her. If you however, ask (her) slave girl, she will tell you the truth." ʿAisha added: So Messenger of Allah ﷺ called for Barira and said, "O Barira! Did you ever see anything which might have aroused your suspicion? (as regards Aisha). Barira said, "By Allah Who has sent you with the truth, I have never seen anything regarding Aisha which I would blame her for except that she is a girl of immature age who sometimes sleeps and leaves the dough of her family unprotected so that the domestic goats come and eat it." So Messenger of Allah ﷺ got up (and addressed) the people an asked for somebody who would take revenge on ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul then. Messenger of Allah ﷺ, while on the pulpit, said, "O Muslims! Who will help me against a man who has hurt me by slandering my family? By Allah, I know nothing except good about my family, and people have blamed a man of whom I know nothing except good, and he never used to visit my family except with me," Saʿd bin Muʿadh Al-Ansari got up and said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! By Allah, I will relieve you from him. If he be from the tribe of (Bani) Al-Aus, then I will chop his head off; and if he be from our brethren, the Khazraj, then you give us your order and we will obey it." On that, Saʿd bin 'Ubada got up, and he was the chief of the Khazraj, and before this incident he had been a pious man but he was incited by his zeal for his tribe. He said to Saʿd (bin Muʿadh), "By Allah the Eternal, you have told a lie! You shall not kill him and you will never be able to kill him!" On that, Usaid bin Hudair, the cousin of Saʿd (bin Muʿadh) got up and said to Saʿd bin 'Ubada, "You are a liar! By Allah the Eternal, we will surely kill him; and you are a hypocrite defending the hypocrites!" So the two tribes of Al-Aus and Al-Khazraj got excited till they were on the point of fighting with each other while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was standing on the pulpit. Messenger of Allah ﷺ continued quietening them till they became silent whereupon he became silent too. On that day I kept on weeping so much that neither did my tears stop, nor could I sleep. In the morning my parents were with me, and I had wept for two nights and a day without sleeping and with incessant tears till they thought that my liver would burst with weeping. While they were with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked permission to see me. I admitted her and she sat and started weeping with me. While I was in that state, Allah's Apostle came to us, greeted, and sat down,. He had never sat with me since the day what was said, was said. He had stayed a month without receiving any Divine Inspiration concerning my case. Messenger of Allah ﷺ recited the Tashahhud after he had sat down, and then said, "Thereafter, O ʿAisha! I have been informed such and-such a thing about you; and if you are innocent, Allah will reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then ask for Allah's forgiveness and repent to Him, for when a slave confesses his sin and then repents to Allah, Allah accepts his repentance." When Allah's Apostle had finished his speech, my tears ceased completely so that I no longer felt even a drop thereof. Then I said to my father, "Reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf as to what he said." He said, "By Allah, I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ." Then I said to my mother, "Reply to Allah's Apostle." She said, "I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ." Still a young girl as I was and though I had little knowledge of Qur'an, I said, "By Allah, I know that you heard this story (of the Ifk) so much so that it has been planted in your minds and you have believed it. So now, if I tell you that I am innocent, and Allah knows that I am innocent, you will not believe me; and if I confess something, and Allah knows that I am innocent of it, you will believe me. By Allah, I cannot find of you an example except that of Joseph's father: "So (for me) patience is most fitting against that which you assert and it is Allah (Alone) Whose help can be sought. Then I turned away and lay on my bed, and at that time I knew that I was innocent and that Allah would reveal my innocence. But by Allah, I never thought that Allah would sent down about my affair, Divine Inspiration that would be recited (forever), as I considered myself too unworthy to be talked of by Allah with something that was to be recited: but I hoped that Messenger of Allah ﷺ might have a vision in which Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah, Messenger of Allah ﷺ had not left his seat and nobody had left the house when the Divine Inspiration came to Messenger of Allah ﷺ . So there overtook him the same hard condition which used to overtake him (when he was Divinely Inspired) so that the drops of his sweat were running down, like pearls, though it was a (cold) winter day, and that was because of the heaviness of the Statement which was revealed to him. When that state of Messenger of Allah ﷺ was over, and he was smiling when he was relieved, the first word he said was, "Aisha, Allah has declared your innocence." My mother said to me, "Get up and go to him." I said, "By Allah, I will not go to him and I will not thank anybody but Allah." So Allah revealed: "Verily! They who spread the Slander are a gang among you. Think it not...." (24.11-20). When Allah revealed this to confirm my innocence, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq who used to provide for Mistah bin Uthatha because of the latter's kinship to him and his poverty, said, "By Allah, I will never provide for Mistah anything after what he has said about Aisha". So Allah revealed: (continued...) (continuing... 1): -6.274:... ... "Let not those among you who are good and are wealthy swear not to give (help) to their kinsmen, those in need, and those who have left their homes for Allah's Cause. Let them Pardon and forgive (i.e. do not punish them). Do you not love that should forgive you? Verily Allah is Oft-forgiving. Most Merciful." (24.22) Abu Bakr said, "Yes, by Allah, I wish that Allah should forgive me." So he resumed giving Mistah the aid he used to give him before and said, "By Allah, I will never withold it from him at all." Aisha further said: Messenger of Allah ﷺ also asked Zainab bint Jahsh about my case. He said, "O Zainab! What have you seen?" She replied, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I protect my hearing and my sight (by refraining from telling lies). I know nothing but good (about Aisha)." Of all the wives of Messenger of Allah ﷺ, it was Zainab who aspired to receive from him the same favor as I used to receive, yet, Allah saved her (from telling lies) because of her piety. But her sister, Hamna, kept on fighting on her behalf so she was destroyed as were those who invented and spread the slander.  

حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا فَبَرَّأَهَا اللَّهُ مِمَّا قَالُوا وَكُلٌّ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنَ الْحَدِيثِ وَبَعْضُ حَدِيثِهِمْ يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضًا وَإِنْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْعَى لَهُ مِنْ بَعْضٍ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي عُرْوَةُ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ؓ أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ؓ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ أَزْوَاجِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَعَهُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَعْدَ مَا نَزَلَ الْحِجَابُ فَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي وَأُنْزَلُ فِيهِ فَسِرْنَا حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ وَقَفَلَ وَدَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ قَافِلِينَ آذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ فَقُمْتُ حِينَ آذَنُوا بِالرَّحِيلِ فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى رَحْلِي فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ لِي مِنْ جَزْعِ ظَفَارِ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَالْتَمَسْتُ عِقْدِي وَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَرْحَلُونَ لِي فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ رَكِبْتُ وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ وَكَانَ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يُثْقِلْهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ إِنَّمَا تَأْكُلُ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ خِفَّةَ الْهَوْدَجِ حِينَ رَفَعُوهُ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ وَسَارُوا فَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَ مَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ بِهَا دَاعٍ وَلاَ مُجِيبٌ فَأَمَمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ بِهِ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَىَّ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَدْلَجَ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ فَأَتَانِي فَعَرَفَنِي حِينَ رَآنِي وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ الْحِجَابِ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ عَرَفَنِي فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي وَاللَّهِ مَا كَلَّمَنِي كَلِمَةً وَلاَ سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ عَلَى يَدَيْهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِي الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ بَعْدَ مَا نَزَلُوا مُوغِرِينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى الإِفْكَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ أُبَىٍّ ابْنَ سَلُولَ فَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ حِينَ قَدِمْتُ شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَصْحَابِ الإِفْكِ لاَ أَشْعُرُ بِشَىْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَهْوَ يَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لاَ أَعْرِفُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ اللَّطَفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ حِينَ أَشْتَكِي إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَيُسَلِّمُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُ فَذَاكَ الَّذِي يَرِيبُنِي وَلاَ أَشْعُرُ حَتَّى خَرَجْتُ بَعْدَ مَا نَقَهْتُ فَخَرَجَتْ مَعِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ وَهْوَ مُتَبَرَّزُنَا وَكُنَّا لاَ نَخْرُجُ إِلاَّ لَيْلاً إِلَى لَيْلٍ وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَ الْكُنُفَ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الأُوَلِ فِي التَّبَرُّزِ قِبَلَ الْغَائِطِ فَكُنَّا نَتَأَذَّى بِالْكُنُفِ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَهَا عِنْدَ بُيُوتِنَا فَانْطَلَقْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ وَهْىَ ابْنَةُ أَبِي رُهْمِ بْنِ عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ وَأُمُّهَا بِنْتُ صَخْرِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ خَالَةُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ وَابْنُهَا مِسْطَحُ بْنُ أُثَاثَةَ فَأَقْبَلْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ بَيْتِي قَدْ فَرَغْنَا مِنْ شَأْنِنَا فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلاً شَهِدَ بَدْرًا قَالَتْ أَىْ هَنْتَاهُ أَوَلَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ وَمَا قَالَ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا عَلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي وَدَخَلَ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ تَعْنِي سَلَّمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ فَقُلْتُ أَتَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ آتِيَ أَبَوَىَّ قَالَتْ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا قَالَتْ فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَجِئْتُ أَبَوَىَّ فَقُلْتُ لأُمِّي يَا أُمَّتَاهْ مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ قَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكَ فَوَاللَّهِ لَقَلَّمَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ قَطُّ وَضِيئَةً عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا وَلَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلاَّ كَثَّرْنَ عَلَيْهَا قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَلَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا قَالَتْ فَبَكَيْتُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لاَ يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلاَ أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ أَبْكِي فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ ؓ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْىُ يَسْتَأْمِرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ قَالَتْ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ فَأَشَارَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَبِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ لَهُمْ فِي نَفْسِهِ مِنَ الْوُدِّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَهْلَكَ وَمَا نَعْلَمُ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَإِنْ تَسْأَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ قَالَتْ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ أَىْ بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ عَلَيْهَا مِنْ شَىْءٍ يَرِيبُكِ قَالَتْ بَرِيرَةُ لاَ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ إِنْ رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا أَمْرًا أَغْمِصُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا فَتَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُهُ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ يَوْمَئِذٍ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَىٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَهْوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذِرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِي فَوَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلاَّ خَيْرًا وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلاً مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا وَمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلاَّ مَعِي فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ الأَنْصَارِيُّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنَا أَعْذِرُكَ مِنْهُ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الأَوْسِ ضَرَبْتُ عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا أَمْرَكَ قَالَتْ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَهْوَ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ وَكَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلاً صَالِحًا وَلَكِنِ احْتَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدٍ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ لاَ تَقْتُلُهُ وَلاَ تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ وَهْوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ سَعْدٍ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ لَنَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فَتَثَاوَرَ الْحَيَّانِ الأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا أَنْ يَقْتَتِلُوا وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَائِمٌ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ قَالَتْ فَمَكُثْتُ يَوْمِي ذَلِكَ لاَ يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلاَ أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ قَالَتْ فَأَصْبَحَ أَبَوَاىَ عِنْدِي وَقَدْ بَكَيْتُ لَيْلَتَيْنِ وَيَوْمًا لاَ أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ وَلاَ يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ يَظُنَّانِ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي قَالَتْ فَبَيْنَمَا هُمَا جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي فَاسْتَأْذَنَتْ عَلَىَّ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَلَسَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي قَالَتْ فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ قَالَتْ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ مَا قِيلَ قَبْلَهَا وَقَدْ لَبِثَ شَهْرًا لاَ يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فِي شَأْنِي قَالَتْ فَتَشَهَّدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حِينَ جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللَّهُ وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللَّهَ وَتُوبِي إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِذَنْبِهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ إِلَى اللَّهِ تَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً فَقُلْتُ لأَبِي أَجِبْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِيمَا قَالَ قَالَ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ لأُمِّي أَجِيبِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لاَ أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ إِنِّي وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ فَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لاَ تُصَدِّقُونِي بِذَلِكَ وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفْتُ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُنِّي وَاللَّهِ مَا أَجِدُ لَكُمْ مَثَلاً إِلاَّ قَوْلَ أَبِي يُوسُفَ قَالَ {فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} قَالَتْ ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ فَاضْطَجَعْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي قَالَتْ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ مُبَرِّئِي بِبَرَاءَتِي وَلَكِنْ وَاللَّهِ مَا كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ أَنَّ اللَّهَ مُنْزِلٌ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيًا يُتْلَى وَلَشَأْنِي فِي نَفْسِي كَانَ أَحْقَرَ مِنْ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ اللَّهُ فِيَّ بِأَمْرٍ يُتْلَى وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي اللَّهُ بِهَا قَالَتْ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَلاَ خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ حَتَّى إِنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ وَهْوَ فِي يَوْمٍ شَاتٍ مِنْ ثِقَلِ الْقَوْلِ الَّذِي يُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا سُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ سُرِّيَ عَنْهُ وَهْوَ يَضْحَكُ فَكَانَتْ أَوَّلُ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا يَا عَائِشَةُ أَمَّا اللَّهُ ﷻ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ فَقَالَتْ أُمِّي قُومِي إِلَيْهِ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلاَ أَحْمَدُ إِلاَّ اللَّهَ ﷻ وَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ لاَ تَحْسِبُوهُ} الْعَشْرَ الآيَاتِ كُلَّهَا فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ هَذَا فِي بَرَاءَتِي قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ ؓ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحِ بْنِ أُثَاثَةَ لِقَرَابَتِهِ مِنْهُ وَفَقْرِهِ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا بَعْدَ الَّذِي قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ مَا قَالَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ {وَلاَ يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَنْ يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا أَلاَ تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ} قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ النَّفَقَةَ الَّتِي كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَنْزِعُهَا مِنْهُ أَبَدًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَسْأَلُ زَيْنَبَ ابْنَةَ جَحْشٍ عَنْ أَمْرِي فَقَالَ يَا زَيْنَبُ مَاذَا عَلِمْتِ أَوْ رَأَيْتِ فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي مَا عَلِمْتُ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا قَالَتْ وَهْىَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَعَصَمَهَا اللَّهُ بِالْوَرَعِ وَطَفِقَتْ أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ تُحَارِبُ لَهَا فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الإِفْكِ  

I used to teach (the Qur'an to) some people of the Muhajirln (emigrants), among whom there was ʿAbdur Rahman bin ʿAuf. While I was in his house at Mina, and he was with ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab during ʿUmar's last Hajj, ʿAbdur-Rahman came to me and said, "Would that you had seen the man who came today to the Chief of the Believers (ʿUmar), saying, 'O Chief of the Believers! What do you think about so-and-so who says, 'If ʿUmar should die, I will give the pledge of allegiance to such-andsuch person, as by Allah, the pledge of allegiance to Abu Bakr was nothing but a prompt sudden action which got established afterwards.' ʿUmar became angry and then said, 'Allah willing, I will stand before the people tonight and warn them against those people who want to deprive the others of their rights (the question of rulership). ʿAbdur-Rahman said, "I said, 'O Chief of the believers! Do not do that, for the season of Hajj gathers the riff-raff and the rubble, and it will be they who will gather around you when you stand to address the people. And I am afraid that you will get up and say something, and some people will spread your statement and may not say what you have actually said and may not understand its meaning, and may interpret it incorrectly, so you should wait till you reach Medina, as it is the place of emigration and the place of Prophet's Traditions, and there you can come in touch with the learned and noble people, and tell them your ideas with confidence; and the learned people will understand your statement and put it in its proper place.' On that, ʿUmar said, 'By Allah! Allah willing, I will do this in the first speech I will deliver before the people in Medina." Ibn ʿAbbas added: We reached Medina by the end of the month of Dhul-Hijja, and when it was Friday, we went quickly (to the mosque) as soon as the sun had declined, and I saw Saʿid bin Zaid bin ʿAmr bin Nufail sitting at the corner of the pulpit, and I too sat close to him so that my knee was touching his knee, and after a short while ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab came out, and when I saw him coming towards us, I said to Saʿid bin Zaid bin ʿAmr bin Nufail "Today ʿUmar will say such a thing as he has never said since he was chosen as Caliph." Saʿid denied my statement with astonishment and said, "What thing do you expect ʿUmar to say the like of which he has never said before?" In the meantime, ʿUmar sat on the pulpit and when the callmakers for the prayer had finished their call, ʿUmar stood up, and having glorified and praised Allah as He deserved, he said, "Now then, I am going to tell you something which (Allah) has written for me to say. I do not know; perhaps it portends my death, so whoever understands and remembers it, must narrate it to the others wherever his mount takes him, but if somebody is afraid that he does not understand it, then it is unlawful for him to tell lies about me. Allah sent Muhammad with the Truth and revealed the Holy Book to him, and among what Allah revealed, was the Verse of the Rajam (the stoning of married person (male & female) who commits illegal sexual intercourse, and we did recite this Verse and understood and memorized it. Messenger of Allah ﷺ did carry out the punishment of stoning and so did we after him. I am afraid that after a long time has passed, somebody will say, 'By Allah, we do not find the Verse of the Rajam in Allah's Book,' and thus they will go astray by leaving an obligation which Allah has revealed. And the punishment of the Rajam is to be inflicted to any married person (male & female), who commits illegal sexual intercourse, if the required evidence is available or there is conception or confession. And then we used to recite among the Verses in Allah's Book: 'O people! Do not claim to be the offspring of other than your fathers, as it is disbelief (unthankfulness) on your part that you claim to be the offspring of other than your real father.' Then Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, 'Do not praise me excessively as Jesus, son of Marry was praised, but call me Allah's Slave and His Apostles.' (O people!) I have been informed that a speaker amongst you says, 'By Allah, if ʿUmar should die, I will give the pledge of allegiance to such-and-such person.' One should not deceive oneself by saying that the pledge of allegiance given to Abu Bakr was given suddenly and it was successful. No doubt, it was like that, but Allah saved (the people) from its evil, and there is none among you who has the qualities of Abu Bakr. Remember that whoever gives the pledge of allegiance to anybody among you without consulting the other Muslims, neither that person, nor the person to whom the pledge of allegiance was given, are to be supported, lest they both should be killed. And no doubt after the death of the Prophet ﷺ we were informed that the Ansar disagreed with us and gathered in the shed of Bani Saʿda. ʿAli and Zubair and whoever was with them, opposed us, while the emigrants gathered with Abu Bakr. I said to Abu Bakr, 'Let's go to these Ansari brothers of ours.' So we set out seeking them, and when we approached them, two pious men of theirs met us and informed us of the final decision of the Ansar, and said, 'O group of Muhajirin (emigrants) ! Where are you going?' We replied, 'We are going to these Ansari brothers of ours.' They said to us, 'You shouldn't go near them. Carry out whatever we have already decided.' I said, 'By Allah, we will go to them.' And so we proceeded until we reached them at the shed of Bani Saʿda. Behold! There was a man sitting amongst them and wrapped in something. I asked, 'Who is that man?' They said, 'He is Saʿd bin 'Ubada.' I asked, 'What is wrong with him?' They said, 'He is sick.' After we sat for a while, the Ansar's speaker said, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,' and praising Allah as He deserved, he added, 'To proceed, we are Allah's Ansar (helpers) and the majority of the Muslim army, while you, the emigrants, are a small group and some people among you came with the intention of preventing us from practicing this matter (of caliphate) and depriving us of it.' When the speaker had finished, I intended to speak as I had prepared a speech which I liked and which I wanted to deliver in the presence of Abu Bakr, and I used to avoid provoking him. So, when I wanted to speak, Abu Bakr said, 'Wait a while.' I disliked to make him angry. So Abu Bakr himself gave a speech, and he was wiser and more patient than I. By Allah, he never missed a sentence that I liked in my own prepared speech, but he said the like of it or better than it spontaneously. After a pause he said, 'O Ansar! You deserve all (the qualities that you have attributed to yourselves, but this question (of Caliphate) is only for the Quraish as they are the best of the Arabs as regards descent and home, and I am pleased to suggest that you choose either of these two men, so take the oath of allegiance to either of them as you wish. And then Abu Bakr held my hand and Abu Ubaida bin al-Jarrah's hand who was sitting amongst us. I hated nothing of what he had said except that proposal, for by Allah, I would rather have my neck chopped off as expiator for a sin than become the ruler of a nation, one of whose members is Abu Bakr, unless at the time of my death my own-self suggests something I don't feel at present.' And then one of the Ansar said, 'I am the pillar on which the camel with a skin disease (eczema) rubs itself to satisfy the itching (i.e., I am a noble), and I am as a high class palm tree! O Quraish. There should be one ruler from us and one from you.' Then there was a hue and cry among the gathering and their voices rose so that I was afraid there might be great disagreement, so I said, 'O Abu Bakr! Hold your hand out.' He held his hand out and I pledged allegiance to him, and then all the emigrants gave the Pledge of allegiance and so did the Ansar afterwards. And so we became victorious over Saʿd bin Ubada (whom Al-Ansar wanted to make a ruler). One of the Ansar said, 'You have killed Saʿd bin Ubada.' I replied, 'Allah has killed Saʿd bin Ubada.' ʿUmar added, "By Allah, apart from the great tragedy that had happened to us (i.e. the death of the Prophet), there was no greater problem than the allegiance pledged to Abu Bakr because we were afraid that if we left the people, they might give the Pledge of allegiance after us to one of their men, in which case we would have given them our consent for something against our real wish, or would have opposed them and caused great trouble. So if any person gives the Pledge of allegiance to somebody (to become a Caliph) without consulting the other Muslims, then the one he has selected should not be granted allegiance, lest both of them should be killed."  

كُنْتُ أُقْرِئُ رِجَالاً مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ مِنْهُمْ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ فَبَيْنَمَا أَنَا فِي مَنْزِلِهِ بِمِنًى وَهْوَ عِنْدَ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ فِي آخِرِ حَجَّةٍ حَجَّهَا إِذْ رَجَعَ إِلَىَّ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ فَقَالَ لَوْ رَأَيْتَ رَجُلاً أَتَى أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الْيَوْمَ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ هَلْ لَكَ فِي فُلاَنٍ يَقُولُ لَوْ قَدْ مَاتَ عُمَرُ لَقَدْ بَايَعْتُ فُلاَنًا فَوَاللَّهِ مَا كَانَتْ بَيْعَةُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ إِلاَّ فَلْتَةً فَتَمَّتْ فَغَضِبَ عُمَرُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنِّي إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَقَائِمٌ الْعَشِيَّةَ فِي النَّاسِ فَمُحَذِّرُهُمْ هَؤُلاَءِ الَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يَغْصِبُوهُمْ أُمُورَهُمْ قَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لاَ تَفْعَلْ فَإِنَّ الْمَوْسِمَ يَجْمَعُ رَعَاعَ النَّاسِ وَغَوْغَاءَهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الَّذِينَ يَغْلِبُونَ عَلَى قُرْبِكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ فِي النَّاسِ وَأَنَا أَخْشَى أَنْ تَقُومَ فَتَقُولَ مَقَالَةً يُطَيِّرُهَا عَنْكَ كُلُّ مُطَيِّرٍ وَأَنْ لاَ يَعُوهَا وَأَنْ لاَ يَضَعُوهَا عَلَى مَوَاضِعِهَا فَأَمْهِلْ حَتَّى تَقْدَمَ الْمَدِينَةَ فَإِنَّهَا دَارُ الْهِجْرَةِ وَالسُّنَّةِ فَتَخْلُصَ بِأَهْلِ الْفِقْهِ وَأَشْرَافِ النَّاسِ فَتَقُولَ مَا قُلْتَ مُتَمَكِّنًا فَيَعِي أَهْلُ الْعِلْمِ مَقَالَتَكَ وَيَضَعُونَهَا عَلَى مَوَاضِعِهَا فَقَالَ عُمَرُ أَمَا وَاللَّهِ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لأَقُومَنَّ بِذَلِكَ أَوَّلَ مَقَامٍ أَقُومُهُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ فَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فِي عَقِبِ ذِي الْحَجَّةِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ عَجَّلْنَا الرَّوَاحَ حِينَ زَاغَتِ الشَّمْسُ حَتَّى أَجِدَ سَعِيدَ بْنَ زَيْدِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ نُفَيْلٍ جَالِسًا إِلَى رُكْنِ الْمِنْبَرِ فَجَلَسْتُ حَوْلَهُ تَمَسُّ رُكْبَتِي رُكْبَتَهُ فَلَمْ أَنْشَبْ أَنْ خَرَجَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ فَلَمَّا رَأَيْتُهُ مُقْبِلاً قُلْتُ لِسَعِيدِ بْنِ زَيْدِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ نُفَيْلٍ لَيَقُولَنَّ الْعَشِيَّةَ مَقَالَةً لَمْ يَقُلْهَا مُنْذُ اسْتُخْلِفَ فَأَنْكَرَ عَلَىَّ وَقَالَ مَا عَسَيْتَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا لَمْ يَقُلْ قَبْلَهُ فَجَلَسَ عُمَرُ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَلَمَّا سَكَتَ الْمُؤَذِّنُونَ قَامَ فَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللَّهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي قَائِلٌ لَكُمْ مَقَالَةً قَدْ قُدِّرَ لِي أَنْ أَقُولَهَا لاَ أَدْرِي لَعَلَّهَا بَيْنَ يَدَىْ أَجَلِي فَمَنْ عَقَلَهَا وَوَعَاهَا فَلْيُحَدِّثْ بِهَا حَيْثُ انْتَهَتْ بِهِ رَاحِلَتُهُ وَمَنْ خَشِيَ أَنْ لاَ يَعْقِلَهَا فَلاَ أُحِلُّ لأَحَدٍ أَنْ يَكْذِبَ عَلَىَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّدًا ﷺ بِالْحَقِّ وَأَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْكِتَابَ فَكَانَ مِمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ آيَةُ الرَّجْمِ فَقَرَأْنَاهَا وَعَقَلْنَاهَا وَوَعَيْنَاهَا رَجَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَرَجَمْنَا بَعْدَهُ فَأَخْشَى إِنْ طَالَ بِالنَّاسِ زَمَانٌ أَنْ يَقُولَ قَائِلٌ وَاللَّهِ مَا نَجِدُ آيَةَ الرَّجْمِ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَيَضِلُّوا بِتَرْكِ فَرِيضَةٍ أَنْزَلَهَا اللَّهُ وَالرَّجْمُ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ عَلَى مَنْ زَنَى إِذَا أُحْصِنَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ إِذَا قَامَتِ الْبَيِّنَةُ أَوْ كَانَ الْحَبَلُ أَوْ الاِعْتِرَافُ ثُمَّ إِنَّا كُنَّا نَقْرَأُ فِيمَا نَقْرَأُ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ أَنْ لاَ تَرْغَبُوا عَنْ آبَائِكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ كُفْرٌ بِكُمْ أَنْ تَرْغَبُوا عَنْ آبَائِكُمْ أَوْ إِنَّ كُفْرًا بِكُمْ أَنْ تَرْغَبُوا عَنْ آبَائِكُمْ أَلاَ ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ لاَ تُطْرُونِي كَمَا أُطْرِيَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَقُولُوا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ ثُمَّ إِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ قَائِلاً مِنْكُمْ يَقُولُ وَاللَّهِ لَوْ مَاتَ عُمَرُ بَايَعْتُ فُلاَنًا فَلاَ يَغْتَرَّنَّ امْرُؤٌ أَنْ يَقُولَ إِنَّمَا كَانَتْ بَيْعَةُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَلْتَةً وَتَمَّتْ أَلاَ وَإِنَّهَا قَدْ كَانَتْ كَذَلِكَ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ وَقَى شَرَّهَا وَلَيْسَ مِنْكُمْ مَنْ تُقْطَعُ الأَعْنَاقُ إِلَيْهِ مِثْلُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ مَنْ بَايَعَ رَجُلاً عَنْ غَيْرِ مَشُورَةٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَلاَ يُبَايَعُ هُوَ وَلاَ الَّذِي بَايَعَهُ تَغِرَّةً أَنْ يُقْتَلاَ وَإِنَّهُ قَدْ كَانَ مِنْ خَبَرِنَا حِينَ تَوَفَّى اللَّهُ نَبِيَّهُ ﷺ إِلاَّ أَنَّ الأَنْصَارَ خَالَفُونَا وَاجْتَمَعُوا بِأَسْرِهِمْ فِي سَقِيفَةِ بَنِي سَاعِدَةَ وَخَالَفَ عَنَّا عَلِيٌّ وَالزُّبَيْرُ وَمَنْ مَعَهُمَا وَاجْتَمَعَ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَقُلْتُ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ انْطَلِقْ بِنَا إِلَى إِخْوَانِنَا هَؤُلاَءِ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فَانْطَلَقْنَا نُرِيدُهُمْ فَلَمَّا دَنَوْنَا مِنْهُمْ لَقِيَنَا مِنْهُمْ رَجُلاَنِ صَالِحَانِ فَذَكَرَا مَا تَمَالَى عَلَيْهِ الْقَوْمُ فَقَالاَ أَيْنَ تُرِيدُونَ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ فَقُلْنَا نُرِيدُ إِخْوَانَنَا هَؤُلاَءِ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فَقَالاَ لاَ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ لاَ تَقْرَبُوهُمُ اقْضُوا أَمْرَكُمْ فَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لَنَأْتِيَنَّهُمْ فَانْطَلَقْنَا حَتَّى أَتَيْنَاهُمْ فِي سَقِيفَةِ بَنِي سَاعِدَةَ فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ مُزَمَّلٌ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْهِمْ فَقُلْتُ مَنْ هَذَا فَقَالُوا هَذَا سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ فَقُلْتُ مَا لَهُ قَالُوا يُوعَكُ فَلَمَّا جَلَسْنَا قَلِيلاً تَشَهَّدَ خَطِيبُهُمْ فَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللَّهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَنَحْنُ أَنْصَارُ اللَّهِ وَكَتِيبَةُ الإِسْلاَمِ وَأَنْتُمْ مَعْشَرَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ رَهْطٌ وَقَدْ دَفَّتْ دَافَّةٌ مِنْ قَوْمِكُمْ فَإِذَا هُمْ يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يَخْتَزِلُونَا مِنْ أَصْلِنَا وَأَنْ يَحْضُنُونَا مِنَ الأَمْرِ فَلَمَّا سَكَتَ أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَتَكَلَّمَ وَكُنْتُ زَوَّرْتُ مَقَالَةً أَعْجَبَتْنِي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُقَدِّمَهَا بَيْنَ يَدَىْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَكُنْتُ أُدَارِي مِنْهُ بَعْضَ الْحَدِّ فَلَمَّا أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَتَكَلَّمَ قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ عَلَى رِسْلِكَ فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أُغْضِبَهُ فَتَكَلَّمَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَكَانَ هُوَ أَحْلَمَ مِنِّي وَأَوْقَرَ وَاللَّهِ مَا تَرَكَ مِنْ كَلِمَةٍ أَعْجَبَتْنِي فِي تَزْوِيرِي إِلاَّ قَالَ فِي بَدِيهَتِهِ مِثْلَهَا أَوْ أَفْضَلَ مِنْهَا حَتَّى سَكَتَ فَقَالَ مَا ذَكَرْتُمْ فِيكُمْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَأَنْتُمْ لَهُ أَهْلٌ وَلَنْ يُعْرَفَ هَذَا الأَمْرُ إِلاَّ لِهَذَا الْحَىِّ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ هُمْ أَوْسَطُ الْعَرَبِ نَسَبًا وَدَارًا وَقَدْ رَضِيتُ لَكُمْ أَحَدَ هَذَيْنِ الرَّجُلَيْنِ فَبَايِعُوا أَيَّهُمَا شِئْتُمْ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي وَبِيَدِ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ بْنِ الْجَرَّاحِ وَهْوَ جَالِسٌ بَيْنَنَا فَلَمْ أَكْرَهْ مِمَّا قَالَ غَيْرَهَا كَانَ وَاللَّهِ أَنْ أُقَدَّمَ فَتُضْرَبَ عُنُقِي لاَ يُقَرِّبُنِي ذَلِكَ مِنْ إِثْمٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَىَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَتَأَمَّرَ عَلَى قَوْمٍ فِيهِمْ أَبُو بَكْرٍ اللَّهُمَّ إِلاَّ أَنْ تُسَوِّلَ إِلَىَّ نَفْسِي عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ شَيْئًا لاَ أَجِدُهُ الآنَ فَقَالَ قَائِلٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ أَنَا جُذَيْلُهَا الْمُحَكَّكُ وَعُذَيْقُهَا الْمُرَجَّبُ مِنَّا أَمِيرٌ وَمِنْكُمْ أَمِيرٌ يَا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ فَكَثُرَ اللَّغَطُ وَارْتَفَعَتِ الأَصْوَاتُ حَتَّى فَرِقْتُ مِنَ الاِخْتِلاَفِ فَقُلْتُ ابْسُطْ يَدَكَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَبَسَطَ يَدَهُ فَبَايَعْتُهُ وَبَايَعَهُ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ ثُمَّ بَايَعَتْهُ الأَنْصَارُ وَنَزَوْنَا عَلَى سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ فَقَالَ قَائِلٌ مِنْهُمْ قَتَلْتُمْ سَعْدَ بْنَ عُبَادَةَ فَقُلْتُ قَتَلَ اللَّهُ سَعْدَ بْنَ عُبَادَةَ قَالَ عُمَرُ وَإِنَّا وَاللَّهِ مَا وَجَدْنَا فِيمَا حَضَرْنَا مِنْ أَمْرٍ أَقْوَى مِنْ مُبَايَعَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ خَشِينَا إِنْ فَارَقْنَا الْقَوْمَ وَلَمْ تَكُنْ بَيْعَةٌ أَنْ يُبَايِعُوا رَجُلاً مِنْهُمْ بَعْدَنَا فَإِمَّا بَايَعْنَاهُمْ عَلَى مَا لاَ نَرْضَى وَإِمَّا نُخَالِفُهُمْ فَيَكُونُ فَسَادٌ فَمَنْ بَايَعَ رَجُلاً عَلَى غَيْرِ مَشُورَةٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَلاَ يُتَابَعُ هُوَ وَلاَ الَّذِي بَايَعَهُ تَغِرَّةً أَنْ يُقْتَلاَ  

Ja’far bin Muhammad reported on the authority of his father “We entered upon Jabir bin ‘Abd Allaah. When we reached him, he asked about the people (who had come to visit him). When my turn came I said “I am Muhammad bin Ali bin Hussain. He patted my head with his hand and undid my upper then lower buttons. He then placed his hand between my nipples and in those days I was a young boy.” He then said “welcome to you my nephew, ask what you like. I questioned him he was blind. The time of prayer came and he stood wrapped in a mantle. Whenever he placed it on his shoulders its ends fell due to its shortness. He led us in prayer while his mantle was placed on a rack by his side. I said “tell me about the Hajj of the Apostle of Allaah ﷺ.”He signed with his hand and folded his fingers indicating nine. He then said Apostle of Allaah ﷺ remained nine years (at Madeenah ) during which he did not perform Hajj, then made a public announcement in the tenth year to the effect that the Apostle of Allaah ﷺ was about to (go to) perform Hajj. A large number of people came to Madeenah everyone desiring to follow him and act like him. The Apostle of Allaah ﷺ went out and we too went out with him till we reached Dhu Al Hulaifah. Asma’ daughter of ‘Umais gave birth to Muhammad bin Abi Bakr. She sent message to Apostle of Allaah ﷺ asking him What should I do?He replied “take a bath, bandage your private parts with a cloth and put on ihram.” The Apostle of Allaah ﷺ then prayed (in the masjid) and mounted Al Qaswa’ and his she Camel stood erect with him on its back. Jabir said “I saw (a large number of) people on mounts and on foot in front of him and a similar number on his right side and a similar number on his left side and a similar number behind him. The Apostle of Allaah ﷺ was among us, the Qur’an was being revealed to him and he knew its interpretation. Whatever he did, we did it. The Apostle of Allaah ﷺ then raised his voice declaring Allaah’s unity and saying “Labbaik ( I am at thy service), O Allaah, labbaik, labbaik, Thou hast no partner praise and grace are Thine and the Dominion. Thou hast no partner. The people too raised their voices in talbiyah which they used to utter. But the Apostle of Allaah ﷺ did not forbid them anything. The Apostle of Allaah ﷺ continued his talbiyah. Jabir said “We did not express our intention of performing anything but Hajj, being unaware of ‘Umrah (at that season), but when we came with him to the House (the Ka’bah), he touched the corner (and made seven circuits) walking quickly with pride in three of them and walking ordinarily in four. Then going forward to the station of Abraham he recited “And take the station of Abraham as a place of prayer.” (While praying two rak’ahs) he kept the station between him and the House. The narrator said My father said that Ibn Nufail and ‘Uthman said I do not know that he (Jabir) narrated it from anyone except the Prophet ﷺ. The narrator Sulaiman said I do not know but he (Jabir) said “The Apostle of Allaah ﷺ used to recite in the two rak’ahs “Say, He is Allaah, one” and “Say O infidels”. He then returned to the House (the ka’bah) and touched the corner after which he went out by the gate to Al Safa’. When he reached near Al Safa’ he recited “Al Safa’ and Al Marwah are among the indications of Allaah” and he added “We begin with what Allaah began with”. He then began with Al Safa’ and mounting it till he could see the House (the Ka’bah) he declared the greatness of Allaah and proclaimed his Unity. He then said “there is no god but Allaah alone, Who alone has fulfilled His promise, helped His servant and routed the confederates. He then made supplication in the course of that saying such words three times. He then descended and walked towards Al Marwah and when his feet came down into the bottom of the valley, he ran, and when he began to ascend he walked till he reached Al Marwah. He did at al Marwah as he had done at Al Safa’ and when he came to Al Marwah for the last time, he said “If I had known before what I have come to know afterwards regarding this matter of mine, I would not have brought sacrificial animals but made it an ‘Umrah, so if any of you has no sacrificial animals, he may take off ihram and treat it as an ‘Umrah. All the people then took off ihram and clipped their hair except the Prophet ﷺ and those who had brought sacrificial animals. Suraqah (bin Malik) bin Ju’sham then got up and asked Apostle of Allaah ﷺdoes this apply to the present year or does it apply for ever? The Apostle of Allaah ﷺ interwined his fingers and said “The ‘Umarh has been incorporated in Hajj. Adding ‘No’, but forever and ever. ‘Ali came from Yemen with the sacrificial animals of the Apostle of Allaah ﷺ and found Fathima among one of those who had taken off their ihram. She said put on colored clothes and stained her eyes with collyrium. ‘Ali disliked (this action of her) and asked Who commanded you for this? She said “My father”. Jabir said ‘Ali said at Iraq I went to Apostle of Allaah ﷺ to complain against Fathima for what she had done and to ask the opinion of Apostle of Allaah ﷺ about which she mentioned to me. I informed him that I disliked her action and that thereupon she said to me “My father commanded me to do this.” He said “She spoke the truth, she spoke the truth.” What did you say when you put on ihram for Hajj? I said O Allaah, I put on ihram for the same purpose for which Apostle of Allaah ﷺ has put it on. He said I have sacrificial animals with me, so do not take off ihram. He (Jabir) said “The total of those sacrificial animals brought by ‘Ali from Yemen and of those brought by the Prophet ﷺ from Madeenah was one hundred.” Then all the people except the Prophet ﷺ and those who had with them the sacrificial animals took off ihram and clipped their hair. When the 8th of Dhu Al Hijjah (Yaum Al Tarwiyah) came, they went towards Mina having pit on ihram for Hajj and the Apostle of Allaah ﷺ rode and prayed at Mina the noon, afternoon, sunset, night and dawn prayers. After that he waited a little till the sun rose and gave orders for a tent of hair to be set up at Namrah. The Apostle of Allaah ﷺ then sent out and the Quraish did not doubt that he would halt at Al Mash ‘ar Al Haram at Al Muzdalifah, as the Quraish used to do in the pre Islamic period but he passed on till he came to ‘Arafah and found that the tent had been setup at Namrah. There he dismounted and when the sun had passed the meridian he ordered Al Qaswa’ to be brought and when it was saddled for him, he went down to the bottom of the valley and addressed the people saying “Your lives and your property must be respected by one another like the sacredness of this day of yours in the month of yours in this town of yours. Lo! Everything pertaining to the pre Islamic period has been put under my feet and claims for blood vengeance belonging to the pre Islamic period have been abolished. The first of those murdered among us whose blood vengeance I permit is the blood vengeance of ours (according to the version of the narrator ‘Uthman, the blood vengeance of the son of Rabi’ah and according to the version of the narrator Sulaiman the blood vengeance of the son of Rabi’ah bin Al Harith bin ‘Abd Al Muttalib). Some (scholars) said “he was suckled among Banu Sa’d(i.e., he was brought up among Bani Sa’d) and then killed by Hudhail. The usury of the pre Islamic period is abolished and the first of usury I abolish is our usury, the usury of ‘Abbas bin ‘Abd Al Muttalib for it is all abolished. Fear Allaah regarding women for you have got them under Allah’s security and have the right to intercourse with them by Allaah’s word. It is a duty from you on them not to allow anyone whom you dislike to lie on your beds but if they do beat them, but not severely. You are responsible for providing them with food and clothing in a fitting manner. I have left among you something by which if you hold to it you will never again go astray, that is Allaah’s Book. You will be asked about me, so what will you say? They replied “We testify that you have conveyed and fulfilled the message and given counsel. Then raising his forefinger towards the sky and pointing it at the people, he said “O Allaah! Be witness, O Allaah! Be witness, O Allaah! Be witness! Bilal then uttered the call to prayer and the iqamah and he prayed the noon prayer, he then uttered the iqamah and he prayed the afternoon prayer, engaging in no prayer between the two. He then mounted (his she Camel) al Qaswa’ and came to the place of standing , making his she Camel Al Qaswa‘ turn its back to the rocks and having the path taken by those who went on foot in front of him and he faced the qiblah. He remained standing till sunset when the yellow light had somewhat gone and the disc of the sun had disappeared. He took Usamah up behind him and picked the reins of Al Qaswa’ severely so much so that its head was touching the front part of the saddle. Pointing with is right hand he was saying “Calmness, O People! Calmness, O people. Whenever he came over a mound (of sand) he let loose its reins a little so that it could ascend. He then came to Al Muzdalifah where he combined the sunset and night prayers, with one adhan and two iqamahs. The narrator ‘Uthamn said He did not offer supererogatory prayers between them. The narrators are then agreed upon the version He then lay down till dawn and prayed the dawn prayer when the morning light was clear. The narrator Sulaiman said with one adhan and one iqamah. The narrators are then agreed upon the version He then mounted Al Qaswa’ and came to Al Mash’ar Al Haram and ascended it. The narrators ‘Uthaman and Sulaiman said He faced the qiblah praised Allaah, declared His greatness, His uniqueness. ‘Uthamn added in his version and His Unity and kept standing till the day was very clear. The Apostle of Allaah ﷺ then went quickly before the sun rose , taking Al Fadl bin ‘Abbas behind him. He was a man having beautiful hair, white and handsome color. When the Apostle of Allaah ﷺ went quickly, the women in the howdas also began to pass him quickly. Al Fadl began to look at them. The Apostle of Allaah ﷺ placed his hand on the face of Al Fadl , but Al fadl turned his face towards the other side. The Apostle of Allaah ﷺ also turned away his hand to the other side. Al Fadl also turned his face to the other side looking at them till he came to (the Valley of) Muhassir. He urged the Camel a little and following a middle road which comes out at the greatest jamrah, he came to the jamrah which is beside the tree and he threw seven small pebbles at this (jamrah) saying “Allah is most great” each time he threw a pebble like bean seeds. He threw them from the bottom of the valley. The Apostle of Allaah ﷺ then went to the place of the sacrifice and sacrificed sixty three Camels with his own hand. He then commanded ‘Ali who sacrificed the remainder and he shared him and his sacrificial animals. After that he ordered that a piece of flesh from each Camel should be put in a pot and when it was cooked the two of them ate some of it and drank some of its broth. The narrator Sulaiman said the he mounted afterwards the Apostle of Allaah ﷺ went quickly to the House (the Ka’bah) and prayed the noon prayer at Makkah. He came to Banu ‘Abd Al Muttalib who were supplying water at Zamzam and said draw water Banu ‘Abd Al Muttalib were it not that people would take from you the right to draw water, I would draw it along with you. So they handed him a bucket and he drank from it.  

أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ حَجَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ بِيَدِهِ فَعَقَدَ تِسْعًا ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَكَثَ تِسْعَ سِنِينَ لَمْ يَحُجَّ ثُمَّ أُذِّنَ فِي النَّاسِ فِي الْعَاشِرَةِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَاجٌّ فَقَدِمَ الْمَدِينَةَ بَشَرٌ كَثِيرٌ كُلُّهُمْ يَلْتَمِسُ أَنْ يَأْتَمَّ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَيَعْمَلَ بِمِثْلِ عَمَلِهِ فَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَخَرَجْنَا مَعَهُ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا ذَا الْحُلَيْفَةِ فَوَلَدَتْ أَسْمَاءُ بِنْتُ عُمَيْسٍ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَأَرْسَلَتْ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ قَالَ اغْتَسِلِي وَاسْتَذْفِرِي بِثَوْبٍ وَأَحْرِمِي فَصَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ ثُمَّ رَكِبَ الْقَصْوَاءَ حَتَّى إِذَا اسْتَوَتْ بِهِ نَاقَتُهُ عَلَى الْبَيْدَاءِ قَالَ جَابِرٌ نَظَرْتُ إِلَى مَدِّ بَصَرِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ مِنْ رَاكِبٍ وَمَاشٍ وَعَنْ يَمِينِهِ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ وَعَنْ يَسَارِهِ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِنَا وَعَلَيْهِ يَنْزِلُ الْقُرْآنُ وَهُوَ يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ فَمَا عَمِلَ بِهِ مِنْ شَىْءٍ عَمِلْنَا بِهِ فَأَهَلَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِالتَّوْحِيدِ لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ وَأَهَلَّ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا الَّذِي يُهِلُّونَ بِهِ فَلَمْ يَرُدَّ عَلَيْهِمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ شَيْئًا مِنْهُ وَلَزِمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ تَلْبِيَتَهُ قَالَ جَابِرٌ لَسْنَا نَنْوِي إِلاَّ الْحَجَّ لَسْنَا نَعْرِفُ الْعُمْرَةَ حَتَّى إِذَا أَتَيْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَعَهُ اسْتَلَمَ الرُّكْنَ فَرَمَلَ ثَلاَثًا وَمَشَى أَرْبَعًا ثُمَّ تَقَدَّمَ إِلَى مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فَقَرَأَ { وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى } فَجَعَلَ الْمَقَامَ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْبَيْتِ قَالَ فَكَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ قَالَ ابْنُ نُفَيْلٍ وَعُثْمَانُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُهُ ذَكَرَهُ إِلاَّ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ سُلَيْمَانُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُهُ إِلاَّ قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقْرَأُ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ بِ { قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ } وَبِ { قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ } ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَى الْبَيْتِ فَاسْتَلَمَ الرُّكْنَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ مِنَ الْبَابِ إِلَى الصَّفَا فَلَمَّا دَنَا مِنَ الصَّفَا قَرَأَ { إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ } نَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللَّهُ بِهِ فَبَدَأَ بِالصَّفَا فَرَقِيَ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى رَأَى الْبَيْتَ فَكَبَّرَ اللَّهَ وَوَحَّدَهُ وَقَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ ثُمَّ دَعَا بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ وَقَالَ مِثْلَ هَذَا ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ نَزَلَ إِلَى الْمَرْوَةِ حَتَّى إِذَا انْصَبَّتْ قَدَمَاهُ رَمَلَ فِي بَطْنِ الْوَادِي حَتَّى إِذَا صَعِدَ مَشَى حَتَّى أَتَى الْمَرْوَةَ فَصَنَعَ عَلَى الْمَرْوَةِ مِثْلَ مَا صَنَعَ عَلَى الصَّفَا حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ آخِرُ الطَّوَافِ عَلَى الْمَرْوَةِ قَالَ إِنِّي لَوِ اسْتَقْبَلْتُ مِنْ أَمْرِي مَا اسْتَدْبَرْتُ لَمْ أَسُقِ الْهَدْىَ وَلَجَعَلْتُهَا عُمْرَةً فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ لَيْسَ مَعَهُ هَدْىٌ فَلْيَحْلِلْ وَلْيَجْعَلْهَا عُمْرَةً فَحَلَّ النَّاسُ كُلُّهُمْ وَقَصَّرُوا إِلاَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَعَهُ هَدْىٌ فَقَامَ سُرَاقَةُ بْنُ جُعْشُمٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَلِعَامِنَا هَذَا أَمْ لِلأَبَدِ فَشَبَّكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَصَابِعَهُ فِي الأُخْرَى ثُمَّ قَالَ دَخَلَتِ الْعُمْرَةُ فِي الْحَجِّ هَكَذَا مَرَّتَيْنِ لاَ بَلْ لأَبَدِ أَبَدٍ لاَ بَلْ لأَبَدِ أَبَدٍ قَالَ وَقَدِمَ عَلِيٌّ ؓ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ بِبُدْنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَوَجَدَ فَاطِمَةَ ؓ مِمَّنْ حَلَّ وَلَبِسَتْ ثِيَابًا صَبِيغًا وَاكْتَحَلَتْ فَأَنْكَرَ عَلِيٌّ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهَا وَقَالَ مَنْ أَمَرَكِ بِهَذَا فَقَالَتْ أَبِي فَكَانَ عَلِيٌّ يَقُولُ بِالْعِرَاقِ ذَهَبْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ مُحَرِّشًا عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ فِي الأَمْرِ الَّذِي صَنَعَتْهُ مُسْتَفْتِيًا لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي الَّذِي ذَكَرَتْ عَنْهُ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ أَنِّي أَنْكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالَتْ إِنَّ أَبِي أَمَرَنِي بِهَذَا فَقَالَ صَدَقَتْ صَدَقَتْ مَاذَا قُلْتَ حِينَ فَرَضْتَ الْحَجَّ قَالَ قُلْتُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُهِلُّ بِمَا أَهَلَّ بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ فَإِنَّ مَعِيَ الْهَدْىَ فَلاَ تَحْلِلْ قَالَ وَكَانَ جَمَاعَةُ الْهَدْىِ الَّذِي قَدِمَ بِهِ عَلِيٌّ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ وَالَّذِي أَتَى بِهِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ مِائَةً فَحَلَّ النَّاسُ كُلُّهُمْ وَقَصَّرُوا إِلاَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَعَهُ هَدْىٌ قَالَ فَلَمَّا كَانَ يَوْمُ التَّرْوِيَةِ وَوَجَّهُوا إِلَى مِنًى أَهَلُّوا بِالْحَجِّ فَرَكِبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَصَلَّى بِمِنًى الظُّهْرَ وَالْعَصْرَ وَالْمَغْرِبَ وَالْعِشَاءَ وَالصُّبْحَ ثُمَّ مَكَثَ قَلِيلاً حَتَّى طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَأَمَرَ بِقُبَّةٍ لَهُ مِنْ شَعَرٍ فَضُرِبَتْ بِنَمِرَةَ فَسَارَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَلاَ تَشُكُّ قُرَيْشٌ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَاقِفٌ عِنْدَ الْمَشْعَرِ الْحَرَامِ بِالْمُزْدَلِفَةِ كَمَا كَانَتْ قُرَيْشٌ تَصْنَعُ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَأَجَازَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى أَتَى عَرَفَةَ فَوَجَدَ الْقُبَّةَ قَدْ ضُرِبَتْ لَهُ بِنَمِرَةَ فَنَزَلَ بِهَا حَتَّى إِذَا زَاغَتِ الشَّمْسُ أَمَرَ بِالْقَصْوَاءِ فَرُحِلَتْ لَهُ فَرَكِبَ حَتَّى أَتَى بَطْنَ الْوَادِي فَخَطَبَ النَّاسَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ دِمَاءَكُمْ وَأَمْوَالَكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ حَرَامٌ كَحُرْمَةِ يَوْمِكُمْ هَذَا فِي شَهْرِكُمْ هَذَا فِي بَلَدِكُمْ هَذَا أَلاَ إِنَّ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ مِنْ أَمْرِ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ تَحْتَ قَدَمَىَّ مَوْضُوعٌ وَدِمَاءُ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ مَوْضُوعَةٌ وَأَوَّلُ دَمٍ أَضَعُهُ دِمَاؤُنَا دَمُ قَالَ عُثْمَانُ دَمُ ابْنِ رَبِيعَةَ وَقَالَ سُلَيْمَانُ دَمُ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ وَقَالَ بَعْضُ هَؤُلاَءِ كَانَ مُسْتَرْضَعًا فِي بَنِي سَعْدٍ فَقَتَلَتْهُ هُذَيْلٌ وَرِبَا الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ مَوْضُوعٌ وَأَوَّلُ رِبًا أَضَعُهُ رِبَانَا رِبَا عَبَّاسِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَإِنَّهُ مَوْضُوعٌ كُلُّهُ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ فِي النِّسَاءِ فَإِنَّكُمْ أَخَذْتُمُوهُنَّ بِأَمَانَةِ اللَّهِ وَاسْتَحْلَلْتُمْ فُرُوجَهُنَّ بِكَلِمَةِ اللَّهِ وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِنَّ أَنْ لاَ يُوطِئْنَ فُرُشَكُمْ أَحَدًا تَكْرَهُونَهُ فَإِنْ فَعَلْنَ فَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ ضَرْبًا غَيْرَ مُبَرِّحٍ وَلَهُنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَإِنِّي قَدْ تَرَكْتُ فِيكُمْ مَا لَنْ تَضِلُّوا بَعْدَهُ إِنِ اعْتَصَمْتُمْ بِهِ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَأَنْتُمْ مَسْئُولُونَ عَنِّي فَمَا أَنْتُمْ قَائِلُونَ قَالُوا نَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ قَدْ بَلَّغْتَ وَأَدَّيْتَ وَنَصَحْتَ ثُمَّ قَالَ بِأُصْبُعِهِ السَّبَّابَةِ يَرْفَعُهَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَيَنْكِبُهَا إِلَى النَّاسِ اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدِ اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدِ اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدْ ثُمَّ أَذَّنَ بِلاَلٌ ثُمَّ أَقَامَ فَصَلَّى الظُّهْرَ ثُمَّ أَقَامَ فَصَلَّى الْعَصْرَ وَلَمْ يُصَلِّ بَيْنَهُمَا شَيْئًا ثُمَّ رَكِبَ الْقَصْوَاءَ حَتَّى أَتَى الْمَوْقِفَ فَجَعَلَ بَطْنَ نَاقَتِهِ الْقَصْوَاءَ إِلَى الصَّخَرَاتِ وَجَعَلَ حَبْلَ الْمُشَاةِ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَاسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ وَاقِفًا حَتَّى غَرَبَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَذَهَبَتِ الصُّفْرَةُ قَلِيلاً حِينَ غَابَ الْقُرْصُ وَأَرْدَفَ أُسَامَةَ خَلْفَهُ فَدَفَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَقَدْ شَنَقَ لِلْقَصْوَاءِ الزِّمَامَ حَتَّى إِنَّ رَأْسَهَا لَيُصِيبُ مَوْرِكَ رَحْلِهِ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ بِيَدِهِ الْيُمْنَى السَّكِينَةَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ السَّكِينَةَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلَّمَا أَتَى حَبْلاً مِنَ الْحِبَالِ أَرْخَى لَهَا قَلِيلاً حَتَّى تَصْعَدَ حَتَّى أَتَى الْمُزْدَلِفَةَ فَجَمَعَ بَيْنَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَالْعِشَاءِ بِأَذَانٍ وَاحِدٍ وَإِقَامَتَيْنِ قَالَ عُثْمَانُ وَلَمْ يُسَبِّحْ بَيْنَهُمَا شَيْئًا ثُمَّ اتَّفَقُوا ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ فَصَلَّى الْفَجْرَ حِينَ تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الصُّبْحُ قَالَ سُلَيْمَانُ بِنِدَاءٍ وَإِقَامَةٍ ثُمَّ اتَّفَقُوا ثُمَّ رَكِبَ الْقَصْوَاءَ حَتَّى أَتَى الْمَشْعَرَ الْحَرَامَ فَرَقِيَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ عُثْمَانُ وَسُلَيْمَانُ فَاسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَكَبَّرَهُ وَهَلَّلَهُ زَادَ عُثْمَانُ وَوَحَّدَهُ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ وَاقِفًا حَتَّى أَسْفَرَ جِدًّا ثُمَّ دَفَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ وَأَرْدَفَ الْفَضْلَ بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ وَكَانَ رَجُلاً حَسَنَ الشَّعْرِ أَبْيَضَ وَسِيمًا فَلَمَّا دَفَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَرَّ الظُّعُنُ يَجْرِينَ فَطَفِقَ الْفَضْلُ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِنَّ فَوَضَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَدَهُ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْفَضْلِ وَصَرَفَ الْفَضْلُ وَجْهَهُ إِلَى الشِّقِّ الآخَرِ وَحَوَّلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَدَهُ إِلَى الشِّقِّ الآخَرِ وَصَرَفَ الْفَضْلُ وَجْهَهُ إِلَى الشِّقِّ الآخَرِ يَنْظُرُ حَتَّى أَتَى مُحَسِّرًا فَحَرَّكَ قَلِيلاً ثُمَّ سَلَكَ الطَّرِيقَ الْوُسْطَى الَّذِي يُخْرِجُكَ إِلَى الْجَمْرَةِ الْكُبْرَى حَتَّى أَتَى الْجَمْرَةَ الَّتِي عِنْدَ الشَّجَرَةِ فَرَمَاهَا بِسَبْعِ حَصَيَاتٍ يُكَبِّرُ مَعَ كُلِّ حَصَاةٍ مِنْهَا بِمِثْلِ حَصَى الْخَذْفِ فَرَمَى مِنْ بَطْنِ الْوَادِي ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِلَى الْمَنْحَرِ فَنَحَرَ بِيَدِهِ ثَلاَثًا وَسِتِّينَ وَأَمَرَ عَلِيًّا فَنَحَرَ مَا غَبَرَ يَقُولُ مَا بَقِيَ وَأَشْرَكَهُ فِي هَدْيِهِ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ بَدَنَةٍ بِبَضْعَةٍ فَجُعِلَتْ فِي قِدْرٍ فَطُبِخَتْ فَأَكَلاَ مِنْ لَحْمِهَا وَشَرِبَا مِنْ مَرَقِهَا قَالَ سُلَيْمَانُ ثُمَّ رَكِبَ ثُمَّ أَفَاضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِلَى الْبَيْتِ فَصَلَّى بِمَكَّةَ الظُّهْرَ ثُمَّ أَتَى بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ وَهُمْ يَسْقُونَ عَلَى زَمْزَمَ فَقَالَ انْزِعُوا بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَلَوْلاَ أَنْ يَغْلِبَكُمُ النَّاسُ عَلَى سِقَايَتِكُمْ لَنَزَعْتُ مَعَكُمْ فَنَاوَلُوهُ دَلْوًا فَشَرِبَ مِنْهُ  

"What was said about me had been said, and I myself was unaware of it, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ got up and addressed the people. He recited the Tashahhud and after praising and expressing gratitude to Allah, as He deserved, he said: 'To proceed: O people! Give me your opinion regarding those people who made a forged story against my wife. By Allah, I do not know anything bad about her at all. By Allah, they accused her of being with a man about whom I have never known anything bad, and he never entered my house unless I was present there, and whenever I went on a journey, he went with me.' Sa'd bin Mu'adh [may Allah be pleased with him] got up and said: 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Allow me to chop their heads off!' Then a man from Al-Khazraj, to whom the mother of Hassan bin Thabit was a relative, got up and said (to Sa'd): 'You have told a lie! By Allah, if those persons were from Al-Aws, you would not like to chop their heads.' It was probable that some evil would take place between Aws and Khazraj in the Masjid while I was unaware of that. In the evening of that day, I went out for some of my needs, and Umm Mistah was accompanying me. On our return, Umm Mistah stumbled and said: 'Let Mistah be ruined!' I said to her, 'O mother! Why do you abuse your son?' On that Umm Mistah became silent for a while, and stumbling again, she said: 'Let Mistah be ruined!' I said to her: 'O mother! Why do you abuse your son?' She stumbled for the third time and said: 'Let Mistah be ruined!' I said to her: 'O mother! Why do you abuse your son?' Upon that she said: 'By Allah! I do not abuse him except because of you.' I asked her: 'Concerning what of my affairs?' So she disclosed the whole story to me. I said: 'Has this really happened?' She replied: 'Yes, by Allah!' I returned to my house, so astonished, that I did not know for what purpose I had gone out. Then I became sick and said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ 'Send me to my father's house.' So he sent a servant with me, and when I entered the house, I found Umm Ruman downstairs, while Abu Bakr was reciting something upstairs. My mother asked: 'What has brought you, O daughter?' She said: "I informed her and mentioned the whole story to her, but she did not feel as I did about it. She said: 'O my daughter! Do not worry much about this matter, for there is never a charming lady loved by her husband who has other wives, but that they feel jealous of her and speak badly of her.' But she did not feel the same about it as I did. I asked her: 'Does my father know about it?' She said 'Yes.' I asked: 'Does the Messenger of Allah ﷺ know about it too?' She said 'Yes, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ also knows about it.' Tears filled my eyes and I wept. Abu Bakr, who was reading upstairs, heard my voice, and came down asking my mother: 'What is the matter with her?' She said: 'She has heard what has been said about her.' On that Abu Bakr wept and said: 'I beseech you, by Allah, O my daughter, to go back to your home.' I went back to my home, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had come to my house asking my maid-servant about me. The maid-servant said: 'By Allah! I do not know of any fault or defect in her character except that she sleeps and lets the sheep enter and eat her dough.' On that, some of the Prophet's Companions spoke harshly to her and said: 'Tell the truth to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' Finally, they told her of the slander and she said: 'Subhan Allah! By Allah, I know nothing against her except what a goldsmith knows about a piece of pure gold.' Then this news reached the man who was accused, and he said: 'Subhan Allah! By Allah, I have never uncovered the private parts of any woman.' Later, that man was martyred in Allah's Cause. Then the next morning, my parents came to pay me a visit and they stayed with me until the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me, after he performed the 'Asr prayer. He came to me and while my parents were sitting around me on my right and my left. The Prophet ﷺ said the Tashahhud, praised and glorified Allah and said: 'Now then, O 'Aishah! If you have committed a bad deed, or you have wronged (yourself), then repent to Allah, as Allah accepts the repentance from His worshipers.' An Ansari woman had come and was sitting near the gate. I said to the Prophet ﷺ: 'Isn't it improper that you speak in such a way in the presence of this lady?' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then gave a piece of advice and I turned to my father and requested him to reply to him. My father said: 'What should I say?' Then I turned to my mother and asked her to answer him. She said: 'What should I say?' When my parents did not reply to the Prophet ﷺ, I said the Tashahhud, praised and glorified Allah as His due, and I said: 'Then, by Allah! If I were to tell you that I have not done (this) and Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, is witness that I am telling the truth, that would not be of any use to me on your part, because you (people) have spoken about it and your hearts have absorbed it (as truth); and if I were to tell you that I have done this sin, and Allah knows that I have not done it, then you will say: 'She has confessed her guilt.' By Allah! I do not see a suitable example for me and you except the example of - and I could not remember Ya'qbus name - Yusuf's father when he said: So patience is most fitting. And it is Allah Whose help can be sought against that which you describe (12:18). She said: "It was at that time that Revelation came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and we remained silent. Then the Revelation was over, and I noticed the signs of happiness on his face while he was wiping (the sweat) from his forehead, and saying: 'Have the good tidings O 'Aishah! Allah has revealed your innocence.' At that time I was extremely angry. My parents said to me: 'Get up and go to him.' I said: 'By Allah, I will not do it,and will not thank him nor either of you, but I will thank Allah, Who has revealed my innocence. You have heard (this story) but neither of you have denied it, nor have you changed it (to defend me).'" 'Aishah used to say: "But as regards to Zainab bint Jahsh, Allah protected her because of her piety. She did not say anything except good (about me). But her sister, Hamnah was ruined among those who were ruined. Those who used to speak evil about me were Mistah, Hassan bin Thabit, and the hypocrite 'Abdullah bin Ubayy [bin Salul] and [it is he who] used to spread that news and tempt others to speak of it, and it was he and Hamnah who had the greater share therein. Abu Bakr took an oath that he would never do any favor for Mistah at all. Then Allah, Most High, revealed this Ayah: 'Let not those among you who are blessed with graces and wealth' [until the end of the Ayah] referring to Abu Bakr: 'to give their kinsmen, the poor, and those who left their homes for Allah's Cause.' - meaning Mistah - up to His saying: Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (24:22).' On that, Abu Bakr said: 'Yes, by Allah! O our Lord! We wish that You forgive us.' So he returned to what he had been doing."  

لَمَّا ذُكِرَ مِنْ شَأْنِي الَّذِي ذُكِرَ وَمَا عَلِمْتُ بِهِ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِيَّ خَطِيبًا فَتَشَهَّدَ وَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ أَشِيرُوا عَلَىَّ فِي أُنَاسٍ أَبَنُوا أَهْلِي وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي مِنْ سُوءٍ قَطُّ وَأَبَنُوا بِمَنْ وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ سُوءٍ قَطُّ وَلاَ دَخَلَ بَيْتِي قَطُّ إِلاَّ وَأَنَا حَاضِرٌ وَلاَ غِبْتُ فِي سَفَرٍ إِلاَّ غَابَ مَعِي فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ ؓ فَقَالَ ائْذَنْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنْ أَضْرِبَ أَعْنَاقَهُمْ وَقَامَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ وَكَانَتْ أُمُّ حَسَّانَ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ مِنْ رَهْطِ ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلِ فَقَالَ كَذَبْتَ أَمَا وَاللَّهِ أَنْ لَوْ كَانُوا مِنَ الأَوْسِ مَا أَحْبَبْتَ أَنْ تُضْرَبَ أَعْنَاقُهُمْ حَتَّى كَادَ أَنْ يَكُونَ بَيْنَ الأَوْسِ وَالْخَزْرَجِ شَرٌّ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ وَمَا عَلِمْتُ بِهِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ مَسَاءُ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ خَرَجْتُ لِبَعْضِ حَاجَتِي وَمَعِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فَعَثَرَتْ فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا أَىْ أَمَّ تَسُبِّينَ ابْنَكِ فَسَكَتَتْ ثُمَّ عَثَرَتِ الثَّانِيَةَ فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا أَىْ أَمَّ تَسُبِّينَ ابْنَكِ فَسَكَتَتْ ثُمَّ عَثَرَتِ الثَّالِثَةَ فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَانْتَهَرْتُهَا فَقُلْتُ لَهَا أَىْ أُمَّ تَسُبِّينَ ابْنَكِ فَقَالَتْ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَسُبُّهُ إِلاَّ فِيكِ فَقُلْتُ فِي أَىِّ شَيْءٍ قَالَتْ فَبَقَرَتْ إِلَىَّ الْحَدِيثَ قُلْتُ وَقَدْ كَانَ هَذَا قَالَتْ نَعَمْ وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي وَكَأَنَّ الَّذِي خَرَجْتُ لَهُ لَمْ أَخْرُجْ لاَ أَجِدُ مِنْهُ قَلِيلاً وَلاَ كَثِيرًا وَوُعِكْتُ فَقُلْتُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَرْسِلْنِي إِلَى بَيْتِ أَبِي فَأَرْسَلَ مَعِي الْغُلاَمَ فَدَخَلْتُ الدَّارَ فَوَجَدْتُ أُمَّ رُومَانَ فِي السُّفْلِ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ فَوْقَ الْبَيْتِ يَقْرَأُ فَقَالَتْ أُمِّي مَا جَاءَ بِكِ يَا بُنَيَّةُ قَالَتْ فَأَخْبَرْتُهَا وَذَكَرْتُ لَهَا الْحَدِيثَ فَإِذَا هُوَ لَمْ يَبْلُغْ مِنْهَا مَا بَلَغَ مِنِّي قَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ خَفِّفِي عَلَيْكِ الشَّأْنَ فَإِنَّهُ وَاللَّهِ لَقَلَّمَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ حَسْنَاءُ عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا لَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلاَّ حَسَدْنَهَا وَقِيلَ فِيهَا فَإِذَا هِيَ لَمْ يَبْلُغْ مِنْهَا مَا بَلَغَ مِنِّي قَالَتْ قُلْتُ وَقَدْ عَلِمَ بِهِ أَبِي قَالَتْ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ وَاسْتَعْبَرْتُ وَبَكَيْتُ فَسَمِعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ صَوْتِي وَهُوَ فَوْقَ الْبَيْتِ يَقْرَأُ فَنَزَلَ فَقَالَ لأُمِّي مَا شَأْنُهَا قَالَتْ بَلَغَهَا الَّذِي ذُكِرَ مِنْ شَأْنِهَا فَفَاضَتْ عَيْنَاهُ فَقَالَ أَقْسَمْتُ عَلَيْكِ يَا بُنَيَّةُ إِلاَّ رَجَعْتِ إِلَى بَيْتِكِ فَرَجَعْتُ وَلَقَدْ جَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَيْتِي فَسَأَلَ عَنِّي خَادِمَتِي فَقَالَتْ لاَ وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهَا عَيْبًا إِلاَّ أَنَّهَا كَانَتْ تَرْقُدُ حَتَّى تَدْخُلَ الشَّاةُ فَتَأْكُلَ خَمِيرَتَهَا أَوْ عَجِينَتَهَا وَانْتَهَرَهَا بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِهِ فَقَالَ أَصْدِقِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى أَسْقَطُوا لَهَا بِهِ فَقَالَتْ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهَا إِلاَّ مَا يَعْلَمُ الصَّائِغُ عَلَى تِبْرِ الذَّهَبِ الأَحْمَرِ فَبَلَغَ الأَمْرُ ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلَ الَّذِي قِيلَ لَهُ فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهِ مَا كَشَفْتُ كَنَفَ أُنْثَى قَطُّ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُتِلَ شَهِيدًا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ قَالَتْ وَأَصْبَحَ أَبَوَاىَ عِنْدِي فَلَمْ يَزَالاَ عِنْدِي حَتَّى دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَقَدْ صَلَّى الْعَصْرَ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ وَقَدِ اكْتَنَفَنِي أَبَوَاىَ عَنْ يَمِينِي وَعَنْ شِمَالِي فَتَشَهَّدَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ إِنْ كُنْتِ قَارَفْتِ سُوءًا أَوْ ظَلَمْتِ فَتُوبِي إِلَى اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ قَالَتْ وَقَدْ جَاءَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ وَهِيَ جَالِسَةٌ بِالْبَابِ فَقُلْتُ أَلاَ تَسْتَحِي مِنْ هَذِهِ الْمَرْأَةِ أَنْ تَذْكُرَ شَيْئًا فَوَعَظَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَالْتَفَتُّ إِلَى أَبِي فَقُلْتُ أَجِبْهُ قَالَ فَمَاذَا أَقُولُ فَالْتَفَتُّ إِلَى أُمِّي فَقُلْتُ أَجِيبِيهِ قَالَتْ أَقُولُ مَاذَا قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا لَمْ يُجِيبَا تَشَهَّدْتُ فَحَمِدْتُ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَيْتُ عَلَيْهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ أَمَا وَاللَّهِ لَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي لَمْ أَفْعَلْ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنِّي لَصَادِقَةٌ مَا ذَاكَ بِنَافِعِي عِنْدَكُمْ لِي لَقَدْ تَكَلَّمْتُمْ وَأُشْرِبَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ إِنِّي قَدْ فَعَلْتُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي لَمْ أَفْعَلْ لَتَقُولُنَّ إِنَّهَا قَدْ بَاءَتْ بِهِ عَلَى نَفْسِهَا وَإِنِّي وَاللَّهِ مَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلاً قَالَتْ وَالْتَمَسْتُ اسْمَ يَعْقُوبَ فَلَمْ أَقْدِرْ عَلَيْهِ إِلاَّ أَبَا يُوسُفَ حِينَ قَالََ (فصبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ ) قَالَتْ وَأُنْزِلَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ سَاعَتِهِ فَسَكَتْنَا فَرُفِعَ عَنْهُ وَإِنِّي لأَتَبَيَّنُ السُّرُورَ فِي وَجْهِهِ وَهُوَ يَمْسَحُ جَبِينَهُ وَيَقُولُ الْبُشْرَى يَا عَائِشَةُ فَقَدْ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ بَرَاءَتَكِ قَالَتْ وَكُنْتُ أَشَدَّ مَا كُنْتُ غَضَبًا فَقَالَ لِي أَبَوَاىَ قُومِي إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ لاَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلاَ أَحْمَدُهُ وَلاَ أَحْمَدُكُمَا وَلَكِنْ أَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ بَرَاءَتِي لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ فَمَا أَنْكَرْتُمُوهُ وَلاَ غَيَّرْتُمُوهُ وَكَانَتْ عَائِشَةُ تَقُولُ أَمَّا زَيْنَبُ بِنْتُ جَحْشٍ فَعَصَمَهَا اللَّهُ بِدِينِهَا فَلَمْ تَقُلْ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ وَكَانَ الَّذِي يَتَكَلَّمُ فِيهِ مِسْطَحٌ وَحَسَّانُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ وَالْمُنَافِقُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أُبَىٍّ ابْنُ سَلُولَ وَهُوَ الَّذِي كَانَ يَسُوسُهُ وَيَجْمَعُهُ وَهُوَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَهُ مِنْهُمْ هُوَ وَحَمْنَةُ قَالَتْ فَحَلَفَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ أَنْ لاَ يَنْفَعَ مِسْطَحًا بِنَافِعَةٍ أَبَدًا فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى هَذِهِ الآيَةَ (ولاَ يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ ) إِلَى آخِرِ الآيَةِ يَعْنِي أَبَا بَكْرٍ (أنْ يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ) يَعْنِي مِسْطَحًا إِلَى قَوْلِهِ (ألاَ تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ ) قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى وَاللَّهِ يَا رَبَّنَا إِنَّا لَنُحِبُّ أَنْ تَغْفِرَ لَنَا وَعَادَ لَهُ بِمَا كَانَ يَصْنَعُ  

“We entered upon Jabir bin ‘Abdullah, and when we reached him he asked about the people (i.e., what their names were, etc.). When he reached me, I said: ‘I am Muhammad bin ‘Ali bin Husain.’ He stretched forth his hand towards my head, and undid my top button, then undid my lower button. Then he placed his hand on my chest, and I was a young boy at that time. Then he said: ‘Welcome to you, ask whatever you want.’ So I asked him, and he was blind. The time for prayer came, so he stood up, wrapping himself in a woven cloth. Every time he put it on his shoulders, its edges came up, because it was too small. And his cloak was beside him on a hook. He led us in prayer, then he said: ‘Tell us about the Hajj of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.’ He held up his hands, showing nine (fingers), and said: ‘The Messenger of Allah ﷺ stayed for nine years without performing Hajj, then it was announced to the people in the tenth year that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was going for Hajj. So many people came to Al-Madinah, all of them seeking to follow the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and do what he did. He set out and we set out with him, and we came to Dhul-Hulaifah where Asma’ bint ‘Umais gave birth to Muhammad bin Abu Bakr. She sent word to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ asking what she should do. He said: “Perform Ghusl, fasten a cloth around your waist and enter Ihram.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed in the mosque, then he rode Qaswa’ (his she-camel) until, when his she-camel arose with him upon Baida’,’ Jabir said: ‘As far as I could see, I saw people riding and walking in front of him, and I saw the same to his right and left, and behind him, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was among us and Qur’an was being revealed to him, and he understood its meaning. Whatever he did, we did too. Then he began the Talbiyah of monotheism: “Labbaika Allahumma labbaik, labbaika la sharika laka labbaik. Innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika laka (Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, You have no partner).” And the people repeated his words. And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ approved of that. And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ continued to recite the Talbiyah.’ Jabir said: ‘We did not intend (to do) anything but Hajj. We were not aware of ‘Umrah. Then when we reached the House with him, he touched the Corner, and walked quickly (Ramal) for three circuits and walked (normally) for four. Then he stood at the place of Ibrahim and said: “And take you (people) the place of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.” [2:125] He stood with the place between him and the House. My father used to say:* “And I do not think that he mentioned it other than from the Prophet ﷺ: ‘That he used to recite in those two Rak’ah (at the place of Ibrahim): “Say: ‘O you disbelievers!’” [Al-Kafirun (109)] and “Say: ‘He is Allah, (the) One.’” [Al-Ikhlas (112)] “Then he went back to the House and touched the Corner, then he went out through the gate to Safa. When he drew near to Safa he recited: “Verily, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah,” [2:158] (and said:) “We will start with that with which Allah started.” So he started with Safa and climbed it until he could see the House, then proclaimed the greatness of Allah (by saying: Allahu Akbar) and said Tahlil (La ilaha illallah) and praised Him (saying Al-Hamdulillah), and he said: “La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu, yuhyi wa yumit wa huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadir. La ilaha illallah wahdahu, La sharika lahu anjaza wa’dahu, wa nasara ‘abduhu, wa hazamal-Ahzaba wahdahu (None has the right to be worshiped but Allah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the dominion, all praise is due to Him, He gives life and causes death and He is able to do all things. None has the right to be worshiped but Allah alone; He has no partner or associate, He fulfilled His promise, granted victory to His slave, and defeated the Confederates alone).” And he said that three times, supplication in between. Then he headed towards Marwah walking normally until, when he started to go downhill, he walked quickly (Ramal) in the bottom of the valley. When he started to go uphill, he walked normally, until he reached Marwah, and he did atop Marwah what he had done atop Safa. At the end of his Sa’y, atop Marwah he said: “If I had known before what I have come to know now, I would not have garlanded the sacrificial animal, and I would have made it ‘Umrah. Whoever among you does not have a sacrificial animal with him, let him exit Ihram and make it ‘Umrah.” So all the people exited Ihram and cut their hair, except the Prophet ﷺ and those who had sacrificial animals with them. Suraqah bin Malik bin Ju’shum stood up and said: “O Messenger of Allah! Is this for this year only, or forever and ever?” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ interlaced his fingers and said: “‘Umrah is included in Hajj like this,” twice. “No, it is forever and ever.” ‘Ali brought the camels of the Prophet ﷺ, and he found that Fatimah was one of those who had exited Ihram. She had put on a dyed garment and used kohl. ‘Ali disliked this action on her part, but she said: “My father told me to do this.” ‘Ali used to say in Iraq: “So I went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, feeling upset with Fatimah because of what she had done, to ask the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about what she had said that he said, and that I had disliked that. He said: ‘She spoke the truth, she spoke the truth. What did you say when you began your Hajj?’” He said: “I said: ‘O Allah, I begin the Talbiyah for that for which your Messenger ﷺ begins the Talbiyah.’ (He said:) ‘And I have the sacrificial animal with me, so do not exit Ihram.’ He said: “The total number of sacrificial animals that ‘Ali had brought from Yemen and that the Prophet ﷺ brought from Al-Madinah were one hundred. Then all the people exited Ihram and cut their hair, apart from the Prophet ﷺ and those who had sacrificial animals with them. When the day of Tarwiyah came (the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah), they headed for Mina and began the Talbiyah for Hajj. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ rode. He prayed Zuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, ‘Isha’ and Fajr at Mina. Then he stayed for a short while until the sun rose, and he ordered that a tent of goat hair be pitched for him in Namirah. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ set out, and the Quraish were certain that he was going to stay at Al-Mash’ar Haram or at Al-Muzdalifah, as Quraish used to do during the Ignorance days. But the Messenger of Allah ﷺ continued until he came to ‘Arafat, where he found that the tent had been pitched for him in Namirah, and he stopped there. Then when the sun had passed its zenith, he called for Qaswa’ and she was saddled for him. He rode until he came to the bottom of the valley, and he addressed the people and said: ‘Your blood and your wealth are sacred to you, as sacred as this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this land of yours. Every matter of Ignorance days is abolished, beneath these two feet of mine. The blood feuds of the Ignorance days are abolished, and the first blood feud of Rabi’ah bin Harith, who was nursed among Banu Sa’d and killed by Hudhail. The usuries of Ignorance days are abolished, and the first usury (that I abolish) is our usury, the usury due to ‘Abbas bin ‘Abdul-Muttalib. It is all abolished. Fear Allah with regard to women, for you have taken them as a trust from Allah, and intimacy with them has become permissible to you through Allah’s Word. Your rights over them are that they should not allow anyone whom you dislike to sit on your bedding.** If they do that, then hit them, but in a manner that does not cause injury or leave a mark. Their rights over you are that you should provide for them and clothe them in a reasonable manner. I have left behind you something which, if you adhere to it, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah. You will be asked about me. What will you say?’ They said: ‘We bear witness that you have conveyed (the message) and fulfilled (your duty) and offered sincere advice.’ He gestured with his forefinger towards the sky and then towards the people, (and said:) ‘O Allah, bear witness, O Allah bear witness,’ three times. Then Bilal called the Adhan, then the Iqamah, and he prayed Zuhr. Then he made Iqamah and prayed ‘Asr, and he did not offer any prayer between them. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ rode until he came to the place of standing, and he made his she-camel face Sakharat*** with the path in the sand in front of him, and he faced the Qiblah, then he remained standing until the sun had set and the afterglow had lessened somewhat, when the disk of the sun disappeared. Then he seated Usamah bin Zaid behind him and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ set out. He pulled Qaswa’s reins tight until her head was touching the saddle, and he gestured with his right hand: ‘O people, calmly, calmly!’ Every time he came to a hill, he released the reins a little so that she could climb. Then he came to Muzdalifah where he prayed Maghrib and ‘Isha’ with one Adhan and two Iqamah, offering no prayer in between. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ lay down until dawn came, and he prayed Fajr, when he saw that morning had come, with one Adhan and one Iqamah. Then he rode Qaswa’ until he came to Al-Mash’ar Al-Haram. He climbed it and praised Allah and proclaimed His greatness and that He is the only One worthy of worship. Then he remained standing until it had become quite bright, then he moved on before the sun rose. He seated Fadl bin ‘Abbas behind him, who was a man with lovely hair, white and handsome. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ moved on, he passed some women riding camels. Fadl started to look at them, so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ put his hand on the other side. Fadl turned his face to the other side to look. When he came to Muhassir, he sped up a little. Then he followed the middle road that brings you out to the biggest Pillar, until he reached the Pillar that is by the tree. He threw seven pebbles, saying the Takbir with each throw, pebbles suitable for Khadhf (i.e., the size of a chickpea) throwing from the bottom of the valley. Then he went to the place of slaughter, and slaughtered sixty-three camels with his own hand. Then he handed it over to ‘Ali who slaughtered the rest, and he gave him a share in his sacrificial animal. Then he ordered that a piece from each camel be brought; (the pieces) were put in a pot and cooked, and they (the Prophet ﷺ and ‘Ali) ate from the meat and drank from the soup. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ hastened to the House, and prayed Zuhr in Makkah. He came to Banu ‘Abdul-Muttalib, who were providing water to the pilgrims at Zamzam, and said: ‘Draw me some water, O Banu ‘Abdul-Muttalib. Were it not that the people would overwhelm you, I would have drawn water with you.’ So they drew up a bucket for him and he drank from it.’” * It appears that the speaker is Ja’far bin Muhammad who is narrating from his father, from Jabir. **And they say that the meaning if ‘your furniture’ or, ‘your special place’ in which case the objective is to say that the wife is not to admit anyone in the house whom the husband would be displeased with. ***Sakharat plural of Sakhrah rock or boulder. Nawawi said: “They are the rocks that lay at the base of the Mount of Mercy, and it is the mount in the middle of ‘Arafat.”  

مَرْحَبًا بِكَ سَلْ عَمَّا شِئْتَ فَسَأَلْتُهُ وَهُوَ أَعْمَى فَجَاءَ وَقْتُ الصَّلاَةِ فَقَامَ فِي نِسَاجَةٍ مُلْتَحِفًا بِهَا كُلَّمَا وَضَعَهَا عَلَى مَنْكِبَيْهِ رَجَعَ طَرَفَاهَا إِلَيْهِ مِنْ صِغَرِهَا وَرِدَاؤُهُ إِلَى جَانِبِهِ عَلَى الْمِشْجَبِ فَصَلَّى بِنَا فَقُلْتُ أَخْبِرْنَا عَنْ حَجَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ بِيَدِهِ فَعَقَدَ تِسْعًا وَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَكَثَ تِسْعَ سِنِينَ لَمْ يَحُجَّ فَأَذَّنَ فِي النَّاسِ فِي الْعَاشِرَةِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَاجٌّ فَقَدِمَ الْمَدِينَةَ بَشَرٌ كَثِيرٌ كُلُّهُمْ يَلْتَمِسُ أَنْ يَأْتَمَّ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَيَعْمَلَ بِمِثْلِ عَمَلِهِ فَخَرَجَ وَخَرَجْنَا مَعَهُ فَأَتَيْنَا ذَا الْحُلَيْفَةِ فَوَلَدَتْ أَسْمَاءُ بِنْتُ عُمَيْسٍ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَأَرْسَلَتْ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ قَالَ اغْتَسِلِي وَاسْتَثْفِرِي بِثَوْبٍ وَأَحْرِمِي فَصَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ ثُمَّ رَكِبَ الْقَصْوَاءَ حَتَّى إِذَا اسْتَوَتْ بِهِ نَاقَتُهُ عَلَى الْبَيْدَاءِ قَالَ جَابِرٌ نَظَرْتُ إِلَى مَدِّ بَصَرِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ بَيْنَ رَاكِبٍ وَمَاشٍ وَعَنْ يَمِينِهِ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ وَعَنْ يَسَارِهِ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِنَا وَعَلَيْهِ يَنْزِلُ الْقُرْآنُ وَهُوَ يَعْرِفُ تَأْوِيلَهُ مَا عَمِلَ مِنْ شَىْءٍ عَمِلْنَا بِهِ فَأَهَلَّ بِالتَّوْحِيدِ لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَكَ وَأَهَلَّ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا الَّذِي يُهِلُّونَ بِهِ فَلَمْ يَرُدَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلَيْهِمْ شَيْئًا مِنْهُ وَلَزِمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ تَلْبِيَتَهُ قَالَ جَابِرٌ لَسْنَا نَنْوِي إِلاَّ الْحَجَّ لَسْنَا نَعْرِفُ الْعُمْرَةَ حَتَّى إِذَا أَتَيْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَعَهُ اسْتَلَمَ الرُّكْنَ فَرَمَلَ ثَلاَثًا وَمَشَى أَرْبَعًا ثُمَّ قَامَ إِلَى مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فَقَالَ {وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى} فَجَعَلَ الْمَقَامَ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْبَيْتِ فَكَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُهُ إِلاَّ ذَكَرَهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ إِنَّهُ كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ {قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ} وَ {قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ } ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَى الْبَيْتِ فَاسْتَلَمَ الرُّكْنَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ مِنَ الْبَابِ إِلَى الصَّفَا حَتَّى إِذَا دَنَا مِنَ الصَّفَا قَرَأَ {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ ) نَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللَّهُ بِهِ فَبَدَأَ بِالصَّفَا فَرَقِيَ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى رَأَى الْبَيْتَ فَكَبَّرَ اللَّهَ وَهَلَّلَهُ وَحَمِدَهُ وَقَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ ثُمَّ دَعَا بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ وَقَالَ مِثْلَ هَذَا ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ نَزَلَ إِلَى الْمَرْوَةِ فَمَشَى حَتَّى إِذَا انْصَبَّتْ قَدَمَاهُ رَمَلَ فِي بَطْنِ الْوَادِي حَتَّى إِذَا صَعِدَتَا يَعْنِي قَدَمَاهُ مَشَى حَتَّى أَتَى الْمَرْوَةَ فَفَعَلَ عَلَى الْمَرْوَةِ كَمَا فَعَلَ عَلَى الصَّفَا فَلَمَّا كَانَ آخِرُ طَوَافِهِ عَلَى الْمَرْوَةِ قَالَ لَوْ أَنِّي اسْتَقْبَلْتُ مِنْ أَمْرِي مَا اسْتَدْبَرْتُ لَمْ أَسُقِ الْهَدْىَ وَجَعَلْتُهَا عُمْرَةً فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ لَيْسَ مَعَهُ هَدْىٌ فَلْيَحْلِلْ وَلْيَجْعَلْهَا عُمْرَةً فَحَلَّ النَّاسُ كُلُّهُمْ وَقَصَّرُوا إِلاَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَعَهُ الْهَدْىُ فَقَامَ سُرَاقَةُ بْنُ مَالِكِ بْنِ جُعْشُمٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَلِعَامِنَا هَذَا أَمْ لأَبَدِ الأَبَدِ قَالَ فَشَبَّكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَصَابِعَهُ فِي الأُخْرَى وَقَالَ دَخَلَتِ الْعُمْرَةُ فِي الْحَجِّ هَكَذَا مَرَّتَيْنِ لاَ بَلْ لأَبَدِ الأَبَدِ قَالَ وَقَدِمَ عَلِيٌّ بِبُدْنٍ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَوَجَدَ فَاطِمَةَ مِمَّنْ حَلَّ وَلَبِسَتْ ثِيابًا صَبِيغًا وَاكْتَحَلَتْ فَأَنْكَرَ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهَا عَلِيٌّ فَقَالَتْ أَمَرَنِي أَبِي بِهَذَا فَكَانَ عَلِيٌّ يَقُولُ بِالْعِرَاقِ فَذَهَبْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ مُحَرِّشًا عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ فِي الَّذِي صَنَعَتْهُ مُسْتَفْتِيًا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي الَّذِي ذَكَرَتْ عَنْهُ وَأَنْكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالَ صَدَقَتْ صَدَقَتْ مَاذَا قُلْتَ حِينَ فَرَضْتَ الْحَجَّ قَالَ قُلْتُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُهِلُّ بِمَا أَهَلَّ بِهِ رَسُولُكَ ﷺ قَالَ فَإِنَّ مَعِيَ الْهَدْىَ فَلاَ تَحِلُّ قَالَ فَكَانَ جَمَاعَةُ الْهَدْىِ الَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ عَلِيٌّ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ وَالَّذِي أَتَى بِهِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ مِائَةً ثُمَّ حَلَّ النَّاسُ كُلُّهُمْ وَقَصَّرُوا إِلاَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَعَهُ هَدْىٌ فَلَمَّا كَانَ يَوْمُ التَّرْوِيَةِ وَتَوَجَّهُوا إِلَى مِنًى أَهَلُّوا بِالْحَجِّ فَرَكِبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَصَلَّى بِمِنًى الظُّهْرَ وَالْعَصْرَ وَالْمَغْرِبَ وَالْعِشَاءَ وَالصُّبْحَ ثُمَّ مَكَثَ قَلِيلاً حَتَّى طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَأَمَرَ بِقُبَّةٍ مِنْ شَعَرٍ فَضُرِبَتْ لَهُ بِنَمِرَةَ فَسَارَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ لاَ تَشُكُّ قُرَيْشٌ إِلاَّ أَنَّهُ وَاقِفٌ عِنْدَ الْمَشْعَرِ الْحَرَامِ أَوِ الْمُزْدَلِفَةِ كَمَا كَانَتْ قُرَيْشٌ تَصْنَعُ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَأَجَازَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى أَتَى عَرَفَةَ فَوَجَدَ الْقُبَّةَ قَدْ ضُرِبَتْ لَهُ بِنَمِرَةَ فَنَزَلَ بِهَا حَتَّى إِذَا زَاغَتِ الشَّمْسُ أَمَرَ بِالْقَصْوَاءِ فَرُحِلَتْ لَهُ فَرَكِبَ حَتَّى أَتَى بَطْنَ الْوَادِي فَخَطَبَ النَّاسَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ دِمَاءَكُمْ وَأَمْوَالَكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ حَرَامٌ كَحُرْمَةِ يَوْمِكُمْ هَذَا فِي شَهْرِكُمْ هَذَا فِي بَلَدِكُمْ هَذَا أَلاَ وَإِنَّ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ مِنْ أَمْرِ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ مَوْضُوعٌ تَحْتَ قَدَمَىَّ هَاتَيْنِ وَدِمَاءُ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ مَوْضُوعَةٌ وَأَوَّلُ دَمٍ أَضَعُهُ دَمُ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ كَانَ مُسْتَرْضِعًا فِي بَنِي سَعْدٍ فَقَتَلَتْهُ هُذَيْلٌ وَرِبَا الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ مَوْضُوعٌ وَأَوَّلُ رِبًا أَضَعُهُ رِبَانَا رِبَا الْعَبَّاسِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَإِنَّهُ مَوْضُوعٌ كُلُّهُ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ فِي النِّسَاءِ فَإِنَّكُمْ أَخَذْتُمُوهُنَّ بِأَمَانَةِ اللَّهِ وَاسْتَحْلَلْتُمْ فُرُوجَهُنَّ بِكَلِمَةِ اللَّهِ وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِنَّ أَنْ لاَ يُوطِئْنَ فُرُشَكُمْ أَحَدًا تَكْرَهُونَهُ فَإِنْ فَعَلْنَ ذَلِكَ فَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ ضَرْبًا غَيْرَ مُبَرِّحٍ وَلَهُنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَقَدْ تَرَكْتُ فِيكُمْ مَا لَمْ تَضِلُّوا إِنِ اعْتَصَمْتُمْ بِهِ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَأَنْتُمْ مَسْئُولُونَ عَنِّي فَمَا أَنْتُمْ قَائِلُونَ قَالُوا نَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ قَدْ بَلَّغْتَ وَأَدَّيْتَ وَنَصَحْتَ فَقَالَ بِإِصْبَعِهِ السَّبَّابَةِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَيَنْكُبُهَا إِلَى النَّاسِ اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدِ اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدْ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ أَذَّنَ بِلاَلٌ ثُمَّ أَقَامَ فَصَلَّى الظُّهْرَ ثُمَّ أَقَامَ فَصَلَّى الْعَصْرَ وَلَمْ يُصَلِّ بَيْنَهُمَا شَيْئًا ثُمَّ رَكِبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى أَتَى الْمَوْقِفَ فَجَعَلَ بَطْنَ نَاقَتِهِ إِلَى الصَّخَرَاتِ وَجَعَلَ حَبْلَ الْمُشَاةِ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَاسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ وَاقِفًا حَتَّى غَرَبَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَذَهَبَتِ الصُّفْرَةُ قَلِيلاً حَتَّى غَابَ الْقُرْصُ وَأَرْدَفَ أُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ خَلْفَهُ فَدَفَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَقَدْ شَنَقَ الْقَصْوَاءَ بِالزِّمَامِ حَتَّى إِنَّ رَأْسَهَا لَيُصِيبُ مَوْرِكَ رَحْلِهِ وَيَقُولُ بِيَدِهِ الْيُمْنَى أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ السَّكِينَةَ السَّكِينَةَ كُلَّمَا أَتَى حَبْلاً مِنَ الْحِبَالِ أَرْخَى لَهَا قَلِيلاً حَتَّى تَصْعَدَ ثُمَّ أَتَى الْمُزْدَلِفَةَ فَصَلَّى بِهَا الْمَغْرِبَ وَالْعِشَاءَ بِأَذَانٍ وَاحِدٍ وَإِقَامَتَيْنِ وَلَمْ يُصَلِّ بَيْنَهُمَا شَيْئًا ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ فَصَلَّى الْفَجْرَ حِينَ تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الصُّبْحُ بِأَذَانٍ وَإِقَامَةٍ ثُمَّ رَكِبَ الْقَصْوَاءَ حَتَّى أَتَى الْمَشْعَرَ الْحَرَامَ فَرَقِيَ عَلَيْهِ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَكَبَّرَهُ وَهَلَّلَهُ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ وَاقِفًا حَتَّى أَسْفَرَ جِدًّا ثُمَّ دَفَعَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ وَأَرْدَفَ الْفَضْلَ بْنَ الْعَبَّاسِ وَكَانَ رَجُلاً حَسَنَ الشَّعَرِ أَبْيَضَ وَسِيمًا فَلَمَّا دَفَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَرَّ الظُّعُنُ يَجْرِينَ فَطَفِقَ الْفَضْلُ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِنَّ فَوَضَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَدَهُ مِنَ الشِّقِّ الآخَرِ فَصَرَفَ الْفَضْلُ وَجْهَهُ مِنَ الشِّقِّ الآخَرِ يَنْظُرُ حَتَّى أَتَى مُحَسِّرًا حَرَّكَ قَلِيلاً ثُمَّ سَلَكَ الطَّرِيقَ الْوُسْطَى الَّتِي تُخْرِجُكَ إِلَى الْجَمْرَةِ الْكُبْرَى حَتَّى أَتَى الْجَمْرَةَ الَّتِي عِنْدَ الشَّجَرَةِ فَرَمَى بِسَبْعِ حَصَيَاتٍ يُكَبِّرُ مَعَ كُلِّ حَصَاةٍ مِنْهَا مِثْلِ حَصَى الْخَذْفِ وَرَمَى مِنْ بَطْنِ الْوَادِي ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ إِلَى الْمَنْحَرِ فَنَحَرَ ثَلاَثًا وَسِتِّينَ بَدَنَةً بِيَدِهِ وَأَعْطَى عَلِيًّا فَنَحَرَ مَا غَبَرَ وَأَشْرَكَهُ فِي هَدْيِهِ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ بَدَنَةٍ بِبَضْعَةٍ فَجُعِلَتْ فِي قِدْرٍ فَطُبِخَتْ فَأَكَلاَ مِنْ لَحْمِهَا وَشَرِبَا مِنْ مَرَقِهَا ثُمَّ أَفَاضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِلَى الْبَيْتِ فَصَلَّى بِمَكَّةَ الظُّهْرَ فَأَتَى بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ وَهُمْ يَسْقُونَ عَلَى زَمْزَمَ فَقَالَ انْزِعُوا بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ لَوْلاَ أَنْ يَغْلِبَكُمُ النَّاسُ عَلَى سِقَايَتِكُمْ لَنَزَعْتُ مَعَكُمْ فَنَاوَلُوهُ دَلْوًا فَشَرِبَ مِنْهُ  

I used to recite to ‘AbdurRahman bin ‘Awf, and he found me waiting for him. That was in Mina during the last Hajj performed by ʿUmar bin al-Khattab ؓ Abdur-Rahman bin ʿAwf said: A man came to ʿUmar bin al-Khattab and said: So and so is saying: If ʿUmar ؓ dies, I will swear allegiance to So and so. ʼUmar ؓ said: I will stand before the people today and warn them against these people who want to deprive them of their rights, ʿAbdur-Rahman said: I said: O Ameer al-Muʿmineen, do not do that, for the Hajj season brings together the riffraff and rabble among the people, and most of the people who gather around and listen to you will be of that type. Is you stand before the people, I am afraid that you will say something that they will spread and not understand it properly or interpret it properly. Rather wait until you come to Madinah, for it is the land of Hijrah and the Sunnah, and you will meet the most knowledgeable and noble people there, and you can say what you want to say with confidence; they wilt understand what you say and will interpret it correctly, ʿUmar ؓ said: If I reach Madinah safe and sound, I shall certainly talk to the people there in the first speech I deliver. When we came to Madinah at the end of Dhul-I-Iijah, it was a Friday. I set out early, ‘Umar did not care at what time he went out, because he did not pay attention to heat and cold and so on. I found Saʿeed bin Zaid at the right-hand corner of the minbar, he had got there before me. I sat down next to him, with my knee touching his knee, and it was not long before ʿUmar ؓ came. When I saw him, I said: He will certainly speak today on this minbar and say something that no one ever heard before. Saʿeed bin Zaid objected to that and said: What do you think he will say that no one said before? ʿUmar ؓ sat on the minbar, and when the muʿdhdhin fell silent, he stood up and praised and glorified Allah as He deserves, then he said: To proceed o people, I am going to tell you something that it has been decreed I should say. I do not know, perhaps it may signal my death. So whoever understands it and remembers it, let him narrate it to others wherever his mount takes him; whoever does not understand il, it is not permissible for him to tell lies about me. Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, sent Muhammad ﷺ with the truth and revealed the Book to him; among the things that were revealed to him was the verse of stoning [adulterers). We read it and understood it; the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stoned [adulterers] and we stoned adulterers] after him. But I fear that with the passage of time, some people will say: We do not find the verse of stoning in the Book of Allah, thus they will go astray by forsaking an obligation that Allah revealed. Stoning is the due punishment in the Book of Allah for those who commit zina, both men and women, if they have been married and if proof is established, or there is a pregnancy or a confession, And we used to recite: Do not claim to be the offspring of anyone other than your fathers, as it is disbelief (or ingratitude) on your part to claim to be the offspring of anyone other than your fathers, Verily the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ʿDo not praise me excessively as ʿEesa, the son of Maryam, was praised; rather I am the slave of Allah, so say, the slave of Allah and His Messenger.ʿ I have heard that some among you are saying. If ʿUmar ؓ dies, I shall swear allegiance to So and so. No man should deceive himself by saying that the oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr was given suddenly and it was is successful. There is no doubt that this is the case, but Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, saved the to 2 people from its bad consequences and there is no one among you today who has the qualities of Abu Bakr ؓ What happened to us when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ died was that ‘Ali, az-Zubair and those who were with them stayed behind in the house of Fatimah, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and all the Ansar stayed behind and gathered in Saqeefat Banu Saʿidah, whilst the Muhajireen gathered around Abu Bakr ؓ I said to him; O Abu Bakr, let us go to our brothers, the Ansar. So we set out, looking for them, then we were met by two righteous men who told us what the people had done, and said: where are you going, O Muhajireen? I said: We are looking for these brothers of ours, the Ansar, They said. You should not go near them; do whatever you have already decided, O Muhajireen. I said: By Allah, we will go to them. So we carried on until we came to them in Saqeefat Banu Saʿidah, where we found them gathered and among them was a man wrapped up [in a garment. I said: Who is this? They said: Saʿd bin ʿUbadah. ! said: What is the matter with him? They said: He is sick. After we sat down, their spokesman stood up and praised and glorified Allah, may He glorified and exalted, as He deserves, then he said: To proceed. We are the supporters (Ansar) of Allah and the majority of the Muslim army. You, O Muhajireen, are a small group among us. Some of you came to us, wanting to deny who we are and prevent us from attaining a position of authority. When he fell silent, I wanted to present a speech that I had prepared and that I liked in front of Abu Bakr ؓ I used to avoid provoking him and he was more forbearing and more dignified than me. But Abu Bakr ؓ said: Wait a while. I did not like to make him angry, and he was more knowledgeable and more dignified than me. By Allah, he did not omit any word that I liked in the speech I had prepared but he said something like it or better, speaking spontaneously, until he finished speaking. Then he said: To proceed. Whatever you have mentioned about your achievements and virtues, is correct. The Arabs would not acknowledge the leadership of anyone except someone from this tribe of Quraish, for they are the best of the Arabs in lineage and location. I am pleased to suggest to you one of these two men, whichever of them you want. Then he took hold of my hand and the hand of Abu ʿUbaidah bin al-Jarrah, and I disliked nothing of what he had said apart from this, for by Allah, I would rather have my neck struck for no sin on my part than to become the leader of people among whom was Abu Bakr ؓ unless my own self suggested something at the time of death. One of the Ansar said: I am the post on which the camel with a skin disease scratches itself and I am like a high class palm tree [i.e., a noble]. [I suggest] a ruler from among us and a ruler from among you, O Quraish. - I the narrator said to Malik; What does ‘I am the post on which the cainc! with a skin disease scratches itself and I am like a high class palm treeʿ mean? He said:It is as if he is saying, I am the smart one who has the answer. - Then there was a great deal of clamour and raised voices, to such an extent that I feared there would be a conflict, so I said: Hold out your hand, O Abu Bakr. So he held out his hand and I swore allegiance to him, and the Muhajireen swore allegiance to him, then the Ansar swore allegiance to him. Thus we surrounded Saʿd bin ‘Ubadah. One of them said: You have killed Saʿd i said: May Allah kill Sa’d! And ʿUmar ؓ said: By Allah, we never encountered any problem greater than the swearing of allegiance to Abu Bakr ؓ . We were afraid that if we left the people without having sworn allegiance to anyone, they might swear allegiance after we were gone, so we would either follow in their footsteps and swear allegiance to someone we were not pleased with, or we would disagree with them and that would cause trouble. If anyone swears allegiance to a leader without consulting the Muslims, there is no allegiance for him and no allegiance to the one who swore allegiance to him, lest both of them be killed. Malik said: Ibn Shihab told me, from ʿUrwah bin az-Zubair, that the men whom they met were ʿUwaim bin Saʿidah and Maʿn bin ʿAdiyy. Ibn Shihab said. Saʿeed bin al-Musayyab told me that the one who said, I am the post on which the camel with a skin disease scratches itself and I am like a high class palm tree, was al-lubab bin al-Mundhir.  

أَنَّ عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ عَوْفٍ رَجَعَ إِلَى رَحْلِهِ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ وَكُنْتُ أُقْرِئُ عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ عَوْفٍ فَوَجَدَنِي وَأَنَا أَنْتَظِرُهُ وَذَلِكَ بِمِنًى فِي آخِرِ حَجَّةٍ حَجَّهَا عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ قَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُعَوْفٍ إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ فُلَانًا يَقُولُ لَوْ قَدْ مَاتَ عُمَرُ بَايَعْتُ فُلَانًا فَقَالَ عُمَرُ إِنِّي قَائِمٌ الْعَشِيَّةَ فِي النَّاسِ فَمُحَذِّرُهُمْ هَؤُلَاءِ الرَّهْطَ الَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يَغْصِبُوهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْ قَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَا تَفْعَلْ فَإِنَّ الْمَوْسِمَ يَجْمَعُ رَعَاعَ النَّاسِ وَغَوْغَاءَهُمْ وَإِنَّهُمُ الَّذِينَ يَغْلِبُونَ عَلَى مَجْلِسِكَ إِذَا قُمْتَ فِي النَّاسِ فَأَخْشَى أَنْ تَقُولَ مَقَالَةً يَطِيرُ بِهَا أُولَئِكَ فَلَا يَعُوهَا وَلَا يَضَعُوهَا عَلَى مَوَاضِعِهَا وَلَكِنْ حَتَّى تَقْدَمَ الْمَدِينَةَ فَإِنَّهَا دَارُ الْهِجْرَةِ وَالسُّنَّةِ وَتَخْلُصَ بِعُلَمَاءِ النَّاسِ وَأَشْرَافِهِمْ فَتَقُولَ مَا قُلْتَ مُتَمَكِّنًا فَيَعُونَ مَقَالَتَكَ وَيَضَعُونَهَا مَوَاضِعَهَا فَقَالَ عُمَرُ لَئِنْ قَدِمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ صَالِحًا لَأُكَلِّمَنَّ بِهَا النَّاسَ فِي أَوَّلِ مَقَامٍ أَقُومُهُفَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فِي عَقِبِ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ وَكَانَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ عَجَّلْتُ الرَّوَاحَ صَكَّةَ الْأَعْمَى فَقُلْتُ لِمَالِكٍ وَمَا صَكَّةُ الْأَعْمَى؟ قَالَ إِنَّهُ لَا يُبَالِي أَيَّ سَاعَةٍ خَرَجَ لَا يَعْرِفُ الْحَرَّ وَالْبَرْدَ وَنَحْوَ هَذَا فَوَجَدْتُ سَعِيدَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ عِنْدَ رُكْنِ الْمِنْبَرِ الْأَيْمَنِ قَدْ سَبَقَنِي فَجَلَسْتُ حِذَاءَهُ تَحُكُّ رُكْبَتِي رُكْبَتَهُ فَلَمْ أَنْشَبْ أَنْ طَلَعَ عُمَرُ فَلَمَّا رَأَيْتُهُ قُلْتُ لَيَقُولَنَّ الْعَشِيَّةَ عَلَى هَذَا الْمِنْبَرِ مَقَالَةً مَا قَالَهَا عَلَيْهِ أَحَدٌ قَبْلَهُ قَالَ فَأَنْكَرَ سَعِيدُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ مَا عَسَيْتَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا لَمْ يَقُلْ أَحَدٌ؟فَجَلَسَ عُمَرُ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَلَمَّا سَكَتَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ قَامَ فَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ فَإِنِّي قَائِلٌ مَقَالَةً قَدْ قُدِّرَ لِيأَنْ أَقُولَهَا لَا أَدْرِي لَعَلَّهَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَجَلِي فَمَنْ وَعَاهَا وَعَقَلَهَا فَلْيُحَدِّثْ بِهَا حَيْثُ انْتَهَتْ بِهِ رَاحِلَتُهُ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَعِهَا فَلَا أُحِلُّ لَهُ أَنْ يَكْذِبَ عَلَيَّ إِنَّ اللهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى بَعَثَ مُحَمَّدًا ﷺ بِالْحَقِّ وَأَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْكِتَابَ وَكَانَ مِمَّا أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةُ الرَّجْمِ فَقَرَأْنَاهَا وَوَعَيْنَاهَا وَرَجَمَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَرَجَمْنَا بَعْدَهُ فَأَخْشَى إِنْ طَالَ بِالنَّاسِ زَمَانٌ أَنْ يَقُولَ قَائِلٌ لَا نَجِدُ آيَةَ الرَّجْمِ فِي كِتَابِ اللهِ ﷻ فَيَضِلُّوا بِتَرْكِ فَرِيضَةٍ قَدْ أَنْزَلَهَا اللهُ ﷻ فَالرَّجْمُ فِي كِتَابِ اللهِ حَقٌّ عَلَى مَنْ زَنَى إِذَا أُحْصِنَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ إِذَا قَامَتِ الْبَيِّنَةُ أَوِ الْحَبَلُ أَوِ الِاعْتِرَافُ أَلَا وَإِنَّا قَدْ كُنَّا نَقْرَأُ لَا تَرْغَبُوا عَنْ آبَائِكُمْ فَإِنَّ كُفْرًا بِكُمْ أَنْ تَرْغَبُوا عَنْ آبَائِكُمْأَلَا وَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ لَا تُطْرُونِي كَمَا أُطْرِيَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ فَإِنَّمَا أَنَا عَبْدُ اللهِ فَقُولُوا عَبْدُ اللهِ وَرَسُولُهُ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ قَائِلًا مِنْكُمْ يَقُولُ لَوْ قَدْ مَاتَ عُمَرُ بَايَعْتُ فُلانًا فَلا يَغْتَرَّنَّ امْرُؤٌ أَنْ يَقُولَ إِنَّ بَيْعَةَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ كَانَتْ فَلْتَةً أَلا وَإِنَّهَا كَانَتْ كَذَلِكَ إلا أَنَّ اللهَ ﷻ وَقَى شَرَّهَا وَلَيْسَ فِيكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مَنْ تُقْطَعُ إِلَيْهِ الْأَعْنَاقُ مِثْلُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ أََلَا وَإِنَّهُ كَانَ مِنْ خَبَرِنَا حِينَ تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَنَّ عَلِيًّا وَالزُّبَيْرَ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَعَهُمَا تَخَلَّفُوا فِي بَيْتِ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَتَخَلَّفَتْ عَنَّا الْأَنْصَارُ بِأَجْمَعِهَا فِيسَقِيفَةِ بَنِي سَاعِدَةَ وَاجْتَمَعَ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ انْطَلِقْ بِنَا إِلَى إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَانْطَلَقْنَا نَؤُمُّهُمْ حَتَّى لَقِيَنَا رَجُلانِ صَالِحَانِ فَذَكَرَا لَنَا الَّذِي صَنَعَ الْقَوْمُ فَقَالا أَيْنَ تُرِيدُونَ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ؟ فَقُلْتُ نُرِيدُ إِخْوَانَنَا هَؤُلاءِ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَقَالا لَا عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ لَا تَقْرَبُوهُمْ وَاقْضُوا أَمْرَكُمْ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَنَأْتِيَنَّهُمْفَانْطَلَقْنَا حَتَّى جِئْنَاهُمْ فِي سَقِيفَةِ بَنِي سَاعِدَةَ فَإِذَا هُمْ مُجْتَمِعُونَ وَإِذَا بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْهِمْ رَجُلٌ مُزَمَّلٌ فَقُلْتُ مَنْ هَذَا؟ فَقَالُوا سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ فَقُلْتُ مَا لَهُ؟ قَالُوا وَجِعٌ فَلَمَّا جَلَسْنَا قَامَ خَطِيبُهُمْ فَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللهِ ﷻ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ وَقَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَنَحْنُ أَنْصَارُ اللهِ ﷻ وَكَتِيبَةُ الْإِسْلامِ وَأَنْتُمْ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ رَهْطٌ مِنَّا وَقَدْ دَفَّتْ دَافَّةٌ مِنْكُمْ يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يَخْزِلُونَا مِنْ أَصْلِنَا وَيَحْضُنُونَا مِنَ الْأَمْرِ فَلَمَّا سَكَتَ أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَتَكَلَّمَ وَكُنْتُ قَدْ زَوَّرْتُ مَقَالَةً أَعْجَبَتْنِي أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَقُولَهَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَقَدْ كُنْتُ أُدَارِي مِنْهُ بَعْضَ الْحَدِّ وَهُوَ كَانَ أَحْلَمَ مِنِّي وَأَوْقَرَ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ عَلَى رِسْلِكَ فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أُغْضِبَهُ وَكَانَ أَعْلَمَ مِنِّي وَأَوْقَرَ وَاللهِ مَا تَرَكَ مِنْ كَلِمَةٍ أَعْجَبَتْنِي فِي تَزْوِيرِي إِلَّا قَالَهَا فِي بَدِيهَتِهِ وَأَفْضَلَ حَتَّى سَكَتَ فَقَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَمَا ذَكَرْتُمْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَأَنْتُمْ أَهْلُهُ وَلَمْ تَعْرِفِ الْعَرَبُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ إِلَّا لِهَذَا الْحَيِّ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ هُمْ أَوْسَطُ الْعَرَبِ نَسَبًا وَدَارًا وَقَدْ رَضِيتُ لَكُمْ أَحَدَ هَذَيْنِ الرَّجُلَيْنِ أَيَّهُمَا شِئْتُمْ وَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي وَبِيَدِ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ بْنِ الْجَرَّاحِ فَلَمْ أَكْرَهْ مِمَّا قَالَ غَيْرَهَا وَكَانَ وَاللهِ أَنْ أُقَدَّمَفَتُضْرَبَ عُنُقِي لَا يُقَرِّبُنِي ذَلِكَ إِلَى إِثْمٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَتَأَمَّرَ عَلَى قَوْمٍ فِيهِمْ أَبُو بَكْرٍ إِلَّا أَنْ تَغَيَّرَ نَفْسِي عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ فَقَالَ قَائِلٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ أَنَا جُذَيْلُهَا الْمُحَكَّكُ وَعُذَيْقُهَا الْمُرَجَّبُ مِنَّا أَمِيرٌ وَمِنْكُمْ أَمِيرٌ يَا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ فَقُلْتُ لِمَالِكٍ مَا مَعْنَى أَنَا جُذَيْلُهَا الْمُحَكَّكُ وَعُذَيْقُهَا الْمُرَجَّبُ ؟ قَالَ كَأَنَّهُ يَقُولُ أَنَا دَاهِيَتُهَا قَالَ وَكَثُرَ اللَّغَطُ وَارْتَفَعَتِ الْأَصْوَاتُ حَتَّى خَشِيتُ الِاخْتِلافَ فَقُلْتُ ابْسُطْ يَدَكَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَبَسَطَ يَدَهُ فَبَايَعْتُهُ وَبَايَعَهُ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ ثُمَّ بَايَعَهُ الْأَنْصَارُ وَنَزَوْنَا عَلَى سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ فَقَالَ قَائِلٌ مِنْهُمْ قَتَلْتُمْ سَعْدًا فَقُلْتُ قَتَلَ اللهُ سَعْدًاوَقَالَ عُمَرُ أَمَا وَاللهِ مَا وَجَدْنَا فِيمَا حَضَرْنَا أَمْرًا هُوَ أَقْوَى مِنْ مُبَايَعَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ خَشِينَا إِنْ فَارَقْنَا الْقَوْمَ وَلَمْ تَكُنْ بَيْعَةٌ أَنْ يُحْدِثُوا بَعْدَنَا بَيْعَةً فَإِمَّا أَنْ نُتَابِعَهُمْ عَلَى مَا لَا نَرْضَى وَإِمَّا أَنْ نُخَالِفَهُمْ فَيَكُونَ فِيهِ فَسَادٌ فَمَنْ بَايَعَ أَمِيرًا عَنْ غَيْرِ مَشُورَةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَلا بَيْعَةَ لَهُ وَلا بَيْعَةَ لِلَّذِي بَايَعَهُ تَغِرَّةَ أَنْ يُقْتَلا قَالَ مَالِكٌ وَأَخْبَرَنِي ابْنُ شِهَابٍ عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ أَنَّ الرَّجُلَيْنِ اللَّذَيْنِ لَقِيَاهُمَا عُوَيْمُ بْنُ سَاعِدَةَ وَمَعْنُ بْنُ عَدِيٍّقَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ وَأَخْبَرَنِي سَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيِّبِ أَنَّ الَّذِي قَالَ أَنَا جُذَيْلُهَا الْمُحَكَّكُ وَعُذَيْقُهَا الْمُرَجَّبُ الْحُبَابُ بْنُ الْمُنْذِرِ  

لَمَّا نَزَلْنَا أَرْضَ الْحَبَشَةِ جَاوَرْنَا بِهَا خَيْرَ جَارٍ النَّجَاشِيَّ أَمِنَّا عَلَى دِينِنَا وَعَبَدْنَا اللهَ لَا نُؤْذَى وَلا نَسْمَعُ شَيْئًا نَكْرَهُهُ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ ذَلِكَ قُرَيْشًا ائْتَمَرُوا أَنْ يَبْعَثُوا إِلَى النَّجَاشِيِّ فِينَا رَجُلَيْنِ جَلْدَيْنِ وَأَنْ يُهْدُوا لِلنَّجَاشِيِّ هَدَايَا مِمَّا يُسْتَطْرَفُ مِنْ مَتَاعِ مَكَّةَ وَكَانَ مِنْ أَعْجَبِ مَا يَأْتِيهِ مِنْهَا إِلَيْهِ الْأَدَمُ فَجَمَعُوا لَهُ أَدَمًا كَثِيرًا وَلَمْ يَتْرُكُوا مِنْ بَطَارِقَتِهِ بِطْرِيقًا إِلا أَهْدَوْا لَهُ هَدِيَّةً ثُمَّ بَعَثُوا بِذَلِكَ مَعَ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أَبِي رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ الْمَخْزُومِيِّ وعَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ بْنِ وَائِلٍ السَّهْمِيِّ وَأَمَرُوهُمَا أَمْرَهُمْ وَقَالُوا لَهُمَا ادْفَعُوا إِلَى كُلِّ بِطْرِيقٍ هَدِيَّتَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُكَلِّمُوا النَّجَاشِيَّ فِيهِمْ ثُمَّ قَدِّمُوا لِلنَّجَاشِيِّ هَدَايَاهُ ثُمَّ سَلُوهُ أَنْ يُسْلِمَهُمِ إلَيْكُمْ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُكَلِّمَهُمْ قَالَتْ فَخَرَجَا فَقَدِمَا عَلَى النَّجَاشِيِّ وَنَحْنُ عِنْدَهُ بِخَيْرِ دَارٍ وَعِنْدَ خَيْرِ جَارٍ فَلَمْ يَبْقَ مِنْ بَطَارِقَتِهِ بِطْرِيقٌ إِلا دَفَعَا إِلَيْهِ هَدِيَّتَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُكَلِّمَا النَّجَاشِيَّ ثُمَّ قَالا لِكُلِّ بِطْرِيقٍ مِنْهُمْ إِنَّهُ قَدْ صَبَا إِلَى بَلَدِ الْمَلِكِ مِنَّا غِلْمَانٌ سُفَهَاءُ فَارَقُوا دِينَ قَوْمِهِمْ وَلَمْ يَدْخُلُوا فِي دِينِكُمْ وَجَاءُوا بِدِينٍمُبْتَدَعٍ لَا نَعْرِفُهُ نَحْنُ وَلا أَنْتُمْ وَقَدْ بَعَثَنَا إِلَى الْمَلِكِ فِيهِمِ أشْرَافُ قَوْمِهِمْ لِنَرُدَّهُمِ إلَيْهِمْ فَإِذَا كَلَّمْنَا الْمَلِكَ فِيهِمْ فَتُشِيرُوا عَلَيْهِ بِأَنْ يُسْلِمَهُمِ إلَيْنَا وَلا يُكَلِّمَهُمْ فَإِنَّ قَوْمَهُمْ أَعَلَى بِهِمْ عَيْنًا وَأَعْلَمُ بِمَا عَابُوا عَلَيْهِمْ فَقَالُوا لَهُمَا نَعَمْ ثُمَّ إِنَّهُمَا قَرَّبَا هَدَايَاهُمِ إلَى النَّجَاشِيِّ فَقَبِلَهَا مِنْهُمَا ثُمَّ كَلَّمَاهُ فَقَالا لَهُ أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ إِنَّهُ قَدْ صَبَا إِلَى بَلَدِكَ مِنَّا غِلْمَانٌ سُفَهَاءُ فَارَقُوا دِينَ قَوْمِهِمْ وَلَمْ يَدْخُلُوا فِي دِينِكَ وَجَاءُوا بِدِينٍ مُبْتَدَعٍ لَا نَعْرِفُهُ نَحْنُ وَلا أَنْتَ وَقَدْ بَعَثَنَا إِلَيْكَ فِيهِمِ أشْرَافُ قَوْمِهِمْ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَعْمَامِهِمْ وَعَشَائِرِهِمْ لِتَرُدَّهُمِ إلَيْهِمْ فَهُمْ أَعَلَى بِهِمْ عَيْنًا وَأَعْلَمُ بِمَا عَابُوا عَلَيْهِمْ وَعَاتَبُوهُمْ فِيهِ قَالَتْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ شَيْءٌ أَبْغَضَ إِلَى عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أَبِي رَبِيعَةَ وَعَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ مِنْ أَنْ يَسْمَعَ النَّجَاشِيُّ كَلامَهُمْ فَقَالَتْ بَطَارِقَتُهُ حَوْلَهُ صَدَقُوا أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ قَوْمُهُمْ أَعَلَى بِهِمْ عَيْنًا وَأَعْلَمُ بِمَا عَابُوا عَلَيْهِمْ فَأَسْلِمْهُمِ إلَيْهِمَا فَلْيَرُدَّاهُمِ إلَى بِلادِهِمْ وَقَوْمِهِمْ قَالَت فَغَضِبَ النَّجَاشِيُّ ثُمَّ قَالَ فَغَضِبَ النَّجَاشِيُّ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَا هَيْمُ اللهِ إِذَاً لَا أُسْلِمُهُمْ إِلَيْهِمَا وَلا أُكَادُ قَوْمًاجَاوَرُونِي وَنَزَلُوا بِلادِي وَاخْتَارُونِي عَلَى مَنْ سِوَايَ حَتَّى أَدْعُوَهُمْ فَأَسْأَلَهُمْ مَاذَا يَقُولُ هَذَانِ فِي أَمْرِهِمْ فَإِنْ كَانُوا كَمَا يَقُولانِ أَسْلَمْتُهُمِ الَيْهِمَا وَرَدَدْتُهُمِ الَى قَوْمِهِمْ وَإِنْ كَانُوا عَلَى غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ مَنَعْتُهُمْ مِنْهُمَا وَأَحْسَنْتُ جِوَارَهُمْ مَا جَاوَرُونِي قَالَتْ ثُمَّ أَرْسَلَ إِلَى أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَدَعَاهُمْ فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ رَسُولُهُ اجْتَمَعُوا ثُمَّ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ مَا تَقُولُونَ لِلرَّجُلِ إِذَا جِئْتُمُوهُ؟ قَالُوا نَقُولُ وَاللهِ مَا عَلَّمَنَا وَمَا أَمَرَنَا بِهِ نَبِيُّنَا ﷺ كَائِنٌ فِي ذَلِكَ مَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ فَلَمَّا جَاءُوهُ وَقَدْ دَعَا النَّجَاشِيُّ أَسَاقِفَتَهُ فَنَشَرُوا مَصَاحِفَهُمْ حَوْلَهُ سَأَلَهُمْ فَقَالَ مَا هَذَا الدِّينُ الَّذِي فَارَقْتُمْ فِيهِ قَوْمَكُمْ وَلَمْ تَدْخُلُوا فِي دِينِي وَلا فِي دِينِ أَحَدٍ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأُمَمِ؟ قَالَتْ فَكَانَ الَّذِي كَلَّمَهُجَعْفَرُ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ كُنَّا قَوْمًا أَهْلَ جَاهِلِيَّةٍ نَعْبُدُ الْأَصْنَامَ وَنَأْكُلُ الْمَيْتَةَ وَنَأْتِي الْفَوَاحِشَ وَنَقْطَعُ الْأَرْحَامَ وَنُسِيءُ الْجِوَارَ يَأْكُلُ الْقَوِيُّ مِنَّا الضَّعِيفَ فَكُنَّا عَلَى ذَلِكَ حَتَّى بَعَثَ اللهُ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولًا مِنَّا نَعْرِفُ نَسَبَهُ وَصِدْقَهُ وَأَمَانَتَهُ وَعَفَافَهُ فَدَعَانَا إِلَى اللهِ لِنُوَحِّدَهُ وَنَعْبُدَهُ وَنَخْلَعَ مَا كُنَّا نَعْبُدُ نَحْنُ وَآبَاؤُنَا مِنْ دُونِهِ مِنَ الحِجَارَةِ وَالْأَوْثَانِ وَأَمَرَنَا بِصِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ وَأَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ وَصِلَةِ الرَّحِمِ وَحُسْنِ الْجِوَارِ وَالْكَفِّ عَنِ الْمَحَارِمِ وَالدِّمَاءِ وَنَهَانَا عَنِ الْفَوَاحِشِ وَقَوْلِ الزُّورِ وَأَكْلِ مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ وَقَذْفِ الْمُحْصَنَةِ وَأَمَرَنَا أَنْ نَعْبُدَ اللهَ وَحْدَهُ لَا نُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَأَمَرَنَا بِالصَّلاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَالصِّيَامِ قَالَ فَعَدَّدَ عَلَيْهِ أُمُورَ الْإِسْلامِ فَصَدَّقْنَاهُ وَآمَنَّا بِهِ وَاتَّبَعْنَاهُ عَلَى مَا جَاءَ بِهِ فَعَبَدْنَا اللهَ وَحْدَهُ فَلَمْ نُشْرِكْ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَحَرَّمْنَا مَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْنَا وَأَحْلَلْنَا مَا أَحَلَّ لَنَا فَعَدَا عَلَيْنَا قَوْمُنَا فَعَذَّبُونَا وَفَتَنُونَا عَنْ دِينِنَا لِيَرُدُّونَا إِلَى عِبَادَةِ الْأَوْثَانِ مِنْ عِبَادَةِ اللهِ وَأَنْ نَسْتَحِلَّ مَا كُنَّا نَسْتَحِلُّ مِنَ الخَبَائِثِ فَلَمَّا قَهَرُونَا وَظَلَمُونَا وَشَقُّوا عَلَيْنَا وَحَالُوا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ دِينِنَا خَرَجْنَا إِلَى بَلَدِكَ وَاخْتَرْنَاكَ عَلَى مَنْ سِوَاكَ وَرَغِبْنَا فِي جِوَارِكَ وَرَجَوْنَا أَنْ لَا نُظْلَمَ عِنْدَكَ أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّجَاشِيُّ هَلْ مَعَكَ مِمَّا جَاءَ بِهِ عَنِ اللهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ؟ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ لَهُ جَعْفَرٌ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّجَاشِيُّ فَاقْرَأْهُ عَلَيَّ فَقَرَأَ عَلَيْهِصَدْرًا مِنْ (كهيعص) قَالَتْ فَبَكَى وَاللهِ النَّجَاشِيُّ حَتَّى أَخْضَلَ لِحْيَتَهُ وَبَكَتْ أَسَاقِفَتُهُ حَتَّى أَخْضَلُوا مَصَاحِفَهُمْ حِينَ سَمِعُوا مَا تَلا عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ النَّجَاشِيُّ إِنَّ هَذَا وَالَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ مُوسَى لَيَخْرُجُ مِنْ مِشْكَاةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ انْطَلِقَا فَوَاللهِ لَا أُسْلِمُهُمِ الَيْكُمِ ابَدًا وَلا أُكَادُ قَالَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ فَلَمَّا خَرَجَا مِنْ عِنْدِهِ قَالَ عَمْرُو بْنُ الْعَاصِ وَاللهِ لانَبِّئَنَّهُمْ غَدًا عَيْبَهُمْ عِنْدَهُمْ ثُمَّ أَسْتَأْصِلُ بِهِ خَضْرَاءَهُمْ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أَبِي رَبِيعَةَ وَكَانَ أَتْقَى الرَّجُلَيْنِ فِينَا لَا تَفْعَلْ فَإِنَّ لَهُمِ ارْحَامًا وَإِنْ كَانُوا قَدْ خَالَفُونَا قَالَ وَاللهِ لاخْبِرَنَّهُ أَنَّهُمْ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ عَبْدٌ قَالَتْ ثُمَّ غَدَا عَلَيْهِ الْغَدَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ إِنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ فِي عِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ قَوْلًا عَظِيمًا فَأَرْسِلِ الَيْهِمْ فَاسْأَلْهُمْ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ فِيهِ قَالَتْ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِمْ يَسْأَلُهُمْ عَنْهُ قَالَتْ وَلَمْ يَنْزِلْ بِنَا مِثْلُهُ فَاجْتَمَعَ الْقَوْمُ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ مَاذَا تَقُولُونَ فِي عِيسَى إِذَا سَأَلَكُمْ عَنْهُ؟ قَالُوا نَقُولُ وَاللهِ فِيهِ مَا قَالَ اللهُ وَمَا جَاءَ بِهِ نَبِيُّنَا كَائِنًا فِي ذَلِكَ مَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ فَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ قَالَ لَهُمْ مَا تَقُولُونَ فِي عِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ؟ فَقَالَ لَهُ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ نَقُولُ فِيهِ الَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ نَبِيُّنَا هُوَ عَبْدُ اللهِ وَرَسُولُهُ وَرُوحُهُ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ الْعَذْرَاءِ الْبَتُولِ قَالَتْ فَضَرَبَ النَّجَاشِيُّ يَدَهُ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ فَأَخَذَ مِنْهَا عُودًا ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا عَدَا عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ مَا قُلْتَ هَذَا الْعُودَ فَتَنَاخَرَتْ بَطَارِقَتُهُ حَوْلَهُ حِينَ قَالَ مَا قَالَ فَقَالَ وَإِنْ نَخَرْتُمْ وَاللهِ اذْهَبُوا فَأَنْتُمْ سُيُومٌ بِأَرْضِي وَالسُّيُومُ الْآمِنُونَ مَنْسَبَّكُمْ غُرِّمَ ثُمَّ مَنْ سَبَّكُمْ غُرِّمَ فَمَا أُحِبُّ أَنَّ لِي دَبْرًا ذَهَبًا وَأَنِّي آذَيْتُ رَجُلًا مِنْكُمْ وَالدَّبْرُ بِلِسَانِ الْحَبَشَةِ الْجَبَلُ رُدُّوا عَلَيْهِمَا هَدَايَاهُمَا فَلا حَاجَةَ لَنَا بِهَا فَوَاللهِ مَا أَخَذَ اللهُ مِنِّي الرِّشْوَةَ حِينَ رَدَّ عَلَيَّ مُلْكِي فَآخُذَ الرِّشْوَةَ فِيهِ وَمَا أَطَاعَ النَّاسَ فِيَّ فَأُطِيعَهُمْ فِيهِ قَالَتْ فَخَرَجَا مِنْ عِنْدِهِ مَقْبُوحَيْنِ مَرْدُودًا عَلَيْهِمَا مَا جَاءَا بِهِ وَأَقَمْنَا عِنْدَهُ بِخَيْرِ دَارٍ مَعَ خَيْرِ جَارٍ قَالَتْ فَوَاللهِ إِنَّا عَلَى ذَلِكَ إِذْ نَزَلَ بِهِ يَعْنِي مَنْ يُنَازِعُهُ فِي مُلْكِهِ قَالَ فَوَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْنَا حُزْنًا قَطُّ كَانَ أَشَدَّ مِنْ حُزْنٍ حَزِنَّاهُ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ تَخَوُّفًا أَنْ يَظْهَرَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى النَّجَاشِيِّ فَيَأْتِيَ رَجُلٌ لَا يَعْرِفُ مِنْ حَقِّنَا مَا كَانَ النَّجَاشِيُّ يَعْرِفُ مِنْهُ قَالَتْ وَسَارَ النَّجَاشِيُّ وَبَيْنَهُمَا عُرْضُ النِّيلِ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ أَصْحَابُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ مَنْ رَجُلٌ يَخْرُجُ حَتَّى يَحْضُرَ وَقْعَةَ الْقَوْمِ ثُمَّ يَأْتِيَنَا بِالْخَبَرِ؟ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ الزُّبَيْرُ بْنُ الْعَوَّامِ أَنَا قَالَتْ وَكَانَ مِنْ أَحْدَثِ الْقَوْمِ سِنًّا قَالَتْ فَنَفَخُوا لَهُ قِرْبَةً فَجَعَلَهَا فِي صَدْرِهِ ثُمَّ سَبَحَ عَلَيْهَا حَتَّى خَرَجَ إِلَى نَاحِيَةِ النِّيلِ الَّتِي بِهَا مُلْتَقَى الْقَوْمِ ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ حَتَّى حَضَرَهُمْ قَالَتْ وَدَعَوْنَا اللهَ لِلنَّجَاشِيِّ بِالظُّهُورِ عَلَى عَدُوِّهِ وَالتَّمْكِينِ لَهُ فِي بِلادِهِ وَاسْتَوْسَقَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُ الْحَبَشَةِ فَكُنَّا عِنْدَهُ فِي خَيْرِ مَنْزِلٍ حَتَّى قَدِمْنَا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ بِمَكَّةَ  

أَنَّ أَبَاهُ كَعْبَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ وَكَانَ كَعْبٌ مِمَّنْ شَهِدَ الْعَقَبَةَ وَبَايَعَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ بِهَا قَالَ خَرَجْنَا فِي حُجَّاجِ قَوْمِنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ وَقَدْ صَلَّيْنَا وَفَقِهْنَا وَمَعَنَا الْبَرَاءُ بْنُ مَعْرُورٍ كَبِيرُنَا وَسَيِّدُنَا فَلَمَّا تَوَجَّهْنَا لِسَفَرِنَا وَخَرَجْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ قَالَ الْبَرَاءُ لَنَا يَا هَؤُلَاءِ إِنِّي قَدْ رَأَيْتُ وَاللهِ رَأْيًا وَإِنِّي وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي تُوَافِقُونِي عَلَيْهِ أَمْ لَا قَالَ قُلْنَا لَهُ وَمَا ذَاكَ؟ قَالَ قَدْ رَأَيْتُ أَنْ لَا أَدَعَ هَذِهِ الْبَنِيَّةِ مِنِّي بِظَهْرٍ يَعْنِي الْكَعْبَةَ وَأَنْ أُصَلِّيَ إِلَيْهَا قَالَ فَقُلْنَا وَاللهِ مَا بَلَغَنَا أَنَّ نَبِيَّنَا يُصَلِّي إِلَّا إِلَى الشَّامِ وَمَا نُرِيدُ أَنْ نُخَالِفَهُفَقَالَ إِنِّي أُصَلِّي إِلَيْهَا قَالَ فَقُلْنَا لَهُ لَكِنَّا لَا نَفْعَلُ فَكُنَّا إِذَا حَضَرَتِ الصَّلَاةُ صَلَّيْنَا إِلَى الشَّامِ وَصَلَّى إِلَى الْكَعْبَةِ حَتَّى قَدِمْنَا مَكَّةَ قَالَ أَخِي وَقَدْ كُنَّا عِبْنَا عَلَيْهِ مَا صَنَعَ وَأَبَى إِلَّا الْإِقَامَةَ عَلَيْهِ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا مَكَّةَ قَالَ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي انْطَلِقْ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَاسْأَلْهُ عَمَّا صَنَعْتُ فِي سَفَرِي هَذَا فَإِنَّهُ وَاللهِ قَدْ وَقَعَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْهُ شَيْءٌ لَمَّا رَأَيْتُ مِنْ خِلَافِكُمْ إِيَّايَ فِيهِ قَالَ فَخَرَجْنَا نَسْأَلُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَكُنَّا لَا نَعْرِفُهُ لَمْ نَرَهُ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ فَلَقِيَنَا رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ مَكَّةَ فَسَأَلْنَاهُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ هَلْ تَعْرِفَانِهِ؟ قَالَ قُلْنَا لَا قَالَ فَهَلْ تَعْرِفَانِ الْعَبَّاسَ بْنَ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ عَمَّهُ؟ قُلْنَا نَعَمْ قَالَ وَكُنَّا نَعْرِفُ الْعَبَّاسَ كَانَ لَا يَزَالُ يَقْدَمُ عَلَيْنَا تَاجِرًا قَالَ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمَا الْمَسْجِدَ فَهُوَ الرَّجُلُ الْجَالِسُ مَعَ الْعَبَّاسِ قَالَ فَدَخَلْنَا الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا الْعَبَّاسُ جَالِسٌ وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَعَهُ جَالِسٌ فَسَلَّمْنَا ثُمَّ جَلَسْنَا إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ لِلْعَبَّاسِ هَلْتَعْرِفُ هَذَيْنِ الرَّجُلَيْنِ يَا أَبَا الْفَضْلِ؟ قَالَ نَعَمْ هَذَا الْبَرَاءُ بْنُ مَعْرُورٍ سَيِّدُ قَوْمِهِ وَهَذَا كَعْبُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ قَالَ فَوَاللهِ مَا أَنْسَى قَوْلَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ الشَّاعِرُ؟ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَقَالَ الْبَرَاءُ بْنُ مَعْرُورٍ يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ إِنِّي خَرَجْتُ فِي سَفَرِي هَذَا وَهَدَانِي اللهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ فَرَأَيْتُ أَنْ لَا أَجْعَلَ هَذِهِ الْبَنِيَّةَ مِنِّي بِظَهْرٍ فَصَلَّيْتُ إِلَيْهَا وَقَدْ خَالَفَنِي أَصْحَابِي فِي ذَلِكَ حَتَّى وَقَعَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ ذَلِكَ شَيْءٌ فَمَاذَا تَرَى يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ؟ قَالَ لَقَدْ كُنْتَ عَلَى قِبْلَةٍ لَوْ صَبَرْتَ عَلَيْهَا قَالَ فَرَجَعَ الْبَرَاءُ إِلَى قِبْلَةِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَصَلَّى مَعَنَا إِلَى الشَّامِ قَالَ وَأَهْلُهُ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّهُ صَلَّى إِلَى الْكَعْبَةِ حَتَّى مَاتَ وَلَيْسَ ذَلِكَ كَمَا قَالُوا نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنْهُمْ قَالَ وَخَرَجْنَا إِلَى الْحَجِّ فَوَاعَدْنَا رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ الْعَقَبَةَ مِنْ أَوْسَطِ أَيَّامِ التَّشْرِيقِ فَلَمَّا فَرَغْنَا مِنَ الْحَجِّ وَكَانَتِ اللَّيْلَةُ الَّتِي وَعَدْنَا رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ وَمَعَنَا عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ عَمْرِو بْنِ حَرَامٍ أَبُو جَابِرٍ سَيِّدٌ مِنْ سَادَتِنَا وَكُنَّا نَكْتُمُ مَنْ مَعَنَا مِنْ قَوْمِنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ أَمْرَنَا فَكَلَّمْنَاهُ وَقُلْنَا لَهُ يَا أَبَا جَابِرٍ إِنَّكَ سَيِّدٌ مِنْ سَادَتِنَا وَشَرِيفٌ مِنْ أَشْرَافِنَا وَإِنَّا نَرْغَبُ بِكَ عَمَّا أَنْتَ فِيهِ أَنْ تَكُونَ حَطَبًا لِلنَّارِ غَدًا ثُمَّ دَعَوْتُهُ إِلَى الْإِسْلَامِ وَأَخْبَرْتُهُ بِمِيعَادِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَأَسْلَمَ وَشَهِدَ مَعَنَا الْعَقَبَةَ وَكَانَ نَقِيبًا قَالَ فَنِمْنَاتِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ مَعَ قَوْمِنَا فِي رِحَالِنَا حَتَّى إِذَا مَضَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ خَرَجْنَا مِنْ رِحَالِنَا لِمِيعَادِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ نَتَسَلَّلُ مُسْتَخْفِينَ تَسَلُّلَ الْقَطَا حَتَّى اجْتَمَعْنَا فِي الشِّعْبِ عِنْدَ الْعَقَبَةِ وَنَحْنُ سَبْعُونَ رَجُلًا وَمَعَنَا امْرَأَتَانِ مِنْ نِسَائِهِمْ نَسِيبَةُ بِنْتُ كَعْبٍ أُمُّ عُمَارَةَ إِحْدَى نِسَاءِ بَنِي مَازِنِ بْنِ النَّجَّارِ وَأَسْمَاءُ بِنْتُ عَمْرِو بْنِ عَدِيِّ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ إِحْدَى نِسَاءِ بَنِي سَلِمَةَ وَهِيَ أُمُّ مَنِيعٍ قَالَ فَاجْتَمَعْنَا بِالشِّعْبِ نَنْتَظِرُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ حَتَّى جَاءَنَا وَمَعَهُ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَمُّهُ الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ وَهُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَلَى دِينِ قَوْمِهِ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَحْضُرَ أَمْرَ ابْنِ أَخِيهِ وَيَتَوَثَّقُ لَهُ فَلَمَّا جَلَسْنَا كَانَ الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ أَوَّلَ مُتَكَلِّمٍ فَقَالَ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْخَزْرَجِ قَالَ وَكَانَتِ الْعَرَبُ مِمَّا يُسَمُّونَ هَذَا الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ الْخَزْرَجَ أَوْسَهَا وَخَزْرَجَهَا إِنَّ مُحَمَّدًا مِنَّا حَيْثُ قَدْ عَلِمْتُمْ وَقَدْ مَنَعْنَاهُ مِنْ قَوْمِنَا مِمَّنْ هُوَ عَلَى مِثْلِ رَأْيِنَا فِيهِ وَهُوَ فِي عِزٍّ مِنْ قَوْمِهِ وَمَنَعَةٍ فِي بَلَدِهِ قَالَ فَقُلْنَا قَدْ سَمِعْنَا مَا قُلْتَ فَتَكَلَّمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ فَخُذْ لِنَفْسِكَ وَلِرَبِّكَ مَا أَحْبَبْتَ قَالَ فَتَكَلَّمَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَتَلَا وَدَعَا إِلَى اللهِ ﷻ وَرَغَّبَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ قَالَ أُبَايِعُكُمْ عَلَى أَنْ تَمْنَعُونِي مِمَّا تَمْنَعُونَ مِنْهُ نِسَاءَكُمْ وَأَبْنَاءَكُمْ قَالَ فَأَخَذَ الْبَرَاءُ بْنُ مَعْرُورٍ بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ لَنَمْنَعَنَّكَ مِمَّا نَمْنَعُ مِنْهُأُزُرَنَا فَبَايِعْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ فَنَحْنُ أَهْلُ الْحُرُوبِ وَأَهْلُ الْحَلْقَةِ وَرِثْنَاهَا كَابِرًا عَنْ كَابِرٍ قَالَ فَاعْتَرَضَ الْقَوْلَ وَالْبَرَاءُ يُكَلِّمُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ أَبُو الْهَيْثَمِ بْنُ التَّيِّهَانِ حَلِيفُ بَنِي عَبْدِ الْأَشْهَلِ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ الرِّجَالِ حِبَالًا وَإِنَّا قَاطِعُوهَا يَعْنِي الْعُهُودَ فَهَلْ عَسَيْتَ إِنْ نَحْنُ فَعَلْنَا ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ أَظْهَرَكَ اللهُ أَنْ تَرْجِعَ إِلَى قَوْمِكَ وَتَدَعَنَا؟ قَالَ فَتَبَسَّمَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ قَالَ بَلِ الدَّمَ الدَّمَ وَالْهَدْمَ الْهَدْمَ أَنَا مِنْكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ مِنِّي أُحَارِبُ مَنْ حَارَبْتُمْ وَأُسَالِمُ مَنْ سَالَمْتُمْ وَقَدْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَخْرِجُوا إِلَيَّ مِنْكُمْ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ نَقِيبًا يَكُونُونَ عَلَى قَوْمِهِمْ فَأَخْرَجُوا مِنْهُمْ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ نَقِيبًا مِنْهُمْ تِسْعَةٌ مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ وَثَلَاثَةٌ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ وَأَمَّا مَعْبَدُ بْنُ كَعْبٍ فَحَدَّثَنِي فِي حَدِيثِهِ عَنْ أَخِيهِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ قَالَ كَانَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ ضَرَبَ عَلَى يَدِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ الْبَرَاءُ بْنُ مَعْرُورٍ ثُمَّ تَتَابَعَ الْقَوْمُ فَلَمَّا بَايَعَنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺصَرَخَ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنْ رَأْسِ الْعَقَبَةِ بِأَبْعَدِ صَوْتٍ سَمِعْتُهُ قَطُّ يَا أَهْلَ الْجُبَاجِبِ وَالْجُبَاجِبُ الْمَنَازِلُ هَلْ لَكُمْ فِي مُذَمَّمٍ وَالصُّبَاةُ مَعَهُ؟ قَدْ أَجْمَعُوا عَلَى حَرْبِكُمْ قَالَ عَلِيٌّ يَعْنِي ابْنَ إِسْحَاقَ مَا يَقُولُهُ عَدُوُّ اللهِ مُحَمَّدٌ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ هَذَا أَزَبُّ الْعَقَبَةِ هَذَا ابْنُ أَزْيَبَ اسْمَعْ أَيْ عَدُوَّ اللهِ أَمَا وَاللهِ لَأَفْرُغَنَّ لَكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ ارْفَعُوا إِلَى رِحَالِكُمْ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ نَضْلَةَ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ لَئِنْ شِئْتَ لَنَمِيلَنَّ عَلَى أَهْلِ مِنًى غَدًا بِأَسْيَافِنَا قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ لَمْ أُؤمَرْ بِذَلِكَ قَالَ فَرَجَعْنَا فَنِمْنَا حَتَّى أَصْبَحْنَا فَلَمَّا أَصْبَحْنَا غَدَتْ عَلَيْنَا جُلَّةُ قُرَيْشٍ حَتَّى جَاءُونَا فِي مَنَازِلِنَا فَقَالُوا يَا مَعْشَرَ الْخَزْرَجِ إِنَّهُ قَدْ بَلَغَنَا أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ جِئْتُمْ إِلَى صَاحِبِنَا هَذَا تَسْتَخْرِجُونَهُ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَظْهُرِنَا وَتُبَايِعُونَهُ عَلَى حَرْبِنَا وَاللهِ إِنَّهُ مَا مِنَ الْعَرَبِ أَحَدٌ أَبْغَضَ إِلَيْنَا أَنْ تَنْشَبَ الْحَرْبُ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُ مِنْكُمْ قَالَ فَانْبَعَثَ مَنْ هُنَالِكَ مِنْ مُشْرِكِي قَوْمِنَا يَحْلِفُونَ لَهُمْ بِاللهِ مَا كَانَ مِنْ هَذَا شَيْءٌ وَمَا عَلِمْنَاهُ وَقَدْ صَدَقُوا لَمْ يَعْلَمُوا مَا كَانَ مِنَّا قَالَ فَبَعْضُنَا يَنْظُرُإِلَى بَعْضٍ قَالَ وَقَامَ الْقَوْمُ وَفِيهِمُ الْحَارِثُ بْنُ هِشَامِ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ الْمَخْزُومِيُّ وَعَلَيْهِ نَعْلَانِ جَدِيدَانِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ كَلِمَةً كَأَنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ الْقَوْمَ بِهَا فِيمَا قَالُوا مَا تَسْتَطِيعُ يَا أَبَا جَابِرٍ وَأَنْتَ سَيِّدٌ مِنْ سَادَتِنَا أَنْ تَتَّخِذَ نَعْلَيْنِ مِثْلَ نَعْلَيْ هَذَا الْفَتَى مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَسَمِعَهَا الْحَارِثُ فَخَلَعَهُمَا ثُمَّ رَمَى بِهِمَا إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ وَاللهِ لَتَنْتَعِلَنَّهُمَا قَالَ يَقُولُ أَبُو جَابِرٍ أَحْفَظْتَ وَاللهِ الْفَتَى فَارْدُدْ عَلَيْهِ نَعْلَيْهِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَا أَرُدَّهُمَا فَأْلٌ وَاللهِ صَالْحٌ وَاللهِ لَئِنْ صَدَقَ الْفَأْلُ لَأَسْلُبَنَّهُ  

عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ ابْنَةِ أَبِي أُمَيَّةَ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَتْ لَمَّا نَزَلْنَا أَرْضَ الْحَبَشَةِ جَاوَرْنَا بِهَا خَيْرَ جَارٍ النَّجَاشِيَّ أَمِنَّا عَلَى دِينِنَا وَعَبَدْنَا اللهَ تَعَالَى لَا نُؤْذَى وَلَا نَسْمَعُ شَيْئًا نَكْرَهُهُ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ ذَلِكَ قُرَيْشًا ائْتَمَرُوا أَنْ يَبْعَثُوا إِلَى النَّجَاشِيِّ فِينَا رَجُلَيْنِ جَلْدَيْنِ وَأَنْ يُهْدُوا لِلنَّجَاشِيِّ هَدَايَا مِمَّا يُسْتَطْرَفُ مِنْ مَتَاعِ مَكَّةَ وَكَانَ مِنْ أَعْجَبِ مَا يَأْتِيهِ مِنْهَا إِلَيْهِ الْأَدَمُ فَجَمَعُوا لَهُ أَدَمًا كَثِيرًا وَلَمْ يَتْرُكُوا مِنْ بَطَارِقَتِهِ بِطْرِيقًا إِلَّا أَهْدَوْا لَهُ هَدِيَّةً ثُمَّ بَعَثُوا بِذَلِكَ عَبْدَ اللهِ بْنَ أَبِي رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ الْمَخْزُومِيَّ وَعَمْرَو بْنَ الْعَاصِ بْنِ وَائِلٍ السَّهْمِيَّ وَأَمَرُوهُمَا أَمْرَهُمْ وَقَالُوا لَهُمَا ادْفَعَا إِلَى كُلِّ بِطْرِيقٍ هَدِيَّتَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُكَلِّمُوا النَّجَاشِيَّ فِيهِمْ ثُمَّ قَدِّمُوا لِلنَّجَاشِيِّ هَدَايَاهُ ثُمَّ سَلُوهُ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَهُمْ إِلَيْكُمْ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُكَلِّمَهُمْ قَالَتْ فَخَرَجَا فَقَدِمَا عَلَى النَّجَاشِيِّ وَنَحْنُ عِنْدَهُ بِخَيْرِ دَارٍ وَخَيْرِ جَارٍ فَلَمْ يَبْقَ مِنْ بَطَارِقَتِهِ بِطْرِيقٌ إِلَّا دَفَعَا إِلَيْهِ هَدِيَّتَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُكَلِّمَا النَّجَاشِيَّ ثُمَّ قَالَا لِكُلِّ بِطْرِيقٍ مِنْهُمْ إِنَّهُ قَدْ صَبَا إِلَىبَلَدِ الْمَلِكِ مِنَّا غِلْمَانٌ سُفَهَاءُ فَارَقُوا دِينَ قَوْمِهِمْ وَلَمْ يَدْخُلُوا فِي دِينِكُمْ وَجَاءُوا بِدِينٍ مُبْتَدَعٍ لَا نَعْرِفُهُ نَحْنُ وَلَا أَنْتُمْ وَقَدْ بَعَثَنَا إِلَى الْمَلِكِ فِيهِمْ أَشْرَافُ قَوْمِهِمْ لِنَرُدَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ فَإِذَا كَلَّمْنَا الْمَلِكَ فِيهِمْ فَأَشِيرُوا عَلَيْهِ بِأَنْ يُسَلِّمَهُمْ إِلَيْنَا وَلَا يُكَلِّمَهُمْ فَإِنَّ قَوْمَهُمْ أَعْلَى بِهِمْ عَيْنًا وَأَعْلَمُ بِمَا عَابُوا عَلَيْهِمْ فَقَالُوا لَهُمَا نَعَمْ ثُمَّ إِنَّهُمَا قَرَّبَا هَدَايَاهُمْ إِلَى النَّجَاشِيِّ فَقَبِلَهَا مِنْهُمَا ثُمَّ كَلَّمَاهُ فَقَالَا لَهُ أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ إِنَّهُ قَدْ صَبَا إِلَى بَلَدِكَ مِنَّا غِلْمَانٌ سُفَهَاءُ فَارَقُوا دِينَ قَوْمِهِمْ وَلَمْ يَدْخُلُوا فِي دِينِكَ وَجَاءُوا بِدِينٍ مُبْتَدَعٍ لَا نَعْرِفُهُ نَحْنُ وَلَا أَنْتَ وَقَدْ بَعَثَنَا إِلَيْكَ فِيهِمْ أَشْرَافُ قَوْمِهِمْ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَعْمَامِهِمْ وَعَشَائِرِهِمْ لِتَرُدَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ فَهُمْ أَعْلَى بِهِمْ عَيْنًا وَأَعْلَمُ بِمَا عَابُوا عَلَيْهِمْ وَعَاتَبُوهُمْ فِيهِ قَالَتْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ شَيْءٌ أَبْغَضُ إِلَى عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أَبِي رَبِيعَةَ وَعَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ مِنْ أَنْ يَسْمَعَ النَّجَاشِيُّ كَلَامَهُمْ فَقَالَتْ بَطَارِقَتُهُ حَوْلَهُ صَدَقُوا أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ قَوْمُهُمْ أَعْلَى بِهِمْ عَيْنًا وَأَعْلَمُ بِمَا عَابُوا عَلَيْهِمْ فَأَسْلِمْهُمْ إِلَيْهِمَا فَلْيَرُدَّاهُمْ إِلَى بِلَادِهِمْ وَقَوْمِهِمْ قَالَ فَغَضِبَ النَّجَاشِيُّ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَا هَايْمُ اللهِ إِذًا لَا أُسْلِمَهُمْ إِلَيْهِمَا وَلَا أَكَادُ قَوْمًا جَاوَرُونِي وَنَزَلُوا بِلَادِي وَاخْتَارُونِي عَلَى مَنْ سِوَايَ حَتَّى أَدْعُوَهُمْ فَأَسْأَلَهُمْ مَا يَقُولُ هَذَانِفِي أَمْرِهِمْ فَإِنْ كَانُوا كَمَا يَقُولَانِ أَسْلَمْتُهُمْ إِلَيْهِمَا وَرَدَدْتُهُمْ إِلَى قَوْمِهِمْ وَإِنْ كَانُوا عَلَى غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ مَنَعْتُهُمْ مِنْهُمَا وَأَحْسَنْتُ جِوَارَهُمْ مَا جَاوَرُونِي قَالَتْ ثُمَّ أَرْسَلَ إِلَى أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَدَعَاهُمْ فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ رَسُولُهُ اجْتَمَعُوا ثُمَّ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ مَا تَقُولُونَ لِلرَّجُلِ إِذَا جِئْتُمُوهُ؟ قَالُوا نَقُولُ وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْنَا وَمَا أَمَرَنَا بِهِ نَبِيُّنَا ﷺ كَائِنٌ فِي ذَلِكَ مَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ فَلَمَّا جَاءُوهُ وَقَدْ دَعَا النَّجَاشِيُّ أَسَاقِفَتَهُ فَنَشَرُوا مَصَاحِفَهُمْ حَوْلَهُ سَأَلَهُمْ فَقَالَ مَا هَذَا الدِّينُ الَّذِي فَارَقْتُمْ فِيهِ قَوْمَكُمْ وَلَمْ تَدْخُلُوا فِي دِينِي وَلَا فِي دِينِ أَحَدٍ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأُمَمِ؟ قَالَتْ فَكَانَ الَّذِي كَلَّمَهُ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ كُنَّا قَوْمًا أَهْلَ جَاهِلِيَّةٍ نَعْبُدُ الْأَصْنَامَ وَنَأْكُلُ الْمَيْتَةَ وَنَأْتِي الْفَوَاحِشَ وَنَقْطَعُ الْأَرْحَامَ وَنُسِيءُ الْجِوَارَ يَأْكُلُ الْقَوِيُّ مِنَّا الضَّعِيفَ فَكُنَّا عَلَى ذَلِكَ حَتَّى بَعَثَ اللهُ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولًا مِنَّا نَعْرِفُ نَسَبَهُ وَصِدْقَهُ وَأَمَانَتَهُ وَعَفَافَهُ فَدَعَانَا إِلَى اللهِ تَعَالَى لِنُوَحِّدَهُ وَنَعْبُدَهُ وَنَخْلَعَ مَا كُنَّا نَعْبُدُ نَحْنُ وَآبَاؤُنَا مِنْ دُونِهِ مِنَ الْحِجَارَةِ وَالْأَوْثَانِ وَأَمَرَ بِصِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ وَأَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ وَصِلَةِ الرَّحِمِ وَحُسْنِ الْجِوَارِ وَالْكَفِّ عَنِ الْمَحَارِمِ وَالدِّمَاءِ وَنَهَانَا عَنْ الْفَوَاحِشِ وَقَوْلِ الزُّورِ وَأَكْلِمَالِ الْيَتِيمِ وَقَذْفِ الْمُحْصَنَةِ وَأَمَرَنَا أَنْ نَعْبُدَ اللهَ وَحْدَهُ لَا نُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَأَمَرَنَا بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَالصِّيَامِ قَالَ فَعَدَّدَ عَلَيْهِ أُمُورَ الْإِسْلَامِ فَصَدَّقْنَاهُ وَآمَنَّا بِهِ وَاتَّبَعْنَاهُ عَلَى مَا جَاءَ بِهِ فَعَبَدْنَا اللهَ وَحْدَهُ فَلَمْ نُشْرِكْ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَحَرَّمْنَا مَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْنَا وَأَحْلَلْنَا مَا أَحَلَّ لَنَا فَعَدَا عَلَيْنَا قَوْمُنَا فَعَذَّبُونَا فَفَتَنُونَا عَنْ دِينِنَا لِيَرُدُّونَا إِلَى عِبَادَةِ الْأَوْثَانِ مِنْ عِبَادَةِ اللهِ وَأَنْ نَسْتَحِلَّ مَا كُنَّا نَسْتَحِلُّ مِنَ الْخَبَائِثِ فَلَمَّا قَهَرُونَا وَظَلَمُونَا وَشَقُّوا عَلَيْنَا وَحَالُوا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ دِينِنَا خَرَجْنَا إِلَى بَلَدِكَ وَاخْتَرْنَاكَ عَلَى مَنْ سِوَاكَ وَرَغِبْنَا فِي جِوَارِكَ وَرَجَوْنَا أَنْ لَا نُظْلَمَ عِنْدَكَ أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّجَاشِيُّ هَلْ مَعَكَ مِمَّا جَاءَ بِهِ عَنِ اللهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ؟ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ لَهُ جَعْفَرٌ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّجَاشِيُّ فَاقْرَأْهُ عَلَيَّ فَقَرَأَ عَلَيْهِ صَدْرًا مِنْ كهيعص قَالَتْ فَبَكَى وَاللهِ النَّجَاشِيُّ حَتَّى أَخْضَلَ لِحْيَتَهُ وَبَكَتْ أَسَاقِفَتُهُ حَتَّى أَخْضَلُوا مَصَاحِفَهُمْ حِينَ سَمِعُوا مَا تَلَا عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ النَّجَاشِيُّ إِنَّ هَذَا وَالَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ مُوسَى لَيَخْرُجُ مِنْ مِشْكَاةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ انْطَلِقَا فَوَاللهِ لَا أُسْلِمُهُمْ إِلَيْكُمْ أَبَدًا وَلَا أَكَادُ قَالَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ فَلَمَّا خَرَجَا مِنْ عِنْدِهِ قَالَ عَمْرُو بْنُ الْعَاصِ وَاللهِ لَآتِيَنَّهُ غَدًا أَعِيبُهُمْ عِنْدَهُ ثُمَّ أَسْتَأْصِلُ بِهِ خَضْرَاءَهُمْ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أَبِي رَبِيعَةَ وَكَانَ أَتْقَىالرَّجُلَيْنِ فِينَا لَا تَفْعَلْ؛ فَإِنَّ لَهُمْ أَرْحَامًا وَإِنْ كَانُوا قَدْ خَالَفُونَا قَالَ وَاللهِ لَأُخْبِرَنَّهُ أَنَّهُمْ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ عَبْدٌ قَالَتْ ثُمَّ غَدَا عَلَيْهِ الْغَدَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ إِنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ فِي عِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ قَوْلًا عَظِيمًا فَأَرْسِلْ إِلَيْهِمْ فَسَلْهُمْ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ فِيهِ قَالَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِمْ يَسْأَلُهُمْ عَنْهُ قَالَتْ وَلَمْ يَنْزِلْ بِنَا مِثْلُهَا فَاجْتَمَعَ الْقَوْمُ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ مَاذَا تَقُولُونَ فِي عِيسَى إِذَا سَأَلَكُمْ عَنْهُ؟ قَالُوا نَقُولُ وَاللهِ فِيهِ مَا قَالَ اللهُ وَمَا جَاءَ بِهِ نَبِيُّنَا ﷺ كَائِنًا فِي ذَلِكَ مَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ فَلَمَّا دَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ قَالَ لَهُمْ مَا تَقُولُونَ فِي عِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ؟ قَالَ لَهُ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ نَقُولُ فِيهِ الَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ نَبِيُّنَا ﷺ هُوَ عَبْدُ اللهِ وَرَسُولُهُ وَرُوحُهُ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ الْعَذْرَاءِ الْبَتُولِ قَالَتْ فَضَرَبَ النَّجَاشِيُّ يَدَهُ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ فَأَخَذَ مِنْهَا عُودًا ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا عَدَا عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ مَا قُلْتَ هَذَا الْعُودَ فَتَنَاخَرَتْ بَطَارِقَتُهُ حَوْلَهُ حِينَ قَالَ مَا قَالَ فَقَالَ وَإِنْ نَخَرْتُمْ وَاللهِ اذْهَبُوا فَأَنْتُمْ سُيُومٌ بِأَرْضِي وَالسُّيُومُ الْآمِنُونَ مَنْ سَبَّكُمْ غَرِمَ ثُمَّ مَنْ سَبَّكُمْ غَرِمَ ثُمَّ مَنْ سَبَّكُمْ غَرِمَ فَمَا أُحِبُّ أَنَّ لِي دَيرَ ذَهَبٍ وَأَنِّي آذَيْتُ رَجُلًا مِنْكُمْ وَالدَّيرُ بِلِسَانِ الْحَبَشَةِ الْجَبَلُ رُدُّوا عَلَيْهِمَا هَدَايَاهُمَا فَلَا حَاجَةَ لَنَا بِهَا فَوَاللهِ مَا أَخَذَ اللهُ مِنِّي الرِّشْوَةَ حِينَ رَدَّ عَلَيَّ مُلْكِي فَآخُذَ الرِّشْوَةَ فِيهِ وَمَا أَطَاعَ النَّاسَفِيَّ فَأُطِيعَهُمْ فِيهِ قَالَتْ فَخَرَجَا مِنْ عِنْدِهِ مَقْبُوحَيْنِ مَرْدُودًا عَلَيْهِمَا مَا جَاءَا بِهِ وَأَقَمْنَا عِنْدَهُ بِخَيْرِ دَارٍ مَعَ خَيْرِ جَارٍ قَالَتْ فَوَاللهِ إِنَّا عَلَى ذَلِكَ إِذْ نَزَلَ بِهِ يَعْنِي مَنْ يُنَازِعُهُ فِي مُلْكِهِ قَالَتْ فَوَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْنَا حُزْنًا قَطُّ كَانَ أَشَدَّ مِنْ حُزْنٍ حَزِنَّاهُ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ تَخَوُّفًا أَنْ يَظْهَرَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى النَّجَاشِيِّ فَيَأْتِيَ رَجُلٌ لَا يَعْرِفُ مِنْ حَقِّنَا مَا كَانَ النَّجَاشِيُّ يَعْرِفُ مِنْهُ قَالَتْ وَسَارَ النَّجَاشِيُّ وَبَيْنَهُمَا عُرْضُ النِّيلِ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَصْحَابُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ مَنْ رَجُلٌ يَخْرُجُ حَتَّى يَحْضُرَ وَقْعَةَ الْقَوْمِ ثُمَّ يَأْتِيَنَا بِالْخَبَرِ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ الزُّبَيْرُ بْنُ الْعَوَّامِ أَنَا قَالَتْ وَكَانَ مِنْ أَحْدَثِ الْقَوْمِ سِنًّا قَالَتْ فَنَفَخُوا لَهُ قِرْبَةً فَجَعَلَهَا فِي صَدْرِهِ ثُمَّ سَبَحَ عَلَيْهَا حَتَّى خَرَجَ مِنْ نَاحِيَةِ النِّيلِ الَّتِي بِهَا مُلْتَقَى الْقَوْمِ ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ حَتَّى حَضَرَهُمْ قَالَتْ وَدَعَوْنَا اللهَ تَعَالَى لِلنَّجَاشِيِّ بِالظُّهُورِ عَلَى عَدُوِّهِ وَالتَّمْكِينِ لَهُ فِي بِلَادِهِ وَاسْتَوْسَقَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُ الْحَبَشَةِ فَكُنَّا عِنْدَهُ فِي خَيْرِ مَنْزِلٍ حَتَّى قَدِمْنَا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ بِمَكَّةَ  

I never remained behind Messenger of Allah ﷺ from any expedition which he undertook except the Battle of Tabuk and that of the Battle of Badr. So far as the Battle of Badr is concerned, nobody was blamed for remaining behind as Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the Muslims (did not set out for attack but for waylaying) the caravan of the Quraish, but it was Allah Who made them confront their enemies without their intention (to do so). I had the honour to be with Messenger of Allah ﷺ on the night of 'Aqaba when we pledged our allegiance to Islam and it was more dear to me than my participation in the Battle of Badr, although Badr was more popular amongst people as compared with that (Tabuk). And this is my story of remaining back from Messenger of Allah ﷺ on the occasion of the Battle of Tabuk. Never did I possess means enough and (my circumstances) more favourable than at the occasion of this expedition. And, by Allah, I had never before this expedition simultaneously in my possession two rides. Messenger of Allah ﷺ set out for this expedition in extremely hot season; the journey was long and the land (which he and his army had to cover) was waterless and he had to confront a large army, so he informed the Muslims about the actual situation (they had to face), so that they should adequately equip themselves for this expedition, and he also told them the destination where he intended to go. And the Muslims who accompanied Messenger of Allah ﷺ at that time were large in numbers but there was no proper record of them. Ka'b (further) said: Few were the persons who wanted to absent themselves, and were under the impression that they could easily conceal themselves (and thus remain undetected) until revelations from Allah, the Exalted and Glorious (descended in connection with them). And Messenger of Allah ﷺ set out on an expedition when the fruits were ripe and their shadows had been lengthened. I had weakness for them and it was during this season that Messenger of Allah ﷺ made preparations and the Muslims too along with them. I also set out in the morning so that I should make preparations along with them but I came back and did nothing and said to myself: I have means enough (to make preparations) as soon as I like. And I went on doing this (postponing my preparations) until people were about to depart and it was in the morning that Messenger of Allah ﷺ set out and the Muslims too along with him, but I made no preparations. I went early in the morning and came back, but I made no decision. I continued to do so until they (the Muslims) hastened and covered a good deal of distance. I also made up my mind to march on and to meet them. Would that I had done that but perhaps it was not destined for me. After the departure of Messenger of Allah ﷺ as I went out amongst people, I was shocked to find that I did not find anyone like me but people who were labelled as hypocrites or the people whom Allah granted exemption because of their incapacity and Messenger of Allah ﷺ took no notice of me until he had reached Tabuk. (One day as he was sitting amongst the people in Tabuk) he said: What has happened to Ka'b b. Malik? A person from Banu' Salama said: Messenger of Allah, the (beauty) of his cloak and his appreciation of his sides have allured him and he was thus detained. Mua'dh b. Jabal said: Woe be upon that what you contend. Messenger of Allah, by Allah, we know nothing about him but good. Messenger of Allah ﷺ, however, kept quiet. It was during that time that he (the Holy Prophet) saw a person (dressed in all white (garment) shattering the illusion of eye (mirage). Thereupon Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: May he be Abu Khaithama and, lo, it was Abu Khaithama al-Ansari and he was that person who contributed a sa' of dates and was scoffed at by the hypocrites. Ka'b b. Malik farther said: When this news reached me that Messenger of Allah ﷺ was on his way back from Tabuk I was greatly perturbed. I thought of fabricating false stories and asked myself how I would save myself from his anger on the following day. In this connection, I sought the help of every prudent man from amongst the members of my family and when it was said to me that Messenger of Allah ﷺ was about to arrive, all the false ideas banished (from my mind) and I came to the conclusion that nothing could save me but the telling of truth, so I decided to speak the truth and it was in the morning that Messenger of Allah ﷺ arrived (in Medina). And it was his habit that as he came back from a journey he first went to the mosque and observed two Rak'ahs of nafl prayer (as a mark of gratitude) and then sat amongst people. And as he did that, those who had remained behind him began to put forward their excuses and take an oath before him and they were more than eighty persons. Messenger of Allah ﷺ accepted their excuses on the very face of them and accepted their allegiance and sought forgiveness for them and left their secret (intentions) to Allah, until I presented myself to him. I greeted him and he smiled and there was a tinge of anger in that. He (the Holy Prophet) then said to me: Come forward. I went forward until I sat in front of him. He said to me: What kept you back? Could you not afford to go in for a ride? I said: Messenger of Allah, by Allah, if I were to sit in the presence of anybody else from amongst the worldly people I would have definitely saved myself from his anger on one pretext (or the other) and I have also the knack to fall into argumentation, but, by Allah, I am fully aware of the fact that if I were to put forward before you a false excuse to please you Allah would definitely provoke your wrath upon me, and if I speak the truth you may be annoyed with me, but I hope that Allah would make its end well and, by Allah, there is no valid excuse for me. By Allah, I never possessed so good means, and I never had such favourable conditions for me as I had when I stayed behind you (failed to join the expedition). Thereupon, Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: This man told the truth, so get up until Allah gives a decision in your case. I stood up and some people of Banu' Salama followed me in hot haste, and they said to me: By Allah, we do not know about you that you committed a sin prior to this. You, however, showed inability to put forward an excuse before Messenger of Allah ﷺ as those who stayed behind him have put forward excuses. It would have been enough for the forgiveness of your sin that Messenger of Allah ﷺ would have sought forgiveness for you. By Allah, they continued to incite me until I thought of going back to Messenger of Allah ﷺ and contradict myself. Then I said to them: Has anyone else also met the same fate? They said: Yes, two persons have met the same fate as has fallen to you and they have made the sane statement as you have made, and the same verdict has been delivered in their case as it has been delivered in your case. I said: Who are they? They said: Murara b. ar-Rabi'a 'Amiri and Hilal b. Umayya al-Waqafi. They made a mention of these two pious persons to me who had participated in the Battle of Badr and there was an example for me in them. I went away when they named these two persons. Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade the Nluslims to talk with three of us from amongst those (persons) who had stayed behind him. The people began to avoid us and their attitude towards us underwent a change and it seemed as if the whole atmosphere had turned (hostile) against us and it was in fact the same atmosphere ot which I was fully aware and in which I had lived (for a fairly long time). We spent fifty nights in this very state and my two friends confined themselves withen their houses and spent (most of the) time in weeping, but as I was young and strong amongst them I got (out of my house), participated in congregational prayers, moved about in the bazar; but none spoke to me. I came to Messenger of Allah ﷺ as he sat amongst (people) after the prayer, greeted him and asked myself whether his lips stirred in response to my greetings (or not). Then I observed prayer beside him and looked at him with stealing glances and when I attended to my prayer, he looked at me and when I cast a glance at him he turned away his eyes from me. And when the harsh treatment of the Muslims towards me extended to a (considerable) length of time, I walked until I climbed upon the wall of the garden of Abu Qatada, and he was my cousin, and I had the greatest love for him. I greeted him but, by Allah, he did not respond to my greetings. I said to him: Abu Qatada, I adjure you by Allah, arn't you well aware of the fact that I love Allah and His Messenger ﷺ the most. He kept quiet. I again repeated saying: I adjure you by Allah. arn't you well aware of the fact that I love Allah and His Messenger ﷺ the most. He kept quiet. I again adjured him, whereupon he said: Allah and the Messenger ﷺ are best aware of it. My eyes began to shed tears and I came back climbing down from the wall and as I was walking in the bazar of Medina a Nabatean from amongst the Nabateans of Syria, who had come to sell foodgrains in Medina, asked people to direct him to Ka'b b. Malik. People gave him the indication by pointing towards me. He came to me and delivered to me a letter of the King of Ghassan and as I was a scribe I read that letter and it was written like this:" Coming to my point, it has been conveyed to us that your friend (the Holy Prophet) is subjecting you to cruelty and Allah has not created you for a place where you are to be degraded and where you cannot find your right place, so you come to us that we should accord you honour. As I read that letter I said: This is also a calamity, so I burnt it in the oven. When out of the fifty days, forty days had passed and Messenger of Allah ﷺ received no revelation, there came the messenger of Messenger of Allah ﷺ to me and said: Verily, Messenger of Allah ﷺ has commanded you to remain separate from your wife. I said: Should I divorce her or what (else) should I do? He said: No, but only remain separate from her and don't have sexual contact with her. The same message was sent to my companions. So I said to my wife: You better go to your parents and stay there with them until Allah gives the decision in my case. The wife of Hilal b. Umayya came to Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said: Messenger of Allah, Hilal b. Umayya is a senile person, he has no servant. Do you disapprove of my serving him? He said: No, but don't go near him. She said: By Allah, he has no such instinct in him. By Allah, he spends his time in weeping from that day to this day. Some of the members of my family said to me: Were you to seek permission from Messenger of Allah ﷺ in regard to your wife as he has granted permission to the wife of Hilal b. Umayya to serve him. I said: I would not seek permission from Messenger of Allah ﷺ, for I cannot say what Allah's Apostle may say in response to seeking my permission. Moreover, I am a young man. It was in this state that I spent ten more nights and thus fifty nights had passed that (people) had observed boycott with us. It was on the morning of the fiftieth night that I observed my dawn prayer and was sitting on one of the roofs of our houses. And I was in fact sitting in that very state which Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, has described about us in these words:" Life had become hard for myself and the earth had compressed despite its vastness," that I heard the noise of an announcer from the peak of the hill of Sal' saying at the top of his voice: Ka'b b. Malik, there is glad tidings for you. I fell down in prostration and came to realise that there was (a message of) relief for me. Messenger of Allah ﷺ had informed the people of the acceptance of our repentance by Allah as he offered the dawn prayer. So the people went on to give us glad tidings and some of them went to my friends in order to give them the glad tidings and a person galloped his horse and came from the tribe of Aslam and his horse reached me more quickly than his voice. And when he came to me whose sound I heard, he gave me the glad tidings. I took off my clothes and clothed him with them because of his bringing good news to me and, by Allah, I possessed nothing else (in the form of clothes) than these two on that occasion, and I asked one to lend me two clothes and dressed myself in them. I came to Messenger of Allah ﷺ and on my way I met groups of people who greeted me because of (the acceptance of) repentance and they said: Here is a greeting for you for your repentance being accepted by Allah. (I moved on) until I came to the mosque and Messenger of Allah ﷺ had been sitting there amongst persons. So Talha b. 'Ubaidullah got up and rushed towards me and he shook hands with me and greeted me and, by Allah, no person stood up (to greet me) from amongst the emigrants except he. Ka'b said that he never forgot (this good gesture of) Talha. Ka'b further said: I greeted Messenger of Allah ﷺ with Assalam-o-'Alaikam and his face was glistening because of delight, and he said: Let there be glad tidings and blessings for you, the like of which (you have neither found nor you will find, as you find today) since your mother gave your birth. I said: Messenger of Allah. is this acceptance of repentance from you or from Allah? He said: No, (it is not from ma), it is from Allah, and it was common with Messenger of Allah ﷺ that as he was happy his face brightened up and it looked like a part of the moon and it was from this that we recognised it (his delight). As I sat before him, I said: Messenger of Allah, am I allowed to give in charity my wealth for Allah's sake and for the sake of His Messenger ﷺ? Thereupon Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Keep some property with you as it is better for you. I said: I shall keep with me that part (of my property) which fell to my lot (on the occasion of the expedition of) Khaibar. I said: Messenger of Allah, verily, Allah has granted me salvation because of truth and, therefore, (I think) that repentance implies that I should not speak anything but truth as long as I live. He said: By Allah, I do not know whether anyone amongst the Muslims was put to more severe trial than I by Allah because of telling the truth. And since I made a mention of this to Messenger of Allah ﷺ up to this day I have not told any lie and, by Allah, I have decided not to tell a lie and I hope that Allah would save me (from trials) for the rest of my life and Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, revealed these verses:" Certainly, Allah has turned in Mercy to the Prophet and the emigrants and the helpers who followed him in the hour of hardship after the hearts of a part of them were about to deviate; then He turned to them in mercy. Surely, to them He is Compassionate, Merciful and (He turned in Mercy) to the three who were left behind until the earth despite its vastness became strait for them and their souls were also straitened to them." And this revelation reached up to the (words):" O you who believe, develop God consciousness, and be with the truthful" (ix. 117-118). Ka'b said: By Allah, since Allah directed me to Islam there has been no blessing more significant for me than this truth of mine which I spoke to Messenger of Allah ﷺ and if I were to tell a lie I would have been ruined as were ruined those who told lies, for in regard to those who told lies Allah used harshest words used for anyone as He descended revelation (and the words of Allah are):" They will swear by Allah to you when you return to them so that you may leave them alone. So leave them alone. Surely, they are unclean and their resort is Hell, recompense for what they earned. They will swear to you that you may be pleased with them but if you are pleased with them, yet surely Allah is not pleased with the transgressing people" (ix. 95-96). K'ab said that the matter of us three persons was deferred as compared with those who took an oath in the presence of Allahs Messenger ﷺ and he accepted their allegiance and sought forgiveness for them and Allah did not give any decision in regard to us. It was Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, Who gave decisions in our case, three who remained behind. (The words of the Qur'an)" the three who were left behind" do not mean that we remained back from Jihad but these imply that He kept our matter behind them who took oath and presented excuse before Him. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with the same chain of transmitters. (Using translation from Muslim 2769a)   

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِي غَزَاةٍ غَزَاهَاحَتَّى كَانَتْ غَزْوَةُ تَبُوكَ إِلَّا بَدْرًا وَلَمْ يُعَاتِبِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَحَدًا تَخَلَّفَ عَنْ بَدْرٍ إِنَّمَا خَرَجَ يُرِيدُ الْعِيرَ فَخَرَجَتْ قُرَيْشٌ مُغَوِّثِينَ لِعِيرِهِمْ فَالْتَقَوْا عَنْ غَيْرِ مَوْعِدٍ كَمَا قَالَ اللهُ ﷻ وَلَعَمْرِي إِنَّ أَشْرَفَ مَشَاهِدِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فِي النَّاسِ لَبَدْرٌ وَمَا أُحِبُّ أَنِّي كُنْتُ شَهِدْتُهَا مَكَانَ بَيْعَتِي لَيْلَةَ الْعَقَبَةِ حَيْثُ تَوَافَقْنَا عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ وَلَمْ أَتَخَلَّفْ بَعْدُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِي غَزَاَةٍ غَزَاهَا حَتَّى كَانَتْ غَزْوَةُ تَبُوكَ وَهِيَ آخِرُ غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا فَأَذِنَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ لِلنَّاسِ بِالرَّحِيلِ وَأَرَادَ أَنْ يَتَأَهَّبُوا أُهْبَةَ غَزْوِهِمْ وَذَلِكَ حِينَ طَابَ الظِّلَالُ وَطَابَتِ الثِّمَارُ فَكَانَ قَلَّمَا أَرَادَ غَزْوَةً إِلَّا وَارَى غَيْرَهَا وَقَالَ يَعْقُوبُ عَنِ ابْنِ أَخِي ابْنِ شِهَابٍ إِلَّا وَرَّى بِغَيْرِهَا حَدَّثَنَاهُ سُفْيَانَ عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ عن أبيه وَقَالَ فِيهِ وَرَّى غَيْرَهَا ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَى حَدِيثِ عَبْدِ الرَّزَّاقِ وَكَانَ يَقُولُ الْحَرْبُ خَدْعَةٌ فَأَرَادَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فِي غَزْوَةِ تَبُوكَ أَنْ يَتَأَهَّبَ النَّاسُأُهْبَتَهُ وَأَنَا أَيْسَرُ مَا كُنْتُ قَدْ جَمَعْتُ رَاحِلَتَيْنِ وَأَنَا أَقْدَرُ شَيْءٍ فِي نَفْسِي عَلَى الْجِهَادِ وَخِفَّةِ الْحَاذِ وَأَنَا فِي ذَلِكَ أَصْغُو إِلَى الظِّلَالِ وَطِيبِ الثِّمَارِ فَلَمْ أَزَلْ كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى قَامَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ غَادِيًا بِالْغَدَاةِ وَذَلِكَ يَوْمَ الْخَمِيسِ وَكَانَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ يَوْمَ الْخَمِيسِ فَأَصْبَحَ غَادِيًا فَقُلْتُ أَنْطَلِقُ غَدًا إِلَى السُّوقِ فَأَشْتَرِي جَهَازِي ثُمَّ أَلْحَقُ بِهِمْ فَانْطَلَقْتُ إِلَى السُّوقِ مِنَ الْغَدِ فَعَسُرَ عَلَيَّ بَعْضُ شَأْنِي فَرَجَعْتُ فَقُلْتُ أَرْجِعُ غَدًا إِنْ شَاءَ اللهُ فَأَلْحَقُ بِهِمْ فَعَسُرَ عَلَيَّ بَعْضُ شَأْنِي فَلَمْ أَزَلْ كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى الْتَبَسَ بِي الذَّنْبُ وَتَخَلَّفْتُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَجَعَلْتُ أَمْشِي فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ وَأَطُوفُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَيُحْزِنُنِي أَنِّي لَا أَرَى أَحَدًا تَخَلَّفَ إِلَّا رَجُلًا مَغْمُوصًا عَلَيْهِ فِي النِّفَاقِ وَكَانَ لَيْسَ أَحَدٌ تَخَلَّفَ إِلَّا رَأَى أَنَّ ذَلِكَ سَيُخْفَى لَهُ وَكَانَ النَّاسُ كَثِيرًا لَا يَجْمَعُهُمْ دِيوَانٌ وَكَانَ جَمِيعُ مَنْ تَخَلَّفَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ بِضْعَةً وَثَمَانِينَ رَجُلًا وَلَمْ يَذْكُرْنِي النَّبِيُّ ﷺ حَتَّى بَلَغَ تَبُوكًا فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ تَبُوكًا قَالَ مَا فَعَلَ كَعْبُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ؟ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ قَوْمِي خَلَّفَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ بُرْدَيْهِ وَالنَّظَرُ فِي عِطْفَيْهِ وَقَالَ يَعْقُوبُعَنِ ابْنِ أَخِي ابْنِ شِهَابٍ بُرْدَاهُ وَالنَّظَرُ فِي عِطْفَيْهِ فَقَالَ مُعَاذُ بْنُ جَبَلٍ بِئْسَمَا قُلْتَ وَاللهِ يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ مَا نَعْلَمُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا فَبَيْنَا هُمْ كَذَلِكَ إِذَا هُمْ بِرَجُلٍ يَزُولُ بِهِ السَّرَابُ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ كُنْ أَبَا خَيْثَمَةَ فَإِذَا هُوَ أَبُو خَيْثَمَةَ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ غَزْوَةَ تَبُوكَ وَقَفَلَ وَدَنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ جَعَلْتُ أَتَذَكَّرُ بِمَاذَا أَخْرُجُ مِنْ سَخْطَةِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَأَسْتَعِينُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ كُلَّ ذِي رَأْيٍ مِنْ أَهْلِي حَتَّى إِذَا قِيلَ النَّبِيُّ هُوَ مُصْبِحُكُمْ بِالْغَدَاةِ زَاحَ عَنِّي الْبَاطِلُ وَعَرَفْتُ أَنِّي لَا أَنْجُو إِلَّا بِالصِّدْقِ وَدَخَلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ ضُحًى فَصَلَّى فِي الْمَسْجِدِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَكَانَ إِذَا جَاءَ مِنْ سَفَرٍ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ فَجَعَلَ يَأْتِيهِ مَنْ تَخَلَّفَ فَيَحْلِفُونَ لَهُ وَيَعْتَذِرُونَ إِلَيْهِ فَيَسْتَغْفِرُ لَهُمْ وَيَقْبَلُ عَلَانِيَتَهُمْ وَيَكِلُ سَرَائِرَهُمْ إِلَى اللهِ ﷻ فَدَخَلْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا هُوَ جَالِسٌ فَلَمَّا رَآنِي تَبَسَّمَ تَبَسُّمَ الْمُغْضَبِ فَجِئْتُ فَجَلَسْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَقَالَ أَلَمْ تَكُنْ ابْتَعْتَ ظَهْرَكَ؟ قُلْتُ بَلَى يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ قَالَ فَمَا خَلَّفَكَ؟ قُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَوْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَحَدٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ غَيْرَكَ جَلَسْتُ لَخَرَجْتُ مِنْ سَخْطَتِهِ بِعُذْرٍ لَقَدْ أُوتِيتُ جَدَلًاوَقَالَ يَعْقُوبُ عَنِ ابْنِ أَخِي ابْنِ شِهَابٍ لَرَأَيْتُ أَنْ أَخْرُجَ مِنْ سَخْطَتِهِ بِعُذْرٍ وَفِي حَدِيثِ عُقَيْلٍ أَخْرُجُ مِنْ سَخْطَتِهِ بِعُذْرٍ وَفِيهِ لَيُوشِكَنَّ أَنَّ اللهَ يُسْخِطُكَ عَلَيَّ وَلَئِنْ حَدَّثْتُكَ حَدِيثَ صِدْقٍ تَجِدُ عَلَيَّ فِيهِ إِنِّي لَأَرْجُو فِيهِ عَفْوَ اللهِ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَى حَدِيثِ عَبْدِ الرَّزَّاقِ وَلَكِنْ قَدْ عَلِمْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ أَنِّي إِنْ أَخْبَرْتُكَ الْيَوْمَ بِقَوْلٍ تَجِدُ عَلَيَّ فِيهِ وَهُوَ حَقٌّ فَإِنِّي أَرْجُو فِيهِ عَفْوَ اللهِ وَإِنْ حَدَّثْتُكَ الْيَوْمَ حَدِيثًا تَرْضَى عَنِّي فِيهِ وَهُوَ كَذِبٌ أُوشِكُ أَنْ يُطْلِعَكَ اللهُ عَلَيَّ وَاللهِ يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ مَا كُنْتُ قَطُّ أَيْسَرَ وَلَا أَخَفَّ حَاذًا مِنِّي حِينَ تَخَلَّفْتُ عَنْكَ فَقَالَ أَمَّا هَذَا فَقَدْ صَدَقَكُمُ الْحَدِيثَ قُمْ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَ اللهُ فِيكَ فَقُمْتُ فَثَارَ عَلَى أَثَرِي نَاسٌ مِنْ قَوْمِي يُؤَنِّبُونَنِي فَقَالُوا وَاللهِ مَا نَعْلَمُكَ أَذْنَبْتَ ذَنْبًا قَطُّ قَبْلَ هَذَا فَهَلَّا اعْتَذَرْتَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ بِعُذْرٍ يَرْضَى عَنْكَ فِيهِ فَكَانَ اسْتِغْفَارُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ سَيَأْتِي مِنْ وَرَاءِ ذَنْبِكَ؟ وَلَمْ تُقِفْ نَفْسَكَ مَوْقِفًا لَا تَدْرِي مَاذَا يُقْضَى لَكَ فِيهِ؟ فَلَمْ يَزَالُوا يُؤَنِّبُونَنِي حَتَّى هَمَمْتُ أَنْ أَرْجِعَ فَأُكَذِّبَ نَفْسِي فَقُلْتُ هَلْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ أَحَدٌ غَيْرِي؟ قَالُوا نَعَمْ هِلَالُ بْنُ أُمَيَّةَ وَمَرَارَةُ يَعْنِي ابْنَ رَبِيعَةَ فَذَكَرُوا رَجُلَيْنِ صَالِحَيْنِ قَدْ شَهِدَابَدْرًا لِي فِيهِمَا يَعْنِي أُسْوَةً فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَا أَرْجِعُ إِلَيْهِ فِي هَذَا أَبَدًا وَلَا أُكَذِّبُ نَفْسِي وَنَهَى النَّبِيُّ ﷺ النَّاسَ عَنْ كَلَامِنَا أَيُّهَا الثَّلَاثَةُ قَالَ فَجَعَلْتُ أَخْرُجُ إِلَى السُّوقِ فَلَا يُكَلِّمُنِي أَحَدٌ وَتَنَكَّرَ لَنَا النَّاسُ حَتَّى مَا هُمْ بِالَّذِينَ نَعْرِفُ وَتَنَكَّرَتْ لَنَا الْحِيطَانُ الَّتِي نَعْرِفُ حَتَّى مَا هِيَ الْحِيطَانُ الَّتِي نَعْرِفُ وَتَنَكَّرَتْ لَنَا الْأَرْضُ حَتَّى مَا هِيَ بالْأَرْضِ الَّتِي نَعْرِفُ وَكُنْتُ أَقْوَى أَصْحَابِي فَكُنْتُ أَخْرُجُ فَأَطُوفُ بِالْأَسْوَاقِ وَآتِي الْمَسْجِدَ فَأَدْخُلُ وَآتِي النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَأُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَقُولُ هَلْ حَرَّكَ شَفَتَيْهِ بِالسَّلَامِ فَإِذَا قُمْتُ أُصَلِّي إِلَى سَارِيَةٍ فَأَقْبَلْتُ قِبَلَ صَلَاتِي نَظَرَ إِلَيَّ بِمُؤَخَّرِ عَيْنَيْهِ وَإِذَا نَظَرْتُ إِلَيْهِ أَعْرَضَ عَنِّي وَاسْتَكَانَ صَاحِبَايَ فَجَعَلَا يَبْكِيَانِ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ لَا يُطْلِعَانِ رُءُوسَهُمَا فَبَيْنَا أَنَا أَطُوفُ السُّوقَ إِذَا رَجُلٌ نَصْرَانِيٌّ جَاءَ بِطَعَامٍ يَبِيعُهُ يَقُولُ مَنْ يَدُلُّ عَلَى كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ فَطَفِقَ النَّاسُ يُشِيرُونَ لَهُ إِلَيَّ فَأَتَانِي وَأَتَانِي بِصَحِيفَةٍ مِنْ مَلِكِ غَسَّانَ فَإِذَا فِيهَا أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ صَاحِبَكَ قَدْ جَفَاكَ وَأَقْصَاكَ وَلَسْتَ بِدَارِمَضْيَعَةٍ وَلَا هَوَانٍ فَالْحَقْ بِنَا نُوَاسِكَ فَقُلْتُ هَذَا أَيْضًا مِنَ الْبَلَاءِ وَالشَّرِّ فَسَجَرْتُ لَهَا التَّنُّورَ وَأَحْرَقْتُهَا فِيهِ فَلَمَّا مَضَتْ أَرْبَعُونَ لَيْلَةً إِذَا رَسُولٌ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَدْ أَتَانِي فَقَالَ اعْتَزِلْ امْرَأَتَكَ فَقُلْتُ أُطَلِّقُهَا؟ قَالَ لَا وَلَكِنْ لَا تَقْرَبَنَّهَا فَجَاءَتْ امْرَأَةُ هِلَالٍ فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّ هِلَالَ بْنَ أُمَيَّةَ شَيْخٌ ضَعِيفٌ فَهَلْ تَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ أَخْدُمَهُ؟ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَلَكِنْ لَا يَقْرَبَنَّكِ قَالَتْ يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ مَا بِهِ حَرَكَةٌ لِشَيْءٍ مَا زَالَ مُكِبًّا يَبْكِي اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ مُنْذُ كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ مَا كَانَ قَالَ كَعْبٌ فَلَمَّا طَالَ عَلَيَّ الْبَلَاءُ اقْتَحَمْتُ عَلَى أَبِي قَتَادَةَ حَائِطَهُ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّي فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَلَمْ يَرُدَّ عَلَيَّ فَقُلْتُ أَنْشُدُكَ اللهَ يَا أَبَا قَتَادَةَ أَتَعْلَمُ أَنِّي أُحِبُّ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ؟ فَسَكَتَ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ أَنْشُدُكَ اللهَ يَا أَبَا قَتَادَةَ أَتَعْلَمُ أَنِّي أُحِبُّ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ؟ قَالَ اللهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ قَالَ فَلَمْ أَمْلِكْ نَفْسِي أَنْ بَكَيْتُ ثُمَّ اقْتَحَمْتُ الْحَائِطَ خَارِجًا حَتَّى إِذَا مَضَتْ خَمْسُونَ لَيْلَةً مِنْ حِينِ نَهَى النَّبِيُّ ﷺ النَّاسَ عَنْ كَلَامِنَا صَلَّيْتُ عَلَى ظَهْرِ بَيْتٍ لَنَا صَلَاةَ الْفَجْرِ ثُمَّ جَلَسْتُ وَأَنَا فِي الْمَنْزِلَةِ الَّتِي قَالَ اللهُ ﷻ قَدْ ضَاقَتْ عَلَيْنَا الْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْنَا أَنْفُسُنَا إِذْ سَمِعْتُ نِدَاءً مِنْ ذُرْوَةِ سَلْعٍ أَنْ أَبْشِرْ يَا كَعْبُ بْنَ مَالِكٍ فَخَرَرْتُ سَاجِدًا وَعَرَفْتُ أَنَّ اللهَ قَدْجَاءَنَا بِالْفَرَجِ ثُمَّ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ يَرْكُضُ عَلَى فَرَسٍ يُبَشِّرُنِي فَكَانَ الصَّوْتُ أَسْرَعَ مِنْ فَرَسِهِ فَأَعْطَيْتُهُ ثَوْبَيَّ بِشَارَةً وَلَبِسْتُ ثَوْبَيْنِ آخَرَيْنِ وَكَانَتْ تَوْبَتُنَا نَزَلَتْ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ ثُلُثَ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ عَشِيَّتَئِذٍ يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ أَلَا نُبَشِّرُ كَعْبَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ؟ قَالَ إِذًا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمُ النَّاسُ وَيَمْنَعُونَكُمُ النَّوْمَ سَائِرَ اللَّيْلَةِ وَكَانَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ مُحْسِنَةً مُحْتَسِبَةً فِي شَأْنِي تَحْزَنُ بِأَمْرِي فَانْطَلَقْتُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَإِذَا هُوَ جَالِسٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ وَحَوْلَهُ الْمُسْلِمُونَ وَهُوَ يَسْتَنِيرُ كَاسْتِنَارَةِ الْقَمَرِ وَكَانَ إِذَا سُرَّ بِالْأَمْرِ اسْتَنَارَ فَجِئْتُ فَجَلَسْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَقَالَ أَبْشِرْ يَا كَعْبُ بْنَ مَالِكٍ بِخَيْرِ يَوْمٍ أَتَى عَلَيْكَ مُنْذُ يَوْمِ وَلَدَتْكَ أُمُّكَ قُلْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ أَمِنْ عِنْدِ اللهِ أَوْ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ؟ قَالَ بَلْ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللهِ ﷻ ثُمَّ تَلَا عَلَيْهِمْ {لَقَدْ تَابَ اللهُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنْصَارِ} [التوبة 117] حَتَّى بَلَغَ {إِنَّ اللهَ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ} [التوبة 118] قَالَ وَفِينَا نَزَلَتْ أَيْضًا {اتَّقُوا اللهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ} [التوبة 119] فَقُلْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ إِنَّ مِنْ تَوْبَتِي أَنْ لَا أُحَدِّثَ إِلَّا صِدْقًا وَأَنْ أَنْخَلِعَ مِنْ مَالِي كُلِّهِ صَدَقَةً إِلَى اللهِ ﷻ وَإِلَى رَسُولِهِ فَقَالَ أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَبَعْضَ مَالِكَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أُمْسِكُ سَهْمِي الَّذِي بِخَيْبَرَ قَالَ فَمَا أَنْعَمَ اللهُ ﷻ عَلَيَّ نِعْمَةً بَعْدَ الْإِسْلَامِ أَعْظَمَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ صِدْقِي رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ حِينَ صَدَقْتُهُ أَنَا وَصَاحِبَايَ أَنْ لَا نَكُونَ كَذَبْنَا فَهَلَكْنَا كَمَا هَلَكُوا إِنِّي لَأَرْجُو أَنْ لَا يَكُونَ اللهُ ﷻ أَبْلَى أَحَدًا فِي الصِّدْقِ مِثْلَ الَّذِي أَبْلَانِي مَا تَعَمَّدْتُ لِكَذْبَةٍ بَعْدُ وَإِنِّي لَأَرْجُو أَنْ يَحْفَظَنِي اللهُ فِيمَا بَقِيَ  

“We entered upon Jabir bin ‘Abdullah, and when we reached him he asked about the people (i.e., what their names were, etc.). When he reached me, I said: ‘I am Muhammad bin ‘Ali bin Husain.’ He stretched forth his hand towards my head, and undid my top button, then undid my lower button. Then he placed his hand on my chest, and I was a young boy at that time. Then he said: ‘Welcome to you, ask whatever you want.’ So I asked him, and he was blind. The time for prayer came, so he stood up, wrapping himself in a woven cloth. Every time he put it on his shoulders, its edges came up, because it was too small. And his cloak was beside him on a hook. He led us in prayer, then he said: ‘Tell us about the Hajj of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.’ He held up his hands, showing nine (fingers), and said: ‘The Messenger of Allah ﷺ stayed for nine years without performing Hajj, then it was announced to the people in the tenth year that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was going for Hajj. So many people came to Al-Madinah, all of them seeking to follow the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and do what he did. He set out and we set out with him, and we came to Dhul-Hulaifah where Asma’ bint ‘Umais gave birth to Muhammad bin Abu Bakr. She sent word to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ asking what she should do. He said: “Perform Ghusl, fasten a cloth around your waist and enter Ihram.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed in the mosque, then he rode Qaswa’ (his she-camel) until, when his she-camel arose with him upon Baida’,’ Jabir said: ‘As far as I could see, I saw people riding and walking in front of him, and I saw the same to his right and left, and behind him, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was among us and Qur’an was being revealed to him, and he understood its meaning. Whatever he did, we did too. Then he began the Talbiyah of monotheism: “Labbaika Allahumma labbaik, labbaika la sharika laka labbaik. Innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika laka (Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, You have no partner).” And the people repeated his words. And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ approved of that. And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ continued to recite the Talbiyah.’ Jabir said: ‘We did not intend (to do) anything but Hajj. We were not aware of ‘Umrah. Then when we reached the House with him, he touched the Corner, and walked quickly (Ramal) for three circuits and walked (normally) for four. Then he stood at the place of Ibrahim and said: “And take you (people) the place of Ibrahim as a place of prayer.” [2:125] He stood with the place between him and the House. My father used to say:* “And I do not think that he mentioned it other than from the Prophet ﷺ: ‘That he used to recite in those two Rak’ah (at the place of Ibrahim): “Say: ‘O you disbelievers!’” [Al-Kafirun (109)] and “Say: ‘He is Allah, (the) One.’” [Al-Ikhlas (112)] “Then he went back to the House and touched the Corner, then he went out through the gate to Safa. When he drew near to Safa he recited: “Verily, Safa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah,” [2:158] (and said:) “We will start with that with which Allah started.” So he started with Safa and climbed it until he could see the House, then proclaimed the greatness of Allah (by saying: Allahu Akbar) and said Tahlil (La ilaha illallah) and praised Him (saying Al-Hamdulillah), and he said: “La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu, yuhyi wa yumit wa huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadir. La ilaha illallah wahdahu, La sharika lahu anjaza wa’dahu, wa nasara ‘abduhu, wa hazamal-Ahzaba wahdahu (None has the right to be worshiped but Allah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the dominion, all praise is due to Him, He gives life and causes death and He is able to do all things. None has the right to be worshiped but Allah alone; He has no partner or associate, He fulfilled His promise, granted victory to His slave, and defeated the Confederates alone).” And he said that three times, supplication in between. Then he headed towards Marwah walking normally until, when he started to go downhill, he walked quickly (Ramal) in the bottom of the valley. When he started to go uphill, he walked normally, until he reached Marwah, and he did atop Marwah what he had done atop Safa. At the end of his Sa’y, atop Marwah he said: “If I had known before what I have come to know now, I would not have garlanded the sacrificial animal, and I would have made it ‘Umrah. Whoever among you does not have a sacrificial animal with him, let him exit Ihram and make it ‘Umrah.” So all the people exited Ihram and cut their hair, except the Prophet ﷺ and those who had sacrificial animals with them. Suraqah bin Malik bin Ju’shum stood up and said: “O Messenger of Allah! Is this for this year only, or forever and ever?” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ interlaced his fingers and said: “‘Umrah is included in Hajj like this,” twice. “No, it is forever and ever.” ‘Ali brought the camels of the Prophet ﷺ, and he found that Fatimah was one of those who had exited Ihram. She had put on a dyed garment and used kohl. ‘Ali disliked this action on her part, but she said: “My father told me to do this.” ‘Ali used to say in Iraq: “So I went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, feeling upset with Fatimah because of what she had done, to ask the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about what she had said that he said, and that I had disliked that. He said: ‘She spoke the truth, she spoke the truth. What did you say when you began your Hajj?’” He said: “I said: ‘O Allah, I begin the Talbiyah for that for which your Messenger ﷺ begins the Talbiyah.’ (He said:) ‘And I have the sacrificial animal with me, so do not exit Ihram.’ He said: “The total number of sacrificial animals that ‘Ali had brought from Yemen and that the Prophet ﷺ brought from Al-Madinah were one hundred. Then all the people exited Ihram and cut their hair, apart from the Prophet ﷺ and those who had sacrificial animals with them. When the day of Tarwiyah came (the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah), they headed for Mina and began the Talbiyah for Hajj. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ rode. He prayed Zuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, ‘Isha’ and Fajr at Mina. Then he stayed for a short while until the sun rose, and he ordered that a tent of goat hair be pitched for him in Namirah. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ set out, and the Quraish were certain that he was going to stay at Al-Mash’ar Haram or at Al-Muzdalifah, as Quraish used to do during the Ignorance days. But the Messenger of Allah ﷺ continued until he came to ‘Arafat, where he found that the tent had been pitched for him in Namirah, and he stopped there. Then when the sun had passed its zenith, he called for Qaswa’ and she was saddled for him. He rode until he came to the bottom of the valley, and he addressed the people and said: ‘Your blood and your wealth are sacred to you, as sacred as this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this land of yours. Every matter of Ignorance days is abolished, beneath these two feet of mine. The blood feuds of the Ignorance days are abolished, and the first blood feud of Rabi’ah bin Harith, who was nursed among Banu Sa’d and killed by Hudhail. The usuries of Ignorance days are abolished, and the first usury (that I abolish) is our usury, the usury due to ‘Abbas bin ‘Abdul-Muttalib. It is all abolished. Fear Allah with regard to women, for you have taken them as a trust from Allah, and intimacy with them has become permissible to you through Allah’s Word. Your rights over them are that they should not allow anyone whom you dislike to sit on your bedding.** If they do that, then hit them, but in a manner that does not cause injury or leave a mark. Their rights over you are that you should provide for them and clothe them in a reasonable manner. I have left behind you something which, if you adhere to it, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah. You will be asked about me. What will you say?’ They said: ‘We bear witness that you have conveyed (the message) and fulfilled (your duty) and offered sincere advice.’ He gestured with his forefinger towards the sky and then towards the people, (and said:) ‘O Allah, bear witness, O Allah bear witness,’ three times. Then Bilal called the Adhan, then the Iqamah, and he prayed Zuhr. Then he made Iqamah and prayed ‘Asr, and he did not offer any prayer between them. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ rode until he came to the place of standing, and he made his she-camel face Sakharat*** with the path in the sand in front of him, and he faced the Qiblah, then he remained standing until the sun had set and the afterglow had lessened somewhat, when the disk of the sun disappeared. Then he seated Usamah bin Zaid behind him and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ set out. He pulled Qaswa’s reins tight until her head was touching the saddle, and he gestured with his right hand: ‘O people, calmly, calmly!’ Every time he came to a hill, he released the reins a little so that she could climb. Then he came to Muzdalifah where he prayed Maghrib and ‘Isha’ with one Adhan and two Iqamah, offering no prayer in between. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ lay down until dawn came, and he prayed Fajr, when he saw that morning had come, with one Adhan and one Iqamah. Then he rode Qaswa’ until he came to Al-Mash’ar Al-Haram. He climbed it and praised Allah and proclaimed His greatness and that He is the only One worthy of worship. Then he remained standing until it had become quite bright, then he moved on before the sun rose. He seated Fadl bin ‘Abbas behind him, who was a man with lovely hair, white and handsome. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ moved on, he passed some women riding camels. Fadl started to look at them, so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ put his hand on the other side. Fadl turned his face to the other side to look. When he came to Muhassir, he sped up a little. Then he followed the middle road that brings you out to the biggest Pillar, until he reached the Pillar that is by the tree. He threw seven pebbles, saying the Takbir with each throw, pebbles suitable for Khadhf (i.e., the size of a chickpea) throwing from the bottom of the valley. Then he went to the place of slaughter, and slaughtered sixty-three camels with his own hand. Then he handed it over to ‘Ali who slaughtered the rest, and he gave him a share in his sacrificial animal. Then he ordered that a piece from each camel be brought; (the pieces) were put in a pot and cooked, and they (the Prophet ﷺ and ‘Ali) ate from the meat and drank from the soup. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ hastened to the House, and prayed Zuhr in Makkah. He came to Banu ‘Abdul-Muttalib, who were providing water to the pilgrims at Zamzam, and said: ‘Draw me some water, O Banu ‘Abdul-Muttalib. Were it not that the people would overwhelm you, I would have drawn water with you.’ So they drew up a bucket for him and he drank from it.’” * It appears that the speaker is Ja’far bin Muhammad who is narrating from his father, from Jabir. **And they say that the meaning if ‘your furniture’ or, ‘your special place’ in which case the objective is to say that the wife is not to admit anyone in the house whom the husband would be displeased with. ***Sakharat plural of Sakhrah rock or boulder. Nawawi said: “They are the rocks that lay at the base of the Mount of Mercy, and it is the mount in the middle of ‘Arafat.” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 3074)  

أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ حَجَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ بِيَدِهِ فَعَقَدَ تِسْعًا فَقَالَ مَكَثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ تِسْعَ سِنِينَ لَمْ يَحُجَّ ثُمَّ أُذِّنَ فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ فِي الْعَاشِرَةِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَاجٌّ فَقَدِمَ الْمَدِينَةَ بَشَرٌ كَثِيرٌ كُلُّهُمْ يَلْتَمِسُ أَنْ يَأْتَمَّ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَيَعْمَلَ مِثْلَ عَمَلِهِ فَخَرَجْنَا مَعَهُ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا ذَا الْحُلَيْفَةِ فَوَلَدَتْ أَسْمَاءُ بِنْتُ عُمَيْسٍ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَأَرْسَلَتْ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ؟ فَقَالَ «اغْتَسِلِي وَاسْتَثْفِرِي بِثَوْبٍ وَأَحْرِمِي» فَصَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ ثُمَّ رَكِبَ الْقَصْوَاءَ حَتَّى اسْتَوَتْ بِهِ نَاقَتُهُ عَلَى الْبَيْدَاءِ فَنَظَرْتُ إِلَى مَدِّ بَصَرِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ مِنْ رَاكِبٍ وَمَاشٍ وَعَنْ يَمِينِهِ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ وَعَنْ يَسَارِهِ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ وَخَلْفَهُ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِنَا وَعَلَيْهِ يُنْزَلُ الْقُرْآنُ وَهُوَ يَعْرِفُ تَأْوِيلَهُ فَأَهَلَّ بِالتَّوْحِيدِ «لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ» فَأَهَلَّ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا الَّذِي يُهِلُّونَ بِهِ فَلَمْ يَرُِدَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلَيْهِمْ شَيْئًا وَلَبَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ تَلْبِيَتَهُ حَتَّى إِذَا أَتَيْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَعَهُ قَالَ جَابِرٌ لَسْنَا نَنْوِي إِلَّا الْحَجَّ لَسْنَا نَعْرِفُ الْعُمْرَةَ حَتَّى إِذَا أَتَيْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَعَهُ اسْتَلَمَ الرُّكْنَ فَرَمَلَ ثَلَاثًا وَمَشَى أَرْبَعًا ثُمَّ تَقَدَّمَ إِلَى مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فَصَلَّى فَقَرَأَ {وَاتَّخِذُوا مِنْ مَقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى} [البقرة 125] فَجَعَلَ الْمَقَامَ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْبَيْتِ وَكَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُهُ ذَكَرَهُ إِلَّا عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ وَقُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَى الرُّكْنِ فَاسْتَلَمَهُ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ مِنَ الْبَابِ إِلَى الصَّفَا فَلَمَّا أَتَى الصَّفَا قَرَأَ {إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ} [البقرة 158] «أَبْدَأُ بِمَا بَدَأَ اللَّهُ بِهِ» فَبَدَأَ بِالصَّفَا فَرَقِيَ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى رَأَى الْبَيْتَ فَوَحَّدَ اللَّهَ وَكَبَّرَهُ وَقَالَ «لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ أَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَهَزَمَ الْأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ» ثُمَّ دَعَا بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ مِثْلَ هَذَا ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ نَزَلَ إِلَى الْمَرْوَةِ حَتَّى إِذَا انْصَبَّتْ قَدَمَاهُ فِي بَطْنِ الْوَادِي قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الدَّارِمِيُّ يَعْنِي فَرَمَلَ حَتَّى إِذَا صَعِدْنَا مَشَى حَتَّى إِذَا أَتَيْنَا الْمَرْوَةَ فَفَعَلَ عَلَى الْمَرْوَةِ كَمَا فَعَلَ عَلَى الصَّفَا حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ آخِرَ طَوَافٍ عَلَى الْمَرْوَةِ قَالَ «إِنِّي لَوِ اسْتَقْبَلْتُ مِنْ أَمْرِي مَا اسْتَدْبَرْتُ لَمْ أَسُقِ الْهَدْيَ وَجَعَلْتُهَا عُمْرَةً فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ لَيْسَ مَعَهُ هَدْيٌ فَلْيُحِلَّ وَليَجْعَلْهَا عُمْرَةً» فَقَامَ سُرَاقَةُ بْنُ مَالِكِ بْنِ جُعْشُمٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَلِعَامِنَا هَذَا أَمْ لِأَبَدٍ فَشَبَكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَصَابِعَهُ فِي الْأُخْرَى فَقَالَ «دَخَلَتِ الْعُمْرَةُ فِي الْحَجِّ» هَكَذَا مَرَّتَيْنِ لَا بَلْ لِأَبَدِ أَبَدٍ لَا بَلْ لَأَبَدِ أَبَدٍ؟ فَشَبَكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَصَابِعَهُ فِي الْأُخْرَى فَقَالَ «دَخَلَتِ الْعُمْرَةُ فِي الْحَجِّ» هَكَذَا مَرَّتَيْنِ «لَا بَلْ لِأَبَدِ أَبَدٍ لَا بَلْ لَأَبَدِ أَبَدٍ» وَقَدِمَ عَلِيٌّ بِبُدْنٍ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَوَجَدَ فَاطِمَةَ مِمَّنْ حَلَّ وَلَبِسَتْ ثِيَابَ صَبِيغٍ وَاكْتَحَلَتْ فَأَنْكَرَ عَلِيٌّ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالَتْ أَبِي أَمَرَنِي فَكَانَ عَلِيٌّ يَقُولُ ذَهَبْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ أُحَرِّشُهُ عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ فِي الَّذِي صَنَعَتْ مُسْتَفْتِيًا لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِيمَا ذَكَرَتْ فَأَنْكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالَ «صَدَقَتْ مَا فَعَلْتَ حِينَ فَرَضْتَ الْحَجَّ؟» قَالَ قُلْتُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُهِلُّ بِمَا أَهَلَّ بِهِ رَسُولُكَ قَالَ «فَإِنَّ مَعِيَ الْهَدْيَ فَلَا تَحْلِلْ» قَالَ فَكَانَ جَمَاعَةُ الْهَدْيِ الَّذِي قَدِمَ بِهِ عَلِيٌّ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ وَالَّذِي أَتَى بِهِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مِائَةَ بَدَنَةٍ فَحَلَّ النَّاسُ كُلُّهُمْ وَقَصَّرُوا إِلَّا النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَعَهُ هَدْيٌ فَلَمَّا كَانَ يَوْمُ التَّرْوِيَةِ وَجَّهَ إِلَى مِنًى فَأَهْلَلْنَا بِالْحَجِّ وَرَكِبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَصَلَّى بِنَا الظُّهْرَ وَالْعَصْرَ وَالْمَغْرِبَ وَالْعِشَاءَ وَالصُّبْحَ ثُمَّ مَكَثَ قَلِيلًا حَتَّى إِذَا طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ أَمَرَ بِقُبَّةٍ مِنْ شَعَرٍ تُضْرَبُ لَهُ بِنَمِرَةَ ثُمَّ رَكِبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَسَارَ لَا تَشُكُّ قُرَيْشٌ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ وَاقِفٌ عِنْدَ الْمَشْعَرِ الْحَرَامِ كَمَا كَانَتْ قُرَيْشٌ تَصْنَعُ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فِي الْمُزْدَلِفَةِ فَسَارَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى أَتَى عَرَفَةَ فَوَجَدَ الْقُبَّةَ قَدْ ضُرِبَتْ بِنَمِرَةَ فَنَزَلَهَا حَتَّى إِذَا زَاغَتْ يَعْنِي الشَّمْسَ أَمَرَ بِالْقَصْوَاءِ فَرُحِّلَتْ لَهُ فَأَتَى بَطْنَ الْوَادِي فَخَطَبَ النَّاسَ وَقَالَ «إِنَّ دِمَاءَكُمْ وَأَمْوَالَكُمْ حَرَامٌ كَحُرْمَةِ يَوْمِكُمْ هَذَا فِي شَهْرِكُمْ هَذَا فِي بَلَدِكُمْ هَذَا أَلَا إِنَّ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ مِنْ أَمْرِ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ تَحْتَ قَدَمَيَّ مَوْضُوعٌ وَدِمَاءُ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ مَوْضُوعَةٌ وَأَوَّلُ دَمٍ وُضِعَ دِمَاؤُنَا دَمُ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ كَانَ مُسْتَرْضَعًا فِي بَنِي سَعْدٍ فَقَتَلَتْهُ هُذَيْلٌ وَرِبَا الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ مَوْضُوعٌ وَأَوَّلُ رِبًا أَضَعُهُ رِبَا عَبَّاسِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَإِنَّهُ مَوْضُوعٌ كُلُّهُ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ فِي النِّسَاءِ فَإِنَّمَا أَخَذْتُمُوهُنَّ بِأَمَانَةِ اللَّهِ وَاسْتَحْلَلْتُمْ فُرُوجَهُنَّ بِكَلِمَةِ اللَّهِ وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِنَّ أَنْ لَا يُوطِئْنَ فُرُشَكُمْ أَحَدًا تَكْرَهُونَهُ فَإِنْ فَعَلْنَ ذَلِكَ فَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ ضَرْبًا غَيْرَ مُبَرِّحٍ وَلَهُنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ رِزْقُهُنَّ وَكِسْوَتُهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَأَنْتُمْ مَسْئُولُونَ عَنِّي فَمَا أَنْتُمْ قَائِلُونَ؟» قَالُوا نَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ قَدْ بَلَّغْتَ وَأَدَّيْتَ وَنَصَحْتَ فَقَالَ بِأُصْبُعِهِ السَّبَّابَةِ فَرَفَعَهَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَيَنْكُتُهَا إِلَى النَّاسِ «اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدْ اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدْ اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدْ» ثُمَّ أَذَّنَ بِلَالٌ بِنِدَاءٍ وَاحِدٍ وَإِقَامَةٍ فَصَلَّى الظُّهْرَ ثُمَّ أَقَامَ فَصَلَّى الْعَصْرَ لَمْ يُصَلِّ بَيْنَهُمَا شَيْئًا ثُمَّ رَكِبَ حَتَّى وَقَفَ فَجَعَلَ بَطْنَ نَاقَتِهِ الْقَصْوَاءِ إِلَى الصُّخَيْرَاتِ وَقَالَ إِسْمَعِيلُ إِلَى الشُّجَيْرَاتِ وَجَعَلَ حَبْلَ الْمُشَاةِ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ وَاقِفًا حَتَّى غَرَبَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَذَهَبَتِ الصُّفْرَةُ حَتَّى غَابَ الْقُرْصُ فَأَرْدَفَ أُسَامَةَ خَلْفَهُ ثُمَّ دَفَعَ وَقَدْ شَنَقَ لِلْقَصْوَاءِ الزِّمَامَ حَتَّى إِنَّهُ لَيُصِيبُ رَأْسُهَا مَوْرِكَ رَحْلِهِ وَيَقُولُ بِيَدِهِ الْيُمْنَى «السَّكِينَةَ السَّكِينَةَ» كُلَّمَا أَتَى حَبْلًا مِنَ الْحِبَالِ أَرْخَى لَهَا قَلِيلًا حَتَّى تَصْعَدَ حَتَّى أَتَى الْمُزْدَلِفَةَ فَصَلَّى بِهَا الْمَغْرِبَ وَالْعِشَاءَ بِأَذَانٍ وَإِقَامَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ اضْطَجَعَ حَتَّى إِذَا طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ صَلَّى الْفَجْرَ بِأَذَانٍ وَإِقَامَةٍ ثُمَّ رَكِبَ الْقَصْوَاءَ حَتَّى وَقَفَ عَلَى الْمَشْعَرِ الْحَرَامِ وَاسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ فَدَعَا اللَّهَ وَكَبَّرَهُ وَهَلَّلَهُ وَوَحَّدَهُ حَتَّى أَسْفَرَ جِدًّا ثُمَّ دَفَعَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ وَأَرْدَفَ الْفَضْلَ بْنَ الْعَبَّاسِ وَكَانَ رَجُلًا حَسَنَ الشَّعْرِ أَبْيَضَ وَسِيمًا فَلَمَّا دَفَعَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مَرَّ بِالظُّعُنِ يَجْرِينَ فَطَفِقَ الْفَضْلُ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِنَّ فَأَخَذَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يَدَهُ فَوَضَعَهَا عَلَى وَجْهِ الْفَضْلِ فَحَوَّلَ الْفَضْلُ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ الشِّقِّ الْآخَرِ فَوَضَعَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يَدَهُ مِنَ الشِّقِّ الْآخَرِ حَتَّى إِذَا أَتَى مُحَسِّرَ حَرَّكَ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ سَلَكَ الطَّرِيقَ الْوُسْطَى الَّتِي تُخْرِجُكَ إِلَى الْجَمْرَةِ الْكُبْرَى حَتَّى إِذَا أَتَى الْجَمْرَةَ الَّتِي عِنْدَهَا الشَّجَرَةُ فَرَمَى بِسَبْعِ حَصَيَاتٍ يُكَبِّرُ عَلَى كُلِّ حَصَاةٍ مِنْ حَصَى الْخَذْفِ ثُمَّ رَمَى مِنْ بَطْنِ الْوَادِي ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ إِلَى الْمَنْحَرِ فَنَحَرَ ثَلَاثًا وَسِتِّينَ بَدَنَةً بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ أَعْطَى عَلِيًّا فَنَحَرَ مَا غَبَرَ وَأَشْرَكَهُ فِي بُدْنِهِ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ بَدَنَةٍ بِبِضْعَةٍ فَجُعِلَتْ فِي قِدْرٍ فَطُبِخَتْ فَأَكَلَا مِنْ لُحُومِهَا وَشَرِبَا مِنْ مَرَقِهَا ثُمَّ رَكِبَ فَأَفَاضَ إِلَى الْبَيْتِ فَأَتَى الْبَيْتَ فَصَلَّى الظُّهْرَ بِمَكَّةَ وَأَتَى بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ وَهُمْ يَسْتَقُونَ عَلَى زَمْزَمَ فَقَالَ «انْزِعُوا بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَلَوْلَا يَغْلِبُكُمُ النَّاسُ عَلَى سِقَايَتِكُمْ لَنَزَعْتُ مَعَكُمْ» فَنَاوَلُوهُ دَلْوًا فَشَرِبَ  

ذِكْرُ مَوْلِدِ مُوسَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ قَاهَتَ بْنِ لَاوِي بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَحَدِيثِ عَدُوِّ اللَّهِ فِرْعَوْنَ حِينَ كَانَ يَسْتَعْبِدُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ فِي أَعْمَالِهِ بِمِصْرَ وَأَمْرِ مُوسَى وَالْخَضِرِ قَالَ وَهْبٌ وَلَمَّا حَمَلَتْ أُمُّ مُوسَى بِمُوسَى كَتَمَتْ أَمْرَهَا جَمِيعَ النَّاسِ فَلَمْ يَطَّلِعْ عَلَى حَمْلِهَا أَحَدٌ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ وَذَلِكَ شَيْءٌ أَسَرَهَا اللَّهُ بِهِ لَمَّا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَمُنَّ بِهِ عَلَى بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ فَلَمَّا كَانَتِ السَّنَةُ الَّتِي يُولَدُ فِيهَا مُوسَى بْنُ عِمْرَانَ بَعَثَ فِرْعَوْنُ الْقَوَابِلَ وَتَقَدَّمَ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَفَتَّشَ النِّسَاءَ تَفْتِيشًا لَمْ يُفَتِّشْهُنَّ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ وَحَمَلَتْ أُمُّ مُوسَى بِمُوسَى فَلَمْ يَنْتُ بَطْنُهَا وَلَمْ يَتَغَيَّرْ لَوْنُهَا وَلَمْ يَفْسَدْ لَبَنُهَا وَلَكِنَّ الْقَوَابِلَ لَا تَعْرِضُ لَهَا فَلَمَّا كَانَتِ اللَّيْلَةُ الَّتِي وُلِدَ فِيهَا مُوسَى وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَلَا رَقِيبَ عَلَيْهَا وَلَا قَابِلَ وَلَمْ يَطَّلِّعْ عَلَيْهَا أَحَدٌ إِلَّا أُخْتُهَا مَرْيَمُ وَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ إِلَيْهَا أَنْ أَرْضِعِيهِ فَإِذَا خِفْتِ عَلَيْهِ فَأَلْقِيهِ فِي الْيَمِّ وَلَا تَخَافِي وَلَا تَحْزَنِي إِنَّا رَادُّوهُ إِلَيْكِ وَجَاعِلُوهُ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ قَالَ فَكَتَمَتْهُ أُمُّهُ ثَلَاثَةَ أَشْهُرٍ تُرْضِعُهُ فِي حِجْرِهَا لَا يَبْكِي وَلَا يَتَحَرَّكُ فَلَمَّا خَافَتْ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَيْهَا عَمِلَتْ لَهُ تَابُوتًا مُطْبَقًا وَمَهَّدَتْ لَهُ فِيهِ ثُمَّ أَلْقَتْهُ فِي الْبَحْرِ لَيْلًا كَمَا أَمَرَهَا اللَّهُ وَعُمِلَ التَّابُوتُ عَلَى عَمَلِ سُفُنِ الْبَحْرِ خَمْسَةَ أَشْبَارٍ فِي خَمْسَةِ أَشْبَارٍ وَلَمْ يُقَيَّرْ فَأَقْبَلَ التَّابُوتُ يَطْفُو عَلَى الْمَاءِ فَأَلْقَى الْبَحْرُ التَّابُوتَ بِالسَّاحِلِ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ فَلَمَّا أَصْبَحَ فِرْعَوْنُ جَلَسَ فِي مَجْلِسِهِ عَلَى شَاطِئِ النِّيلِ فَبَصُرَ بِالتَّابُوتِ فَقَالَ لِمَنْ حَوْلَهُ مِنْ خَدَمِهِ إِيتُونِي بِهَذَا التَّابُوتِ فَأَتَوْهُ بِهِ فَلَمَّا وُضِعَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَتَحُوهُ فَوَجَدَ فِيهِ مُوسَى قَالَ فَلَمَّا نَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ فِرْعَوْنُ قَالَ غَيْرَ أَنِّي مِنَ الْأَعْدَاءِ فَأَعْظَمَهُ ذَلِكَ وَغَاظَهُ وَقَالَ كَيْفَ أَخْطَأَ هَذَا الْغُلَامَ الذَّبْحُ وَقَدْ أَمَرْتُ الْقَوَابِلَ أَنْ لَا يَكْتُمْنَ مَوْلُودًا يُولَدُ قَالَ وَكَانَ فِرْعَوْنُ قَدِ اسْتَنْكَحَ امْرَأَةً مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ يُقَالَ لَهَا آسِيَةُ بِنْتُ مُزَاحِمٍ وَكَانَتْ مِنْ خِيَارِ النِّسَاءِ الْمَعْدُودَاتِ وَمِنْ بَنَاتِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَكَانَتْ أُمًّا لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ تَرْحَمُهُمْ وَتَتَصَدَّقُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَتُعْطِيهِمْ وَيَدْخُلُونَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالَتْ لِفِرْعَوْنَ وَهِيَ قَاعِدَةٌ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ هَذَا الْوَلِيدُ أَكْبَرُ مِنِ ابْنِ سَنَةٍ وَإِنَّمَا أَمَرْتَ أَنْ تَذْبَحَ الْوِلْدَانَ لِهَذِهِ السَّنَةِ فَدَعْهُ يَكُونُ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لِي وَلَكَ لَا تَقْتُلُوهُ عَسَى أَنْ يَنْفَعَنَا أَوْ نَتَّخِذَهُ وَلَدًا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ أَنَّ هَلَاكَهُمْ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ وَكَانَ فِرْعَوْنُ لَا يُولَدُ لَهُ إِلَّا الْبَنَاتُ فَاسْتَحْيَاهُ فِرْعَوْنُ وَرَفَعَهُ وَأَلْقَى اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ مَحَبَّتَهُ وَرَأْفَتَهُ وَرَحْمَتَهُ وَقَالَ لِامْرَأَتِهِ عَسَى أَنْ يَنْفَعَكِ أَنْتِ فَأَمَّا أَنَا فَلَا أُرِيدُ نَفْعَهُ قَالَ وَهْبٌ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ لَوْ أَنَّ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ قَالَ فِي مُوسَى كَمَا قَالَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ عَسَى أَنْ يَنْفَعَنَا لَنَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ بِهِ وَلَكِنَّهُ أَبَى لِلشَّقَاءِ الَّذِي كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَحَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَى مُوسَى الْمَرَاضِعَ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَيَالِيهِنَّ كُلَّمَا أُتِيَ بِمُرْضِعَةٍ لَمْ يَقْبَلْ ثَدْيَهَا فَرَقَّ لَهُ فِرْعَوْنُ وَرَحِمَهُ وَطُلِبَتْ لَهُ الْمَرَاضِعُ وَذَكَرَ وَهْبُ حُزْنَ أُمِّ مُوسَى وَبُكَاءَهَا عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى كَادَتْ أَنْ تُبْدِيَ بِهِ ثُمَّ تَدَارَكَهَا اللَّهُ بِرَحْمَتِهِ فَرَبَطَ عَلَى قَلْبِهَا إِلَى أَنْ بَلَغَهَا خَبَرَهُ فَقَالَتْ لِأُخْتِهِ تَنَكَّرِي وَاذْهَبِي مَعَ النَّاسِ وَانْظُرِي مَاذَا يَفْعَلُونَ بِهِ فَدَخَلَتْ أُخْتُهُ مَعَ الْقَوَابِلِ عَلَى آسِيَةَ بِنْتِ مُزَاحِمٍ فَلَمَّا رَأَتْ وَجْدَهُمْ بِمُوسَى وَحُبَّهُمْ لَهُ وَرِقَّتَهُمْ عَلَيْهِ قَالَتْ هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ يَكْفُلُونَهُ لَكُمْ وَهُمْ لَهُ نَاصِحُونَ إِلَى أَنْ رُدَّ إِلَى أُمِّهِ فَمَكَثَ مُوسَى عِنْدَ أُمِّهِ حَتَّى فَطَمَتْهُ ثُمَّ رَدَّتْهُ إِلَيْهِ فَنَشَأَ مُوسَى فِي حِجْرِ فِرْعَوْنَ وَامْرَأَتِهِ يُرَبِّيَانِهِ بِأَيْدِيهِمَا وَاتَّخَذَاهُ وَلَدًا فَبَيْنَا هُوَ يَلْعَبُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ فِرْعَوْنَ وَبِيَدِهِ قَضِيبٌ لَهُ خَفِيفٌ صَغِيرٌ يَلْعَبُ بِهِ إِذْ رَفَعَ الْقَضِيبَ فَضَرَبَ بِهِ رَأْسَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَنَظَرَ مَنْ ضَرَبَهُ حَتَّى هَمَّ بِقَتْلِهِ فَقَالَتْ آسِيَةُ بِنْتُ مُزَاحِمٍ أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ لَا تَغْضَبْ وَلَا يَشُقَّنَّ عَلَيْكَ فَإِنَّهُ صَبِيٌّ صَغِيرٌ لَا يَعْقِلُ جَرِّبْهُ إِنْ شِئْتَ اجْعَلْ فِي هَذَا الطَّشْتِ جَمْرَةً وَذَهَبًا فَانْظُرْ عَلَى أَيُّهُمَا يَقْبِضُ فَأَمَرَ فِرْعَوْنُ بِذَلِكَ فَلَمَّا مَدَّ مُوسَى يَدَهُ لِيَقْبِضَ عَلَى الذَّهَبِ قَبَضَ الْمَلَكُ الْمُوَكَّلُ بِهِ عَلَى يَدِهِ فَرَدَّهَا إِلَى الْجَمْرَةِ فَقَبَضَ عَلَيْهَا مُوسَى فَأَلْقَاهَا فِي فِيهِ ثُمَّ قَذَفَهَا حِينَ وَجَدَ حَرَارَتَهَا فَقَالَتْ آسِيَةُ لِفِرْعَوْنَ أَلَمْ أَقُلْ لَكَ إِنَّهُ لَا يَعْقِلُ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَعْلَمُهُ وَكَفَّ عَنْهُ فِرْعَوْنُ وَصَدَّقَهَا وَكَانَ أَمَرَ بِقَتْلِهِ وَيُقَالُ إِنَّ الْعُقْدَةَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ فِي لِسَانِ مُوسَى أَثَرُ تِلْكَ الْجَمْرَةِ الَّتِي الْتَقَمَهَا قَالَ وَهْبُ بْنُ مُنَبِّهٍ وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مُوسَى أَشَدَّهُ وَبَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً آتَاهُ اللَّهُ عِلْمًا وَحُكْمًا وَفَهْمًا فَلَبِثَ بِذَلِكَ اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً دَاعِيًا إِلَى دِينِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَشَرَائِعِهِ وَإِلَى دِينِ إِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ فَآمَنَتْ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ الْقِصَّةَ بِطُولِهَا  

"There was a household among us called Banu Ubairiq, among whom was a Bishr, a Bushair, and a Mubashshir. Bushair was a hypocrite who would recite poetry reviling the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ then he would attribute it to some of the Arabs. Then he would say: 'So-and-so said this and that [So-and-so said this and that].' So when the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ would hear that poetry, they would say: 'By Allah! No one but this filthy person said this poetry - or as the man said - and they would say: 'Ibn Al-Ubairiq said it.'" He said: "They were a poor and needy household during Jahiliyyah and Islam. The only food the people of Al-Madinah had was dates and barely. When a man was able to, he would import flour from Ash-Sham which he bought and kept for himself. As for his dependants, their only food was dates and barely. So an import arrived from Ash-Sham, and my uncle Rifa'ah bin Zaid bought a load of it, which he put in a storage area he had, where he kept his weapons - his shield and his sword. But it was taken from him from under the house. The storage was broken into and and the food and weapons were taken. In the morning, my uncle Rifa'ah came to me and said: 'O my nephew! We were robbed during the night, our storage was broken into, and our food and weapons are gone.'" He said: "They overheard us in the house, and questioned us, and someone said to us, 'We saw Banu Ubairiq cooking during the night, and it looked like they had some of your food.'" He said: "Banu Ubairiq were saying - while we were questioning them amidst their dwellings - 'By Allah! We do not think the one you are looking for is other than Labid bin Sahl, a man among us who is righteous and accepted Islam.' When Labid heard that, he brandished his sword and said: 'I stole? By Allah! You either prove this theft, or I take to you with this sword.' They said: 'Leave us O man! You are not the one who has it.' So we continued questioning in the dwellings until we had no doubt that they had taken it. So my uncle said to me: 'O my nephew! You should go to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and tell him about that.'" Qatadah said: "So I went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said: 'A family among us are ill-mannered, and they conspired against my uncle Rifa'ah bin aid. They broken into his storage and took his weapons and his food. We want them to return our weapons, but we have no need for the food.' So the Prophet ﷺ said: 'I will decide about that.' So when Banu Ubairiq heard about that, they brought a man from among them named Usair bin 'Urwah to talk to him about that, and some people form their houses gathered and said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Qatadah bin An-Nu'man and his uncle came came to a family among us who are a people of Islam and righteousness, accusing them of stealing without proof or confirmation.'" Qatadah said: "I went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and spoke to him, and he said: 'You went to a family among them known for their Islam and righteousness, and accused them of stealing without confirmation or proof.'" He said: "So I returned wishing that I had lost some of my wealth, and that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had not been spoke to about that. My uncle Rifa'ah came to me and said: 'O my nephew! What did you do?' So I told him what the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me, so he said: 'It is from Allah, Whom we seek help.' It was not long before the Qur'an was revealed: 'Surely, We have sent down to you the Book in truth, that you might judge between men by that which Allah has shown you, so be not a pelader for the treacherous.' That is Banu Ubairiq. 'And seek forgiveness from Allah.' [That is] from what you said to Qatadah. 'Certainly Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And argue not on behalf of those who deceive themselves. Verily, Allah does not like anyone who is a betrayer, sinner. They may hide from men, but they cannot hide from Allah for He is with them up to His saying: 'Most Merciful.' That is: If you seek Allah's forgiveness then He will forgive you. 'And whoever earns sin, he earns it only against himself...' up to His saying: 'A manifest sin.' Their saying about Labid; 'Had it not been for the grace of Allah and His Mercy upon you...' up to His saying: 'We shall give him a great reward.' (4:105-115)" So when the Qur'an was revealed, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ brought the weapon and returned it to Rifa'ah. Qatadah said: "When the weapon was brought to my uncle - and he was an elderly man with bad sight" or "an elderly weak man" - Abu 'Eisa was in doubt - "in Jahiliyyah, and I thought that he merely had entered into Islam (without real sincerity) but when I brought it to him, he said: 'O my nephew! It is for Allah's cause.' So I knew that his Islam was genuine. When the Qur'an was revealed, Bushair went with the idolaters, staying with Sulafah bint Sa'd bin Sumayyah. So Allah, Most High, revealed: Whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way, We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination. Verily Allah forgives not associating others with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whomever He wills. And whoever associates others with Allah, then he has indeed strayed away (4:115-116). "When he went to stay with Sulafah, Hassan bin Thabit lampooned her with verses of poetry. So she took his saddle, put it on her head, then she left with it to cast into the valley. Then she said: 'You gave me the poetry of Hassan - you did not bring me any good.'" (Using translation from Tirmidhī 3036)   

كَانَ بَنُو أُبَيْرِقٍ رَهْطًا مِنْ بَنِي ظُفُرٍ وَكَانُوا ثَلَاثَةً بَشِيرٌ وَبِشْرٌ وَمُبَشِّرٌ وَكَانَ بَشِيرٌ يُكْنَى أَبَا طُعْمَةَ وَكَانَ شَاعِرًا وَكَانَ مُنَافِقًا وَكَانَ يَقُولُ الشَّعْرَ يَهْجُو بِهِ أَصْحَابَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ قَالَهُ فُلَانٌ فَإِذَا بَلَغَهُمْ ذَلِكَ قَالُوا كَذَبَ عَدُوُّ اللَّهِ مَا قَالَهُ إِلَّا هُوَ فَقَالَ [البحر الكامل] أَوَكُلَّمَا قَالَ الرِّجَالُ قَصِيدَةً ضَمُّوا إِلَيَّ بِأَنْ أُبَيْرِقَ قَالَهَا مُتَخَطِّمِينَ كَأَنَّنِي أَخْشَاهُمُ جَدَعَ الْإِلَهُ أُنُوفَهُمْ فَأَبَانَهَا وَكَانُوا أَهْلَ فَقْرٍ وَحَاجَةٍ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَالْإِسْلَامِ وَكَانَ عَمِّي رِفَاعَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ رَجُلًا مُوسِرًا أَدْرَكَهُ الْإِسْلَامُ فَوَاللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُ لَأَرَى أَنَّ فِي إِسْلَامِهِ شَيْئًا وَكَانَ إِذَا كَانَ لَهُ يَسَارٌ فَقَدِمَتْ عَلَيْهِ هَذِهِ الضَّافِطَةُ مِنَ السَّدَمِ تَحْمِلُ الدَّرْمَكَ ابْتَاعَ لِنَفْسِهِ مَا يَحِلُّ بِهِ فَأَمَّا الْعِيَالُ فَكَانَ يُقِيتُهُمُ الشَّعِيرَ فَقَدِمَتْ ضَافِطَةٌ وَهُمُ الْأَنْبَاطُ تَحْمِلُ دَرْمَكًا فَابْتَاعَ رِفَاعَةُ حِمْلَيْنِ مِنْ شَعِيرٍ فَجَعَلَهُمَا فِي عُلِّيَّةٍ لَهُ وَكَانَ فِي عُلِّيَّتِهِ دِرْعَانِ لَهُ وَمَا يُصْلِحُهُمَا مِنْ آلَتِهِمَا فَطَرَقَهُ بَشِيرٌ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَخَرَقَ الْعُلِّيَّةَ مِنْ ظَهْرِهَا فَأَخَذَ الطَّعَامَ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ السِّلَاحَ فَلَمَّا أَصْبَحَ عَمِّي بَعَثَ إِلَيَّ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقَالَ أُغِيرَ عَلَيْنَا هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةَ فَذُهِبَ بِطَعَامِنَا وَسِلَاحِنَا فَقَالَ بَشِيرٌ وَإِخْوَتُهُ وَاللَّهِ مَا صَاحِبُ مَتَاعِكُمْ إِلَّا لَبِيدُ بْنُ سَهْلٍ لِرَجُلٍ مِنَّا كَانَ ذَا حَسَبٍ وَصَلَاحٍ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَهُ قَالَ أُصْلِتُ وَاللَّهِ بِالسَّيْفِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيْ بَنِي الْأُبَيْرِقِ وَأَنَا أَسْرِقُ فَوَاللَّهِ لَيُخَالِطَنَّكُمْ هَذَا السَّيْفُ أَوْ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّ مَنْ صَاحِبُ هَذِهِ السَّرِقَةِ فَقَالُوا انْصَرِفْ عَنَّا فَوَاللَّهِ إِنَّكَ لَبَرِئٌ مِنْ هَذِهِ السَّرِقَةِ فَقَالَ كَلَّا وَقَدْ زَعَمْتُمْ ثُمَّ سَأَلْنَا فِي الدَّارِ وَتَجَسَّسْنَا حَتَّى قِيلَ لَنَا وَاللَّهِ لَقَدِ اسْتَوْقَدَ بَنُو أُبَيْرِقٍ اللَّيْلَةَ وَمَا نَرَاهُ إِلَّا عَلَى طَعَامِكُمْ فَمَا زِلْنَا حَتَّى كِدْنَا نَسْتَيْقِنُ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُهُ فَجِئْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَكَلَّمَتْهُ فِيهِمْ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَهْلَ بَيْتٍ مِنَّا أَهْلَ جَفَاءٍ وَسَفَهٍ غَدَوْا عَلَى عَمِّي فَخَرَقُوا عُلِّيَّةً لَهُ مِنْ ظَهْرِهَا فَغَدَوْا عَلَى طَعَامٍ وَسِلَاحٍ فَأَمَّا الطَّعَامُ فَلَا حَاجَةَ لَنَا فِيهِ وَأَمَّا السِّلَاحُ فَلْيَرُدَّهُ عَلَيْنَا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «سَأَنْظُرُ فِي ذَلِكَ» وَكَانَ لَهُمُ ابْنُ عَمٍّ يُقَالُ لَهُ أَسِيرُ بْنُ عُرْوَةَ فَجَمَعَ رِجَالَ قَوْمِهِ ثُمَّ أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رِفَاعَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ وَابْنَ أَخِيهِ قَتَادَةَ بْنَ النُّعْمَانِ قَدْ عَمَدَا إِلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ مِنَّا أَهْلَ حَسَبِ وَشَرَفٍ وَصَلَاحٍ يَأْبِنُونَهُمْ بِالْقَبِيحِ وَيَأْبِنُونَهُمْ بِالسَّرِقَةِ بِغَيْرِ بَيِّنَةٍ وَلَا شَهَادَةٍ فَوَضَعَ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِلِسَانِهِ مَا شَاءَ ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ وَجِئْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَكَلَّمْتُهُ فَجَبَهَنِي جَبْهًا شَدِيدًا وَقَالَ «بِئْسَ مَا صَنَعْتَ وَبِئْسَ مَا مَشَيْتَ فِيهِ عَمَدْتَ إِلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ مِنْكُمْ أَهْلِ حَسَبٍ وَصَلَاحٍ تَرْمِيهِمْ بِالسَّرِقَةِ وَتَأْبِنُهُمْ فِيهَا بِغَيْرِ بَيِّنَةٍ وَلَا تَثَبُّتٍ» فَسَمِعْتُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَا أَكْرَهُ فَانْصَرَفْتُ عَنْهُ وَلَوَدِدْتُ أَنِّي خَرَجْتُ مِنْ مَالِي وَلَمْ أُكَلِّمْهُ فَلَمَّا أَنْ رَجَعْتُ إِلَى الدَّارِ أَرْسَلَ إِلَيَّ عَمِّي يَا ابْنَ أَخِي مَا صَنَعْتَ؟ فَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لَوَدِدْتُ أَنِّي خَرَجْتُ مِنْ مَالِي وَلَمْ أُكَلِّمْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِيهِ وَايْمُ اللَّهِ لَا أَعُودُ إِلَيْهِ أَبَدًا فَقَالَ اللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ فَنَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ {إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ لِتَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِمَا أَرَاكَ اللَّهُ وَلَا تَكُنْ لِلْخَائِنِينَ خَصِيمًا} [النساء 105] أَيْ طُعْمَةَ بْنِ أُبَيْرِقٍ فَقَرَأَ حَتَّى بَلَغَ {ثُمَّ يَرِمْ بِهِ بَرِيئًا} [النساء 112] أَيْ لَبِيدَ بْنَ سَهْلٍ {وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَهَمَّتْ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْهُمْ أَنْ يُضِلُّوكَ} [النساء 113] يَعْنِي أَسِيرَ بْنَ عُرْوَةَ وَأَصْحَابَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ {لَا خَيْرَ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنْ نَجْوَاهُمْ} [النساء 114] إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ} [النساء 48] أَيًّا كَانَ ذَنْبُهُ دُونَ الشِّرْكِ فَلَمَّا نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ هَرَبَ فَلَحِقَ بِمَكَّةَ وَبَعَثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِلَيَّ الدَّرْعَيْنِ وَأَدَاتَهُمَا فَرَدَّهُمَا عَلَى رِفَاعَةَ قَالَ قَتَادَةُ فَلَمَّا جِئْتُهُ بِهِمَا وَمَا مَعَهُمَا قَالَ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي هُمَا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ﷻ فَرَجَوْتُ أَنَّ عَمِّي حَسُنَ إِسْلَامُهُ وَكَانَ ظَنِّي بِهِ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ وَخَرَجَ ابْنُ أُبَيْرِقٍ حَتَّى نَزَلَ عَلَى سَلَّامَةَ بِنْتِ سَعْدِ بْنِ سَهْلٍ أُخْتِ بَنِي عَمْرِو بْنِ عَوْفٍ وَكَانَتْ عِنْدَ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ بِمَكَّةَ فَوَقَعَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَأَصْحَابِهِ يَشْتُمُهُمْ فَرَمَاهُ حَسَّانُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ بِأَبْيَاتٍ فَقَالَ [البحر الطويل] أَيَا سَارِقَ الدَّرْعَيْنِ إِنْ كُنْتَ ذَاكِرًا بِذِي كَرَمٍ بَيْنَ الرِّجَالِ أُوَادِعُهْ وَقَدْ أَنْزَلْتَهُ بِنْتُ سَعْدٍ فَأَصْبَحَتْ يُنَازِعُهَا جَلْدَ اسْتِهِ وَتُنَازِعُهْ فَهَلَّا أَسِيرًا جِئْتَ جَارَكَ رَاغِبًا إِلَيْهِ وَلَمْ تَعْمَدْ لَهُ فَتُدَافِعُهْ ظَنَنْتُمْ بِأَنْ يَخْفَى الَّذِي قَدْ فَعَلْتُمُ وَفِيكُمْ نَبِيٌّ عِنْدَهُ الْوَحْيُ وَاضِعُهْ فَلَوْلَا رِجَالٌ مِنْكُمُ تَشْتُمُونَهُمْ بِذَاكَ لَقَدْ حَلَّتْ عَلَيْهِ طَوَالِعُهْ فَإِنْ تَذْكُرُوا كَعْبًا إِلَى مَا نَسَبْتُمُ فَهَلْ مِنْ أَدِيمٍ لَيْسَ فِيهِ أَكَارِعُهْ وَجَدْتَهُمُ يَرْجُونَكُمْ قَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ كَمَا الْغَيْثُ يُرْجِيهِ السَّمِينُ وَتَابِعُهْ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَهَا شِعْرُ حَسَّانَ أَخَذَتْ رَحْلَ أُبَيْرِقٍ فَوَضَعَتْهُ عَلَى رَأْسِهَا حَتَّى قَذَفَتْهُ بِالْأَبْطَحِ ثُمَّ حَلَقَتْ وَسَلَقَتْ وَخَرَقَتْ وَخَلَفَتْ إِنْ بِتَّ فِي بَيْتِي لَيْلَةً سَوْدَاءَ أَهْدَيْتَ لِي شِعْرَ حَسَّانَ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ مَا كُنْتَ لِتَنْزِلَ عَلَيَّ بِخَيْرٍ فَلَمَّا أَخْرَجَتْهُ لَحِقَ بِالطَّائِفِ فَدَخَلَ بَيْتًا لَيْسَ فِيهِ أَحَدٌ فَوَقَعَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَتَلَهُ فَجَعَلَتْ قُرَيْشٌ تَقُولُ وَاللَّهِ لَا يُفَارِقُ مُحَمَّدًا أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ فِيهِ خَيْرٌ  

قَدِمْتُ الْكُوفَةَ فَلَمْ يَكُنْ لِي بِهَا هَمٌّ إِلَّا أُوَيْسٌ الْقَرَنِيُّ أَطْلُبُهُ وَأَسْأَلُ عَنْهُ حَتَّى سَقَطْتُ عَلَيْهِ جَالِسًا وَحْدَهُ عَلَى شَاطِئِ الْفُرَاتِ نِصْفَ النَّهَارِ يَتَوَضَّأُ وَيَغْسِلُ ثَوْبَهُ فَعَرَفْتُهُ بِالنَّعْتِ فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ لَحِمٌ أَدَمُ شَدِيدُ الْأَدَمَةِ أَشْعَرُ مَحْلُوقُ الرَّأْسِ يَعْنِي لَيْسَ لَهُ جُمَّةٌ كَثُّ اللِّحْيَةِ عَلَيْهِ إِزَارٌ مِنْ صُوفٍ وَرِدَاءٌ مِنْ صُوفٍ بِغَيْرِ حِذَاءٍ كَبِيرُ الْوَجْهِ مَهِيبُ الْمَنْظَرِ جِدًّا فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَرَدَّ عَلَيَّ وَنَظَرَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ حَيَّاكَ اللَّهُ مِنْ رَجُلٍ؟ فَمَدَدْتُ يَدِي إِلَيْهِ لِأُصَافِحَهُ فَأَبَى أَنْ يُصَافِحَنِي وَقَالَ وَأَنْتَ فَحَيَّاكَ اللَّهُ فَقُلْتُ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ يَا أُوَيْسُ وَغَفَرَ لَكَ كَيْفَ أَنْتَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ؟ ثُمَّ خَنَقَتْنِي الْغَيْرَةُ مِنْ حُبِّي إِيَّاهُ وَرِقَّتِي لَهُ لِمَا رَأَيْتُ مِنْ حَالِهِ مَا رَأَيْتُ حَتَّى بَكَيْتُ وَبَكَى ثُمَّ قَالَ وَأَنْتَ فَرَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ يَا هَرِمُ بْنَ حَيَّانَ كَيْفَ أَنْتَ يَا أَخِي؟ مَنْ دَلَّكَ عَلَيَّ؟ قُلْتُ اللَّهُ قَالَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّنَا إِنْ كَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّنَا لَمَفْعُولًا حِينَ سَمَّانِي وَاللَّهِ مَا كُنْتُ رَأَيْتُهُ قَطُّ وَلَا رَآنِي ثُمَّ قُلْتُ مِنْ أَيْنَ عَرَفْتَنِي وَعَرَفْتَ اسْمِي وَاسْمَ أَبِي فَوَاللَّهِ مَا كُنْتُ رَأَيْتُكَ قَطُّ قَبْلَ هَذَا الْيَوْمِ قَالَ نَبَّأَنِي الْعَلِيمُ الْخَبِيرُ عَرَفَتْ رُوحِي رُوحَكَ حَيْثُ كَلَّمَتْ نَفْسِي نَفْسَكَ أَنَّ الْأَرْوَاحَ لَهَا أَنْفَسٌ كَأَنْفُسِ الْأَحْيَاءِ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَعْرِفُ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا وَيَتَحَدَّثُونَ بِرُوحِ اللَّهِ وَإِنْ لَمْ يَلْتَقُوا وَإِنْ لَمْ يَتَكَلَّمُوا وَيَتَعَارَفُوا وَإِنْ نَأْتِ بِهُمُ الدِّيَارُ وَتَفَرَّقَتْ بِهُمُ الْمَنَازِلُ قَالَ قُلْتُ حَدِّثْنِي عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِحَدِيثٍ أَحْفَظُهُ عَنْكَ قَالَ إِنِّي لَمْ أُدْرِكْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَلَمْ تَكُنْ لِي مَعَهُ صُحْبَةٌ وَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رِجَالًا قَدْ رَأَوْهُ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِي مِنْ حَدِيثِهِ كَمَا بَلَغَكُمْ وَلَسْتُ أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَفْتَحَ هَذَا الْبَابَ عَلَى نَفْسِي أَنْ أَكُونَ مُحَدَّثًا أَوْ قَاضِيًا وَمُفْتِيًا فِي النَّفْسِ شُغْلٌ يَا هَرِمُ بْنُ حَيَّانَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَخِي اقْرَأْ عَلَيَّ آيَاتٍ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ أَسْمَعْهُنَّ مِنْكَ فَإِنِّي أُحَبُّكَ فِي اللَّهِ حُبًّا شَدِيدًا وَادْعُ بِدَعَوَاتٍ وَأَوْصِ بِوَصِيَّةٍ أَحْفَظْهَا عَنْكَ قَالَ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي عَلَى شَاطِئِ الْفُرَاتِ وَقَالَ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ السَّمِيعِ الْعَلِيمِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ قَالَ فَشَهِقَ شَهْقَةً ثُمَّ بَكَى مَكَانَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَ رَبِّي تَعَالَى ذِكْرُهُ وَأَحَقُّ الْقَوْلِ قَوْلُهُ وَأَصْدَقُ الْحَدِيثِ حَدِيثُهُ وَأَحْسَنُ الْكَلَامِ كَلَامُهُ {وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لَاعِبِينَ مَا خَلَقْنَاهُمَا إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ} [الدخان 39] حَتَّى بَلَغَ {إِلَّا مَنْ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الرَّحِيمُ} [الدخان 42] ثُمَّ شَهِقَ شَهْقَةً ثُمَّ سَكَتَ فَنَظَرْتُ إِلَيْهِ وَأَنَا أَحْسِبُهُ قَدْ غَشِيَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا هَرِمُ بْنَ حَيَّانَ مَاتَ أَبُوكَ وَأَوْشَكَ أَنْ تَمُوتَ وَمَاتَ أَبُو حَيَّانَ فَإِمَّا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَإِمَّا إِلَى النَّارِ وَمَاتَ آدَمُ وَمَاتَتْ حَوَّاءُ يَا ابْنَ حَيَّانَ وَمَاتَ نُوحٌ وَإِبْرَاهِيمُ خَلِيلُ الرَّحْمَنِ يَا ابْنَ حَيَّانَ وَمَاتَ مُوسَى نَجِيُّ الرَّحْمَنِ يَا ابْنَ حَيَّانَ وَمَاتَ دَاوُدُ خَلِيفَةُ الرَّحْمَنِ يَا ابْنَ حَيَّانَ وَمَاتَ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الرَّحْمَنِ وَمَاتَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ خَلِيفَةُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ يَا ابْنَ حَيَّانَ وَمَاتَ أَخِي وَصَفِيِّي وَصَدِيقِي عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَاعُمَرَاهُ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عُمَرَ وَعُمَرُ يَوْمَئِذٍ حَيٌّ وَذَلِكَ فِي آخِرِ خِلَافَتِهِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ إِنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ بَعْدُ حَيٌّ قَالَ بَلَى إِنْ تَفْهَمْ فَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا قُلْتُ أَنَا وَأَنْتَ فِي الْمَوْتَى وَكَانَ قَدْ كَانَ ثُمَّ صَلَّى عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَدَعَا بِدَعَوَاتٍ خِفَافٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَذِهِ وَصِيَّتِي إِلَيْكَ يَا هَرِمُ بْنَ حَيَّانَ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ وَاللِّقَاءُ بِالصَّالِحِينَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَلَقَدْ نَعَيْتُ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَنَعَيْتُكَ فَعَلَيْكَ بِذِكْرِ الْمَوْتِ فَلَا يُفَارِقَنَّ عَلَيْكَ طَرْفَةً وَأَنْذِرْ قَوْمَكَ إِذَا رَجَعْتَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَانْصَحْ أَهْلَ مِلَّتَكَ جَمِيعًا وَاكْدَحْ لِنَفْسِكَ وَإِيَّاكَ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تُفَارِقَ الْجَمَاعَةَ فَتُفَارِقَ دِينَكَ وَأَنْتَ لَا تَعْلَمُ فَتَدْخُلُ النَّارَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ يُحِبُّنِي فِيكَ وَزَارَنِي مِنْ أَجَلِكَ اللَّهُمَّ عَرِّفْنِي وَجْهَهُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَأَدْخِلْهُ عَلَيَّ زَائِرًا فِي دَارِكَ دَارِ السَّلَامِ وَاحْفَظْهُ مَا دَامَ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَيْثُ مَا كَانَ وَضَمَّ عَلَيْهِ ضَيْعَتَهُ وَرَضِّهِ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا بِالْيَسِيرِ وَمَا أَعْطَيْتَهُ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا فَيَسِّرْهُ لَهُ وَاجْعَلْهُ لِمَا تُعْطِيَهُ مِنْ نِعْمَتِكَ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ وَاجْزِهِ خَيْرَ الْجَزَاءِ اسْتَوْدَعْتُكَ اللَّهَ يَا هَرِمُ بْنَ حَيَّانَ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي لَا أَرَاكَ بَعْدَ الْيَوْمِ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ فَإِنِّي أَكْرَهُ الشُّهْرَةَ وَالْوَحْدَةُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ لِأَنِّي شَدِيدُ الْغَمِّ كَثِيرُ الْهَمِّ مَا دُمْتُ مَعَ هَؤُلَاءِ النَّاسِ حَيًّا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَا تَسْأَلْ عَنِّي وَلَا تَطْلُبُنِي وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّكَ مِنِّي عَلَى بَالٍ وَلَمْ أَرَكَ وَلَمْ تَرَنِي فَاذْكُرْنِي وَادْعُ لِي فَإِنِّي سَأَذْكُرُكَ وَأَدْعُو لَكَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى انْطَلِقْ هَا هُنَا حَتَّى أَخَذَ هَا هُنَا قَالَ فَحَرَصْتُ عَلَى أَنْ أَسِيرَ مَعَهُ سَاعَةً فَأَبَى عَلَيَّ فَفَارَقْتُهُ يَبْكِي وَأَبْكِي قَالَ فَجَعَلْتُ أَنْظُرُ فِي قَفَاهُ حَتَّى دَخَلَ فِي بَعْضِ السِّكَكِ فَكَمْ طَلَبْتُهُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ وَسَأَلْتُ عَنْهُ فَمَا وَجَدْتُ أَحَدًا يُخْبِرُنِي عَنْهُ بِشَيْءٍ فَرَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ وَغَفَرَ لَهُ وَمَا أَتَتْ عَلَيَّ جُمُعَةٌ إِلَّا وَأَنَا أَرَاهُ فِي مَنَامِي مَرَّةً أَوْ مَرَّتَيْنِ أَوْ كَمَا قَالَ  

أَرْسَلَ ابْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ إِلَى الْحُصَيْنِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ يَدْعُوهُ إِلَى الْبِرَازِ فَقَالَ الْحُصَيْنُ لَا يَمْنَعُنِي مِنْ لِقَائِكَ جُبْنٌ وَلَسْتُ أَدْرِي لِمَنْ يَكُونُ الظَّفَرُ فَإِنْ كَانَ لَكَ كُنْتَ قَدْ ضَيَّعْتَ مَنْ وَرَائِي وَإِنْ كَانَ لِي كُنْتُ قَدْ أَخْطَأْتُ التَّدْبِيرَ وَإِنْ طُفْتَ رَجَعْنَا إِلَى بَاقِي الْحَدِيثِ وَضَرَبَ ابْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ فُسْطَاطًا فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَكَانَ فِيهِ نِسَاءٌ يَسْقِينَ الْجَرْحَى وَيُدَاوِيهِنَّ وَيُطْعِمْنَ الْجَائِعَ وَيَلُمُنَّ النَّهْدَ الْمَجْرُوحَ فَقَالَ حُصَيْنٌ مَا يَزَالُ يَخْرُجُ عَلَيْنَا مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْفُسْطَاطِ أَسَدٌ كَأَنَّمَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْ عَرِينِهِ فَمَنْ يَكْفِنِيهِ؟ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ أَنَا فَلَمَّا جَنَّ عَلَيْهِ اللَّيْلُ وَضَعَ شَمْعَةً فِي طَرَفِ رُمْحِهِ ثُمَّ ضَرَبَ فَرَسَهُ ثُمَّ طَعَنَ الْفُسْطَاطَ فَالْتَهَبَ نَارًا وَالْكَعْبَةُ يَوْمَئِذٍ مُؤَزَّرَةٌ فِي الطَّنَافِسِ وَعَلَى أَعْلَاهَا الْجَرَّةُ فَطَارَتِ الرِّيحُ بِاللَّهَبِ عَلَى الْكَعْبَةِ حَتَّى احْتَرَقَتْ وَاحْتَرَقَ فِيهَا يَوْمَئِذٍ قَرَنَا الْكَبْشِ الَّذِي فُدِيَ بِهِ إِسْحَاقُ قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُمَرَ وَمَاتَ يَزِيدُ بْنُ مُعَاوِيَةَ فَهَرَبَ حُصَيْنُ بْنُ نُمَيْرٍ فَلَمَّا مَاتَ يَزِيدُ بْنُ مُعَاوِيَةَ دَعَا مَرْوَانُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ فَأَجَابَهُ أَهْلُ حِمْصَ وَأَهْلُ الْأُرْدُنِّ وَفِلَسْطِينِ فَوَجَّهَ إِلَيْهِ ابْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ الضَّحَّاكَ بْنَ قَيْسٍ الْفِهْرِيَّ فِي مِائَةِ أَلْفٍ فَالْتَقَوْا بِمَرْجِ رَاهِطٍ وَمَرْوَانُ يَوْمَئِذٍ فِي خَمْسَةِ آلَافٍ مِنْ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ وَمَوَالِيهِمْ وَأَتْبَاعِهِمْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ فَقَالَ مَرْوَانُ لِمَوْلًى لَهُ كَرِهٍ احْمِلْ عَلَى أَيِّ الطَّرَفَيْنِ شِئْتَ فَقَالَ كَيْفَ نَحْمِلُ عَلَى هَؤُلَاءِ مَعَ كَثْرَتِهِمْ؟ فَقَالَ هُمْ بَيْنَ مُكْرَهٍ وَمُسْتَأَجَرٍ احْمِلْ عَلَيْهِمْ لَا أُمَّ لَكَ فَيَكْفِيكَ الطِّعَانُ النَّاجِعُ الْجَيِّدُ وَهُمْ يَكْفُونَكَ بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ إِنَّمَا هَؤُلَاءِ عُبَيْدُ الدِّينَارِ وَالدِّرْهَمِ فَحَمَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَهَزَمَهُمْ وَأَقْبَلَ الضَّحَّاكُ بْنُ قَيْسٍ وَانْصَدَعَ الْجَيْشُ فَفِي ذَلِكَ يَقُولُ زُفَرُ بْنُ الْحَارِثِ [البحر الطويل] لَعَمْرِي لَقَدْ أَبْقَتْ وَقِيعَةُ رَاهِطٍ لِمَرْوَانَ صَرْعَى وَاقِعَاتٍ وَسَابَيَا أَمْضَى سِلَاحِي لَا أَبَا لَكَ إِنَّنِي لَدَى الْحَرْبِ لَا يَزْدَادُ إِلَّا تَمَادِيَا فَقَدْ يَنْبُتُ الْمَرْعَى عَلَى دِمَنِ الثَّرَى وَيُبْقِي خُزَرَاتِ النُّفُوسِ كَمَا هِيَا وَفِيهِ يَقُولُ أَيْضًا أَفِي الْحَقِّ أَمَّا بَحْدَلُ وَابْنُ بَحْدَلٍ فَيَحْيَا وَأَمَّا ابْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ فَيُقْتَلُ كَذَبْتُمْ وَبَيْتِ اللَّهِ لَا يَقْتُلُونَهُ وَلَمَّا يَكُنْ يَوْمٌ أَغَرُّ مُحَجَّلُ وَلَمَّا يَكُنْ لِلْمَشْرَفِيَّةِ فِيكُمْ شُعَاعٌ كَنُورِ الشَّمْسِ حِينَ تَرَجَّلُ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَاتَ مَرْوَانُ فَدَعَا عَبْدُ الْمَلِكِ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ وَقَامَ فَأَجَابَهُ أَهْلُ الشَّامِ فَخَطَبَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ وَقَالَ مَنْ لِابْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ؟ فَقَالَ الْحَجَّاجُ أَنَا يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَأَسْكَتَهُ ثُمَّ عَادَ فَأَسْكَتَهُ ثُمَّ عَادَ فَأَسْكَتَهُ ثُمَّ عَادَ فَقَالَ أَنَا لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَإِنِّي رَأَيْتُ فِي النَّوْمِ كَأَنِّي انْتَزَعْتُ جَنَّةً فَلَبِسْتُهَا فَعَقَدَ لَهُ وَوَجَهَّهُ فِي الْجَيْشِ إِلَى مَكَّةَ حَرَسَهَا اللَّهُ تَعَالَى حَتَّى وَرَدَهَا عَلَى ابْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ فَقَاتِلْهُ بِهَا فَقَالَ ابْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ لِأَهْلِ مَكَّةَ «احْفَظُوا هَذَيْنِ الْجَبَلَيْنِ فَإِنَّكُمْ لَنْ تَزَالُوا بِخَيْرٍ أَعِزَّةٍ مَا لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَيْهِمَا» قَالَ فَلَمْ يَلْبَثُوا أَنْ ظَهَرَ الْحَجَّاجُ وَمَنْ مَعَهُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ الْغَدَاةُ الَّتِي قُتِلَ فِيهَا ابْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ دَخَلَ ابْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ عَلَى أُمُّهِ أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَهِيَ يَوْمَئِذٍ بِنْتُ مِائَةِ سَنَةٍ لَمْ يَسْقُطٍ لَهَا سِنٌّ وَلَمْ يَفْسَدْ لَهَا بَصَرٌ وَلَا سَمْعٌ فَقَالَتْ لِابْنِهَا يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ مَا فَعَلْتَ فِي حِرْبِكَ؟ قَالَ «بَلَغُوا مَكَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا» قَالَ وَضَحِكَ ابْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ وَقَالَ «إِنَّ فِي الْمَوْتِ لَرَاحَةً» فَقَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّ لَعَلَّكَ تَمَنَّيْتَهُ لِي مَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَمُوتَ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ عَلَى أَحَدِ طَرَفَيْكَ إِمَّا أَنْ تَظْفَرَ فَتَقَرَّ بِذَلِكَ عَيْنِي وَإِمَّا أَنْ تُقْتَلَ فَأَحْتَسِبَكَ قَالَ ثُمَّ وَدَّعَهَا فَقَالَتْ لَهُ يَا بُنَيَّ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تُعْطِيَ خَصْلَةً مِنْ دِينِكَ مَخَافَةَ الْقَتْلِ وَخَرَجَ عَنْهَا فَدَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ وَقَدْ جَعَلَ مِصْرَاعَيْنِ عَلَى الْحَجَرِ الْأَسْوَدِ يَبْقَى أَنْ تُصِيبَ بِالْمَنْجَنِيقِ وَأَتَى ابْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ آتٍ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ عِنْدَ زَمْزَمَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَلَا نَفْتَحُ لَكَ الْكَعْبَةَ فَتَصْعَدُ فِيهَا؟ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ «مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ تَحْفَظُ أَخَاكَ إِلَّا مِنْ نَفْسِهِ يَعْنِي مِنْ أَجَلِهِ وَهَلْ لِلْكَعْبَةِ حُرْمَةٌ لَيْسَتْ لِهَذَا الْمَكَانِ وَاللَّهِ لَوْ وَجَدُوكُمْ مُعَلَّقِينَ بِأَسْتَارِ الْكَعْبَةِ لَقَتَلُوكُمْ» فَقِيلَ لَهُ أَلَا تُكَلِّمُهُمْ فِي الصُّلْحِ؟ فَقَالَ «أَوَ حِينَ صُلْحٍ هَذَا؟ وَاللَّهِ لَوْ وَجَدُوكُمْ فِي جَوْفِهَا لَذَبَحُوكُمْ جَمِيعًا» ثُمَّ أَنْشَأَ يَقُولُ « وَلَسْتُ بِمُبْتَاعِ الْحَيَاةِ بِبَيْعَةٍ وَلَا مُرْتَقِ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ الْمَوْتِ سُلَّمًا أُنَافِسُ أَنَّهُ غَيْرُ نَازِحٍ مُلَاقٍ الْمَنَايَا أَيَّ صَرْفٍ تَيَمَّمَا» ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى آلِ الزُّبَيْرِ يَعِظُهُمْ «لِيَكُنْ أَحَدُكُمْ سَيْفُهُ كَمَا يَكُونُ وَجْهُهُ لَا يَنْكُسُ سَيْفَهُ فَيَدْفَعُ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ بِيَدِهِ كَأَنَّهُ امْرَأَةٌ وَاللَّهِ مَا لَقِيتُ زَحْفًا قَطُّ إِلَّا فِي الرَّعِيلِ الْأَوَّلِ وَلَا أَلِمَتْ جُرْحٌ قَطُّ إِلَّا أَنْ أَلِمَ الدَّوَاءُ» قَالَ فَبَيْنَمَا هُمْ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَمَعَهُ سَبْعُونَ فَأَوَّلُ مَنْ لَقِيَهُ الْأَسْوَدَ فَضَرَبَهُ بِسَيْفِهِ حَتَّى أَطَنَّ رِجْلَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْأَسْوَدُ آهٍ يَا ابْنَ الزَّانِيَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ ابْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ «أَحْسِنْ يَا ابْنَ حَامٍ لَأَسْمَاءُ زَانِيَةٌ» ثُمَّ أَخْرَجَهُمْ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ فَانْصَرَفَ فَإِذَا بِقَوْمٍ قَدْ دَخَلُوا مِنْ بَابِ بَنِي سَهْمٍ فَقَالَ «مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ؟» فَقِيلَ أَهْلُ الْأُرْدُنِّ فَحَمَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ « [البحر الرجز] لَا عَهْدَ لِي بِغَارَةٍ مِثْلِ السَّيْلِ لَا يَنْجَلِي غُبَارُهَا حَتَّى اللَّيْلِ» قَالَ فَأَخْرَجَهُمْ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ فَإِذَا بِقَوْمٍ قَدْ دَخَلُوا مِنْ بَابِ بَنِي مَخْزُومٍ فَحَمَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ « لَوْ كَانَ قَرْنِي وَاحِدًا لَكَفَيْتُهُ أَوْرَدْتُهُ الْمَوْتَ وَذَكَّيْتُهُ» قَالَ وَعَلَى ظَهْرِ الْمَسْجِدِ مِنْ أَعْوَانِهِ مَنْ يَرْمِي عَدُوَّهُ بِالْآجُرِّ وَغَيْرِهِ فَحَمَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَأَصَابَتْهُ آجُرَّةٌ فِي مَفْرِقِهِ حَتَّى حَلَقَتْ رَأْسَهُ فَوَقَفَ قَائِمًا وَهُوَ يَقُولُ « وَلَسْنَا عَلَى الْأَعْقَابِ تَدْمَى كُلُومُنَا وَلَكِنْ عَلَى أَقْدَامِنَا تَقْطُرُ الدِّمَاءُ» قَالَ ثُمَّ وَقَعَ فَأَكَبَّ عَلَيْهِ مَوْلَيَانِ لَهُ وَهُمَا يَقُولَانِ الْعَبْدُ يَحْمِي رَبَّهُ وَيُحْمَى قَالَ ثُمَّ سِيرَ إِلَيْهِ فَحَزَّ رَأْسَهُ ؓ  

خَرَجَ كَعْبٌ وَبُجَيْرٌ ابْنَا زُهَيْرٍ حَتَّى أَتَيَا أَبْرَقَ الْعَزَّافِ فَقَالَ بُجَيْرٌ لِكَعْبٍ اثْبُتْ فِي عَجَلِ هَذَا الْمَكَانَ حَتَّى آتِيَ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ يَعْنِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَسْمَعَ مَا يَقُولُ فَثَبَتَ كَعْبٌ وَخَرَجَ بُجَيْرٌ «فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَعَرَضَ عَلَيْهِ الْإِسْلَامَ» فَأَسْلَمَ فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ كَعْبًا فَقَالَ [البحر الطويل] أَلَا أَبْلِغَا عَنِّي بُجَيْرًا رِسَالَةً عَلَى أَيٍّ شَيْءٍ وَيْحَ غَيْرِكَ دَلَّكَا عَلَى خَلْقٍ لَمْ تَلْفَ أُمًّا وَلَا أَبًا عَلَيْهِ وَلَمْ تُدْرِكْ عَلَيْهِ أَخًا لَكَا سَقَاكَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِكَأْسٍ رَوِيَّةٍ وَأَنْهَلَكَ الْمَأْمُونُ مِنْهَا وَعَلَّكَا فَلَمَّا بَلَغَتِ الْأَبْيَاتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَهْدَرَ دَمَهُ فَقَالَ «مَنْ لَقِيَ كَعْبًا فَلْيَقْتُلْهُ» فَكَتَبَ بِذَلِكَ بُجَيْرٌ إِلَى أَخِيهِ يَذْكُرُ لَهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَدْ أَهْدَرَ دَمَهُ وَيَقُولُ لَهُ النَّجَا وَمَا أَرَاكَ تَفْلِتُ ثُمَّ كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ اعْلَمْ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ لَا يَأْتِيَهُ أَحَدٌ يَشْهَدُ أَنَّ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَّا قَبِلَ ذَلِكَ فَإِذَا جَاءَكَ كِتَابِي هَذَا فَأَسْلِمْ وَأَقْبِلْ فَأَسْلَمَ كَعْبٌ وَقَالَ الْقَصِيدَةَ الَّتِي يَمْدَحُ فِيهَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ بِبَابِ مَسْجِدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَعَ أَصْحَابِهِ مَكَانَ الْمَائِدَةِ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ مُتَحَلِّقُونَ مَعَهُ حَلْقَةً دُونَ حَلْقَةٍ يَلْتَفِتُ إِلَى هَؤُلَاءِ مَرَّةً فَيُحَدِّثُهُمْ وَإِلَى هَؤُلَاءِ مَرَّةً فَيُحَدِّثُهُمْ قَالَ كَعْبٌ فَأَنَخْتُ رَاحِلَتِي بِبَابِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَعَرَفْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِالصِّفَةِ فَتَخَطَّيْتُ حَتَّى جَلَسْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَأَسْلَمْتُ فَقُلْتُ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ الْأَمَانُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ «وَمَنْ أَنْتَ؟» قُلْتُ أَنَا كَعْبُ بْنُ زُهَيْرٍ قَالَ أَنْتَ الَّذِي تَقُولُ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ كَيْفَ قَالَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَأَنْشَدَهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ سَقَاكَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِكَأْسٍ رَوِيَّةٍ وَانْهَلَكَ الْمَأْمُورُ مِنْهَا وَعَلَّكَا قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا قُلْتُ هَكَذَا قَالَ «وَكَيْفَ قُلْتَ» قَالَ إِنَّمَا قُلْتُ سَقَاكَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِكَأْسٍ رَوِيَّةً وَأَنْهَلَكَ الْمَأْمُونُ مِنْهَا وَعَلَّكَا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «مَأْمُونٌ وَاللَّهِ» ثُمَّ أَنْشَدَهُ الْقَصِيدَةَ كُلَّهَا حَتَّى أَتَى عَلَى آخِرِهَا وَأَمْلَاهَا عَلَى الْحَجَّاجِ بْنِ ذِي الرُّقَيْبَةِ حَتَّى أَتَى عَلَى آخِرِهَا وَهِيَ هَذِهِ الْقَصِيدَةُ [البحر البسيط] بَانَتْ سُعَادُ فَقَلْبِي الْيَوْمَ مَتْبُولُ مُتَيَّمٌ إِثْرَهَا لَمْ يُفْدَ مَكْبُولُ وَمَا سُعَادُ غَدَاةَ الْبَيْنِ إِذْ ظَعَنُوا إِلَّا أَغَنٌّ غَضِيضُ الطَّرْفِ مَكْحُولُ تَجْلُو عَوَارِضَ ذِي ظَلْمٍ إِذَا ابْتَسَمَتْ كَأَنَّهَا مُنْهَلٌّ بِالْكَأْسِ مَعْلُولُ شَجَّ السُّقَاةُ عَلَيْهِ مَاءَ مَحْنَيةٍ مِنْ مَاءِ أَبْطَحَ أَضْحَى وَهْوَ مَشْمُولُ تَنْفِي الرِّيَاحُ الْقَذَى عَنْهُ وَأَفْرَطَهُ مِنْ صَوْبِ سَارِيَةٍ بِيضٍ يَعَالِيلُ سَقْيًا لَهَا خُلَّةً لَوْ أَنَّهَا صَدَقَتْ مَوْعُودَهَا وَلَوْ أَنَّ النُّصْحَ مَقْبُولُ لَكِنَّهَا خُلَّةٌ قَدْ سِيطَ مِنْ دَمِهَا فْجْعٌ وَوَلْعٌ وَإِخْلَافٌ وَتَبْدِيلُ فَمَا تَدُومَ عَلَى حَالٍ تَكُونُ بِهَا كَمَا تَلَوَّنَ فِي أَثْوَابِهَا الْغُولُ فَلَا تَمَسَّكُ بِالْوَصْلِ الَّذِي زَعَمَتْ إِلَّا كَمَا يُمْسِكُ الْمَاءَ الْغَرَابِيلُ كَانَتْ مَوَاعِيدُ عُرْقُوبٍ لَهَا مَثَلًا وَمَا مَوَاعِيدُهَا إِلَّا الْأَبَاطِيلُ فَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكَ مَا مَنَّتْ وَمَا وَعَدَتْ إِلَّا الْأَمَانِيَّ وَالْأَحْلَامَ تَضْلِيلُ أَرْجُو أَوْ آمُلُ أَنْ تَدْنُوَ مَوَدَّتُهَا وَمَا إِخَالُ لَدَيْنَا مِنْكِ تَنْوِيلُ أَمْسَتْ سُعَادُ بِأَرْضٍ مَا يُبَلِّغُهَا إِلَّا الْعِتَاقُ النَّجِيبَاتُ الْمَرَاسِيلُ وَلَنْ تَبْلُغَهَا إِلَّا عَذَافِرَةٌ فِيهَا عَلَى الْأَيْنِ إِرْقَالٌ وَتَبْغِيلُ مِنْ كُلِّ نَضَّاخَةِ الذَّفْرَى إِذَا عَرِقَتْ عَرَضْتُهَا طَامِسُ الْأَعْلَامِ مَجْهُولُ يَمْشِي الْقُرَادُ عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ يَزْلِقُهُ مِنْهَا لِبَانٌ وَأَقْرَابٌ زَهَالِيلُ عَيْرَانَةٌ قَذَفَتْ بِالنَّحْضِ عَنْ عَرَضٍ وَمِرْفَقُهَا عَنْ ضُلُوعِ الزُّورِ مَفْتُولُ كَأَنَّمَا قَابَ عَيْنَيْهَا وَمَذْبَحِهَا مِنْ خُطُمِهَا وَمِنَ اللَّحْيَيْنِ بِرْطِيلُ تَمْرٌ مِثْلُ عَسِيبِ النَّحْلِ إِذَا خَصَلَ فِي غَارِ زَلْمٍ تَخُونُهُ الْأَحَالِيلُ قَنْوَاءُ فِي حَرَّتَيْهَا لِلْبَصِيرِ بِهَا عَتَقٌ مُبِينٌ وَفِي الْخَدَّيْنِ تَسْهِيلُ تَخْذَى عَلَى يَسَرَاتٍ وَهْيَ لَاحِقَةٌ ذَا وَبَلٍ مَسَّهُنَّ الْأَرْضُ تَحْلِيلُ حَرْفٌ أَبُوهَا أَخُوهَا مِنْ مَهْجَنَةٍ وَعَمُّهَا خَالُهَا قَوْدَاءٌ شَمْلِيلُ سَمَرَ الْعَجَايَاتِ يُتْرَكُنَّ الْحَصَازَيْمَا مَا إِنَّ تَقَيَّهُنَّ حَدَّ الْأَكْمِ تَنْعِيلُ يَوْمًا تَظَلُّ حِدَابُ الْأَرْضِ يَرْفَعُهَا مِنَ اللَّوَامِعِ تَخْلِيطٌ وَتَرْجِيلُ كَانَ أَوْبُ يَدَيْهَا بَعْدَمَا نَجَدَتْ وَقَدْ تَلَفَّعَ بِالْقُورِ الْعَسَاقِيلُ يَوْمًا يَظَلُّ بِهِ الْحَرْبَاءُ مُصْطَخَدًا كَانَ ضَاحِيَةً بِالشَّمْسِ مَمْلُولُ أَوْبٌ بَدَا نَأْكُلُ سَمْطَاءَ مَعْوَلَةً قَامَتْ تُجَاوِبُهَا سَمْطٌ مَثَاكِيلُ نُوَاحَةَ رَخْوَةَ الضَّبْعَيْنِ لَيْسَ لَهَا لَمَّا نَعَى بَكْرَهَا النَّاعُونَ مَعْقُولُ تَسْعَى الْوُشَاةُ جَنَابَيْهَا وَقِيلِهِمُ إِنَّكَ يَا ابْنَ أَبِي سُلْمَى لَمَقْتُولُ خَلُّوا الطَّرِيقَ يَدَيْهَا لَا أَبَا لَكُمُ فَكُلُّ مَا قَدَّرَ الرَّحْمَنُ مَفْعُولُ كُلُّ ابْنِ أُنْثَى وَإِنْ طَالَتْ سَلَامَتُهُ يَوْمًا عَلَى آلَةٍ حَدْبَاءَ مَحْمُولُ أُنْبِئْتُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَوْعَدَنِي وَالْعَفْوُ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ مَأْمُولُ فَقَدْ أَتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مُعْتَذِرًا وَالْعُذْرُ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ مَقْبُولُ مَهْلًا رَسُولَ الَّذِي أَعْطَاكَ نَافِلَةَ الْقُرْآنِ فِيهَا مَوَاعِيظٌ وَتَفْصِيلُ لَا تَأْخُذَنِّي بِأَقْوَالِ الْوُشَاةِ وَلَمْ أُجْرِمْ وَلَوْ كَثُرَتْ عَنِّي الْأَقَاوِيلُ لَقَدْ أَقُومُ مَقَامًا لَوْ يَقُومُ لَهُ أَرَى وَأَسْمَعُ مَا لَوْ يَسْمَعُ الْفِيلُ لَظَلَّ يُرْعَدُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ عِنْدَ الرَّسُولِ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ تَنْوِيلُ حَتَّى وَضَعْتُ يَمِينِي لَا أُنَازِعُهُ فِي كَفٍّ ذِي نَقِمَاتٍ قَوْلُهُ الْقِيلُ فَكَانَ أَخْوَفَ عِنْدِي إِذَا كَلَّمَهُ إِذْ قِيلَ إِنَّكَ مَنْسُوبٌ وَمَسْئُولُ مِنْ خَادِرٍ شِيكِ الْأَنْيَابِ طَاعَ لَهُ بِبَطْنِ عَثَّرَ غِيلٌ دُونَهُ غِيلُ يَغْدُو فَيَلْحُمُ ضِرْغَامَيْنِ عِنْدَهُمَا لَحْمٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ مَنْثُورٌ خَرَادِيلُ مِنْهُ تَظَلُّ حَمِيرُ الْوَحْشِ ضَامِرَةً وَلَا تَمْشِي بِوَادِيهِ الْأَرَاجِيلُ وَلَا تَزَالُ بِوَادِيهِ أَخَا ثِقَةٍ مُطَّرِحِ الْبَزِّ وَالدَّرْسَانِ مَأْكُولُ إِنَّ الرَّسُولَ لَنُورٌ يُسْتَضَاءُ بِهِ وَصَارِمٌ مِنْ سُيُوفِ اللَّهِ مَسْلُولُ فِي فِتْيَةٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ قَالَ قَائِلُهُمْ بِبَطْنِ مَكَّةَ لَمَّا أَسْلَمُوا زُولُوا زَالُوا فَمَا زَالَ الْكَأْسُ وَلَا كُشُفٌ عِنْدَ اللِّقَاءِ وَلَا مَيْلٌ مَعَازِيلُ شُمُّ الْعَرَانِينِ أَبْطَالٌ لُبُوسُهُمْ مِنْ نَسْجِ دَاوُدَ فِي الْهَيْجَا سَرَابِيلُ بِيضٌ سَوَابِغُ قَدْ شُكَّتْ لَهَا حِلَقٌ كَأَنَّهَا حِلَقُ الْقَفْعَاءِ مَجْدُولُ يَمْشُونَ مَشْيَ الْجَمَالِ الزُّهْرِ يَعْصِمُهُمُ ضَرْبٌ إِذَا عَرَّدَ السُّودُ التَّنَابِيلُ لَا يَفْرَحُونَ إِذَا زَالَتْ رِمَاحُهُمُ قَوْمًا وَلَيْسُوا مَجَازِيعَا إِذَا نِيلُوا مَا يَقَعُ الطَّعْنُ إِلَّا فِي نُحُورِهُمُ وَمَا لَهُمْ عَنْ حِيَاضِ الْمَوْتِ تَهْلِيلُ  

I used to recite to ‘AbdurRahman bin ‘Awf, and he found me waiting for him. That was in Mina during the last Hajj performed by ʿUmar bin al-Khattab ؓ Abdur-Rahman bin ʿAwf said: A man came to ʿUmar bin al-Khattab and said: So and so is saying: If ʿUmar ؓ dies, I will swear allegiance to So and so. ʼUmar ؓ said: I will stand before the people today and warn them against these people who want to deprive them of their rights, ʿAbdur-Rahman said: I said: O Ameer al-Muʿmineen, do not do that, for the Hajj season brings together the riffraff and rabble among the people, and most of the people who gather around and listen to you will be of that type. Is you stand before the people, I am afraid that you will say something that they will spread and not understand it properly or interpret it properly. Rather wait until you come to Madinah, for it is the land of Hijrah and the Sunnah, and you will meet the most knowledgeable and noble people there, and you can say what you want to say with confidence; they wilt understand what you say and will interpret it correctly, ʿUmar ؓ said: If I reach Madinah safe and sound, I shall certainly talk to the people there in the first speech I deliver. When we came to Madinah at the end of Dhul-I-Iijah, it was a Friday. I set out early, ‘Umar did not care at what time he went out, because he did not pay attention to heat and cold and so on. I found Saʿeed bin Zaid at the right-hand corner of the minbar, he had got there before me. I sat down next to him, with my knee touching his knee, and it was not long before ʿUmar ؓ came. When I saw him, I said: He will certainly speak today on this minbar and say something that no one ever heard before. Saʿeed bin Zaid objected to that and said: What do you think he will say that no one said before? ʿUmar ؓ sat on the minbar, and when the muʿdhdhin fell silent, he stood up and praised and glorified Allah as He deserves, then he said: To proceed o people, I am going to tell you something that it has been decreed I should say. I do not know, perhaps it may signal my death. So whoever understands it and remembers it, let him narrate it to others wherever his mount takes him; whoever does not understand il, it is not permissible for him to tell lies about me. Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, sent Muhammad ﷺ with the truth and revealed the Book to him; among the things that were revealed to him was the verse of stoning [adulterers). We read it and understood it; the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stoned [adulterers] and we stoned adulterers] after him. But I fear that with the passage of time, some people will say: We do not find the verse of stoning in the Book of Allah, thus they will go astray by forsaking an obligation that Allah revealed. Stoning is the due punishment in the Book of Allah for those who commit zina, both men and women, if they have been married and if proof is established, or there is a pregnancy or a confession, And we used to recite: Do not claim to be the offspring of anyone other than your fathers, as it is disbelief (or ingratitude) on your part to claim to be the offspring of anyone other than your fathers, Verily the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ʿDo not praise me excessively as ʿEesa, the son of Maryam, was praised; rather I am the slave of Allah, so say, the slave of Allah and His Messenger.ʿ I have heard that some among you are saying. If ʿUmar ؓ dies, I shall swear allegiance to So and so. No man should deceive himself by saying that the oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr was given suddenly and it was is successful. There is no doubt that this is the case, but Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, saved the to 2 people from its bad consequences and there is no one among you today who has the qualities of Abu Bakr ؓ What happened to us when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ died was that ‘Ali, az-Zubair and those who were with them stayed behind in the house of Fatimah, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and all the Ansar stayed behind and gathered in Saqeefat Banu Saʿidah, whilst the Muhajireen gathered around Abu Bakr ؓ I said to him; O Abu Bakr, let us go to our brothers, the Ansar. So we set out, looking for them, then we were met by two righteous men who told us what the people had done, and said: where are you going, O Muhajireen? I said: We are looking for these brothers of ours, the Ansar, They said. You should not go near them; do whatever you have already decided, O Muhajireen. I said: By Allah, we will go to them. So we carried on until we came to them in Saqeefat Banu Saʿidah, where we found them gathered and among them was a man wrapped up [in a garment. I said: Who is this? They said: Saʿd bin ʿUbadah. ! said: What is the matter with him? They said: He is sick. After we sat down, their spokesman stood up and praised and glorified Allah, may He glorified and exalted, as He deserves, then he said: To proceed. We are the supporters (Ansar) of Allah and the majority of the Muslim army. You, O Muhajireen, are a small group among us. Some of you came to us, wanting to deny who we are and prevent us from attaining a position of authority. When he fell silent, I wanted to present a speech that I had prepared and that I liked in front of Abu Bakr ؓ I used to avoid provoking him and he was more forbearing and more dignified than me. But Abu Bakr ؓ said: Wait a while. I did not like to make him angry, and he was more knowledgeable and more dignified than me. By Allah, he did not omit any word that I liked in the speech I had prepared but he said something like it or better, speaking spontaneously, until he finished speaking. Then he said: To proceed. Whatever you have mentioned about your achievements and virtues, is correct. The Arabs would not acknowledge the leadership of anyone except someone from this tribe of Quraish, for they are the best of the Arabs in lineage and location. I am pleased to suggest to you one of these two men, whichever of them you want. Then he took hold of my hand and the hand of Abu ʿUbaidah bin al-Jarrah, and I disliked nothing of what he had said apart from this, for by Allah, I would rather have my neck struck for no sin on my part than to become the leader of people among whom was Abu Bakr ؓ unless my own self suggested something at the time of death. One of the Ansar said: I am the post on which the camel with a skin disease scratches itself and I am like a high class palm tree [i.e., a noble]. [I suggest] a ruler from among us and a ruler from among you, O Quraish. - I the narrator said to Malik; What does ‘I am the post on which the cainc! with a skin disease scratches itself and I am like a high class palm treeʿ mean? He said:It is as if he is saying, I am the smart one who has the answer. - Then there was a great deal of clamour and raised voices, to such an extent that I feared there would be a conflict, so I said: Hold out your hand, O Abu Bakr. So he held out his hand and I swore allegiance to him, and the Muhajireen swore allegiance to him, then the Ansar swore allegiance to him. Thus we surrounded Saʿd bin ‘Ubadah. One of them said: You have killed Saʿd i said: May Allah kill Sa’d! And ʿUmar ؓ said: By Allah, we never encountered any problem greater than the swearing of allegiance to Abu Bakr ؓ . We were afraid that if we left the people without having sworn allegiance to anyone, they might swear allegiance after we were gone, so we would either follow in their footsteps and swear allegiance to someone we were not pleased with, or we would disagree with them and that would cause trouble. If anyone swears allegiance to a leader without consulting the Muslims, there is no allegiance for him and no allegiance to the one who swore allegiance to him, lest both of them be killed. Malik said: Ibn Shihab told me, from ʿUrwah bin az-Zubair, that the men whom they met were ʿUwaim bin Saʿidah and Maʿn bin ʿAdiyy. Ibn Shihab said. Saʿeed bin al-Musayyab told me that the one who said, I am the post on which the camel with a skin disease scratches itself and I am like a high class palm tree, was al-lubab bin al-Mundhir. (Using translation from Aḥmad 391)   

«انْقَلَبَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ بِمِنًى فِي آخِرِ حَجَّةٍ حَجَّهَا عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ فقَالَ إِنَّ فُلَانًا يَقُولُ لَوْ قَدْ مَاتَ عُمَرُ بَايَعْتُ فُلَانًا قَالَ عُمَرُ إِنِّي قَائِمٌ الْعَشِيَّةَ فِي النَّاسِ وَأُحَذِّرُهُمْ هَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يَغْصِبُوهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْ قَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ فَقُلْتُ لَا تَفْعَلْ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَإِنَّ الْمَوْسِمَ يَجْمَعُ رَعَاعَ النَّاسِ وَغَوْغَاءَهُمْ وَإِنَّ أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ يَغْلِبُونَ عَلَى مَجْلِسِكَ إِذَا أَقَمْتَ فِي النَّاسِ فَيَطِيرُوا بِمَقَالَتِكَ وَلَا يَضَعُوهَا مَوَاضِعَهَا أَمْهِلْ حَتَّى تَقْدُمَ الْمَدِينَةَ فَإِنَّهَا دَارُ الْهِجْرَةِ فَتَخْلُصَ بِعُلَمَاءِ النَّاسِ وَأَشْرَافِهِمْ وَتَقُولُ مَا قُلْتَ مُتَمَكِّنًا وَيَعُونَ مَقَالَتَكَ وَيَضَعُونَهَا مَوَاضِعَهَا فقَالَ عُمَرُ لَئِنْ قَدِمْتَ الْمَدِينَةَ سَالِمًا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَأَ تَكَلَّمَنَّ فِي أَوَّلِ مَقَامٍ أَقُومُهُ فَقَدِمَ الْمَدِينَةَ فِي عَقِبِ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ عَجَّلْتُ الرَّوَاحَ فِي شِدَّةِ الْحَرِّ فَوَجَدْتُ سَعِيدَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ قَدْ سَبَقَنِي فَجَلَسَ إِلَى رُكْنِ الْمِنْبَرِ الْأَيْمَنِ وَجَلَسْتُ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ تَمَسُّ رُكْبَتِي رُكْبَتَهُ فَلَمْ أَنْشَبْ أَنْ طَلَعَ عُمَرُ فَقُلْتُ لِسَعِيدٍ أَمَا إِنَّهُ سَيَقُولُ الْيَوْمَ عَلَى هَذَا الْمِنْبَرِ مَقَالَةً لَمْ يَقُلْهَا مُنْذُ اسْتُخْلِفَ قَالَ وَمَا عَسَى أَنْ يَقُولَ؟ فَجَلَسَ عُمَرُ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي قَائِلٌ لَكُمْ مَقَالَةً قُدِّرَ لِي أَنْ أَقُولَهَا لَا أَدْرِي لَعَلَّهَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَجْلِي فَمَنْ عَقَلَهَا وَوَعَاهَا فَلْيُحَدِّثْ بِهَا حَيْثُ انْتَهَتْ بِهِ رَاحِلَتُهُ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَعْقِلْهَا فَلَا يَحِلُّ لِمُسْلِمٍ أَنْ يَكْذِبَ عَلَيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى بَعَثَ مُحَمَّدًا ﷺ وَأَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْكِتَابَ فَكَانَ فِيمَا أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةُ الرَّجْمِ فَقَرَأَ بِهَا وَرَجَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَرَجَمْنَا بَعْدَهُ وَأَخَافُ إِنْ طَالَ بِالنَّاسِ زَمَانٌ أَنْ يَقُولَ قَائِلٌ مَا نَجْدُ آيَةَ الرَّجْمِ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَيَضِلُّوا بِتَرْكِ فَرِيضَةٍ أَنْزَلَهَا اللَّهُ وَالرَّجْمُ حَقٌّ عَلَى مَنْ زَنَى مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ إِذَا قَامَتِ الْبَيِّنَةُ أَوْ كَانَ حَمْلٌ أَوِ اعْتِرَافٌ وَايْمُ اللَّهِ لَوْلَا أَنْ يَقُولَ النَّاسُ زَادَ عُمَرُ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ لَكَتَبْتُهَا أَلَا وَإِنَّا كُنَّا نَقْرَأُ «لَا تَرْغَبُوا عَنْ آبَائِكُمْ فَإِنَّ كُفْرًا بِكُمْ أَنْ تَرْغَبُوا عَنْ آبَائِكُمْ» ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ «لَا تُطْرُونِي كَمَا أَطْرَتِ النَّصَارَى عِيسَى بْنَ مَرْيَمَ فَإِنَّمَا أَنَا عَبْدٌ فَقُولُوا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ» أَلَا وَإِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ فُلَانًا قَالَ لَوْ قَدْ مَاتَ عُمَرُ بَايَعْتُ فُلَانًا فَمَنْ بَايَعَ امْرَأً مِنْ غَيْرِ مَشُورَةٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَإِنَّهُ لَا بَيْعَةَ لَهُ وَلَا لِلَّذِي بَايَعَهُ فَلَا يَغْتَرَّنَّ أَحَدٌ فَيَقُولُ إِنَّ بَيْعَةَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ كَانَتْ فَلْتَةً أَلَا وَإِنَّهَا كَانَتْ فَلْتَةً إِلَّا أَنَّ اللَّهَ وَقَى شَرَّهَا وَلَيْسَ مِنْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مَنْ تُقْطَعُ إِلَيْهِ الْأَعْنَاقُ مِثْلَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ أَلَا وَإِنَّهُ كَانَ مِنْ خَيْرِنَا يَوْمَ تَوَفَّى اللَّهُ رَسُولَهُ ﷺ إِنَّ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ اجْتَمَعُوا إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَتَخَلَّفَ عَنَّا الْأَنْصَارُ فِي سَقِيفَةِ بَنِي سَاعِدَةَ فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي بَكْرٍ انْطَلِقْ بِنَا إِلَى إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ نَنْظُرُ مَا صَنَعُوا فَخَرَجْنَا نَؤُمُّهُمْ فَلَقِيَنَا رَجُلَانِ صَالِحَانِ مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَا أَيْنَ تَذْهَبُونَ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ؟ فَقُلْتُ نُرِيدُ إِخْوَانَنَا مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ قَالَ فَلَا عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ لَا تَأْتُوهُمْ اقْضُوا أَمَرَكُمْ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ فَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لَا نَرْجِعُ حَتَّى نَأْتِيَهُمْ فَجِئْنَاهُمْ فَإِذَا هُمْ مُجْتَمِعُونَ فِي سَقِيفَةِ بَنِي سَاعِدَةَ وَإِذَا رَجُلٌ مُزَّمِّلٌ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْهِمْ فَقُلْتُ مَنْ هَذَا؟ فَقَالُوا سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ قُلْتُ مَا لَهُ؟ قَالُوا وَجِعٌ فَلَمَّا جَلَسْنَا قَامَ خَطِيبُهُمْ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَنَحْنُ أَنْصَارُ اللَّهِ وَكَتِيبَةُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَقَدْ دَفَّتْ إِلَيْنَا يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِنْكُمْ دَافَّةٌ وَإِذَا هُمْ قَدْ أَرَادُوا أَنْ يَخْتَصُّوا بِالْأَمْرِ وَيُخْرِجُونَا مِنْ أَصْلِنَا قَالَ عُمَرُ فَلَمَّا سَكَتَ أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَتَكَلَّمَ وَقَدْ كُنْتُ زَوَّرْتُ مَقَالَةً قَدْ أَعْجَبَتْنِي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَقُولَهَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَكُنْتُ أُدَارِي مِنْهُ بَعْضَ الْحَدِّ وَكَانَ أَحْلَمَ مِنِّي وَأَوْقَرَ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي وَقَالَ اجْلِسْ فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أُغْضِبَهُ فَتَكَلَّمَ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا تَرَكَ مِمَّا زَوَّرْتُهُ فِي مَقَالَتِي إِلَّا قَالَ مِثْلَهُ فِي بَدِيهَتِهِ أَوْ أَفْضَلَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَمَا ذَكَرْتُمْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَأَنْتُمْ أَهْلُهُ وَلَنْ يَعْرِفَ الْعَرَبُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ إِلَّا لِهَذَا الْحَيِّ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ هُمْ أَوْسَطُ الْعَرَبِ دَارًا وَنَسَبَا وَقَدْ رَضِيتُ لَكُمْ أَحَدَ هَذَيْنِ الرَّجُلَيْنِ فَبَايِعُوا أَيَّهُمَا شِئْتُمْ وَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي وَيَدِ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ بْنِ الْجَرَّاحِ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ بَيْنَنَا فَلَمْ أَكْرَهُ شَيْئًا مِنْ مَقَالَتِهِ غَيْرَهَا كَانَ وَاللَّهِ لِأَنْ أُقَدَّمَ فَتُضْرَبَ عُنُقِي فِي أَمْرٍ لَا يُقَرِّبُنِي ذَلِكَ إِلَى إِثْمٍ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُؤَمَّرَ عَلَى قَوْمٍ فِيهِمْ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فقَالَ فَتَى الْأَنْصَارِ أَنَا جُذَيْلُهَا الْمُحَكَّكُ وَعُذَيْقُهَا الْمُرَجَّبُ مِنَّا أَمِيرٌ وَمِنْكُمْ أَمِيرٌ يَا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ فَكَثُرَ اللَّغَطُ وَخَشِيتُ الِاخْتِلَافَ فَقُلْتُ ابْسُطْ يَدَكَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَبَسَطَهَا فَبَايَعْتُهُ وَبَايَعَهُ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ وَالْأَنْصَارُ وَنَزَوْنَا عَلَى سَعْدٍ فقَالَ قَائِلٌ قَتَلْتُمْ سَعْدًا فَقُلْتُ قَتَلَ اللَّهُ سَعْدًا فَلَمْ نَجِدْ شَيْئًا هُوَ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ مُبَايَعَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ خَشِيتُ إِنْ فَارَقْنَا الْقَوْمَ أَنْ يُحْدِثُوا بَعْدَنَا بَيْعَةً فَإِمَّا أَنْ نُبَايِعَهُمْ عَلَى مَا لَا نَرْضَى وَإِمَّا أَنْ نُخَالِفَهُمْ فَيَكُونُ فَسَادًا وَاخْتِلَافًا فَبَايَعْنَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ جَمِيعًا وَرَضِينَا بِهِ  

I used to recite to ‘AbdurRahman bin ‘Awf, and he found me waiting for him. That was in Mina during the last Hajj performed by ʿUmar bin al-Khattab ؓ Abdur-Rahman bin ʿAwf said: A man came to ʿUmar bin al-Khattab and said: So and so is saying: If ʿUmar ؓ dies, I will swear allegiance to So and so. ʼUmar ؓ said: I will stand before the people today and warn them against these people who want to deprive them of their rights, ʿAbdur-Rahman said: I said: O Ameer al-Muʿmineen, do not do that, for the Hajj season brings together the riffraff and rabble among the people, and most of the people who gather around and listen to you will be of that type. Is you stand before the people, I am afraid that you will say something that they will spread and not understand it properly or interpret it properly. Rather wait until you come to Madinah, for it is the land of Hijrah and the Sunnah, and you will meet the most knowledgeable and noble people there, and you can say what you want to say with confidence; they wilt understand what you say and will interpret it correctly, ʿUmar ؓ said: If I reach Madinah safe and sound, I shall certainly talk to the people there in the first speech I deliver. When we came to Madinah at the end of Dhul-I-Iijah, it was a Friday. I set out early, ‘Umar did not care at what time he went out, because he did not pay attention to heat and cold and so on. I found Saʿeed bin Zaid at the right-hand corner of the minbar, he had got there before me. I sat down next to him, with my knee touching his knee, and it was not long before ʿUmar ؓ came. When I saw him, I said: He will certainly speak today on this minbar and say something that no one ever heard before. Saʿeed bin Zaid objected to that and said: What do you think he will say that no one said before? ʿUmar ؓ sat on the minbar, and when the muʿdhdhin fell silent, he stood up and praised and glorified Allah as He deserves, then he said: To proceed o people, I am going to tell you something that it has been decreed I should say. I do not know, perhaps it may signal my death. So whoever understands it and remembers it, let him narrate it to others wherever his mount takes him; whoever does not understand il, it is not permissible for him to tell lies about me. Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, sent Muhammad ﷺ with the truth and revealed the Book to him; among the things that were revealed to him was the verse of stoning [adulterers). We read it and understood it; the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stoned [adulterers] and we stoned adulterers] after him. But I fear that with the passage of time, some people will say: We do not find the verse of stoning in the Book of Allah, thus they will go astray by forsaking an obligation that Allah revealed. Stoning is the due punishment in the Book of Allah for those who commit zina, both men and women, if they have been married and if proof is established, or there is a pregnancy or a confession, And we used to recite: Do not claim to be the offspring of anyone other than your fathers, as it is disbelief (or ingratitude) on your part to claim to be the offspring of anyone other than your fathers, Verily the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ʿDo not praise me excessively as ʿEesa, the son of Maryam, was praised; rather I am the slave of Allah, so say, the slave of Allah and His Messenger.ʿ I have heard that some among you are saying. If ʿUmar ؓ dies, I shall swear allegiance to So and so. No man should deceive himself by saying that the oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr was given suddenly and it was is successful. There is no doubt that this is the case, but Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, saved the to 2 people from its bad consequences and there is no one among you today who has the qualities of Abu Bakr ؓ What happened to us when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ died was that ‘Ali, az-Zubair and those who were with them stayed behind in the house of Fatimah, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and all the Ansar stayed behind and gathered in Saqeefat Banu Saʿidah, whilst the Muhajireen gathered around Abu Bakr ؓ I said to him; O Abu Bakr, let us go to our brothers, the Ansar. So we set out, looking for them, then we were met by two righteous men who told us what the people had done, and said: where are you going, O Muhajireen? I said: We are looking for these brothers of ours, the Ansar, They said. You should not go near them; do whatever you have already decided, O Muhajireen. I said: By Allah, we will go to them. So we carried on until we came to them in Saqeefat Banu Saʿidah, where we found them gathered and among them was a man wrapped up [in a garment. I said: Who is this? They said: Saʿd bin ʿUbadah. ! said: What is the matter with him? They said: He is sick. After we sat down, their spokesman stood up and praised and glorified Allah, may He glorified and exalted, as He deserves, then he said: To proceed. We are the supporters (Ansar) of Allah and the majority of the Muslim army. You, O Muhajireen, are a small group among us. Some of you came to us, wanting to deny who we are and prevent us from attaining a position of authority. When he fell silent, I wanted to present a speech that I had prepared and that I liked in front of Abu Bakr ؓ I used to avoid provoking him and he was more forbearing and more dignified than me. But Abu Bakr ؓ said: Wait a while. I did not like to make him angry, and he was more knowledgeable and more dignified than me. By Allah, he did not omit any word that I liked in the speech I had prepared but he said something like it or better, speaking spontaneously, until he finished speaking. Then he said: To proceed. Whatever you have mentioned about your achievements and virtues, is correct. The Arabs would not acknowledge the leadership of anyone except someone from this tribe of Quraish, for they are the best of the Arabs in lineage and location. I am pleased to suggest to you one of these two men, whichever of them you want. Then he took hold of my hand and the hand of Abu ʿUbaidah bin al-Jarrah, and I disliked nothing of what he had said apart from this, for by Allah, I would rather have my neck struck for no sin on my part than to become the leader of people among whom was Abu Bakr ؓ unless my own self suggested something at the time of death. One of the Ansar said: I am the post on which the camel with a skin disease scratches itself and I am like a high class palm tree [i.e., a noble]. [I suggest] a ruler from among us and a ruler from among you, O Quraish. - I the narrator said to Malik; What does ‘I am the post on which the cainc! with a skin disease scratches itself and I am like a high class palm treeʿ mean? He said:It is as if he is saying, I am the smart one who has the answer. - Then there was a great deal of clamour and raised voices, to such an extent that I feared there would be a conflict, so I said: Hold out your hand, O Abu Bakr. So he held out his hand and I swore allegiance to him, and the Muhajireen swore allegiance to him, then the Ansar swore allegiance to him. Thus we surrounded Saʿd bin ‘Ubadah. One of them said: You have killed Saʿd i said: May Allah kill Sa’d! And ʿUmar ؓ said: By Allah, we never encountered any problem greater than the swearing of allegiance to Abu Bakr ؓ . We were afraid that if we left the people without having sworn allegiance to anyone, they might swear allegiance after we were gone, so we would either follow in their footsteps and swear allegiance to someone we were not pleased with, or we would disagree with them and that would cause trouble. If anyone swears allegiance to a leader without consulting the Muslims, there is no allegiance for him and no allegiance to the one who swore allegiance to him, lest both of them be killed. Malik said: Ibn Shihab told me, from ʿUrwah bin az-Zubair, that the men whom they met were ʿUwaim bin Saʿidah and Maʿn bin ʿAdiyy. Ibn Shihab said. Saʿeed bin al-Musayyab told me that the one who said, I am the post on which the camel with a skin disease scratches itself and I am like a high class palm tree, was al-lubab bin al-Mundhir. (Using translation from Aḥmad 391)   

فَلَمْ أَرَ رَجُلًا يَجِدُ مِنَ الْأَقْشَعْرِيرَةِ مَا يَجِدُ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ عِنْدَ الْقِرَاءَةِ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ فَجِئْتُ أَلْتَمِسُ عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ يَوْمًا فَلَمْ أَجِدْهُ فَانْتَظَرْتُهُ فِي بَيْتِهِ حَتَّى رَجَعَ مِنْ عِنْدِ عُمَرَ فَلَمَّا رَجَعَ قَالَ لِي لَوْ رَأَيْتَ رَجُلًا آنِفًا قَالَ لِعُمَرَ كَذَا وَكَذَا وَهُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ بِمِنًى فِي آخِرِ حَجَّةٍ حَجَّهَا عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ فَذَكَرَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ لِابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى إِلَى عُمَرَ فَأَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ رَجُلًا قَالَ وَاللَّهِ لَوْ مَاتَ عُمَرُ لَقَدْ بَايَعْتُ فُلَانًا قَالَ عُمَرُ حِينَ بَلَغَهُ ذَلِكَ إِنِّي لَقَائِمٌ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ الْعَشِيَّةَ فِي النَّاسِ فَمُحَذِّرُهُمْ هَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ يَغْتَصِبُونَ الْأُمَّةَ أَمَرَهُمْ فقَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَا تَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ يَوْمَكَ هَذَا فَإِنَّ الْمَوْسِمَ يَجْمَعُ رَعَاعَ النَّاسِ وَغَوْغَاءَهُمْ وَإِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الَّذِينَ يَغْلِبُونَ عَلَى مَجْلِسِكَ فَأَخْشَى إِنْ قُلْتَ فِيهِمُ الْيَوْمَ مَقَالًا أَنْ يَطِيرُوا بِهَا وَلَا يَعُوهَا وَلَا يَضَعُوهَا عَلَى مَوَاضِعِهَا أَمْهِلْ حَتَّى تَقْدَمَ الْمَدِينَةَ فَإِنَّهَا دَارُ الْهِجْرَةِ وَالسُّنَّةِ وَتَخْلُصَ لِعُلَمَاءِ النَّاسِ وَأَشْرَافِهِمْ فَتَقُولُ مَا قُلْتَ مُتَمَكِّنًا فَيَعُوا مَقَالَتَكَ وَيَضَعُوهَا عَلَى مَوَاضِعِهَا قَالَ عُمَرُ وَاللَّهِ لَئِنْ قَدِمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ صَالِحًا لَأُكَلِّمَنَّ بِهَا النَّاسَ فِي أَوَّلِ مَقَامٍ أَقُومُهُ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فِي عَقِبِ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ وَجَاءَ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ هَجَّرْتُ صَكَّةَ الْأَعْمَى لِمَا أَخْبَرَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ فَوَجَدْتُ سَعِيدَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ قَدْ سَبَقَنِي بِالتَّهْجِيرِ فَجَلَسَ إِلَى رُكْنٍ جَانِبَ الْمِنْبَرِ الْأَيْمَنِ فَجَلَسْتُ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ تَمَسُّ رُكْبَتِي رُكْبَتَهُ فَلَمْ يَنْشَبْ عُمَرُ أَنْ خَرَجَ فَأَقْبَلَ يَؤُمُّ الْمِنْبَرَ فَقُلْتُ لِسَعِيدِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ وَعُمَرُ مُقْبِلٌ وَاللَّهِ لَيَقُولَنَّ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَى هَذَا الْمِنْبَرِ الْيَوْمَ مَقَالَةً لَمْ يَقُلْهَا أَحَدٌ قَبْلَهُ فَأَنْكَرَ ذَلِكَ سَعِيدُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ وَقَالَ مَا عَسَى أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا لَمْ يَقُلْهُ أَحَدٌ قَبْلَهُ؟ فَلَمَّا جَلَسَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ أَذَّنَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ فَلَمَّا أَنْ سَكَتَ قَامَ عُمَرُ فَتَشَهَّدَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللَّهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي قَائِلٌ لَكُمْ مَقَالَةً قَدْ قُدِّرَ لِي أَنْ أَقُولَهَا لَعَلَّهَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَجْلِي فَمَنْ عَقَلَهَا وَوَعَاهَا فَلْيُحَدِّثْ بِهَا حَيْثُ انْتَهَتْ بِهِ رَاحِلَتُهُ وَمَنْ خَشِيَ أَنْ لَا يَعِيَهَا فَلَا أُحِلُّ لَهُ أَنْ يَكْذِبَ عَلَيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَعَلَا بَعَثَ مُحَمَّدًا ﷺ وَأَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْكِتَابَ فَكَانَ مِمَّا أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةُ الرَّجْمِ فَقَرَأْنَاهَا وَعَقَلْنَاهَا وَوَعَيْنَاهَا وَرَجَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَرَجَمْنَا بَعْدَهُ وَأَخْشَى إِنْ طَالَ بِالنَّاسِ زَمَانٌ أَنْ يَقُولَ قَائِلٌ وَاللَّهِ مَا نَجِدُ آيَةَ الرَّجْمِ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَيَتْرُكَ فَرِيضَةً أَنْزَلَهَا اللَّهُ وَإِنَّ الرَّجْمَ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ عَلَى مَنْ زَنَى إِذَا أُحْصِنَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ إِذَا قَامَتِ الْبَيِّنَةُ أَوْ كَانَ الْحَبَلُ أَوِ الِاعْتِرَافُ ثُمَّ إِنَّا قَدْ كُنَّا نَقْرَأُ أَنْ «لَا تَرْغَبُوا عَنْ آبَائِكُمْ فَإِنَّ كُفْرًا بِكُمْ أَنْ تَرْغَبُوا عَنْ آبَائِكُمْ» ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ «لَا تُطْرُونِي كَمَا أُطْرِيَ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ فَإِنَّمَا أَنَا عَبْدٌ فَقُولُوا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ» ثُمَّ إِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ فُلَانًا مِنْكُمْ يَقُولُ وَاللَّهِ لَوْ قَدْ مَاتَ عُمَرُ لَقَدْ بَايَعْتُ فُلَانًا فَلَا يَغُرَّنَّ امْرَأً أَنْ يَقُولَ إِنْ بَيْعَةَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ كَانَتْ فَلْتَةً فَتَمَّتْ فَإِنَّهَا قَدْ كَانَتْ كَذَلِكَ إِلَّا أَنَّ اللَّهَ وَقَى شَرَّهَا وَلَيْسَ فِيكُمْ مَنْ تُقْطَعُ إِلَيْهِ الْأَعْنَاقُ مِثْلَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَإِنَّهُ كَانَ مِنْ خَيْرِنَا حِينَ تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَإِنَّ عَلِيًّا وَالزُّبَيْرَ وَمَنْ مَعَهُمَا تَخَلَّفُوا عَنَّا وَتَخَلَّفَتِ الْأَنْصَارُ عَنَّا بِأَسْرِهَا وَاجْتَمَعُوا فِي سَقِيفَةِ بَنِي سَاعِدَةَ وَاجْتَمَعَ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ فِي مَنْزِلِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذْ رَجُلٌ يُنَادِي مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجِدَارِ اخْرُجْ إِلَيَّ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ فَقُلْتُ إِلَيْكَ عَنِّي فَإِنَّا مَشَاغِيلُ عَنْكَ فقَالَ إِنَّهُ قَدْ حَدَثَ أَمْرٌ لَا بُدَّ مِنْكَ فِيهِ إِنَّ الْأَنْصَارَ قَدِ اجْتَمَعُوا فِي سَقِيفَةِ بَنِي سَاعِدَةَ فَأَدْرِكُوهُمْ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُحْدِثُوا أَمْرًا فَيَكُونُ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ فِيهِ حَرْبٌ فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي بَكْرٍ انْطَلِقْ بِنَا إِلَى إِخْوَانِنَا هَؤُلَاءِ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَانْطَلَقْنَا نَؤُمُّهُمْ فَلَقِيَنَا أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ فَأَخَذَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بِيَدِهِ فَمَشَى بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ حَتَّى إِذَا دَنَوْنَا مِنْهُمْ لَقِينَا رَجُلَانِ صَالِحَانِ فَذَكَرَا الَّذِي صَنَعَ الْقَوْمُ وَ قَالَا أَيْنَ تُرِيدُونَ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ؟ فَقُلْتُ نُرِيدُ إِخْوَانَنَا مِنْ هَؤُلَاءِ الْأَنْصَارِ قَالَا لَا عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ لَا تَقْرَبُوهُمْ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ اقْضُوا أَمَرَكُمْ فَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لَنَأْتِيَنَّهُمْ فَانْطَلَقْنَا حَتَّى أَتَيْنَاهُمْ فَإِذَا هُمْ فِي سَقِيفَةِ بَنِي سَاعِدَةَ فَإِذَا بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِهِمْ رَجُلٌ مُزَّمِّلٌ فَقُلْتُ مَنْ هَذَا؟ قَالُوا سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ قُلْتُ فَمَا لَهُ؟ قَالُوا هُوَ وَجِعٌ فَلَمَّا جَلَسْنَا تَكَلَّمَ خَطِيبُ الْأَنْصَارِ فَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللَّهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَنَحْنُ أَنْصَارُ اللَّهِ وَكَتِيبَةُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَأَنْتُمْ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ رَهْطٌ مِنَّا وَقَدْ دَفَّتْ دَافَّةٌ مِنْ قَوْمِكُمْ قَالَ عُمَرُ وَإِذَا هُمْ يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يَخْتَزِلُونَا مِنْ أَصْلِنَا وَيَحُطُّوا بِنَا قَالَ فَلَمَّا قَضَى مَقَالَتَهُ أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَتَكَلَّمَ وَكُنْتُ قَدْ زَوَّرْتُ مَقَالَةً أَعْجَبَتْنِي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَقُومَ بِهَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَكُنْتُ أُدَارِي مِنْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ بَعْضَ الْحِدَّةِ فَلَمَّا أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَتَكَلَّمَ قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ عَلَى رِسْلِكَ فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أُغْضِبَهُ فَتَكَلَّمَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَهُوَ كَانَ أَحْلَمَ مِنِّي وَأَوْقَرَ وَاللَّهِ مَا تَرَكَ مِنْ كَلِمَةٍ أَعْجَبَتْنِي فِي تَزْوِيرِي إِلَّا تَكَلَّمَ بِمِثْلِهَا أَوْ أَفْضَلَ فِي بَدِيهَتِهِ حَتَّى سَكَتَ فَتَشَهَّدَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللَّهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ أَيُّهَا الْأَنْصَارُ فَمَا ذَكَرْتُمْ فِيكُمْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَأَنْتُمْ أَهْلُهُ وَلَنْ تَعْرِفَ الْعَرَبُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ إِلَّا لِهَذَا الْحَيِّ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ هُمْ أَوْسَطُ الْعَرَبِ نَسَبًا وَدَارًا وَقَدْ رَضِيتُ لَكُمْ أَحَدَ هَذَيْنِ الرَّجُلَيْنِ فَبَايِعُوا أَيُّهُمَا شِئْتُمْ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي وَبِيَدِ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ بْنِ الْجَرَّاحِ فَلَمْ أَكْرَهْ مِنْ مَقَالَتِهِ غَيْرَهَا كَانَ وَاللَّهِ أَنْ أُقَدَّمَ فَتُضْرَبَ عُنُقِي لَا يُقَرِّبُنِي ذَلِكَ إِلَى إِثْمٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُؤَمَّرَ عَلَى قَوْمٍ فِيهِمْ أَبُو بَكْرٍ إِلَّا أَنْ تَغَيَّرَ نَفْسِي عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ فَلَمَّا قَضَى أَبُو بَكْرٍ مَقَالَتَهُ قَالَ قَائِلٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ أَنَا جُذَيْلُهَا الْمُحَكَّكُ وَعُذَيْقُهَا الْمُرَجَّبُ مِنَّا أَمِيرٌ وَمِنْكُمْ أَمِيرٌ يَا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ قَالَ عُمَرُ فَكَثُرَ اللَّغَطُ وَارْتَفَعَتِ الْأَصْوَاتُ حَتَّى أَشْفَقْتُ الِاخْتِلَافَ قُلْتُ ابْسُطْ يَدَكَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَبَسَطَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَدَهُ فَبَايَعَهُ وَبَايَعَهُ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ وَالْأَنْصَارُ وَنَزَوْنَا عَلَى سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ فقَالَ قَائِلٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ قَتَلْتُمْ سَعْدًا قَالَ عُمَرُ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا مُغْضَبٌ قَتَلَ اللَّهُ سَعْدًا فَإِنَّهُ صَاحِبُ فِتْنَةٍ وَشَرٍّ وَإِنَّا وَاللَّهِ مَا رَأَيْنَا فِيمَا حَضَرَ مِنْ أَمْرِنَا أَمْرٌ أَقْوَى مِنْ بَيْعَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَخَشِينَا إِنْ فَارَقْنَا الْقَوْمَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَكُونَ بَيْعَةٌ أَنْ يُحْدِثُوا بَعْدَنَا بَيْعَةً فَإِمَّا أَنْ نُبَايِعَهُمْ عَلَى مَا لَا نَرْضَى وَإِمَّا أَنْ نُخَالِفَهُمْ فَيَكُونُ فَسَادًا فَلَا يَغْتَرَّنَّ امْرٌؤٌ أَنْ يَقُولَ إِنَّ بَيْعَةَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ كَانَتْ فَلْتَةً فَتَمَّتْ فَقَدْ كَانَتْ فَلْتَةً وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ وَقَى شَرَّهَا أَلَا وَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ فِيكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مِثْلُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ قَالَ مَالِكٌ أَخْبَرَنِي الزُّهْرِيُّ أَنَّ عُرْوَةَ بْنَ الزُّبَيْرِ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ الرَّجُلَيْنِ الْأَنْصَارِيَّيْنِ اللَّذَيْنِ لَقِيَا الْمُهَاجِرِينَ هُمَا عُوَيْمُ بْنُ سَاعِدَةَ وَمَعْنُ بْنُ عَدِيٍّ وَزَعَمَ مَالِكٌ أَنَّ الزُّهْرِيَّ سَمِعَ سَعِيدَ بْنَ الْمُسَيِّبِ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّ الَّذِي قَالَ يَوْمَئِذٍ «أَنَا جُذَيْلُهَا الْمُحَكَّكُ» رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي سَلِمَةَ يُقَالُ لَهُ حُبَابُ بْنُ الْمُنْذِرِ  

«لَمْ أَتَخَلَّفْ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا حَتَّى كَانَتْ غَزْوَةَ تَبُوكَ إِلَّا بَدْرٍ وَلَمْ يُعَاتِبِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَحَدًا تَخَلَّفَ عَنْ بَدْرٍ إِنَّمَا خَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُرِيدُ الْعِيرَ وَخَرَجَتْ قُرَيْشٌ مُغِيثِينَ لِعِيرِهِمْ فَالْتَقَوْا عَلَى غَيْرِ مَوْعِدٍ كَمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ وَلَعَمْرِي إِنَّ أَشْرَفَ مَشَاهِدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي النَّاسِ لَبَدْرٌ وَمَا أُحِبُّ أَنِّي كُنْتُ شَهِدْتُهَا مَكَانَ بَيْعَتِي لَيْلَةَ الْعَقَبَةِ حِينَ تَوَاثَقْنَا عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ وَلَمْ أَتَخَلَّفْ بَعْدُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا حَتَّى كَانَتْ غَزْوَةُ تَبُوكَ وَهِيَ آخِرُ غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا آذَنَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ النَّاسَ بِالرَّحِيلِ وَأَرَادَ أَنْ يَتَأَهَّبُوا أُهْبَةَ غَزْوِهِمْ وَذَلِكَ حِينَ طَابَ الظِّلَالُ وَطَابَتِ الثِّمَارُ وَكَانَ قَلَّمَا أَرَادَ غَزْوَةً إِلَّا وَرَّى غَيْرَهَا وَكَانَ يَقُولُ » الْحَرْبُ خُدْعَةٌ « فَأَرَادَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فِي غَزْوَةِ تَبُوكَ أَنْ يَتَأَهَّبَ النَّاسُ أُهْبَتَهُ وَأَنَا أَيْسَرُ مَا كُنْتُ قَدْ جَمَعْتُ رَاحِلَتَيْنِ لِي فَلَمْ أَزَلْ كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى قَامَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ غَادِيًا بِالْغَدَاةِ وَذَلِكَ يَوْمُ الْخَمِيسِ وَكَانَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ يَوْمَ الْخَمِيسِ فَأَصْبَحَ غَادِيًا فَقُلْتُ أَنْطَلِقُ إِلَى السُّوقِ وَأَشْتَرِي جِهَازِي ثُمَّ أَلْحَقُ بِهَا فَانْطَلَقْتُ إِلَى السُّوقِ مِنَ الْغَدِ فَعَسُرَ عَلَيَّ بَعْضُ شَأْنِي فَرَجَعْتُ فَقُلْتُ » أَرْجِعُ غَدًا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَأَلْحَقُ بِهِمْ فَعَسُرَ عَلَيَّ بَعْضُ شَأْنِي أَيْضًا فَلَمْ أَزَلْ كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى لَبَّسَ بِيَ الذَّنْبُ وَتَخَلَّفْتُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَجَعَلْتُ أَمْشِي فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ وَأَطْرَافِ الْمَدِينَةِ فَيُحْزِنُنِي أَنْ لَا أَرَى أَحَدًا تَخَلَّفَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِلَّا رَجُلًا مَغْمُوصًا عَلَيْهِ فِي النِّفَاقِ وَكَانَ لَيْسَ أَحَدٌ تَخَلَّفَ إِلَّا أَرَى ذَلِكَ سَيَخْفَى لَهُ وَكَانَ النَّاسُ كَثِيرًا لَا يَجْمَعُهُمْ دِيوَانٌ وَكَانَ جَمِيعُ مَنْ تَخَلَّفَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ بَضْعَةً وَثَمَانِينَ رَجُلًا وَلَمْ يَذْكُرْنِي النَّبِيُّ ﷺ حَتَّى بَلَغَ تَبُوكَ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ تَبُوكَ قَالَ «مَا فَعَلَ كَعْبُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ»؟ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ قَوْمِي خَلَّفَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ بُرْدَاهُ وَالنَّظَرُ فِي عِطْفَيْهِ فَقَالَ مُعَاذُ بْنُ جَبَلٍ بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتَ وَاللَّهِ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ مَا نَعْلَمُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا قَالَ فَبَيْنَا هُمْ كَذَلِكَ إِذَا رَجُلٌ يَزُولُ بِهِ السَّرَابُ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ «كُنَّ أَبَا خَيْثَمَةَ» فَإِذَا هُوَ أَبُو خَيْثَمَةَ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ غَزْوَةَ تَبُوكَ وَقَفَلَ وَدَنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ جَعَلْتُ أَتَذَكَّرُ مَاذَا أَخْرُجُ بِهِ مِنْ سَخَطِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَأَسْتَعِينُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ بِكُلِّ ذِي رَأْيٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي حَتَّى إِذَا قِيلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مُصَبِّحُكُمْ بِالْغَدَاةِ رَاحَ عَنِّي الْبَاطِلُ وَعَرَفْتُ أَنِّي لَا أَنْجُو إِلَّا بِالصِّدْقِ فَدَخَلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ ضَحًى فَصَلَّى فِي الْمَسْجِدِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَكَانَ إِذَا قَدِمَ مِنْ سَفَرٍ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَصَلَّى فِيهِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ فَجَعَلَ يَأْتِيهِ مَنْ تَخَلَّفَ فَيَحْلِفُونَ لَهُ وَيَعْتَذِرُونَ إِلَيْهِ فَيَسْتَغْفِرُ لَهُمْ وَيَقْبَلُ عَلَانِيَتَهُمْ وَيَكِلُ سَرَائِرَهُمْ إِلَى اللَّهِ فَدَخَلْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا هُوَ جَالِسٌ فَلَمَّا رَآنِي تَبَسَّمَ تَبَسُّمَ الْمُغْضَبِ فَجِئْتُ فَجَلَسْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ «أَلَمْ تَكُنِ ابْتَعْتَ ظَهْرًا» قُلْتُ بَلَى يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ «مَا خَلَّفَكَ عَنِّي»؟ فَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لَوْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَحَدٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ غَيْرِكَ جَلَسْتُ لَخَرَجْتُ مِنْ سَخَطِهِ عَلَيَّ بِعُذْرٍ وَلَقَدْ أُوتِيتُ جَدَلًا وَلَكِنِّي قَدْ عَلِمْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ أَنِّي إِنْ حَدَّثْتُكَ الْيَوْمَ بِقَوْلٍ تَجِدُ عَلَيَّ فِيهِ وَهُوَ حَقٌّ فَإِنِّي أَرْجُو فِيهِ عُقْبَى اللَّهِ وَإِنْ حَدَّثْتُكَ الْيَوْمَ بِحَدِيثٍ تَرْضَى عَنِّي فِيهِ وَهُوَ كَذِبٌ أَوْشَكَ أَنْ يُطْلِعَكَ اللَّهُ عَلَيَّ وَاللَّهِ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ مَا كُنْتُ قَطُّ أَيْسَرَ وَلَا أَخَفَّ حَاذًا مِنِّي حَيْثُ تَخَلَّفْتُ عَلَيْكَ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ «أَمَّا هَذَا فَقَدْ صَدَقَكُمُ الْحَدِيثَ قُمْ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ فِيكَ» فَقُمْتُ فَثَارَ عَلَى أَثَرِي نَاسٌ مِنْ قَوْمِي يُؤَنِّبُونَنِي فَقَالُوا وَاللَّهِ مَا نَعْلَمُكَ أَذْنَبْتَ ذَنْبًا قَطُّ قَبْلَ هَذَا فَهَلَّا اعْتَذَرْتَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِعُذْرٍ يَرْضَاهُ عَنْكَ فِيهِ وَكَانَ اسْتِغْفَارُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ سَيَأْتِي مِنْ وَرَاءِ ذَلِكَ وَلَمْ تَقِفْ مَوْقِفًا لَا نَدْرِي مَاذَا يُقْضَى لَكَ فِيهِ فَلَمْ يَزَالُوا يُؤَنِّبُونَنِي حَتَّى هَمَمْتُ أَنْ أَرْجِعَ فَأُكَذِّبَ نَفْسِي فَقُلْتُ هَلْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ أَحَدٌ غَيْرِي قَالُوا نَعَمْ قَالَهُ هِلَالُ بْنُ أُمَيَّةَ وَمُرَارَةُ بْنُ رَبِيعَةَ فَذَكَرُوا رَجُلَيْنِ صَالِحَيْنِ شَهِدَا بَدْرًا لِيَ فِيهِمَا أُسْوَةٌ فَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لَا أَرْجِعُ إِلَيْهِ فِي هَذَا أَبَدًا وَلَا أُكَذِّبُ نَفْسِي وَنَهَى النَّبِيُّ ﷺ عَنْ كَلَامِنَا أَيُّهَا الثَّلَاثَةُ فَجَعَلْتُ أَخْرُجُ إِلَى السُّوقِ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُنِي أَحَدٌ وَتَنَكَّرَ لَنَا النَّاسُ حَتَّى مَا هُمْ بِالَّذِينَ نَعْرِفُ وَتَنَكَّرَ لَنَا الْحِيطَانُ حَتَّى مَا هِيَ بِالْحِيطَانِ الَّتِي نَعْرِفُ وَتَنَكَّرَتْ لَنَا الْأَرْضُ حَتَّى مَا هِيَ بِالْأَرْضِ الَّتِي نَعْرِفُ وَكُنْتُ أَقْوَى أَصْحَابِي فَكُنْتُ أَخْرُجُ فَأَطُوفُ فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ فَآتِي الْمَسْجِدَ وَآتِي النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَأُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَقُولُ هَلْ حَرَّكَ شَفَتَيْهِ بِالسَّلَامِ فَإِذَا قُمْتُ أُصَلِّي إِلَى سَارِيَةٍ وَأَقْبَلْتُ عَلَى صَلَاتِي نَظَرَ إِلَيَّ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بِمُؤَخَّرِ عَيْنَيْهِ وَإِذَا نَظَرْتُ إِلَيْهِ أَعْرَضَ عَنِّي وَاشْتَكَى صَاحِبَايَ فَجَعَلَا يَبْكِيَانِ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ وَلَا يُطْلِعَانِ رُءُوسَهُمَا قَالَ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا أَطُوفُ فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ إِذَا رَجُلٌ نَصْرَانِيٌّ قَدْ جَاءَ بِطَعَامٍ لَهُ يَبِيعُهُ يَقُولُ مَنْ يَدُلُّ عَلَى كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ فَطَفِقَ النَّاسُ يُشِيرُونَ لَهُ إِلَيَّ فَأَتَانِي بِصَحِيفَةٍ مِنْ مَلِكِ غَسَّانَ فَإِذَا فِيهَا أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ صَاحِبَكَ قَدْ جَفَاكَ وَأَقْصَاكَ وَلَسْتَ بِدَارِ هَوَانٍ وَلَا مَضْيَعَةٍ فَالْحَقْ بِنَا نُوَاسِكَ فَقُلْتُ هَذَا أَيْضًا مِنَ الْبَلَاءِ فَسَجَرْتُ لَهَا التَّنُّورَ فَأَحْرَقْتُهَا فِيهِ فَلَمَّا مَضَتْ أَرْبَعُونَ لَيْلَةً إِذَا رَسُولٌ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَدْ أَتَانِي فَقَالَ اعْتَزَلِ امْرَأَتَكَ فَقُلْتُ أُطَلِّقُهَا قَالَ لَا وَلَكِنْ لَا تَقْرَبْهَا فَجَاءَتِ امْرَأَةُ هِلَالِ بْنِ أُمَيَّةَ فَقَالَتْ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ إِنَّ هِلَالَ بْنَ أُمَيَّةَ شَيْخٌ ضَعِيفٌ فَهَلْ تَأْذَنْ لِي أَنْ أَخْدُمَهُ قَالَ «نَعَمْ وَلَكِنْ لَا يَقْرَبَنَّكِ» قَالَتْ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ مَا بِهِ حَرَكَةٌ لِشَيْءٍ مَا زَالَ مُتَّكِئًا يَبْكِي اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ مُذْ كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ مَا كَانَ قَالَ كَعْبٌ فَلَمَّا طَالَ عَلَيَّ الْبَلَاءُ اقْتَحَمْتُ عَلَى أَبِي قَتَادَةَ حَائِطَهُ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّي فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَلَمْ يَرُدَّ فَقُلْتُ أَنْشُدُكَ اللَّهَ يَا أَبَا قَتَادَةَ أَتَعْلَمُ أَنِّي أُحِبُّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَسَكَتَ فَقُلْتُ أَنْشُدُكَ اللَّهَ يَا أَبَا قَتَادَةَ أَتَعْلَمُ أَنِّي أُحِبُّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ؟ فَسَكَتَ فَقُلْتُ أَنْشُدُكَ اللَّهَ يَا أَبَا قَتَادَةَ أَتَعْلَمُ أَنِّي أُحَبُّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ قَالَ فَلَمْ أَمْلِكْ نَفْسِي أَنْ بَكَيْتُ ثُمَّ اقْتَحَمْتُ الْحَائِطَ خَارِجًا حَتَّى إِذَا مَضَتْ خَمْسُونَ لَيْلَةً مِنْ حِينَ نَهَى النَّبِيُّ ﷺ عَنْ كَلَامِنَا صَلَّيْتُ عَلَى ظَهْرِ بَيْتٍ لَنَا صَلَاةَ الْفَجْرِ وَأَنَا فِي الْمَنْزِلَةِ الَّتِي قَالَ اللَّهُ قَدْ ضَاقَتْ عَلَيْنَا الْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْنَا أَنْفُسُنَا إِذْ سَمِعْتُ نِدَاءً مِنْ ذِرْوَةِ سَلْعٍ أَنْ أَبْشِرْ يَا كَعْبَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ فَخَرَرْتُ سَاجِدًا وَعَرَفْتُ أَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ جَاءَنَا بِالْفَرَجِ ثُمَّ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ يَرْكُضُ عَلَى فَرَسٍ يُبَشِّرُنِي فَكَانَ الصَّوْتُ أَسْرَعَ مِنْ فَرَسِهِ فَأَعْطَيْتُهُ ثَوْبِي بِشَارَةً وَلَبِسَتْ ثَوْبَيْنِ آخَرِينَ وَكَانَتْ تَوْبَتُنَا نَزَلَتْ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ ثُلُثَ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ أَلَا نُبَشِّرُ كَعْبَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ فَقَالَ «إِذًا يَحْطِمُكُمُ النَّاسُ وَيَمْنَعُونَكُمُ النَّوْمَ سَائِرَ اللَّيْلَةِ» قَالَ وَكَانَتْ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ مُحْسِنَةً فِي شَأْنِي تُخْبِرُنِي بِأَمْرِي فَانْطَلَقْتُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَإِذَا هُوَ جَالِسٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ وَحَوْلَهُ الْمُسْلِمُونَ وَهُوَ يَسْتَنِيرُ كَاسْتِنَارِ الْقَمَرِ وَكَانَ إِذَا سُرَّ بِالْأَمْرِ اسْتَنَارَ فَجِئْتُ فَجَلَسْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَقَالَ «يَا كَعْبُ بْنَ مَالِكٍ أَبْشِرْ بِخَيْرِ يَوْمٍ أَتَى عَلَيْكَ مُنْذُ وَلَدَتْكَ أُمُّكَ» قَالَ فَقُلْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ أَمِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ أُمْ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ؟ قَالَ «بَلْ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ» ثُمَّ تَلَا عَلَيْهِمْ {لَقَدْ تَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنْصَارِ} حَتَّى بَلَغَ {هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ} قَالَ وَفِينَا نَزَلَتِ {اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ} قَالَ فَقُلْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ إِنَّ مِنْ تَوْبَتِي أَنِّي لَا أُحَدِّثُ إِلَّا صِدْقًا وَأَنْ أَنْخَلِعَ مِنْ مَالِي كُلِّهِ صَدَقَةً إِلَى اللَّهِ وَإِلَى رَسُولِهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ «أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ بَعْضَ مَالِكَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ» قَالَ فَقُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أُمْسِكُ سَهْمِيَ الَّذِي بِخَيْبَرَ قَالَ فَمَا أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيَّ مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ بَعْدَ الْإِسْلَامِ أَعْظَمَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ صِدْقِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ حِينَ صَدَقْتُهُ أَنَا وَصَاحِبَايَ أَنْ لَا نَكُونَ كَذَبْنَا فَهَلَكْنَا كَمَا هَلَكُوا وَمَا تَعَمَّدْتُ لِكَذْبَةٍ بَعْدُ وَإِنِّي لَأَرْجُو أَنْ يَحْفَظَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِيمَا بَقِيَ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ فَهَذَا مَا انْتَهَى إِلَيْنَا مِنْ حَدِيثِ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ  

'A'isha said: Whenever Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to set out on a journey he cast lots amongst his wives and he took one with him in whose favour the lot was cast. It so happened that he cast lots amongst us while setting out on a battle and it was cast in my favour, so I set out along with Messenger of Allah ﷺ. This relates to the period when the revelation concerning the commands of veil had been made. I was carried in a haudaj and I was brought down where we had to stay. In short, when we set out for return journey from the expedition and our caravan was near Medina, Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded one night to march forward. I also got up when the command for the march was given and moved on until I went out of the encampments of the army and after relieving myself I came to my place. I touched my chest and found that my necklace which had been made of the stones of zafar had been broken. I retraced my steps and tried to search my necklace and this detained me there. The group of people who saddled my ride and placed my haudaj carrying me upon the camels marched on. They were under the impression that I was in it. The women in those days were light of weight and they did not wear much flesh, as they ate less food; so they did not perceive the weight of my haudaj as they placed it upon the camel as I was a young girl at that time. So they drove the camel and Eet out and I found my necklace after the army had marched. I came to my place and there was none to call and none to respond (the call). I waited at my place under the impression that when the people would riot find me they would come back. So I kept sitting at my place. I was overpowered by sleep and slept. Safwan b. Mu'attal Sulami Dhakwini, who had lagged behind the army because of taking rest came to my place walking in the latter part of the night and he saw the body of a person who was asleep. He came to me and recognised me as he had seen rue before it was enjoined to observe purda. I got ap by his voice as he recited Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un [we are for Allah and to Him we have to return. ] and I covered my head with my headdress. By Allah, he did not speak to me a word and I did not hear a word from him except Inna lillahi. He made his camel kneel down and I amounted the camel as he pressed tLe camel's foreleg and he moved on leaning the camel by the nose string on which I was riding until we came to the army where it had encamped for rest because of extreme heat. Woe be upon those who harboured doubts about me and the most notorious among them was 'Abdullah b. Ubayy, the great hypocrite. We came to Medina and I fell sick for a month. The people had been deliberating over the statements of those who had brought these calumnies against me. I was absolutely unaware of anything concerning that. This, however, caused doubt in my mind that I did not see Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him.) treating me with such kindness with which he treated me as I fell ill before this. The Prophet ﷺ would coome and greet me with Assalam-o-'Alaikum and only ask me how I was. This caused doubt in my mind, but I was unaware of the evil. I wept outside despite my failing health and there went along with me Umm Mistah and she said the daughter of Abu Rhm b. Muttalib b. 'Abd Manaf and his mother was the daughter of Sakhr b. 'Amir, the sister of the mother of Abu Bakr Sidiq and his son was Mistah b. Uthatha b. 'Abbad b. Muttalib. I and the daughter of Abu Rahm set towards the direction of my house. Something got into the head dress of Umm Mistah and she said: Woe be upon Mistah. And I said. Woe be upon what you say. Do you curse people who had participated in Badr? She said: Innocent woman, have you not heard what he said? I said: What did he say? She conveyed to me the statement of those who had brought false allegations against me. So my illness was aggravated. I went to my house and Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me and he greeted me and then said: How is that woman? I said: Do you permit me to go to the (house) of my parents? She (further) said: I had at that time made up my mind to confirm this news from them. Messenger of Allah ﷺ permitted me. So I came to (the house of) my parents and said to my mother: Mother, do you know what the people are talking about? She said: My daughter, you should not worry. By Allah, if there is a handsome woman who is loved by her husband and he has co-wives also they talk many a thing about her. I said: Hallowed be Allah, what are the people talking about? I wept during the whole night until it was morning and I did not have a wink of sleep and I wept even in the morning. As the revelation was delayed (in regard to this matter), so Messenger of Allah ﷺ called 'Ali ibn Abi 'Talib and Usama b. Zaid in order to seek their advice in regard to the separation of his wife. Usama b. Zaid told Messenger of Allah (may peace be apen him) about the innocence of his wives and what he knew about his love for them. He said: Messenger of Allah, they are your wives and we know nothing else about them but goodness. And as for 'Ali b. Abu Talib, he said: Allah has not put any unnecessary burden upon you (in regard to your wives). There are a number of women besides her and if you ask that maidservant (Barira) she will tell you the truth. So, Messenger of Allah ﷺ called Bailra and said: Barira, did you see anything in 'A'isha which can cause doubt about her? Barira said: By Him Who sent thee with the truth, I have seen nothing objectionable in her but only this much that she is a young girl and she goes to sleep while kneading the flour and the lamb eats that. Thereupon Messenger of Allah ﷺ mounted the pulpit and sought vindication against 'Abdullah b. Ubayy b. Salul, and he further said: Who would exonerate me from imputations of that person who has troubled (me) in regard to my family? By Allah, I find nothing in my wife but goodness and the person whom the people have mentioned in this connection is, according to my knowledge, a thoroughly pious person, and he did never get into my house but along with me. Sa'd b. Mu'adh stood up and said: Messenger of Allah, I defend your honour against him. If he belong to the tribe of Aus we would strike his neck and if he belongs to the tribe of our brother Khazraj and you order us we would comply with your order. Then Sa'd b. 'Ubada stood up. He was chief of the Khazraj tribe. He was otherwise a pioas man but he had some what tribal partisanship in him and he said to Sa'd b. Mu'adh: By the everlasting existence of Allah. you are not stating the fact, you will not be able to kill him and you will not have the power to do so. Thereupon, Usaid b. Hudair stood up, and he was the first cousin of Sa'd b. Mu'adh and said to Sa'd b. 'Ubada: By the everlasting existence of Allah, you are not stating the fact. We would kill him. You are a hypocrite and so you argue in defence of the hypocrites, and thus both the tribes Aus and Khazraj were flared up, until they were about to fall upon one another and Messenger of Allah ﷺ kept standing upon the pulpit and Messenger of Allah ﷺ tried to subside their anger until they became silent and thus there was silence. 'A'isha further reported: I spent the whole day in weeping and even the night and could not have a wink of sleep even next night. My parents thought that this constant weeping of mine would break my heart. I wept and they sat beside me. In the meanwhile a woman of the Ansar came to see me. I permitted her to see me and she also began to weep. And we were in this very state that Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and he greeted me and then sat down. He had never sat with me since a month when this rumour was afloat, and there was no revelation (to clarity) my case. Messenger of Allah ﷺ recited Tashahhud (there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Apostle) and then said: Coming to the point, 'A'isha, this is what has reached me about you and if you are innocent, Allah would Himself vindicate your honour, and if accidentally there has been a lapse on your part seek forgiveness of Allah; He will pardon thee for when a servant makes a confession of his fault and turns (to Him) penitently, Allah also turns to him (mercifully) accepting his repentance. When Messenger of Allah ﷺ talked, my tears dried up and not even a single drop of tear was perceived by me (rolling out of my eyes). I said to my father: You give a reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf. He said: By Allah, I do not know what I should say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ. I then said to my mother: Give a reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf, but she said: By Allah, I do not know what I should say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ. I was a small girl at that time and I had not read much of the Qur'an (but I said): By Allah, I perceive that you have heard about this and it has settled down in your mind and you have taken it to be true, so if I say to you that I am quite innocent, and Allah knows that I am innocent, you would never believe me to be true, and if I confess to (the alleged) lapse before you, whereas Allah knows that I am completely innocent (and I have not committed this sin at all), in that case You will take me to be true and, by Allah, I, therefore, find no other alternative for me and for you except that what the father of Yousuf said:, (My course is) comely patience. And Allah it is Whose help is to be sought for in that (predicament) which ye describe" (xii 18). After this I turned my face to the other side and lay down on my bed. By Allah, I was fully aware of this fact that I was innocent but I did not expect that Allah would descend Wahy Matlu (Qur'anic Wahy) in my case as I did not think myself so much important that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, would speak in this matter in words to be recited. I only hoped that Allah would in vision give an indication of my innocence to Messenger of Allah ﷺ during his sleep. And, by Allah, Messenger of Allah ﷺ had not moved an inch from where he had been sitting and none from the members of my family had gone that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, descended revelation upon Messenger of Allah ﷺ there and then and he felt the burden which he used to feel at the time of receiving revelation. He began to perspire because of the burden of words of Allah as they descended upon him even during the winter season and there fell the drops of his sweat like silvery beads. When this state of receiving revelation was over, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ smiled and the first words which he spoke to me were that he said: 'A'isha, there is glad tidings for you. Verily, Allah has vindicated your honour, and my mother who had been standing by me said: Get up (and thank him, i. e. the Holy Prophet). I said: By Allah, I shall not thank him and laud him but Allah Who has descended revelation vindicating my honour. She ('A'isha) said: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, revealed:" 'Verily, those who spread the slander are a gang among you" (and) ten (subsequent) verses in regard to my innocence. She further said: Abu Bakr used to give to Mistah (some stipend) as a token of kinship with him and for his poverty and he (Abu Bakr) said: By Allah, now I would not spend anything for him. 'A'isha said: It was upon this that Allah the Exalted and Glorious revealed this verse:" And let not those who possess dignity and ease among you swear to give to the near of the kin" up to" Yearn ye not that Allah may forgive you?" Hibban b. Musa' said that 'Abdullah b. Mubarak used to say: It is a verse contained in the Book which most (eminently) brightens the hope. Abu Bakr said: By Allah, I wish that Allah should pardon me. I shall never stop this stipend. So he continued to give him the stipend which he had withdrawn. 'A'isha said that Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked Zainab, daughter of Jahsh, the wife of Allah's Apostle ﷺ, about me what she knew or what she had seen in me, and she said: Messenger of Allah, I shall not say anything without hearing (with my ears) and seeing with my eyes. By Allah, I find nothing in her but goodness. (And she stated this in spite of the fact) that she was the only lady who amongst the wives of Allah's Apostle ﷺ used to vie with me but Allah saved her in bringing false allegation against me because of her God-consciousness. Her sister Hamna bint Jahsh, however, opposed her and she was undone along with others. (Using translation from Muslim 2770a)  

عَنْ حَدِيثِ عَائِشَةَ حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الْإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا فَبَرَّأَهَا اللَّهُ وَكُلٌّ حَدَّثَنِي بِطَائِفَةٍ مِنَ الْحَدِيثِ وَبَعْضُهُمْ أَوْعَى لِحَدِيثِهَا مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَأَسَدُّ اقْتِصَاصًا وَقَدْ وَعَيْتُ مِنْ كُلِّ وَاحِدٍ الْحَدِيثَ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي بِهِ وَبَعْضُهُمْ يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضًا ذَكَرُوا أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ سَفَرًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ نِسَائِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَعَهُ قَالَتْ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَذَلِكَ بَعْدَ أَنْ أُنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ فَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي وَأُنْزَلُ فِيهِ مَسِيرَنَا حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ وَقَفَلَ وَدَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ آذَنَ بِالرَّحِيلِ لَيْلَةً فَقُمْتُ حِينَ آذَنُوا فِي الرَّحِيلِ فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي رَجَعْتُ فَلَمَسْتُ صَدْرِي فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ مِنْ جَزْعِ ظَفَارٍ قَدْ وَقَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَالْتَمَسْتُ عِقْدِي فَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ يَرْحَلُونَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَحَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي وَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى الْبَعِيرِ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَكَانَ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يَغْشَهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ فَرَحَلُوهُ وَرَفَعُوهُ فَلَمَّا بَعَثُوا وَسَارَ الْجَيْشُ وَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَمَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ بِهَا دَاعِي وَلَا مُجِيبٌ فَأَقَمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ فِيهِ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ عَرَّسَ فَأَدْلَجَ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ فَعَرَفَنِي حِينَ رَآنِي وَكَانَ رَآنِي قَبْلَ أَنْ يَنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ عَرَفَنِي فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي وَاللَّهِ مَا كَلَّمَنِي بِكَلِمَةٍ وَلَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ عَلَى يَدِهَا فَرَكِبْتُهُ ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِي الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ بَعْدَمَا نَزَلُوا مُوغِرِينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ فَهَلَكَ فِي شَأْنِي مَنْ هَلَكَ وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَهُ مِنْهُمْ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أُبَيِّ بْنِ سَلُولٍ فَقَدِمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ حِينَ قَدِمْتُهَا شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَهُوَ يُرِيبُنِي مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ لِأَنِّي لَا أَرَى مِنْهُ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَاهُ مِنْهُ حِينَ أَشْتَكِي إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَيَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟ » فَيُرِيبُنِي ذَلِكَ وَلَا أَشْعُرُ حَتَّى خَرَجْتُ بَعْدَمَا نَقَهْتُ مِنْ مَرَضِي وَمَعِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قَبْلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ وَهِيَ مُتَبَرَّزُنَا وَلَا نَخْرُجُ إِلَّا لَيْلًا إِلَى لَيْلٍ وَذَلِكَ أَنَّا نَكْرَهُ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَ الْكُنُفَ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الْأُوَلِ فِي التَّبَرُّزِ وَكُنَّا نَتَأَذَّى بِالْكُنُفِ قُرْبَ بُيُوتِنَا فَانْطَلَقْتُ وَمَعِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ وَهِيَ بِنْتُ أَبِي رُهْمِ بْنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ بْنِ عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ وَأُمُّهَا بِنْتُ صَخْرِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ خَالَةُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ وَابْنُهَا مِسْطَحُ بْنُ أُثَاثَةَ بْنِ عَبَّادِ بْنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَأَقْبَلْنَا حِينَ فَرَغْنَا مِنْ شَأْنِنَا لِنَأَتِيَ الْبَيْتَ فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلًا قَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا؟ فَقَالَتْ أَيْ هَنْتَاهُ أَوَلَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ وَمَا قَالَ؟ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا إِلَى مَرَضِي وَرَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي فَدَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟ » فَقُلْتُ أَتَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ آتِيَ أَبَوَيَّ؟ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَتَيَقَّنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَجِئْتُ أَبَوَيَّ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي يَا أُمَّتَاهُ مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ؟ قَالَتْ أَيْ بُنَيَّةَ هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكِ فَوَاللَّهِ لَقَلَّ امْرَأَةٌ وَضِيئَةٌ كَانَتْ عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا وَلَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا أَكْثَرْنَ عَلَيْهَا قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ أَوَتَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِذَلِكَ؟ قَالَتْ فَمَكَثْتُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ أُصْبِحُ وَأَبْكِي وَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ وَهُوَ حِينَئِذٍ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَسْتَشِيرَهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ وَذَلِكَ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْيُ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ فَأَشَارَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَمَا لَهُ فِي نَفْسِهِ لَهُمْ مِنَ الْوِدِّ فَقَالَ هُمْ أَهْلُكَ وَلَا نَعْلَمُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ رِضْوَانُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَإِنْ تَسْأَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ قَالَتْ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ «أَيْ بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنَ عَائِشَةَ شَيْئًا يُرِيبُكِ؟ » قَالَتْ بَرِيرَةُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا أَمْرًا قَطُّ أَغْمِضُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا فَيَدْخُلُ الدَّاجِنُ فَيَأْكُلُهُ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ فَقَالَ وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ «يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذِرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ بَلَغَ أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِي؟ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ مِنْ أَهْلِي إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلًا مَا عَلِمْتُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا مَعِي» فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ فَقَالَ أَنَا أَعْذِرُكَ مِنْهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْنَا عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا أَمْرَكَ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَهُوَ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ وَكَانَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنِ احْتَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ مَا تَقْتُلُهُ وَلَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ لَنَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فَثَارَ الْحَيَّانِ الْأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا أَنْ يَقْتَتِلُوا وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَبَكَيْتُ يَوْمِي لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ وَأَبَوَايَ يَظُنَّانِ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقُ كَبِدِي فَبَيْنَمَا هُمَا جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي إِذِ اسْتَأْذَنَتْ عَلَيَّ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَلَسَتْ مَعِي فَبَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ عَلَى حَالِنَا ذَلِكَ إِذْ دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ جَلَسَ قَبْلَ يَوْمِي ذَلِكَ مُذْ كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِي مَا كَانَ وَلَبِثَ شَهْرًا لَا يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ قَالَتْ فَتَشَهَّدَ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَقَدْ بَلَغَنِي يَا عَائِشَةُ عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللَّهُ وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللَّهَ وَتُوبِي فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِالذَّنْبِ ثُمَّ تَابَ تَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ» فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أَحِسُّ مِنْهُ بِقَطْرَةٍ فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي أَجِبْ عَنِّي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي أَجِيبِي عَنِّي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَتْ وَاللَّهِ لَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لَا أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ إِنِّي وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَرَفْتُ أَنَّكُمْ سَمِعْتُمْ بِذَاكَ حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ فَإِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَمْ تُصَدِّقُونِي وَإِنِ اعْتَرَفْتُ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُونِي وَإِنِّي وَاللَّهِ لَا أَجِدُ مَثَلِي وَمَثَلَكُمْ إِلَّا كَمَا قَالَ أَبُو يُوسُفَ {فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ فَاضْطَجَعْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي وَأَنَا وَاللَّهِ حِينَئِذٍ أَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَعَلَا يُبَرِّئُنِي بِبَرَاءَتِي وَلَكِنْ لَمْ أَظُنُّ أَنَّ اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَعَلَا يُنَزِّلُ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيًا يُتْلَى وَلَشَأْنِي كَانَ أَحْقَرَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ اللَّهُ جَلَّ وَعَلَا فِيَّ بِأَمْرٍ يُتْلَى وَلَكِنْ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي مَنَامِهِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي اللَّهُ بِهَا قَالَتْ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَجْلِسَهُ وَلَا خَرَجَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ أَحَدٌ حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ ﷺ فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ عِنْدَ الْوَحْيِ مِنْ ثِقَلِ الْقَوْلِ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ فَلَمَّا سُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ أَوَّلُ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا أَنْ قَالَ «يَا عَائِشَةُ أَمَا وَاللَّهِ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ اللَّهُ» فَقَالَتْ لِي أُمِّي قُومِي إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لَا أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلَا أَحْمَدُ إِلَّا اللَّهَ الَّذِي هُوَ أَنْزَلَ بَرَاءَتِي فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ} الْعَشْرُ الْآيَاتُ قَالَتْ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ هَذِهِ الْآيَاتِ فِي بَرَاءَتِي وَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ رِضْوَانُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ لِقَرَابَتِهِ مِنْهُ وَفَقْرِهِ فَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ لَا أَنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ أَبَدًا بَعْدَ الَّذِي قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ مَا قَالَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُوا الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ} إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ} فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ بِالنَّفَقَةِ الَّتِي كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ لَا أَنْزِعُهَا مِنْهُ أَبَدًا قَالَتْ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ سَأَلَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ عَنْ أَمْرِي مَا عَلِمْتِ وَمَا رَأَيْتِ؟ فَقَالَتْ أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي مَا عَلِمْتُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا قَالَتْ وَهِيَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَعَصَمَهَا اللَّهُ بِالْوَرَعِ وَطَفِقَتْ أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ بِنْتُ جَحْشٍ تُحَارِبُ لَهَا فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ «فَهَذَا مَا انْتَهَى إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَمْرِ هَؤُلَاءِ الرَّهْطِ»  

لِلْهُرْمُزَانِ أَمَا إِذَا فُتَّنِي بِنَفْسِكَ فَانْصَحْ لِي وَذَلِكَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ لَهُ تَكَلَّمْ لَا بَأْسَ فَأَمَّنَهُ فَقَالَ الْهُرْمُزَانُ نَعَمْ إِنَّ فَارِسَ الْيَوْمَ رَأْسٌ وَجَنَاحَانِ قَالَ فَأَيْنَ الرَّأْسُ؟ قَالَ بِنَهَاوَنْدَ مَعَ بَنْذَاذِقَانَ فَإِنَّ مَعَهُ أَسَاوِرَةَ كِسْرَى وَأَهْلَ أَصْفَهَانَ قَالَ فَأَيْنَ الْجَنَاحَانِ فَذَكَرَ الْهُرْمُزَانُ مَكَانًا نَسِيتُهُ فَقَالَ الْهُرْمُزَانُ فَاقْطَعِ الْجَنَاحَيْنِ تُوهِنُ الرَّأْسَ فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَرُ رِضْوَانُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ كَذَبْتَ يَا عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ بَلْ أَعْمِدُ إِلَى الرَّأْسِ فَيَقْطَعُهُ اللَّهُ وَإِذَا قَطَعَهُ اللَّهُ عَنِّي انْفَضَّ عَنِّي الْجَنَاحَانِ فَأَرَادَ عُمَرُ أَنْ يَسِيرَ إِلَيْهِ بِنَفْسِهِ فَقَالُوا نُذَكِّرُكَ اللَّهَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنْ تَسِيرَ بِنَفْسِكَ إِلَى الْعَجَمِ فَإِنْ أَصَبْتَ بِهَا لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ نِظَامٌ وَلَكِنِ ابْعَثِ الْجُنُودَ قَالَ فَبَعَثَ أَهْلَ الْمَدِينَةِ وَبَعَثَ فِيهِمْ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ وَبَعَثَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنْصَارَ وَكَتَبَ إِلَى أَبِي مُوسَى الْأَشْعَرِيِّ أَنْ سِرْ بِأَهْلِ الْبَصْرَةِ وَكَتَبَ إِلَى حُذَيْفَةَ بْنِ الْيَمَانِ أَنْ سِرْ بِأَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ حَتَّى تَجْتَمِعُوا جَمِيعًا بِنَهَاوَنْدَ فَإِذَا اجْتَمَعْتُمْ فَأَمِيرُكُمُ النُّعْمَانُ بْنُ مُقَرِّنٍ الْمُزَنِيُّ قَالَ فَلَمَّا اجْتَمَعُوا بِنَهَاوَنْدَ جَمِيعًا أَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِمْ بَنْذَاذِقَانَ الْعِلْجَ أَنْ أَرْسِلُوا إِلَيْنَا يَا مَعْشَرَ الْعَرَبِ رَجُلًا مِنْكُمْ نُكَلِّمُهُ فَاخْتَارَ النَّاسُ الْمُغِيرَةَ بْنَ شُعْبَةَ قَالَ أَبِي فَكَأَنِّي أَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ طَوِيلٌ أَشْعَرُ أَعْوَرُ فَأَتَاهُ فَلَمَّا رَجَعَ إِلَيْنَا سَأَلْنَاهُ فَقَالَ لَنَا إِنِّي وَجَدْتُ الْعِلْجَ قَدِ اسْتَشَارَ أَصْحَابَهُ فِي أَيِّ شَيْءٍ تَأْذَنُونَ لِهَذَا الْعَرَبِيِّ أَبِشَارَتِنَا وَبَهْجَتِنَا وَمُلْكِنَا أَوْ نَتَقَشَّفُ لَهُ فَنَزْهَدُهُ عَمَّا فِي أَيْدِينَا؟ فَقَالُوا بَلْ نَأْذَنُ لَهُ بِأَفْضَلِ مَا يَكُونُ مِنَ الشَّارَةِ وَالْعُدَّةِ فَلَمَّا أَتَيْتُهُمْ رَأَيْتُ تِلْكَ الْحِرَابَ وَالدَّرَقَ يَلْتَمِعُ مِنْهُ الْبَصَرُ وَرَأَيْتُهُمْ قِيَامًا عَلَى رَأْسِهِ وَإِذَا هُوَ عَلَى سَرِيرٍ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ وَعَلَى رَأْسِهِ التَّاجُ فَمَضَيْتُ كَمَا أَنَا وَنَكَسْتُ رَأْسِي لِأَقْعُدَ مَعَهُ عَلَى السَّرِيرِ قَالَ فَدُفِعْتُ وَنُهِرْتُ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ الرُّسُلَ لَا يُفْعَلُ بِهِمْ هَذَا فَقَالُوا لِي إِنَّمَا أَنْتَ كَلْبٌ أَتَقْعُدُ مَعَ الْمَلِكِ؟ فَقُلْتُ لَأَنَا أَشْرَفُ فِي قَوْمِي مِنْ هَذَا فِيكُمْ قَالَ فَانْتَهَرَنِي وَقَالَ اجْلِسْ فَجَلَسْتُ فَتُرْجِمَ لِي قَوْلُهُ فَقَالَ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْعَرَبِ إِنَّكُمْ كُنْتُمْ أَطْوَلَ النَّاسِ جُوعًا وَأَعْظَمَ النَّاسِ شَقَاءً وَأَقْذَرَ النَّاسِ قَذَرًا وَأَبْعَدَ النَّاسِ دَارًا وَأَبْعَدَهُ مِنْ كُلِّ خَيْرٍ وَمَا كَانَ مَنَعَنِي أَنْ آمُرَ هَؤُلَاءِ الْأَسَاوِرَةَ حَوْلِي أَنْ يَنْتَظِمُوكُمْ بِالنُّشَّابِ إِلَّا تَنَجُّسًا بِجِيَفِكُمْ لِأَنَّكُمْ أَرْجَاسٌ فَإِنْ تَذْهَبُوا نُخَلِّي عَنْكُمْ وَإِنْ تَأْبَوْا نُرِكُمْ مَصَارِعَكُمْ قَالَ الْمُغِيرَةُ فَحَمِدْتُ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَيْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَخْطَأْتَ مِنْ صِفَتِنَا وَنَعْتِنَا شَيْئًا إِنْ كُنَّا لَأَبْعَدَ النَّاسِ دَارًا وَأَشَدَّ النَّاسِ جُوعًا وَأَعْظَمَ النَّاسِ شَقَاءً وَأَبْعَدَ النَّاسِ مِنْ كُلِّ خَيْرٍ حَتَّى بَعَثَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولًا فَوَعَدَنَا النَّصْرَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْجَنَّةَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ فَلَمْ نَزَلْ نَتَعَرَّفُ مِنْ رَبِّنَا مُذْ جَاءَنَا رَسُولُهُ ﷺ الْفَلْجُ وَالنَّصْرُ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَاكُمْ وَإِنَّا وَاللَّهِ نَرَى لَكُمْ مُلْكًا وَعَيْشًا لَا نَرْجِعُ إِلَى ذَلِكَ الشَّقَاءِ أَبَدًا حَتَّى نَغْلِبَكُمْ عَلَى مَا فِي أَيْدِيكُمْ أَوْ نُقْتَلَ فِي أَرْضِكُمْ فَقَالَ أَمَّا الْأَعْوَرُ فَقَدْ صَدَقَكُمُ الَّذِي فِي نَفْسِهِ فَقُمْتُ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ وَقَدْ وَاللَّهِ أَرْعَبْتُ الْعِلْجَ جَهْدِي فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْنَا الْعِلْجُ إِمَّا أَنْ تَعْبُرُوا إِلَيْنَا بِنَهَاوَنْدَ وَإِمَّا أَنْ نَعْبُرَ إِلَيْكُمْ فَقَالَ النُّعْمَانُ اعْبُرُوا فَعَبَرْنَا قَالَ أَبِي فَلَمْ أَرَ كَالْيَوْمِ قَطُّ إِنَّ الْعُلُوجَ يَجِيئُونَ كَأَنَّهُمْ جِبَالُ الْحَدِيدِ وَقَدْ تَوَاثَقُوا أَنْ لَا يَفِرُّوا مِنَ الْعَرَبِ وَقَدْ قُرِنَ بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى بَعْضٍ حَتَّى كَانَ سَبْعَةٌ فِي قِرَانٍ وَأَلْقَوْا حَسَكَ الْحَدِيدِ خَلْفَهُمْ وَقَالُوا مَنْ فَرَّ مِنَّا عَقَرَهُ حَسَكُ الْحَدِيدِ فَقَالَ الْمُغِيرَةُ بْنُ شُعْبَةَ حِينَ رَأَى كَثْرَتَهُمْ لَمْ أَرَ كَالْيَوْمِ فَشَلًا إِنَّ عَدُوَّنَا يُتْرَكُونَ أَنْ يَتَتَامُّوا فَلَا يَعْجَلُوا أَمَا وَاللَّهِ لَوْ أَنَّ الْأَمْرَ إِلَيَّ لَقَدْ أَعْجَلْتُهُمْ بِهِ قَالَ وَكَانَ النُّعْمَانُ رَجُلًا بَكَّاءً فَقَالَ قَدْ كَانَ اللَّهُ جَلَّ وَعَلَا يُشْهِدُكَ أَمْثَالَهَا فَلَا يُخْزِيكَ وَلَا يُعَرِّي مَوْقِفَكَ وَإِنَّهُ وَاللَّهِ مَا مَنَعَنِي أَنْ أُنَاجِزَهُمْ إِلَّا لِشَيْءٍ شَهِدْتُهُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ إِذْ غَزَا فَلَمْ يُقَاتِلْ أَوَّلَ النَّهَارِ لَمْ يُعَجِّلْ حَتَّى تَحْضُرَ الصَّلَوَاتُ وَتَهُبَّ الْأَرْوَاحُ وَيَطِيبَ الْقِتَالُ ثُمَّ قَالَ النُّعْمَانُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَقَرَّ عَيْنِي الْيَوْمَ بِفَتْحٍ يَكُونُ فِيهِ عِزُّ الْإِسْلَامِ وَأَهْلِهِ وَذُلُّ الْكُفْرِ وَأَهْلِهِ ثُمَّ اخْتِمْ لِي عَلَى إِثْرِ ذَلِكَ بِالشَّهَادَةِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمِّنُوا يَرْحَمُكُمُ اللَّهُ فَأَمَّنَا وَبَكَى وَبَكَيْنَا ثُمَّ قَالَ النُّعْمَانُ إِنِّي هَازٌّ لِوَائِي فَتَيَسَّرُوا لِلسَّلَاحِ ثُمَّ هَازُّهُ الثَّانِيَةَ فَكُونُوا مُتَيَسِّرِينَ لِقِتَالِ عَدُوِّكُمْ بِإِزَائِهِمْ فَإِذَا هَزَزْتُهُ الثَّالِثَةَ فَلْيَحْمِلْ كُلُّ قَوْمٍ عَلَى مَنْ يَلِيهِمْ مِنْ عَدُوِّكُمْ عَلَى بَرَكَةِ اللَّهِ قَالَ فَلَمَّا حَضَرَتِ الصَّلَاةُ وَهَبَّتِ الْأَرْوَاحُ كَبَّرَ وَكَبَّرْنَا وَقَالَ رِيحُ الْفَتْحِ وَاللَّهِ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ وَإِنِّي لَأَرْجُو أَنْ يَسْتَجِيبَ اللَّهُ لِي وَأَنْ يَفْتَحَ عَلَيْنَا فَهَزَّ اللِّوَاءَ فَتَيَسَّرُوا ثُمَّ هَزَّهُ الثَّانِيَةَ ثُمَّ هَزَّهُ الثَّالِثَةَ فَحَمَلْنَا جَمِيعًا كُلُّ قَوْمٍ عَلَى مَنْ يَلِيهِمْ وَقَالَ النُّعْمَانُ إِنْ أَنَا أُصِبْتُ فَعَلَى النَّاسِ حُذَيْفَةُ بْنُ الْيَمَانِ فَإِنْ أُصِيبَ حُذَيْفَةُ فَفُلَانٌ فَإِنْ أُصِيبَ فُلَانٌ فَفُلَانٌ حَتَّى عَدَّ سَبْعَةً آخِرُهُمُ الْمُغِيرَةُ بْنُ شُعْبَةَ قَالَ أَبِي فَوَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَحَدًا يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَرْجِعَ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ حَتَّى يُقْتَلَ أَوْ يَظْفِرَ وَثَبَتُوا لَنَا فَلَمْ نَسْمَعْ إِلَّا وَقَعَ الْحَدِيدُ عَلَى الْحَدِيدِ حَتَّى أُصِيبَ فِي الْمُسْلِمِينَ مُصَابَةٌ عَظِيمَةٌ فَلَمَّا رَأَوْا صَبْرَنَا وَرَأَوْنَا لَا نُرِيدُ أَنْ نَرْجِعَ انْهَزَمُوا فَجَعَلَ يَقَعُ الرَّجُلُ فَيَقَعُ عَلَيْهِ سَبْعَةٌ فِي قِرَانٍ فَيُقْتَلُونَ جَمِيعًا وَجَعَلَ يَعْقِرُهُمْ حَسَكُ الْحَدِيدِ خَلْفَهُمْ فَقَالَ النُّعْمَانُ قَدِّمُوا اللِّوَاءَ فَجَعَلْنَا نُقَدِّمُ اللِّوَاءَ فَنَقْتُلُهُمْ وَنَضْرِبُهُمْ فَلَمَّا رَأَى النُّعْمَانُ أَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدِ اسْتَجَابَ لَهُ وَرَأَى الْفَتْحَ جَاءَتْهُ نُشَّابَةٌ فَأَصَابَتْ خَاصِرَتَهُ فَقَتَلَتْهُ فَجَاءَ أَخُوهُ مَعْقِلُ بْنُ مُقَرِّنٍ فَسَجَّى عَلَيْهِ ثَوْبًا وَأَخَذَ اللِّوَاءَ فَتَقَدَّمَ بِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ تَقَدَّمُوا رَحِمَكُمُ اللَّهُ فَجَعَلْنَا نَتَقَدَّمُ فَنَهْزِمُهُمْ وَنَقْتُلُهُمْ فَلَمَّا فَرَغْنَا وَاجْتَمَعَ النَّاسُ قَالُوا أَيْنَ الْأَمِيرُ؟ فَقَالَ مَعْقِلٌ هَذَا أَمِيرُكُمْ قَدْ أَقَرَّ اللَّهُ عَيْنَهُ بِالْفَتْحِ وَخَتَمَ لَهُ بِالشَّهَادَةِ فَبَايَعَ النَّاسُ حُذَيْفَةَ بْنَ الْيَمَانِ قَالَ وَكَانَ عُمَرُ رِضْوَانُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ بِالْمَدِينَةِ يَدْعُو اللَّهَ وَيَنْتَظِرُ مِثْلَ صَيْحَةِ الْحُبْلَى فَكَتَبَ حُذَيْفَةُ إِلَى عُمَرَ بِالْفَتْحِ مَعَ رَجُلٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ أَبْشِرْ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِفَتْحٍ أَعَزَّ اللَّهُ فِيهِ الْإِسْلَامَ وَأَهْلَهُ وَأَذَلَّ فِيهِ الشِّرْكَ وَأَهْلَهُ وَقَالَ النُّعْمَانُ بَعَثَكَ؟ قَالَ احْتَسِبِ النُّعْمَانَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَبَكَى عُمَرُ وَاسْتَرْجَعَ وَقَالَ وَمَنْ وَيْحَكَ فَقَالَ فُلَانٌ وَفُلَانٌ وَفُلَانٌ حَتَّى عَدَّ نَاسًا ثُمَّ قَالَ وَآخَرِينَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَا تَعْرِفُهُمْ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ رِضْوَانُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَهُوَ يَبْكِي لَا يَضُرُّهُمْ أَنْ لَا يَعْرِفَهُمْ عُمَرُ لَكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْرِفُهُمْ «  

(the wife of the Prophet) "Whenever Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to go on a journey, he would draw lots amongst his wives and would take with him the one upon whom the lot fell. During a Ghazwa of his, he drew lots amongst us and the lot fell upon me, and I proceeded with him after Allah had decreed the use of the veil by women. I was carried in a Howdah (on the camel) and dismounted while still in it. When Messenger of Allah ﷺ was through with his Ghazwa and returned home, and we approached the city of Medina, Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered us to proceed at night. When the order of setting off was given, I walked till I was past the army to answer the call of nature. After finishing I returned (to the camp) to depart (with the others) and suddenly realized that my necklace over my chest was missing. So, I returned to look for it and was delayed because of that. The people who used to carry me on the camel, came to my Howdah and put it on the back of the camel, thinking that I was in it, as, at that time, women were light in weight, and thin and lean, and did not use to eat much. So, those people did not feel the difference in the heaviness of the Howdah while lifting it, and they put it over the camel. At that time I was a young lady. They set the camel moving and proceeded on. I found my necklace after the army had gone, and came to their camp to find nobody. So, I went to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would discover my absence and come back in my search. While in that state, I felt sleepy and slept. Safwan bin Mu'attal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwani was behind the army and reached my abode in the morning. When he saw a sleeping person, he came to me, and he used to see me before veiling. So, I got up when I heard him saying, "Inna lil-lah-wa inn a ilaihi rajiun (We are for Allah, and we will return to Him)." He made his camel knell down. He got down from his camel, and put his leg on the front legs of the camel and then I rode and sat over it. Safwan set out walking, leading the camel by the rope till we reached the army who had halted to take rest at midday. Then whoever was meant for destruction, fell into destruction, (some people accused me falsely) and the leader of the false accusers was ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. After that we returned to Medina, and I became ill for one month while the people were spreading the forged statements of the false accusers. I was feeling during my ailment as if I were not receiving the usual kindness from the Prophet ﷺ which I used to receive from him when I got sick. But he would come, greet and say, 'How is that (girl)?' I did not know anything of what was going on till I recovered from my ailment and went out with Um Mistah to the Manasi where we used to answer the call of nature, and we used not to go to answer the call of nature except from night to night and that was before we had lavatories near to our houses. And this habit of ours was similar to the habit of the old 'Arabs in the open country (or away from houses). So. I and Um Mistah bint Ruhm went out walking. Um Mistah stumbled because of her long dress and on that she said, 'Let Mistah be ruined.' I said, 'You are saying a bad word. Why are you abusing a man who took part in (the battle of) Badr?' She said, 'O Hanata (you there) didn't you hear what they said?' Then she told me the rumors of the false accusers. My sickness was aggravated, and when I returned home, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me, and after greeting he said, 'How is that (girl)?' I requested him to allow me to go to my parents. I wanted then to be sure of the news through them I Messenger of Allah ﷺ allowed me, and I went to my parents and asked my mother, 'What are the people talking about?' She said, 'O my daughter! Don't worry much about this matter. By Allah, never is there a charming woman loved by her husband who has other wives, but the women would forge false news about her.' I said, 'Glorified be Allah! Are the people really taking of this matter?' That night I kept on weeping and could not sleep till morning. In the morning Messenger of Allah ﷺ called ʿAli bin Abu Talib and Usama bin Zaid when he saw the Divine Inspiration delayed, to consul them about divorcing his wife (i.e. ʿAisha). Usama bin Zaid said what he knew of the good reputation of his wives and added, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Keep you wife, for, by Allah, we know nothing about her but good.' ʿAli bin Abu Talib said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Allah has no imposed restrictions on you, and there are many women other than she, yet you may ask the woman-servant who will tell you the truth.' On that Messenger of Allah ﷺ called Barirah and said, 'O Barirah. Did you ever see anything which roused your suspicions about her?' Barirah said, 'No, by Allah Who has sent you with the Truth, I have never seen in her anything faulty except that she is a girl of immature age, who sometimes sleeps and leaves the dough for the goats to eat.' On that day Messenger of Allah ﷺ ascended the pulpit and requested that somebody support him in punishing ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. Allah's Apostle said, 'Who will support me to punish that person (ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul) who has hurt me by slandering the reputation of my family? By Allah, I know nothing about my family but good, and they have accused a person about whom I know nothing except good, and he never entered my house except in my company.' Saʿd bin Muʿadh got up and said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! by Allah, I will relieve you from him. If that man is from the tribe of the Aus, then we will chop his head off, and if he is from our brothers, the Khazraj, then order us, and we will fulfill your order.' On that Saʿd bin 'Ubada, the chief of the Khazraj and before this incident, he had been a pious man, got up, motivated by his zeal for his tribe and said, 'By Allah, you have told a lie; you cannot kill him, and you will never be able to kill him.' On that Usaid bin Al-Hadir got up and said (to Saʿd bin 'Ubada), 'By Allah! you are a liar. By Allah, we will kill him; and you are a hypocrite, defending the hypocrites.' On this the two tribes of Aus and Khazraj got excited and were about to fight each other, while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was standing on the pulpit. He got down and quieted them till they became silent and he kept quiet. On that day I kept on weeping so much so that neither did my tears stop, nor could I sleep. In the morning my parents were with me and I had wept for two nights and a day, till I thought my liver would burst from weeping. While they were sitting with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked my permission to enter, and I allowed her to come in. She sat down and started weeping with me. While we were in this state, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and sat down and he had never sat with me since the day they forged the accusation. No revelation regarding my case came to him for a month. He recited Tashah-hud (i.e. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is His Apostle) and then said, 'O ʿAisha! I have been informed such-and-such about you; if you are innocent, then Allah will soon reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him to forgive you, for when a person confesses his sin and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.' When Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished his speech my tears ceased completely and there remained not even a single drop of it. I requested my father to reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf. My father said, By Allah, I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' I said to my mother, 'Talk to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf.' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah's Apostle. I was a young girl and did not have much knowledge of the Qur'an. I said. 'I know, by Allah, that you have listened to what people are saying and that has been planted in your minds and you have taken it as a truth. Now, if I told you that I am innocent and Allah knows that I am innocent, you would not believe me and if I confessed to you falsely that I am guilty, and Allah knows that I am innocent you would believe me. By Allah, I don't compare my situation with you except to the situation of Joseph's father (i.e. Jacob) who said, 'So (for me) patience is most fitting against that which you assert and it is Allah (Alone) whose help can be sought.' Then I turned to the other side of my bed hoping that Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah I never thought that Allah would reveal Divine Inspiration in my case, as I considered myself too inferior to be talked of in the Holy Qur'an. I had hoped that Messenger of Allah ﷺ might have a dream in which Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah, Allah's Apostle had not got up and nobody had left the house before the Divine Inspiration came to Allah's Apostle. So, there overtook him the same state which used to overtake him, (when he used to have, on being inspired divinely). He was sweating so much so that the drops of the sweat were dropping like pearls though it was a (cold) wintry day. When that state of Messenger of Allah ﷺ was over, he was smiling and the first word he said, ʿAisha! Thank Allah, for Allah has declared your innocence.' My mother told me to go to Messenger of Allah ﷺ . I replied, 'By Allah I will not go to him and will not thank but Allah.' So Allah revealed: "Verily! They who spread the slander are a gang among you . . ." (24.11) When Allah gave the declaration of my Innocence, Abu Bakr, who used to provide for Mistah bin Uthatha for he was his relative, said, 'By Allah, I will never provide Mistah with anything because of what he said about Aisha.' But Allah later revealed: -- "And let not those who are good and wealthy among you swear not to help their kinsmen, those in need and those who left their homes in Allah's Cause. Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? Verily! Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." (24.22) After that Abu Bakr said, 'Yes ! By Allah! I like that Allah should forgive me,' and resumed helping Mistah whom he used to help before. Messenger of Allah ﷺ also asked Zainab bint Jahsh (i.e. the Prophet's wife about me saying, 'What do you know and what did you see?' She replied, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I refrain to claim hearing or seeing what I have not heard or seen. By Allah, I know nothing except goodness about Aisha." Aisha further added "Zainab was competing with me (in her beauty and the Prophet's love), yet Allah protected her (from being malicious), for she had piety." (Using translation from Bukhārī 2661)  

حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الْإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا فَبَرَّأَهَا اللَّهُ مِنْهُ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ وَكُلُّهُمْ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنْ حَدِيثِهَا وَبَعْضُهُمْ أَوْعَى مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَأَثْبَتُ لَهُ اقْتِصَاصًا وَقَدْ وَعَيْتُ عَنْ كُلِّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمُ الْحَدِيثَ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي عَنْ عَائِشَةَ وَبَعْضُ حَدِيثِهِمْ يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضًا زَعَمُوا أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ؓ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ سَفَرًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ أَزْوَاجِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا مَعَهُ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزَاةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَهُ بَعْدَمَا أُنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ وَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي وَأَنْزِلَ فِيهِ فَسِرْنَا حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ قَفَلَ وَدَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ فَآذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ فَقُمْتُ فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى الرَّحْلِ فَلَمَسْتُ صَدْرِي فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ لِي مِنْ جِزْعِ أَظْفَارٍ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَالْتَمَسْتُ عِقْدِي فَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ فَأَقْبَلَ الَّذِينَ يَرْحَلُونَ بِي فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ وَكَانَ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يَثْقُلْنَ وَلَمْ يَغْشَهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ وَإِنَّمَا يَأْكُلْنَ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ حِينَ رَفَعُوهُ ثِقَلَ الْهَوْدَجِ فَاحْتَمَلُوهُ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ وَسَارُوا فَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَمَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنْزِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ فِيهِ أَحَدٌ فَأَقَمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ بِهِ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَيَّ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنَايَ فَنِمْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ الْحِجَابِ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ عَرَفَنِي فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي وَاللَّهِ مَا تَكَلَّمْتُ بِكَلِمَةٍ وَلَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ يَدَهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِيَ الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ بَعْدَمَا نَزَلُوا مُعَرِّسِينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَ الْإِفْكِ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أُبَيِّ بْنِ سَلُولٍ فَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ بِهَا شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَصْحَابِ الْإِفْكِ وَيُرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي إِنِّي لَا أَرَى مِنَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ حِينَ أَمْرَضُ إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ فَيُسَلِّمُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ» وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى نَقَهْتُ فَخَرَجْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ بِنْتُ أَبِي رُهْمٍ قِبَلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ وَكَانَ مُتَبَرَّزَنَا لَا نُخْرُجُ إِلَّا لَيْلًا إِلَى لَيْلٍ وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَ الْكُنُفَ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا وَأَمَرُنَا أَمَرُ الْعَرَبِ الْأُوَلِ فِي الْبَرِيَّةِ أَوْ فِي التَّبَرُّزِ فَأَقْبَلْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ بِنْتُ أَبِي رُهْمٍ نَمْشِي فَعَثَرَتْ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلًا شَهِدَ بَدْرًا فَقَالَتْ يَا هَنَتَاهُ أَلَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالُوا فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِمَا يَقُولُ أَهْلُ الْإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا عَلَى مَرَضٍ فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ» فَقُلْتُ ائْذَنْ لِي آتَى أَبَوَيَّ قَالَتْ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَتَيْتُ أَبَوَيَّ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ بِهِ النَّاسُ فَقَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَى نَفْسِكِ الشَّأْنَ فَوَاللَّهِ لَقَلَّمَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ قَطُّ وَضِيئَةٌ عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا وَلَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا أَكْثَرْنَ عَلَيْهَا فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا؟ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ فَبِتُّ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ ثُمَّ أَصْبَحْتُ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْيُ يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ عَلَيْهِ بِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ فِي نَفْسِهِ مِنَ الْوُدِّ لَهُمْ فَقَالَ أَهْلُكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَلَا نَعْلَمُ وَاللَّهِ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا عَلِيٌّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَسَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ «يَا بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ فِيهَا شَيْئًا مَا يَرِيبُكِ؟ » فَقَالَتْ لَا وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ إِنْ رَأَيْتُ مِنْهَا أَمْرًا أَغْمِصُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنِ الْعَجِينِ فَتَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُهُ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ يَوْمِهِ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَيِّ بْنِ سَلُولٍ فَقَالَ مَنْ يَعْذِرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ بَلَغَ أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِي وَوَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلًا مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا مَعِي فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَأَنَا وَاللَّهِ أَعْذِرُكَ مِنْهُ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْنَا عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا فِيهِ أَمْرَكَ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَكَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنِ احْتَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ لَا تَقْتُلُهُ وَلَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ فَقَالَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ لَنَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فَثَارَ الْحَيَّانِ الْأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَجَعَلَ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَمَكَثْتُ يَوْمِي لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدِي أَبَوَايَ وَقَدْ بَكَيْتُ لَيْلَتِي وَيَوْمِي حَتَّى أَظُنُّ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي قَالَتْ فَبَيْنَا هُمَا جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي إِذِ اسْتَأْذَنَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَلَسَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَجَلَسَ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مِنْ يَوْمِ قِيلَ لِي مَا قِيلَ قَبْلَهَا وَقَدْ مَكَثَ شَهْرًا لَا يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فِي شَأْنِي شَيْءٌ قَالَتْ فَتَشَهَّدَ ثُمَّ قَالَ «يَا عَائِشَةُ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللَّهُ وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللَّهَ وَتُوبِي إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِذَنْبِهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ تَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ» فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ بِقَطْرَةٍ وَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي أَجِبْ عَنِّي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي أَجِيبِي عَنِّي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِيمَا قَالَ قَالَتْ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لَا أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ فَقُلْتُ إِي وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّكُمْ سَمِعْتُمْ مَا تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ وَوَقَرَ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَا تُصَدِّقُونِي بِذَلِكَ وَإِنِ اعْتَرَفَتْ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُنِّي وَاللَّهِ مَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا إِلَّا أَبَا يُوسُفَ إِذْ قَالَ {فَصَبَرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي وَأَنَا أَرْجُو أَنْ يُبَرِّئَنِيَ اللَّهُ وَلَكِنْ وَاللَّهِ مَا ظَنَنْتُ أَنْ يَنْزِلَ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيٌ وَلَأَنَا أَحْقَرُ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ أَنْ يُتَكَلَّمَ بِالْقُرْآنِ فِي أَمْرِي وَلَكِنِّي كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا تُبَرِّئُنِي فَوَاللَّهِ مَا رَامَ فِي مَجْلِسِهِ وَلَا خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ حَتَّى إِنَّهُ لَيَنْحَدِرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ فِي يَوْمٍ شَاتٍ فَلَمَّا سُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلُ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا أَنْ قَالَ «يَا عَائِشَةُ احْمَدِي اللَّهَ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ اللَّهُ» فَقَالَتْ لِي أُمِّي قَوْمِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ لَا وَاللَّهِ لَا أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلَا أَحْمَدُ إِلَّا اللَّهَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى «{إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ عَصَبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ} فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ هَذَا فِي بَرَاءَتِي قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ ؓ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ لِقَرَابَتِهِ مِنْهُ وَاللَّهِ لَا أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا بَعْدَمَا قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ} إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ} فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ بِالَّذِي كَانَ يُجْرِي عَلَيْهِ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ سَأَلَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ عَنْ أَمْرِي فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصْرِي وَكَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي فَعَصَمَهَا اللَّهُ بِالْوَرَعِ  

I saw ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab a few days before he was stabbed in Medina. He was standing with Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman and ʿUthman bin Hunaif to whom he said, "What have you done? Do you think that you have imposed more taxation on the land (of As-Swad i.e. 'Iraq) than it can bear?" They replied, "We have imposed on it what it can bear because of its great yield." ʿUmar again said, "Check whether you have imposed on the land what it can not bear." They said, "No, (we haven't)." ʿUmar added, "If Allah should keep me alive I will let the widows of Iraq need no men to support them after me." But only four days had elapsed when he was stabbed (to death ). The day he was stabbed, I was standing and there was nobody between me and him (i.e. ʿUmar) except ʿAbdullah bin ʿAbbas. Whenever ʿUmar passed between the two rows, he would say, "Stand in straight lines." When he saw no defect (in the rows), he would go forward and start the prayer with Takbir. He would recite Surat Yusuf or An-Nahl or the like in the first rakʿa so that the people may have the time to Join the prayer. As soon as he said Takbir, I heard him saying, "The dog has killed or eaten me," at the time he (i.e. the murderer) stabbed him. A non-Arab infidel proceeded on carrying a double-edged knife and stabbing all the persons he passed by on the right and left (till) he stabbed thirteen persons out of whom seven died. When one of the Muslims saw that, he threw a cloak on him. Realizing that he had been captured, the non-Arab infidel killed himself, ʿUmar held the hand of ʿAbdur-Rahman bin ʿAuf and let him lead the prayer. Those who were standing by the side of ʿUmar saw what I saw, but the people who were in the other parts of the Mosque did not see anything, but they lost the voice of ʿUmar and they were saying, "Subhan Allah! Subhan Allah! (i.e. Glorified be Allah)." ʿAbdur-Rahman bin ʿAuf led the people a short prayer. When they finished the prayer, ʿUmar said, "O Ibn ʿAbbas! Find out who attacked me." Ibn ʿAbbas kept on looking here and there for a short time and came to say. "The slave of Al Mughira." On that ʿUmar said, "The craftsman?" Ibn ʿAbbas said, "Yes." ʿUmar said, "May Allah curse him. I did not treat him unjustly. All the Praises are for Allah Who has not caused me to die at the hand of a man who claims himself to be a Muslim. No doubt, you and your father (Abbas) used to love to have more non-Arab infidels in Medina." Al-Abbas had the greatest number of slaves. Ibn ʿAbbas said to ʿUmar. "If you wish, we will do." He meant, "If you wish we will kill them." ʿUmar said, "You are mistaken (for you can't kill them) after they have spoken your language, prayed towards your Qibla, and performed Hajj like yours." Then ʿUmar was carried to his house, and we went along with him, and the people were as if they had never suffered a calamity before. Some said, "Do not worry (he will be Alright soon)." Some said, "We are afraid (that he will die)." Then an infusion of dates was brought to him and he drank it but it came out (of the wound) of his belly. Then milk was brought to him and he drank it, and it also came out of his belly. The people realized that he would die. We went to him, and the people came, praising him. A young man came saying, "O chief of the believers! Receive the glad tidings from Allah to you due to your company with Messenger of Allah ﷺ and your superiority in Islam which you know. Then you became the ruler (i.e. Caliph) and you ruled with justice and finally you have been martyred." ʿUmar said, "I wish that all these privileges will counterbalance (my shortcomings) so that I will neither lose nor gain anything." When the young man turned back to leave, his clothes seemed to be touching the ground. ʿUmar said, "Call the young man back to me." (When he came back) ʿUmar said, "O son of my brother! Lift your clothes, for this will keep your clothes clean and save you from the Punishment of your Lord." ʿUmar further said, "O ʿAbdullah bin ʿUmar! See how much I am in debt to others." When the debt was checked, it amounted to approximately eighty-six thousand. ʿUmar said, "If the property of ʿUmar's family covers the debt, then pay the debt thereof; otherwise request it from Bani ʿAdi bin Kaʿb, and if that too is not sufficient, ask for it from Quraish tribe, and do not ask for it from any one else, and pay this debt on my behalf." ʿUmar then said (to ʿAbdullah), "Go to ʿAisha (the mother of the believers) and say: "ʿUmar is paying his salutation to you. But don't say: 'The chief of the believers,' because today I am not the chief of the believers. And say: "ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab asks the permission to be buried with his two companions (i.e. the Prophet, and Abu Bakr)." ʿAbdullah greeted ʿAisha and asked for the permission for entering, and then entered to her and found her sitting and weeping. He said to her, "ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab is paying his salutations to you, and asks the permission to be buried with his two companions." She said, "I had the idea of having this place for myself, but today I prefer ʿUmar to myself." When he returned it was said (to ʿUmar), "ʿAbdullah bin ʿUmar has come." ʿUmar said, "Make me sit up." Somebody supported him against his body and ʿUmar asked (ʿAbdullah), "What news do you have?" He said, "O chief of the believers! It is as you wish. She has given the permission." ʿUmar said, "Praise be to Allah, there was nothing more important to me than this. So when I die, take me, and greet ʿAisha and say: "ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab asks the permission (to be buried with the Prophet ﷺ ), and if she gives the permission, bury me there, and if she refuses, then take me to the grave-yard of the Muslims." Then Hafsa (the mother of the believers) came with many other women walking with her. When we saw her, we went away. She went in (to ʿUmar) and wept there for sometime. When the men asked for permission to enter, she went into another place, and we heard her weeping inside. The people said (to ʿUmar), "O chief of the believers! Appoint a successor." ʿUmar said, "I do not find anyone more suitable for the job than the following persons or group whom Messenger of Allah ﷺ had been pleased with before he died." Then ʿUmar mentioned ʿAli, ʿUthman, AzZubair, Talha, Saʿd and ʿAbdur-Rahman (bin ʿAuf) and said, "Abdullah bin ʿUmar will be a witness to you, but he will have no share in the rule. His being a witness will compensate him for not sharing the right of ruling. If Saʿd becomes the ruler, it will be alright: otherwise, whoever becomes the ruler should seek his help, as I have not dismissed him because of disability or dishonesty." ʿUmar added, "I recommend that my successor takes care of the early emigrants; to know their rights and protect their honor and sacred things. I also recommend that he be kind to the Ansar who had lived in Medina before the emigrants and Belief had entered their hearts before them. I recommend that the (ruler) should accept the good of the righteous among them and excuse their wrong-doers, and I recommend that he should do good to all the people of the towns (Al-Ansar), as they are the protectors of Islam and the source of wealth and the source of annoyance to the enemy. I also recommend that nothing be taken from them except from their surplus with their consent. I also recommend that he do good to the 'Arab bedouin, as they are the origin of the 'Arabs and the material of Islam. He should take from what is inferior, amongst their properties and distribute that to the poor amongst them. I also recommend him concerning Allah's and His Apostle's protectees (i.e. Dhimmis) to fulfill their contracts and to fight for them and not to overburden them with what is beyond their ability." So when ʿUmar expired, we carried him out and set out walking. ʿAbdullah bin ʿUmar greeted (ʿAisha) and said, "ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab asks for the permission." ʿAisha said, "Bring him in." He was brought in and buried beside his two companions. When he was buried, the group (recommended by ʿUmar) held a meeting. Then ʿAbdur-Rahman said, " Reduce the candidates for rulership to three of you." Az-Zubair said, "I give up my right to ʿAli." Talha said, "I give up my right to ʿUthman," Saʿd, 'I give up my right to ʿAbdur-Rahman bin ʿAuf." ʿAbdur-Rahman then said (to ʿUthman and ʿAli), "Now which of you is willing to give up his right of candidacy to that he may choose the better of the (remaining) two, bearing in mind that Allah and Islam will be his witnesses." So both the sheiks (i.e. ʿUthman and ʿAli) kept silent. ʿAbdur-Rahman said, "Will you both leave this matter to me, and I take Allah as my Witness that I will not choose but the better of you?" They said, "Yes." So ʿAbdur-Rahman took the hand of one of them (i.e. ʿAli) and said, "You are related to Messenger of Allah ﷺ and one of the earliest Muslims as you know well. So I ask you by Allah to promise that if I select you as a ruler you will do justice, and if I select ʿUthman as a ruler you will listen to him and obey him." Then he took the other (i.e. ʿUthman) aside and said the same to him. When ʿAbdur-Rahman secured (their agreement to) this covenant, he said, "O ʿUthman! Raise your hand." So he (i.e. ʿAbdur-Rahman) gave him (i.e. ʿUthman) the solemn pledge, and then ʿAli gave him the pledge of allegiance and then all the (Medina) people gave him the pledge of allegiance. (Using translation from Bukhārī 3700)  

أَنْ تَكُونَا حَمَّلْتُمَا الْأَرْضَ مَا لَا تُطِيقُ؟ » قَالَا حَمَّلْنَاهَا أَمْرًا هِيَ لَهُ مُطِيقَةٌ وَمَا فِيهَا كَثِيرُ فَضْلٍ فَقَالَ «انْظُرَا أَنْ لَا تَكُونَا حَمَّلْتُمَا الْأَرْضَ مَا لَا تُطِيقُ؟ » فَقَالَا لَا فَقَالَ «لَئِنْ سَلَّمَنِي اللَّهُ لَأَدَعَنَّ أَرَامِلَ أَهْلِ الْعِرَاقِ لَا يَحْتَجْنَ إِلَى أَحَدٍ بَعْدِي قَالَ فَمَا أَتَتْ عَلَيْهِ إِلَى رَابِعَةٌ حَتَّى أُصِيبَ قَالَ عَمْرُو بْنُ مَيْمُونٍ وَإِنِّي لَقَائِمٌ مَا بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُ إِلَّا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبَّاسٍ غَدَاةَ أُصِيبَ وَكَانَ إِذَا مَرَّ بَيْنَ الصَّفَّيْنِ قَامَ بَيْنَهُمَا فَإِذَا رَأَى خَلَلًا قَالَ اسْتَوُوا حَتَّى إِذَا لَمْ يَرَ فِيهِمْ خَلَلًا تَقَدَّمَ فَكَبَّرَ قَالَ رُبَّمَا قَرَأَ سُورَةَ يُوسُفَ أَوِ النَّحْلِ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الْأُولَى حَتَّى يَجْتَمِعَ النَّاسُ قَالَ فَمَا كَانَ إِلَّا أَنْ كَبَّرَ فَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَتَلَنِي الْكَلْبُ أَوْ أَكَلَنِي الْكَلْبُ حِينَ طَعَنَهُ وَطَارَ الْعِلْجُ بِسِكِّينٍ ذِي طَرَفَيْنِ لَا يَمُرُّ عَلَى أَحَدٍ يَمِينًا وَشِمَالًا إِلَّا طَعَنَهُ حَتَّى طَعَنَ ثَلَاثَةَ عَشَرَ رَجُلًا فَمَاتَ مِنْهُمْ تِسْعَةٌ فَلَمَّا رَأَى ذَلِكَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ طَرَحَ عَلَيْهِ بُرْنُسًا فَلَمَّا ظَنَّ الْعِلْجُ أَنَّهُ مَأْخُوذٌ نَحَرَ نَفْسَهُ وَأَخَذَ عُمَرُ بِيَدِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ فَقَدَّمَهُ فَأَمَّا مَنْ يَلِي عُمَرَ فَقَدْ رَأَى الَّذِي رَأَيْتُ وَأَمَّا نَوَاحِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يَدْرُونَ مَا الْأَمْرُ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُمْ فَقَدُوا صَوْتَ عُمَرَ وَهُمْ يَقُولُونَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ فَصَلَّى عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بِالنَّاسِ صَلَاةً خَفِيفَةً فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفُوا قَالَ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ انْظُرْ مَنْ قَتَلَنِي؟ فَجَالَ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ غُلَامُ الْمُغِيرَةِ بْنِ شُعْبَةَ فَقَالَ قَاتَلَهُ اللَّهُ لَقَدْ كُنْتُ أَمَرْتُهُ بِمَعْرُوفٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَجْعَلْ مَنِيَّتِي بِيَدِ رَجُلٍ يَدَّعِي الْإِسْلَامَ كُنْتَ أَنْتَ وَأَبُوكَ تُحِبَّانِ أَنْ يَكْثُرَ الْعُلُوجُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَكَانَ الْعَبَّاسُ أَكْثَرَهُمْ رَقِيقًا فَاحْتُمِلَ إِلَى بَيْتِهِ فَكَأَنَّ النَّاسَ لَمْ تُصِبْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَبْلُ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَائِلٌ يَقُولُ نَخَافُ عَلَيْهِ وَقَائِلٌ يَقُولُ لَا بَأْسَ فَأُتِيَ بِنَبِيذٍ فَشَرِبَ مِنْهُ فَخَرَجَ مِنْ جُرْحِهِ ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِلَبَنٍ فَشَرِبَ مِنْهُ فَخَرَجَ مِنْ جُرْحِهِ فَعَرَفُوا أَنَّهُ مَيِّتٌ وَوَلَجْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَجَاءَ النَّاسُ يُثْنُونَ عَلَيْهِ وَجَاءَ رَجُلٌ شَابٌّ فَقَالَ أَبْشِرْ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِبُشْرَى اللَّهِ قَدْ كَانَ لَكَ مِنْ صُحْبَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَقِدَمِ الْإِسْلَامِ مَا قَدْ عَمِلْتَ ثُمَّ اسْتُخْلِفْتَ فَعَدَلْتَ ثُمَّ شَهَادَةٌ قَالَ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي وَدِدْتُ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ كَفَافٌ لَا عَلَيَّ وَلَا لِي فَلَمَّا أَدْبَرَ الرَّجُلُ إِذَا إِزَارُهُ يَمَسُّ الْأَرْضَ فَقَالَ رُدُّوا عَلَيَّ الْغُلَامَ فَقَالَ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي ارْفَعْ ثَوْبَكَ فَإِنَّهُ أَنْقَى لِثَوْبِكَ وَأَتْقَى لِرَبِّكَ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ انْظُرْ مَا عَلَيَّ مِنَ الدَّيْنِ فَحَسَبُوهُ فَوَجَدُوهُ سِتَّةً وَثَمَانِينَ أَلْفًا فَقَالَ إِنْ وَفَّى مَالُ آلِ عُمَرَ فَأَدِّهِ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ وَإِلَّا فَسَلْ فِي بَنِي عَدِيِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَفِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ فَسَلْ فِي قُرَيْشٍ وَلَا تَعْدُهُمْ إِلَى غَيْرِهِمْ اذْهَبْ إِلَى أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَائِشَةَ فَقُلْ لَهَا يَقْرَأُ عَلَيْكِ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ السَّلَامَ وَلَا تَقُلْ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَإِنِّي لَسْتُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِأَمِيرٍ فَقُلْ يَسْتَأْذِنُ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ أَنْ يُدْفَنَ مَعَ صَاحِبَيْهِ فَسَلَّمَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ اسْتَأْذَنَ فَوَجَدَهَا تَبْكِي فَقَالَ لَهَا يَسْتَأْذِنُ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ أَنْ يُدْفَنَ مَعَ صَاحِبَيْهِ فَقَالَتْ وَاللَّهِ كُنْتُ أَرَدْتُهُ لِنَفْسِي وَلَأُوثِرَنَّهُ الْيَوْمَ عَلَى نَفْسِي فَجَاءَ فَلَمَّا أَقْبَلَ قِيلَ هَذَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ قَدْ جَاءَ فَقَالَ ارْفَعَانِي فَأَسْنَدَهُ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ مَا قَالَتْ؟ قَالَ الَّذِي تُحِبُّ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَدْ أَذِنَتْ لَكَ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ مَا كَانَ شَيْءٌ أَهَمَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْمَضْطَجِعِ فَإِذَا أَنَا قُبِضْتُ فَسَلِّمْ وَقُلْ يَسْتَأْذِنُ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ فَإِنْ أَذِنَتْ لِي فَأَدْخِلُونِي وَإِنْ رَدَّتْنِي فَرُدُّونِي إِلَى مَقَابِرِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ثُمَّ جَاءَتْ أُمُّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَفْصَةُ وَالنِّسَاءُ يَسْتُرْنَهَا فَلَمَّا رَأَيْنَاهَا قُمْنَا فَمَكَثَتْ عِنْدَهُ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ اسْتَأْذَنَ الرِّجَالُ فَوَلِجَتْ دَاخِلًا ثُمَّ سَمِعْنَا بُكَاءَهَا مِنَ الدَّاخِلِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ أَوْصِ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اسْتَخْلِفْ قَالَ » مَا أَرَى أَحَدًا أَحَقَّ بِهَذَا الْأَمْرِ مِنْ هَؤُلَاءِ النَّفَرِ الَّذِينَ تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ عَنْهُمْ رَاضٍ فَسَمَّى عَلِيًّا وَطَلْحَةَ وَعُثْمَانَ وَالزُّبَيْرَ وَعَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ عَوْفٍ وَسَعْدًا ؓ قَالَ وَلْيَشْهَدْ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ وَلَيْسَ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ شَيْءٌ كَهَيْئَةِ التَّعْزِيَةِ لَهُ فَإِنْ أَصَابَ الْأَمْرَ سَعْدٌ فَهُوَ ذَلِكَ وَإِلَّا فَلْيَسْتَعِنْ بِهِ أَيُّكُمْ مَا أُمِّرَ فَإِنِّي لَمْ أَعْزِلْهُ مِنْ عَجْزٍ وَلَا خِيَانَةٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ أُوصِي الْخَلِيفَةَ بَعْدِي بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَأُوصِيهِ بِالْمُهَاجِرِينَ الْأَوَّلِينَ أَنْ يَعْلَمَ لَهُمْ فَيْئَهُمْ وَيَحْفَظَ لَهُمْ حُرْمَتَهُمْ وَأُوصِيهِ بِالْأَنْصَارِ خَيْرًا الَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُوا الدَّارَ وَالْإِيمَانَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ أَنْ يُقْبَلَ مِنْ مُحْسِنِهِمْ وَيُعْفَى عَنْ مُسِيئِهِمْ وَأُوصِيهِ بِأَهْلِ الْأَمْصَارِ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّهُمْ رِدْءُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَجُبَاةُ الْمَالِ وَغَيْظُ الْعَدُوِّ وَأَنْ لَا يُؤْخَذَ مِنْهُمْ إِلَّا فَضْلُهُمْ عَنْ رِضًا وَأُوصِيهِ بِالْأَعْرَابِ خَيْرًا إِنَّهُمْ أَصْلُ الْعَرَبِ وَمَادَّةُ الْإِسْلَامِ أَنْ يُؤْخَذَ مِنْهُمْ مِنْ حَوَاشِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ فَيُرَدَّ فِي فُقَرَائِهِمْ وَأُوصِيهِ بِذِمَّةِ اللَّهِ وَذِمَّةِ رَسُولِهِ ﷺ أَنْ يُوَفَّى لَهُمْ بِعَهْدِهِمْ وَأَنْ يُقَاتَلَ مِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ وَأَنْ لَا يُكَلَّفُوا إِلَّا طَاقَتُهُمْ فَلَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ رِضْوَانُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ خَرَجْنَا بِهِ نَمْشِي فَسَلَّمَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ يَسْتَأْذِنُ عُمَرُ فَقَالَتْ أَدْخِلُوهُ فَأُدْخِلَ فَوُضِعَ هُنَاكَ مَعَ صَاحِبَيْهِ فَلَمَّا فُرِغَ مِنْ دَفْنِهِ وَرَجَعُوا اجْتَمَعَ هَؤُلَاءِ الرَّهْطُ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ اجْعَلُوا أَمْرَكُمْ إِلَى ثَلَاثَةٍ مِنْكُمْ فَقَالَ الزُّبَيْرُ قَدْ جَعَلْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَى عَلِيٍّ وَقَالَ سَعْدٌ قَدْ جَعَلْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَى عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ وَقَالَ طَلْحَةُ قَدْ جَعَلْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَى عُثْمَانَ فَجَاءَ هَؤُلَاءِ الثَّلَاثَةُ عَلِيٌّ وَعُثْمَانُ وَعَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ لِلْآخَرَيْنِ أَيُّكُمَا يَتَبَرَّأُ مِنْ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ وَيَجْعَلُهُ إِلَيْهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَالْإِسْلَامُ لَيَنْظُرَنَّ أَفْضَلَهُمْ فِي نَفْسِهِ وَلَيَحْرِصَنَّ عَلَى صَلَاحِ الْأُمَّةِ قَالَ فَأَسْكَتَ الشَّيْخَانِ عَلِيٌّ وَعُثْمَانُ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ اجْعَلُوهُ إِلَيَّ وَاللَّهُ عَلَيَّ أَنْ لَا آلُوَ عَنْ أَفْضَلِكُمْ قَالَا نَعَمْ فَجَاءَ بِعَلِيٍّ فَقَالَ لَكَ مِنَ الْقِدَمِ وَالْإِسْلَامِ وَالْقَرَابَةِ مَا قَدْ عَلِمْتَ آللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ لَئِنْ أَمَّرْتُكَ لَتَعْدِلَنَّ وَلَئِنْ أَمَّرْتُ عَلَيْكَ لَتَسْمَعَنَّ وَلَتُطِيعَنَّ؟ ثُمَّ جَاءَ بِعُثْمَانَ فقَالَ لَهُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَلَمَّا أَخَذَ الْمِيثَاقَ قَالَ لِعُثْمَانَ ارْفَعْ يَدَكَ فَبَايَعَهُ ثُمَّ بَايَعَهُ عَلِيٌّ ثُمَّ وَلَجَ أَهْلُ الدَّارِ فَبَايَعُوهُ  

سَمِعَ عُثْمَانُ أَنَّ وَفْدَ أَهْلَ مِصْرَ قَدْ أَقْبَلُوا فَاسْتَقْبَلَهُمْ فَلَمَّا سَمِعُوا بِهِ أَقْبَلُوا نَحْوَهُ إِلَى الْمَكَانِ الَّذِي هُوَ فِيهِ فَقَالُوا لَهُ ادْعُ الْمُصْحَفَ فَدَعَا بِالْمُصْحَفِ فَقَالَ لَهُ افْتَحِ السَّابِعَةَ قَالَ وَكَانُوا يُسَمُّونَ سُورَةَ يُونُسَ السَّابِعَةَ فَقَرَأَهَا حَتَّى أَتَى عَلَى هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ {قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ مِنْ رِزْقٍ فَجَعَلْتُمْ مِنْهُ حَرَامًا وَحَلَالًا قُلْ آللَّهُ أَذِنَ لَكُمْ أَمْ عَلَى اللَّهِ تَفْتَرُونَ} قَالُوا لَهُ قِفْ أَرَأَيْتَ مَا حَمَيْتَ مِنَ الْحِمَى آللَّهُ أَذِنَ لَكَ بِهِ أَمْ عَلَى اللَّهِ تَفْتَرِي؟ فَقَالَ أَمْضِهِ نَزَلَتْ فِي كَذَا وَكَذَا وَأَمَّا الْحِمَى لِإِبِلِ الصَّدَقَةِ فَلَمَّا وَلَدَتْ زَادَتْ إِبِلُ الصَّدَقَةِ فَزِدْتُ فِي الْحِمَى لَمَّا زَادَ فِي إِبِلِ الصَّدَقَةِ أَمْضِهِ قَالُوا فَجَعَلُوا يَأْخُذُونَهُ بِآيَةٍ آيَةٍ فَيَقُولُ أَمْضِهِ نَزَلَتْ فِي كَذَا وَكَذَا فَقَالَ لَهُمْ مَا تُرِيدُونَ؟ قَالُوا مِيثَاقَكَ قَالَ فَكَتَبُوا عَلَيْهِ شَرْطًا فَأَخَذَ عَلَيْهِمْ أَنْ لَا يَشُقُّوا عَصًا وَلَا يُفَارِقُوا جَمَاعَةً مَا قَامَ لَهُمْ بِشَرْطِهِمْ وَقَالَ لَهُمْ مَا تُرِيدُونَ؟ قَالُوا نُرِيدُ أَنْ لَا يَأْخُذَ أَهْلُ الْمَدِينَةِ عَطَاءً قَالَ لَا إِنَّمَا هَذَا الْمَالُ لِمَنْ قَاتَلَ عَلَيْهِ وَلِهَؤُلَاءِ الشِّيُوخِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ مُحَمَّدٍ ﷺ قَالَ فَرَضُوا وَأَقْبَلُوا مَعَهُ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ رَاضِينَ قَالَ فَقَامَ فَخَطَبَ فَقَالَ أَلَا مَنْ كَانَ لَهُ زَرْعٌ فَلْيَلْحَقْ بِزَرْعِهِ وَمَنْ كَانَ لَهُ ضَرْعٌ فَلْيَحْتَلِبْهُ أَلَا إِنَّهُ لَا مَالَ لَكُمْ عِنْدَنَا إِنَّمَا هَذَا الْمَالُ لِمَنْ قَاتَلَ عَلَيْهِ وَلِهَؤُلَاءِ الشِّيُوخِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ مُحَمَّدٍ ﷺ قَالَ فَغَضِبَ النَّاسُ وَقَالُوا هَذَا مَكْرُ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ قَالَ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ الْمِصْرِيُّونَ فَبَيْنَمَا هُمْ فِي الطَّرِيقِ إِذَا هُمْ بِرَاكِبٍ يَتَعَرَّضُ لَهُمْ ثُمَّ يُفَارِقُهُمْ ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ إِلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ يُفَارِقُهُمْ وَيَسُبُّهُمْ قَالُوا مَا لَكَ إِنَّ لَكَ الْأَمَانَ مَا شَأْنُكَ؟ قَالَ أَنَا رَسُولُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِلَى عَامِلِهِ بِمِصْرَ قَالَ فَفَتَّشُوهُ فَإِذَا هُمْ بِالْكِتَابِ عَلَى لِسَانِ عُثْمَانَ عَلَيْهِ خَاتَمُهُ إِلَى عَامِلِهِ بِمِصْرَ أَنْ يَصْلِبَهُمْ أَوْ يَقْتُلَهُمْ أَوْ يَقْطَعَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ وَأَرْجُلَهُمْ فَأَقْبَلُوا حَتَّى قَدِمُوا الْمَدِينَةَ فَأَتَوْا عَلِيًّا فَقَالُوا أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى عَدُوِّ اللَّهِ كَتَبَ فِينَا بِكَذَا وَكَذَا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَحَلَّ دَمَهُ قُمْ مَعَنَا إِلَيْهِ قَالَ وَاللَّهِ لَا أَقُومُ مَعَكُمْ قَالُوا فَلِمَ كَتَبْتَ إِلَيْنَا؟ قَالَ وَاللَّهِ مَا كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْكُمْ كِتَابًا قَطُّ فَنَظَرَ بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى بَعْضٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى بَعْضٍ أَلِهَذَا تُقَاتِلُونَ؟ أَوْ لِهَذَا تَغْضَبُونَ فَانْطَلَقَ عَلِيٌّ فَخَرَجَ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ إِلَى قَرْيَةٍ وَانْطَلَقُوا حَتَّى دَخَلُوا عَلَى عُثْمَانَ فَقَالُوا كَتَبْتَ بِكَذَا وَكَذَا؟ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا هُمَا اثْنَتَانِ أَنْ تُقِيمُوا عَلَيَّ رَجُلَيْنِ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَوْ يَمِينِي بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ مَا كَتَبْتُ وَلَا أَمْلَيْتُ وَلَا عَلِمْتُ وَقَدْ تَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ الْكِتَابَ يُكْتَبُ عَلَى لِسَانِ الرَّجُلِ وَقَدْ يُنْقَشُ الْخَاتَمُ عَلَى الْخَاتَمِ فَقَالُوا وَاللَّهِ أَحَلَّ اللَّهُ دَمَكَ وَنَقَضُوا الْعَهْدَ وَالْمِيثَاقَ فَحَاصَرُوهُ فَأَشْرَفَ عَلَيْهِمْ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَمَا أَسْمَعُ أَحَدًا مِنَ النَّاسِ رَدَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامَ إِلَّا أَنْ يَرُدَّ رَجُلٌ فِي نَفْسِهِ فَقَالَ أَنْشُدُكُمُ اللَّهَ هَلْ عَلِمْتُمْ أَنِّي اشْتَرَيْتُ رُومَةَ مِنْ مَالِي فَجَعَلْتُ رِشَائِي فِيهَا كَرِشَاءِ رَجُلٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ؟ قِيلَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَعَلَامَ تَمْنَعُونِي أَنْ أَشْرَبَ مِنْهَا حَتَّى أُفْطِرَ عَلَى مَاءِ الْبَحْرِ؟ أَنْشُدُكُمُ اللَّهَ هَلْ عَلِمْتُمْ أَنِّي اشْتَرَيْتُ كَذَا وَكَذَا مِنَ الْأَرْضِ فَزِدْتُهُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ؟ قِيلَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَهَلْ عَلِمْتُمْ أَنَّ أَحَدًا مِنَ النَّاسِ مُنِعَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ فِيهِ قَبْلِي؟ أَنْشُدُكُمُ اللَّهَ هَلْ سَمِعْتُمْ نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَذْكُرُ كَذَا وَكَذَا؟ أَشْيَاءَ فِي شَأْنِهِ عَدَّدَهَا قَالَ وَرَأَيْتُهُ أَشْرَفَ عَلَيْهِمْ مَرَّةً أُخْرَى فَوَعَظَهُمْ وَذَكَّرَهُمْ فَلَمْ تَأْخُذْ مِنْهُمُ الْمَوْعِظَةُ وَكَانَ النَّاسُ تَأْخُذُ مِنْهُمُ الْمَوْعِظَةُ فِي أَوَّلِ مَا يَسْمَعُونَهَا فَإِذَا أُعِيدَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ لَمْ تَأْخُذْ مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَ لِامْرَأَتِهِ افْتَحِي الْبَابَ وَوَضَعَ الْمُصْحَفَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَذَلِكَ أَنَّهُ رَأَى مِنَ اللَّيْلِ أَنَّ نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ لَهُ «أَفْطِرْ عِنْدَنَا اللَّيْلَةَ» فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكَ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ فَخَرَجَ وَتَرَكَهُ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ آخَرُ فَقَالَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكَ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ وَالْمُصْحَفُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ قَالَ فَأَهْوَى لَهُ بِالسَّيْفِ فَاتَّقَاهُ بِيَدِهِ فَقَطَعَهَا فَلَا أَدْرِي أَقْطَعَهَا وَلَمْ يُبِنْهَا أَمْ أَبَانَهَا؟ قَالَ عُثْمَانُ أَمَا وَاللَّهِ إِنَّهَا لَأَوَّلُ كَفٍّ خَطَّتِ الْمُفَصَّلَ وَفِي غَيْرِ حَدِيثِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ التُّجِيبِيُّ فَضَرَبَهُ مِشْقَصًا فَنَضَحَ الدَّمُ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ {فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ اللَّهُ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ} قَالَ وَإِنَّهَا فِي الْمُصْحَفِ مَا حُكَّتْ قَالَ وَأَخَذَتْ بِنْتُ الْفُرَافِصَةِ فِي حَدِيثِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ حُلِيَّهَا وَوَضَعَتْهُ فِي حِجْرِهَا وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُقْتَلَ فَلَمَّا قُتِلَ تَفَاجَّتْ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ قَاتَلَهَا اللَّهُ مَا أَعْظَمَ عَجِيزَتَهَا فَعَلِمْتُ أَنَّ أَعْدَاءَ اللَّهِ لَمْ يُرِيدُوا إِلَّا الدُّنْيَا *  

أَنَّ الْمُلْحِدَ ابْنَ الزُّبَيْرِ دَعَاكَ إِلَى بَيْعَتِهِ ليُدْخِلَكَ فِي طَاعَتِهِ فَتَكُونَ عَلَى الْبَاطِلِ ظَهِيرًا وَفِي الْمَأْثَمِ شَرِيكًا فَامْتَنَعْتَ عَلَيْهِ وَانْقَبَضْتَ؛ لِمَا عَرَّفَكَ اللهُ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ فِي حَقِّنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فَجَزَاكَ اللهُ أَفْضَلَ مَا يَجْزِي الْوَاصِلِينَ مِنْ أَرْحَامِهِمُ الْمُوفِينَ بِعُهُودِهِمْ فَمَهْمَا أَنْسَى مِنَ الْأَشْيَاءِ فَلَسْتُ أَنْسَى بِرَّكَ وَصِلَتَكَ وَحُسْنَ جائِزَتِكَ بِالَّذِي أَنْتَ أَهْلُهُ مِنَّا فِي الطَّاعَةِ وَالشَّرَفِ وَالْقَرَابَةِ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَانْظُرْ مَنْ قِبَلَكَ مِنْ قَوْمِكَ وَمَنْ يَطْرَأُ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْآفَاقِ مِمَّنْ يَسْحَرُهُ ابْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ بِلِسَانِهِ وَزُخْرُفِ قَوْلِهِ فَخَذِّلْهُمْ عَنْهُ؛ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَكَ أَطْوَعُ وَمِنْكَ أَسْمَعُ مِنْهُمْ للمُلْحِدِ الْخَارِبِ الْمَارِقِ وَالسَّلَامُ فَكَتَبَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ إِلَيْهِ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَقَدْ جَاءَنِي كِتَابُكَ تَذْكُرُ دُعَاءَ ابْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ إِيَّايَ الَّذِي دَعَانِي إِلَيْهِ وَأَنِّي امْتَنَعْتُ مَعْرِفَةً لِحَقِّكَ فَإِنْ يَكُنْ ذَلِكَ كَذَلِكَ فَلَسْتُ بِرَّكَ أَغْزُو بِذَلِكَ وَلَكِنَّ اللهَ بِمَا أَنْوِي بِهِ عَلِيمٌ وَكَتَبْتَ إِلَيَّ أَنْ أَحُثَّ النَّاسَ عَلَيْكَ وَأُخَذِّلَهُمْ عَنِ ابْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ فَلَا سُرُورًا وَلَا حُبُورًا بِفِيكَ الْكِثْكِثُ وَلَكَ الْأَثْلَبُ إِنَّكَ لِعَازِبٌ إِنْ مَنَّتْكَ نَفْسُكَ وَإِنَّكَ لَأَنْتَ الْمَنْفُودُ الْمَثْبُورُ وَكَتَبْتَ إِلَيَّ تَذْكُرُ تَعْجِيلَ بِرِّي وَصِلَتِي فَاحْبِسْ أَيُّهَا الْإِنْسَانُ عَنِّي بِرَّكَ وَصِلَتَكَ فَإِنِّي حَابِسٌ عَنْكَ وُدِّي وَنُصْرَتِي وَلَعَمْرِي مَا تُعْطِينَا مِمَّا فِي يَدَيْكَ لَنَا إِلَّا الْقَلِيلَ وَتَحْبِسُ مِنْهُ الْعَرِيضَ الطَّوِيلَ لَا أَبَا لَكَ أَتُرَانِي أَنْسَى قَتْلَكَ حُسَيْنًا وَفِتْيانَ بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ مَصَابِيحَ الدُّجَى وَنُجُومَ الْأَعْلَامِ غَادَرَتْهُمْ جُنُودُكَ بِأَمْرِكَ فَأَصْبَحُوا مُصَرِّعِينَ فِي صَعِيدٍ وَاحِدٍ مُزَمَّلِينَ فِي الدِّمَاءِ مَسْلُوبِينَ بِالْعَرَاءِ لَا مُكَفَّنِينَ وَلَا مُوسَّدِينَ تَسْفِيهِمُ الرِّيَاحُ وَتَغْزُوهُمُ الذِّئَابُ وَتَنْتَابُهُمْ عُرُجُ الضِّباعِ حَتَّى أَتَاحَ اللهُ لَهُمْ قَوْمًا لَمْ يُشْرِكُوا فِي دِمَائِهِمْ فَكَفَّنُوهُمْ وَأَجَنُّوهُمْ وَبِهِمْ وَاللهِ وَبِي مَنَّ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ فَجَلَسْتَ فِي مَجْلِسِكَ الَّذِي أَنْتَ فِيهِ وَمَهْمَا أَنْسَى مِنَ الْأَشْيَاءِ فَلَسْتُ أَنْسَى تَسْلِيطَكَ عَلَيْهِمُ الدَّعِيَ بْنَ الدَّعِيِّ لِلْعَاهِرَةِ الْفَاجِرَةِ الْبَعِيدَ رَحِمًا اللَّئِيمَ أَبًا وَأُمًّا وَالَّذِي اكْتَسَبَ أَبُوكَ فِي ادِّعَائِهِ لِنَفْسِهِ الْعَارَ وَالْمَأْثَمَ وَالْمَذَّلَةَ وَالْخِزْيَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ؛ لِأَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ «الْوَلَدُ لِلْفِرَاشِ وَلِلْعَاهِرِ الْحَجَرُ» وَإِنَّ أَبَاكَ زَعَمَ أَنَّ الْوَلَدَ لِغَيْرِ الْفِرَاشِ وَلَا يَضُرُّ الْعَاهِرَ وَيَلْحَقُ بِهِ وَلَدُهُ كَمَا يَلْحَقُ وَلَدُ الْبَغِيِّ الْمُرْشِدَ وَلَقَدْ أَمَاتَ أَبُوكَ السُّنَّةَ جَهْلًا وَأَحْيَى الْأَحْدَاثَ الْمُضِلَّةَ عَمْدًا وَمَهْمَا أَنْسَى مِنَ الْأَشْيَاءِ فَلَسْتُ أَنْسَى تَسْيِيرَكَ حُسَيْنًا مِنْ حَرَمِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ إِلَى حَرَمِ اللهِ وَتَسْيِيرَكَ إِلَيْهِمُ الرِّجَالَ وَإِدْسَاسَكَ إِلَيْهِمْ إِنْ هُوَ نَذَرَ بِكُمْ فَعَاجِلُوهُ فَمَا زِلْتَ بِذَلِكَ حَتَّى أَشْخَصْتَهُ مِنْ مَكَّةَ إِلَى أَرْضِ الْكُوفَةِ تَزْأَرُ إِلَيْهِ خَيْلُكَ وَجُنُودُكَ زَئِيرَ الْأُسْدِ عَدَاوَةً مِنْكَ لِلَّهِ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِأَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ ثُمَّ كَتَبْتَ إِلَى ابْنِ مَرْجَانَةَ يَسْتَقْبِلُهُ بِالْخَيْلِ وَالرِّجَالِ وَالْأَسِنَّةِ وَالسُّيُوفِ ثُمَّ كَتَبْتَ إِلَيْهِ بُمُعَاجَلَتِهِ وَتَرْكِ مُطَاوَلَتِهِ حَتَّى قَتَلْتَهُ وَمَنْ مَعَهُ مِنْ فِتْيَانِ بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ الَّذِينَ أَذْهَبَ اللهُ عَنْهُمُ الرِّجْسَ وَطَهَّرْهُمْ تَطْهِيرًا نَحْنُ أُولَئِكَ لَا كَآبَائِكَ الْأَجْلَافِ الْجُفَاةِ أَكْبَادِ الْحَمِيرِ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ أَنَّهُ كَانَ أَعَزَّ أَهْلِ الْبَطْحَاءِ بِالْبَطْحَاءِ قَدِيمًا وَأَعَزَّهُ بِهَا حَدِيثًا لَوَّثُوا بِالْحَرَمَيْنِ مَقَامًا وَاسْتَحَلَّ بِهَا قِتَالًا وَلَكِنَّهُ كَرِهَ أَنْ يَكُونَ هُوَ الَّذِي يُسْتَحَلُّ بِهِ حَرَمُ اللهِ وَحَرَمُ رَسُولِهِ ﷺ وَحُرْمَةُ الْبَيْتِ الْحَرَامِ فَطَلَبَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْحُسَيْنُ الْمُوَادَعَةَ وَسَأَلَكُمُ الرَّجْعَةَ فَاغْتَنَمْتُمْ قِلَّةَ نُصَّارِهِ وَاسْتئِصَالَ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ كَأَنَّكُمْ تَقْتُلُونَ أَهْلَ بَيْتٍ مِنَ التُّرْكِ أَوْ كَابُلَ فَكَيْفَ تَحْدُونِي عَلَى وُدِّكَ وَتَطْلُبُ نُصْرَتِي وَقَدْ قَتَلْتَ بَنِي أَبِي وَسَيْفُكَ يَقْطُرُ مِنْ دَمِي وَأَنْتَ آخِذُ ثَأْرِي؟ فَإِنْ يَشَأِ اللهُ لَا يَطُلْ لَدَيْكَ دَمِي وَلَا تَسْبِقْنِي بِثَأْرِي وَإِنْ تَسْبِقْنَا بِهِ فَقَبِلْنَا مَا قَبِلَتِ النَّبِيُّونَ وَآلُ النَّبِيِّينَ فظَلَّتْ دِمَاؤُهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَكَانَ الْمَوْعِدُ اللهَ فَكَفَى بِاللهِ لِلْمَظْلُومِينَ ناصِرًا وَمِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ مُنْتَقِمًا وَالْعَجَبُ كُلُّ الْعَجَبِ وَمَا عِشْتَ بِرَبِّكَ الدَّهْرَ الْعَجَبُ حَمْلُكَ بَنَاتِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ وَحَمْلُكَ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ أُغَيْلِمَةً صِغَارًا إِلَيْكَ بِالشَّامِ تُرِي النَّاسَ أَنَّكَ قَدْ قَهَرْتَنَا وَأَنَّكَ تُذِلُّنَا وَبِهِمْ وَاللهِ وَبِي مَنَّ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَى أَبِيكَ وَأُمِّكَ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ وَايْمُ اللهِ إِنَّكَ لَتُمْسِي وَتُصْبِحُ آمِنًا لجِرَاحِ يَدِي وَلَيَعْظُمَنَّ جُرْحُكَ بِلِسَانِي وَنَقْضِي وَإِبْرَامِي فَلَا يَسْتَفِزَّنَّكَ الْجَدَلُ فَلَنْ يُمْهِلَكَ اللهُ بَعْدَ قَتْلِكَ عِتْرَةَ رَسُولِهِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا حَتَّى يَأْخُذَكَ أَخْذًا أَلِيمًا وَيُخْرِجَكَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا آثِمًا مَذْمُومًا فَعِشْ لَا أَبَا لَكَ مَا شِئْتَ فَقَدْ أَرْدَاكَ عِنْدَ اللهِ مَا اقْتَرَفْتَ فَلَمَّا قَرَأَ يَزِيدُ الرِّسَالَةَ قَالَ لَقَدْ كَانَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ مُضِيًّا عَلَى الشَّرِّ  

Whenever Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to go on a journey, he used to draw lots amongst his wives, and Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to take with him the one on whom lot fell. He drew lots amongst us during one of the Ghazwat which he fought. The lot fell on me and so I proceeded with Messenger of Allah ﷺ after Allah's order of veiling (the women) had been revealed. I was carried (on the back of a camel) in my howdah and carried down while still in it (when we came to a halt). So we went on till Messenger of Allah ﷺ had finished from that Ghazwa of his and returned. When we approached the city of Medina he announced at night that it was time for departure. So when they announced the news of departure, I got up and went away from the army camps, and after finishing from the call of nature, I came back to my riding animal. I touched my chest to find that my necklace which was made of Zifar beads (i.e. Yemenite beads partly black and partly white) was missing. So I returned to look for my necklace and my search for it detained me. (In the meanwhile) the people who used to carry me on my camel, came and took my howdah and put it on the back of my camel on which I used to ride, as they considered that I was in it. In those days women were light in weight for they did not get fat, and flesh did not cover their bodies in abundance as they used to eat only a little food. Those people therefore, disregarded the lightness of the howdah while lifting and carrying it; and at that time I was still a young girl. They made the camel rise and all of them left (along with it). I found my necklace after the army had gone. Then I came to their camping place to find no call maker of them, nor one who would respond to the call. So I intended to go to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would miss me and come back to me (in my search). While I was sitting in my resting place, I was overwhelmed by sleep and slept. Safwan bin Al-Muattal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwani was behind the army. When he reached my place in the morning, he saw the figure of a sleeping person and he recognized me on seeing me as he had seen me before the order of compulsory veiling (was prescribed). So I woke up when he recited Istirja' (i.e. "Inna li l-lahi wa inna llaihi raji'un") as soon as he recognized me. I veiled my face with my head cover at once, and by Allah, we did not speak a single word, and I did not hear him saying any word besides his Istirja'. He dismounted from his camel and made it kneel down, putting his leg on its front legs and then I got up and rode on it. Then he set out leading the camel that was carrying me till we overtook the army in the extreme heat of midday while they were at a halt (taking a rest). (Because of the event) some people brought destruction upon themselves and the one who spread the Ifk (i.e. slander) more, was ʿAbdullah bin Ubai Ibn Salul." (Urwa said, "The people propagated the slander and talked about it in his (i.e. ʿAbdullah's) presence and he confirmed it and listened to it and asked about it to let it prevail." ʿUrwa also added, "None was mentioned as members of the slanderous group besides (ʿAbdullah) except Hassan bin Thabit and Mistah bin Uthatha and Hamna bint Jahsh along with others about whom I have no knowledge, but they were a group as Allah said. It is said that the one who carried most of the slander was ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul." ʿUrwa added, "ʿAisha disliked to have Hassan abused in her presence and she used to say, 'It was he who said: My father and his (i.e. my father's) father and my honor are all for the protection of Muhammad's honor from you."). ʿAisha added, "After we returned to Medina, I became ill for a month. The people were propagating the forged statements of the slanderers while I was unaware of anything of all that, but I felt that in my present ailment, I was not receiving the same kindness from Messenger of Allah ﷺ as I used to receive when I got sick. (But now) Messenger of Allah ﷺ would only come, greet me and say,' How is that (lady)?' and leave. That roused my doubts, but I did not discover the evil (i.e. slander) till I went out after my convalescence, I went out with Um Mistah to Al-Manasi' where we used to answer the call of nature and we used not to go out (to answer the call of nature) except at night, and that was before we had latrines near our houses. And this habit of our concerning evacuating the bowels, was similar to the habits of the old 'Arabs living in the deserts, for it would be troublesome for us to take latrines near our houses. So I and Um Mistah who was the daughter of Abu Ruhm bin Al-Muttalib bin ʿAbd Manaf, whose mother was the daughter of Sakhr bin 'Amir and the aunt of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and whose son was Mistah bin Uthatha bin ʿAbbas bin Al-Muttalib, went out. I and Um Mistah returned to my house after we finished answering the call of nature. Um Mistah stumbled by getting her foot entangled in her covering sheet and on that she said, 'Let Mistah be ruined!' I said, 'What a hard word you have said. Do you abuse a man who took part in the battle of Badr?' On that she said, 'O you Hantah! Didn't you hear what he (i.e. Mistah) said? 'I said, 'What did he say?' Then she told me the slander of the people of Ifk. So my ailment was aggravated, and when I reached my home, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me, and after greeting me, said, 'How is that (lady)?' I said, 'Will you allow me to go to my parents?' as I wanted to be sure about the news through them. Allah's Apostle allowed me (and I went to my parents) and asked my mother, 'O mother! What are the people talking about?' She said, 'O my daughter! Don't worry, for scarcely is there a charming woman who is loved by her husband and whose husband has other wives besides herself that they (i.e. women) would find faults with her.' I said, 'Subhan-Allah! (I testify the uniqueness of Allah). Are the people really talking in this way?' I kept on weeping that night till dawn I could neither stop weeping nor sleep then in the morning again, I kept on weeping. When the Divine Inspiration was delayed. Messenger of Allah ﷺ called ʿAli bin Abi Talib and Usama bin Zaid to ask and consult them about divorcing me. Usama bin Zaid said what he knew of my innocence, and the respect he preserved in himself for me. Usama said, '(O Messenger of Allah ﷺ!) She is your wife and we do not know anything except good about her.' ʿAli bin Abi Talib said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Allah does not put you in difficulty and there are plenty of women other than she, yet, ask the maid-servant who will tell you the truth.' On that Messenger of Allah ﷺ called Barira (i.e. the maid-servant) and said, 'O Barira! Did you ever see anything which aroused your suspicion?' Barira said to him, 'By Him Who has sent you with the Truth. I have never seen anything in her (i.e. Aisha) which I would conceal, except that she is a young girl who sleeps leaving the dough of her family exposed so that the domestic goats come and eat it.' So, on that day, Messenger of Allah ﷺ got up on the pulpit and complained about ʿAbdullah bin Ubai (bin Salul) before his companions, saying, 'O you Muslims! Who will relieve me from that man who has hurt me with his evil statement about my family? By Allah, I know nothing except good about my family and they have blamed a man about whom I know nothing except good and he used never to enter my home except with me.' Saʿd bin Muʿadh the brother of Banu ʿAbd Al-Ashhal got up and said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I will relieve you from him; if he is from the tribe of Al-Aus, then I will chop his head off, and if he is from our brothers, i.e. Al-Khazraj, then order us, and we will fulfill your order.' On that, a man from Al-Khazraj got up. Um Hassan, his cousin, was from his branch tribe, and he was Saʿd bin Ubada, chief of Al-Khazraj. Before this incident, he was a pious man, but his love for his tribe goaded him into saying to Saʿd (bin Muʿadh). 'By Allah, you have told a lie; you shall not and cannot kill him. If he belonged to your people, you would not wish him to be killed.' On that, Usaid bin Hudair who was the cousin of Saʿd (bin Muʿadh) got up and said to Saʿd bin 'Ubada, 'By Allah! You are a liar! We will surely kill him, and you are a hypocrite arguing on the behalf of hypocrites.' On this, the two tribes of Al-Aus and Al Khazraj got so much excited that they were about to fight while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was standing on the pulpit. Messenger of Allah ﷺ kept on quietening them till they became silent and so did he. All that day I kept on weeping with my tears never ceasing, and I could never sleep. In the morning my parents were with me and I wept for two nights and a day with my tears never ceasing and I could never sleep till I thought that my liver would burst from weeping. So, while my parents were sitting with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked me to grant her admittance. I allowed her to come in, and when she came in, she sat down and started weeping with me. While we were in this state, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came, greeted us and sat down. He had never sat with me since that day of the slander. A month had elapsed and no Divine Inspiration came to him about my case. Allah's Apostle then recited Tashah-hud and then said, 'Amma Badu, O ʿAisha! I have been informed so-andso about you; if you are innocent, then soon Allah will reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him for forgiveness for when a slave confesses his sins and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.' (continued...) (continuing... 1): -5.462:... ... When Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished his speech, my tears ceased flowing completely that I no longer felt a single drop of tear flowing. I said to my father, 'Reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf concerning what he has said.' My father said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ .' Then I said to my mother, 'Reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf concerning what he has said.' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' In spite of the fact that I was a young girl and had a little knowledge of Qur'an, I said, 'By Allah, no doubt I know that you heard this (slanderous) speech so that it has been planted in your hearts (i.e. minds) and you have taken it as a truth. Now if I tell you that I am innocent, you will not believe me, and if confess to you about it, and Allah knows that I am innocent, you will surely believe me. By Allah, I find no similitude for me and you except that of Joseph's father when he said, '(For me) patience in the most fitting against that which you assert; it is Allah (Alone) Whose Help can be sought.' Then I turned to the other side and lay on my bed; and Allah knew then that I was innocent and hoped that Allah would reveal my innocence. But, by Allah, I never thought that Allah would reveal about my case, Divine Inspiration, that would be recited (forever) as I considered myself too unworthy to be talked of by Allah with something of my concern, but I hoped that Messenger of Allah ﷺ might have a dream in which Allah would prove my innocence. But, by Allah, before Messenger of Allah ﷺ left his seat and before any of the household left, the Divine inspiration came to Messenger of Allah ﷺ. So there overtook him the same hard condition which used to overtake him, (when he used to be inspired Divinely). The sweat was dropping from his body like pearls though it was a wintry day and that was because of the weighty statement which was being revealed to him. When that state of Messenger of Allah ﷺ was over, he got up smiling, and the first word he said was, 'O ʿAisha! Allah has declared your innocence!' Then my Mother said to me, 'Get up and go to him (i.e. Messenger of Allah ﷺ). I replied, 'By Allah, I will not go to him, and I praise none but Allah. So Allah revealed the ten Verses:- - "Verily! They who spread the slander Are a gang, among you............." (24.11-20) Allah revealed those Qur'anic Verses to declare my innocence. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq who used to disburse money for Mistah bin Uthatha because of his relationship to him and his poverty, said, 'By Allah, I will never give to Mistah bin Uthatha anything after what he has said about Aisha.' Then Allah revealed:-- "And let not those among you who are good and wealthy swear not to give (any sort of help) to their kinsmen, those in need, and those who have left their homes for Allah's cause, let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is oft-Forgiving Most Merciful." (24.22) Abu Bakr As-Siddiq said, 'Yes, by Allah, I would like that Allah forgive me.' and went on giving Mistah the money he used to give him before. He also added, 'By Allah, I will never deprive him of it at all.' Aisha further said:." Messenger of Allah ﷺ also asked Zainab bint Jahsh (i.e. his wife) about my case. He said to Zainab, 'What do you know and what did you see?" She replied, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I refrain from claiming falsely that I have heard or seen anything. By Allah, I know nothing except good (about ʿAisha).' From amongst the wives of the Prophet ﷺ Zainab was my peer (in beauty and in the love she received from the Prophet) but Allah saved her from that evil because of her piety. Her sister Hamna, started struggling on her behalf and she was destroyed along with those who were destroyed. The man who was blamed said, 'Subhan-Allah! By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, I have never uncovered the cover (i.e. veil) of any female.' Later on the man was martyred in Allah's Cause." (Using translation from Bukhārī 4141)  

عَنْ حَدِيثِ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الْإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا قَالَ فَبَرَّأَهَا اللهُ وَكُلُّهُمْ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنْ حَدِيثِهَا وَبَعْضُهُمْ كَانَ أَرْعَى لِحَدِيثِهَا مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَأَثْبَتَ اقْتِصَاصًا وَقَدْ وَعَيْتُ عَنْ كُلِّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمُ الْحَدِيثَ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي وَبَعْضُ حَدِيثِهِمْ يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضًا ذَكَرُوا أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ إِلَى سَفَرٍ أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ نِسَائِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَعَهُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَأَقْرَعَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ فِيهَا سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ بَعْدَمَا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ عَلَيْنَا الْحِجَابَ فَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي وَأُنْزَلُ مِنْهُ فَسِرْنَا حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَفَلَ وَدَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ آذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ فَقُمْتُ حِينَ آذَنُوا بِالرَّحِيلِ فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى الرَّحْلِ فَلَمَسْتُ نَحْرِي فَإِذَا عِقْدِي مِنْ جَزْعِ أَظْفَارٍ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَالْتَمَسْتُ عِقْدِي فَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَرْحَلُونَ بِي فَحَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي فَرَفَعُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنَّنِي فِيهِ قَالَتْ وَكَانَ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يُهَبِّلْهُنَّ وَلَمْ يَغْشَهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلْنَ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ ثِقَلَ الْهَوْدَجِ حِينَ رَفَعُوهُ وَرَحَّلُوهُ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ وَسَارُوا بِهِ وَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَمَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ بِهَا دَاعٍ وَلَا مُجِيبٌ فَتَأَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ فِيهِ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّ الْقَوْمَ سَيَفْقِدُونِي وَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَيَّ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ قَدْ عَرَّسَ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَدْلَجَ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ فَأَتَانِي فَعَرَفَنِي حِينَ رَآنِي وَقَدْ كَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ أَنْ يُضْرِبَ عَلَيَّ الْحِجَابُ فَمَا اسْتَيْقَظْتُ إِلَّا بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ عَرَفَنِي فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي وَوَاللهِ مَا كَلَّمَنِي كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطَّأَ عَلَى يَدِهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِيَ الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ بَعْدَمَا نَزَلُوا مُوغِرِينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ فِي شَأْنِي وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَهُ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولٍ فَقَدِمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ وَاشْتَكَيْتُ حِينَ قَدِمْتُهَا شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يَخُوضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَهُوَ يَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنْ أَعْرِفَ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ حِينَ أَشْتَكِي إِنَّمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» فَذَلِكَ يَرِيبُنِي وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِالشَّرِّ حَتَّى خَرَجْتُ بَعْدَمَا نَقَهْتُ وَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ أُمِّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ وَهُوَ مُتَبَرَّزُنَا لَا نَخْرُجُ إِلَّا مِنْ لَيْلٍ إِلَى لَيْلٍ وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُتَّخَذَ الْكُنُفُ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الْأُوَلِ فِي التَّبَرُّزِ وَكُنَّا نَتَأَذَّى بِالْكُنُفِ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَهَا عِنْدَ بُيُوتِنَا فَانْطَلَقْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ وَهِيَ بِنْتُ أَبِي رُهْمِ بْنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ بْنِ عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ وَأُمُّهَا بِنْتُ صَخْرِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ خَالَةُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ وَابْنُهَا مِسْطَحُ بْنُ أُثَاثَةَ بْنِ عَبَّادِ بْنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَأَقْبَلْتُ أَنَا وَبِنْتُ أَبِي رُهْمٍ قِبَلَ بَيْتِي حِينَ فَرَغْنَا مِنْ شَأْنِنَا فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ تَسُبِّينَ رَجُلًا شَهِدَ بَدْرًا؟ فَقَالَتْ أَيْ هَنْتَاهُ أَوَ لَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ وَمَاذَا قَالَ؟ قَالَتْ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا إِلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» قُلْتُ لَهُ أَتَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ آتِيَ أَبَوَيَّ؟ قَالَتْ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَتَيَقَّنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَجِئْتُ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي يَا أُمَّهُ مَا تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ؟ فَقَالَتْ أَيْ بُنَيَّةَ هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكِ فَوَاللهِ لَقَلَّ مَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ قَطُّ وَضِيئَةً عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا وَلَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا أَكْثَرْنَ عَلَيْهَا فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ أَوَقَدْ تَحَدِّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا؟ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ قَالَتْ فَمَكَثْتُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا اكْتَحَلُ بِنَوْمٍ ثُمَّ أَصْبَحْتُ أَبْكِي فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْيُ يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ قَالَتْ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ بِالَّذِيِ يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَبِالَّذِيِ يَعْلَمُ فِي نَفْسِهِ لَهُمْ مِنَ الْوُدِّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ هُمْ أَهْلُكَ وَلَا نَعْلَمُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَقَالَ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَإِنْ تَسْأَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ قَالَتْ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ «أَيْ بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ يَرِيبُكِ مِنْ أَمْرِ عَائِشَةَ؟» فَقَالَتْ لَهُ بَرِيرَةُ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ إِنْ رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا أَمْرًا قَطُّ أَغْمِصُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا فَتَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُهُ قَالَتْ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ «يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذُرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِي فَوَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلًا مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا مَعِي» فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ فَقَالَ لَقَدْ أَعْذَرَكَ اللهُ مِنْهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْتُ عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا أَمْرَكَ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَهُوَ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ وَكَانَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنْ حَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَا تَقْتُلُهُ وَلَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَنَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ قَالَتْ فَثَارَ الْحَيَّانِ الْأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا أَنْ يَقْتَتِلُوا وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَائِمٌ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ فَمَكَثْتُ يَوْمِي لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ وَأَبَوَايَ يَبْكِيَانِ حَتَّى ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي قَالَتْ فَبَيْنَمَا هُمَا جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي اسْتَأْذَنَتْ عَلَيَّ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَلَسَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي فَبَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ قَالَتْ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ فِيَّ مَا قِيلَ وَلَقَدْ لَبِثَ شَهْرًا لَا يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فِي شَأْنِي شَيْءٌ قَالَتْ فَتَشَهَّدَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ حِينَ جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَإِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِي عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللهُ وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللهَ وَتُوبِي إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِذَنْبٍ ثُمَّ تَابَ تَابَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ» فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي أَجِبْ عَنِّي رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فِيمَا قَالَ فَقَالَ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لَا أَقْرَأُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ كَثِيرًا إِنِّي وَاللهِ قَدْ عَرَفْتُ أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ بِهَذَا الْأَمْرِ حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَا تُصَدِّقُونِي بِذَلِكَ وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفْتُ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُونَنِي وَاللهِ مَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا إِلَّا كَمَا قَالَ أَبُو يُوسُفَ {فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ} الْآيَةَ قَالَتْ ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ فَاضْطَجَعْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي وَأَنَا وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ أَنِّي حِينَئِذٍ بَرِيئَةٌ وَأَنَّ اللهَ مُبَرِّئِي بِبَرَاءَتِي وَلَكِنْ وَاللهِ مَا كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ أَنْ يَنْزِلَ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيٌ يُتْلَى وَلَشَأْنِي كَانَ أَحْقَرَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ اللهُ فِيَّ بِأَمْرٍ يُتْلَى وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي اللهُ بِهَا قَالَتْ فَوَاللهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَجْلِسَهُ وَلَا خَرَجَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ أَحَدٌ حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللهُ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ عِنْدَ الْوَحْيِ حَتَّى أَنَّهُ يَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الشَّاتِي مِنْ ثِقَلِ الْوَحْيِ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا سُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلُ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا أَنْ قَالَ «أَبْشِرِي يَا عَائِشَةُ أَمَا وَاللهِ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ اللهُ» فَقَالَتْ لِي أُمِّي قَوْمِي إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَا أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلَا أَحْمَدُ إِلَّا اللهَ هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ بَرَاءَتِي قَالَتْ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ} عَشْرَ آيَاتٍ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ هَذِهِ الْآيَاتَ بَرَاءَتِي قَالَتْ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ لِقَرَابَتِهِ وَفَقْرِهِ وَاللهِ لَا أُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا بَعْدَ الَّذِي قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ} الْآيَةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَاللهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ النَّفَقَةَ الَّتِي كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ وَاللهِ لَا أَنْزِعُهَا مِنْهُ أَبَدًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ سَأَلَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ «مَا عَلِمْتِ وَمَا رَأَيْتِ؟» قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَهِيَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَعَصَمَهَا اللهُ بِالْوَرَعِ وَطَفِقَتْ أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ بِنْتُ جَحْشٍ تُحَارِبُ لَهَا فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ فَهَذَا مَا انْتَهَى إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَمْرِ هَؤُلَاءِ الرَّهْطِ  

Whenever Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to go on a journey, he used to draw lots amongst his wives, and Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to take with him the one on whom lot fell. He drew lots amongst us during one of the Ghazwat which he fought. The lot fell on me and so I proceeded with Messenger of Allah ﷺ after Allah's order of veiling (the women) had been revealed. I was carried (on the back of a camel) in my howdah and carried down while still in it (when we came to a halt). So we went on till Messenger of Allah ﷺ had finished from that Ghazwa of his and returned. When we approached the city of Medina he announced at night that it was time for departure. So when they announced the news of departure, I got up and went away from the army camps, and after finishing from the call of nature, I came back to my riding animal. I touched my chest to find that my necklace which was made of Zifar beads (i.e. Yemenite beads partly black and partly white) was missing. So I returned to look for my necklace and my search for it detained me. (In the meanwhile) the people who used to carry me on my camel, came and took my howdah and put it on the back of my camel on which I used to ride, as they considered that I was in it. In those days women were light in weight for they did not get fat, and flesh did not cover their bodies in abundance as they used to eat only a little food. Those people therefore, disregarded the lightness of the howdah while lifting and carrying it; and at that time I was still a young girl. They made the camel rise and all of them left (along with it). I found my necklace after the army had gone. Then I came to their camping place to find no call maker of them, nor one who would respond to the call. So I intended to go to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would miss me and come back to me (in my search). While I was sitting in my resting place, I was overwhelmed by sleep and slept. Safwan bin Al-Muattal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwani was behind the army. When he reached my place in the morning, he saw the figure of a sleeping person and he recognized me on seeing me as he had seen me before the order of compulsory veiling (was prescribed). So I woke up when he recited Istirja' (i.e. "Inna li l-lahi wa inna llaihi raji'un") as soon as he recognized me. I veiled my face with my head cover at once, and by Allah, we did not speak a single word, and I did not hear him saying any word besides his Istirja'. He dismounted from his camel and made it kneel down, putting his leg on its front legs and then I got up and rode on it. Then he set out leading the camel that was carrying me till we overtook the army in the extreme heat of midday while they were at a halt (taking a rest). (Because of the event) some people brought destruction upon themselves and the one who spread the Ifk (i.e. slander) more, was ʿAbdullah bin Ubai Ibn Salul." (Urwa said, "The people propagated the slander and talked about it in his (i.e. ʿAbdullah's) presence and he confirmed it and listened to it and asked about it to let it prevail." ʿUrwa also added, "None was mentioned as members of the slanderous group besides (ʿAbdullah) except Hassan bin Thabit and Mistah bin Uthatha and Hamna bint Jahsh along with others about whom I have no knowledge, but they were a group as Allah said. It is said that the one who carried most of the slander was ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul." ʿUrwa added, "ʿAisha disliked to have Hassan abused in her presence and she used to say, 'It was he who said: My father and his (i.e. my father's) father and my honor are all for the protection of Muhammad's honor from you."). ʿAisha added, "After we returned to Medina, I became ill for a month. The people were propagating the forged statements of the slanderers while I was unaware of anything of all that, but I felt that in my present ailment, I was not receiving the same kindness from Messenger of Allah ﷺ as I used to receive when I got sick. (But now) Messenger of Allah ﷺ would only come, greet me and say,' How is that (lady)?' and leave. That roused my doubts, but I did not discover the evil (i.e. slander) till I went out after my convalescence, I went out with Um Mistah to Al-Manasi' where we used to answer the call of nature and we used not to go out (to answer the call of nature) except at night, and that was before we had latrines near our houses. And this habit of our concerning evacuating the bowels, was similar to the habits of the old 'Arabs living in the deserts, for it would be troublesome for us to take latrines near our houses. So I and Um Mistah who was the daughter of Abu Ruhm bin Al-Muttalib bin ʿAbd Manaf, whose mother was the daughter of Sakhr bin 'Amir and the aunt of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and whose son was Mistah bin Uthatha bin ʿAbbas bin Al-Muttalib, went out. I and Um Mistah returned to my house after we finished answering the call of nature. Um Mistah stumbled by getting her foot entangled in her covering sheet and on that she said, 'Let Mistah be ruined!' I said, 'What a hard word you have said. Do you abuse a man who took part in the battle of Badr?' On that she said, 'O you Hantah! Didn't you hear what he (i.e. Mistah) said? 'I said, 'What did he say?' Then she told me the slander of the people of Ifk. So my ailment was aggravated, and when I reached my home, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me, and after greeting me, said, 'How is that (lady)?' I said, 'Will you allow me to go to my parents?' as I wanted to be sure about the news through them. Allah's Apostle allowed me (and I went to my parents) and asked my mother, 'O mother! What are the people talking about?' She said, 'O my daughter! Don't worry, for scarcely is there a charming woman who is loved by her husband and whose husband has other wives besides herself that they (i.e. women) would find faults with her.' I said, 'Subhan-Allah! (I testify the uniqueness of Allah). Are the people really talking in this way?' I kept on weeping that night till dawn I could neither stop weeping nor sleep then in the morning again, I kept on weeping. When the Divine Inspiration was delayed. Messenger of Allah ﷺ called ʿAli bin Abi Talib and Usama bin Zaid to ask and consult them about divorcing me. Usama bin Zaid said what he knew of my innocence, and the respect he preserved in himself for me. Usama said, '(O Messenger of Allah ﷺ!) She is your wife and we do not know anything except good about her.' ʿAli bin Abi Talib said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Allah does not put you in difficulty and there are plenty of women other than she, yet, ask the maid-servant who will tell you the truth.' On that Messenger of Allah ﷺ called Barira (i.e. the maid-servant) and said, 'O Barira! Did you ever see anything which aroused your suspicion?' Barira said to him, 'By Him Who has sent you with the Truth. I have never seen anything in her (i.e. Aisha) which I would conceal, except that she is a young girl who sleeps leaving the dough of her family exposed so that the domestic goats come and eat it.' So, on that day, Messenger of Allah ﷺ got up on the pulpit and complained about ʿAbdullah bin Ubai (bin Salul) before his companions, saying, 'O you Muslims! Who will relieve me from that man who has hurt me with his evil statement about my family? By Allah, I know nothing except good about my family and they have blamed a man about whom I know nothing except good and he used never to enter my home except with me.' Saʿd bin Muʿadh the brother of Banu ʿAbd Al-Ashhal got up and said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I will relieve you from him; if he is from the tribe of Al-Aus, then I will chop his head off, and if he is from our brothers, i.e. Al-Khazraj, then order us, and we will fulfill your order.' On that, a man from Al-Khazraj got up. Um Hassan, his cousin, was from his branch tribe, and he was Saʿd bin Ubada, chief of Al-Khazraj. Before this incident, he was a pious man, but his love for his tribe goaded him into saying to Saʿd (bin Muʿadh). 'By Allah, you have told a lie; you shall not and cannot kill him. If he belonged to your people, you would not wish him to be killed.' On that, Usaid bin Hudair who was the cousin of Saʿd (bin Muʿadh) got up and said to Saʿd bin 'Ubada, 'By Allah! You are a liar! We will surely kill him, and you are a hypocrite arguing on the behalf of hypocrites.' On this, the two tribes of Al-Aus and Al Khazraj got so much excited that they were about to fight while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was standing on the pulpit. Messenger of Allah ﷺ kept on quietening them till they became silent and so did he. All that day I kept on weeping with my tears never ceasing, and I could never sleep. In the morning my parents were with me and I wept for two nights and a day with my tears never ceasing and I could never sleep till I thought that my liver would burst from weeping. So, while my parents were sitting with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked me to grant her admittance. I allowed her to come in, and when she came in, she sat down and started weeping with me. While we were in this state, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came, greeted us and sat down. He had never sat with me since that day of the slander. A month had elapsed and no Divine Inspiration came to him about my case. Allah's Apostle then recited Tashah-hud and then said, 'Amma Badu, O ʿAisha! I have been informed so-andso about you; if you are innocent, then soon Allah will reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him for forgiveness for when a slave confesses his sins and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.' (continued...) (continuing... 1): -5.462:... ... When Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished his speech, my tears ceased flowing completely that I no longer felt a single drop of tear flowing. I said to my father, 'Reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf concerning what he has said.' My father said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ .' Then I said to my mother, 'Reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf concerning what he has said.' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' In spite of the fact that I was a young girl and had a little knowledge of Qur'an, I said, 'By Allah, no doubt I know that you heard this (slanderous) speech so that it has been planted in your hearts (i.e. minds) and you have taken it as a truth. Now if I tell you that I am innocent, you will not believe me, and if confess to you about it, and Allah knows that I am innocent, you will surely believe me. By Allah, I find no similitude for me and you except that of Joseph's father when he said, '(For me) patience in the most fitting against that which you assert; it is Allah (Alone) Whose Help can be sought.' Then I turned to the other side and lay on my bed; and Allah knew then that I was innocent and hoped that Allah would reveal my innocence. But, by Allah, I never thought that Allah would reveal about my case, Divine Inspiration, that would be recited (forever) as I considered myself too unworthy to be talked of by Allah with something of my concern, but I hoped that Messenger of Allah ﷺ might have a dream in which Allah would prove my innocence. But, by Allah, before Messenger of Allah ﷺ left his seat and before any of the household left, the Divine inspiration came to Messenger of Allah ﷺ. So there overtook him the same hard condition which used to overtake him, (when he used to be inspired Divinely). The sweat was dropping from his body like pearls though it was a wintry day and that was because of the weighty statement which was being revealed to him. When that state of Messenger of Allah ﷺ was over, he got up smiling, and the first word he said was, 'O ʿAisha! Allah has declared your innocence!' Then my Mother said to me, 'Get up and go to him (i.e. Messenger of Allah ﷺ). I replied, 'By Allah, I will not go to him, and I praise none but Allah. So Allah revealed the ten Verses:- - "Verily! They who spread the slander Are a gang, among you............." (24.11-20) Allah revealed those Qur'anic Verses to declare my innocence. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq who used to disburse money for Mistah bin Uthatha because of his relationship to him and his poverty, said, 'By Allah, I will never give to Mistah bin Uthatha anything after what he has said about Aisha.' Then Allah revealed:-- "And let not those among you who are good and wealthy swear not to give (any sort of help) to their kinsmen, those in need, and those who have left their homes for Allah's cause, let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is oft-Forgiving Most Merciful." (24.22) Abu Bakr As-Siddiq said, 'Yes, by Allah, I would like that Allah forgive me.' and went on giving Mistah the money he used to give him before. He also added, 'By Allah, I will never deprive him of it at all.' Aisha further said:." Messenger of Allah ﷺ also asked Zainab bint Jahsh (i.e. his wife) about my case. He said to Zainab, 'What do you know and what did you see?" She replied, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I refrain from claiming falsely that I have heard or seen anything. By Allah, I know nothing except good (about ʿAisha).' From amongst the wives of the Prophet ﷺ Zainab was my peer (in beauty and in the love she received from the Prophet) but Allah saved her from that evil because of her piety. Her sister Hamna, started struggling on her behalf and she was destroyed along with those who were destroyed. The man who was blamed said, 'Subhan-Allah! By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, I have never uncovered the cover (i.e. veil) of any female.' Later on the man was martyred in Allah's Cause." (Using translation from Bukhārī 4141)  

حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الْإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا فَبَرَّأَهَا اللهُ قَالَ وَكُلٌّ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنَ الْحَدِيثِ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ؓ وَبَعْضُ حَدِيثِهِمْ يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضًا وَإِنْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْعَى لَهُ مِنْ بَعْضٍ زَعَمُوا أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ نِسَائِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا مَعَهُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ فِيهَا سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ بَعْدَمَا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ الْحِجَابَ فَأَنَا أَنْزَلُ وَأُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي فَسِرْنَا حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ فدَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ قَافِلِينَ آذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ فَقُمْتُ حِينَ آذَنَ بِالرَّحِيلِ لِحَاجَتِي فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى رَحْلِي فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ لِي مِنْ جَزْعِ أَظْفَارٍ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَى عِقْدِي نَحْوَ ابْتِغَائِهِ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَرْحَلُونَ فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ وَكَانَ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يُهَبَّلْنَ بِاللَّحْمِ إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلُونَ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَلَمْ يُنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ خِفَّةَ الْهَوْدَجِ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ وَسَارُوا وَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَمَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ بِهَا دَاعٍ وَلَا مُجِيبٌ فَتَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ فِيهِ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونَنِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَيَّ فَبَيْنَمَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَدْلَجَ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ فَأَتَانِي فَعَرَفَنِي حِينَ رَآنِي وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ الْحِجَابِ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ عَرَفَنِي فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي فَمَا كَلَّمَنِي كَلِمَةً وَلَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ عَلَى يَدِهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ بِي يَقُودُ الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ بَعْدَمَا نَزَلُوا فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَ الْإِفْكِ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ فَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ حِينَ قَدِمْتُ شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَصْحَابِ الْإِفْكِ لَا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَهُوَ يَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لَا أَعْرِفُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ حِينَ أَشْتَكِي إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُ فَذَلِكَ يَرِيبُنِي وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِالشَّرِّ حَتَّى خَرَجْتُ بَعْدَمَا أَفَقْتُ وَخَرَجَتْ مَعِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ وَهُوَ مُتَبَرَّزُنَا وَكُنَّا لَا نَخْرُجُ إِلَّا لَيْلًا إِلَى لَيْلٍ وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُتَّخَذَ الْكُنُفُ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الْأُوَلِ فِي التَّبَرُّزِ قِبَلَ الْغَائِطِ وَكُنَّا نَتَأَذَّى بِالْكُنُفِ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَهَا عِنْدَ بُيُوتِنَا فَانْطَلَقْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ وَهِيَ بِنْتُ أَبِي رُهْمِ بْنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ بْنِ عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ وَأُمُّهَا بِنْتُ صَخْرِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ جَدَّةُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ وَابْنُهَا مِسْطَحُ بْنُ أُثَاثَةَ بْنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَأَقْبَلْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ بَيْتِي حِينَ فَرَغْنَا مِنْ شَأْنِنَا فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ تَسُبِّينَ رَجُلًا قَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا؟ قَالَتْ يَا هَنْتَاهُ أَوَ لَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ وَمَا قَالَ؟ قَالَتْ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ قَالَتْ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا إِلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا رَجَعْنَا إِلَى بَيْتِي دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» قُلْتُ لَهُ أَتَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ آتِيَ أَبَوَيَّ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا قَالَتْ فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَجِئْتُ أَبَوَيَّ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي يَا أُمَّتَاهُ مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ؟ فَقَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكِ فَوَاللهِ لَقَلَّمَا كَانَتْ قَطُّ امْرَأَةٌ وَضِيئَةً عِنْدَ مَنْ يُحِبُّهَا لَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا أَكْثَرْنَ عَلَيْهَا قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَلَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا فَمَكَثْتُ اللَّيْلَةَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ قَالَتْ ثُمَّ أَصْبَحْتُ أَبْكِي فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَرَاثَ الْوَحْيَ فَشَاوَرَهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ قَالَتْ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ بِالَّذِيِ يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَبِالَّذِيِ كَانَ يَعْلَمُ فِي نَفْسِهِ لَهُمْ مِنَ الْوُدِّ فَقَالَ أُسَامَةُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَهْلُكَ وَلَا نَعْلَمُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا عَلِيٌّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَإِنْ تَسْأَلِ الْخَادِمَ تَصْدُقْكَ قَالَتْ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ لَهَا «أَيْ بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ يَرِيبُكِ؟» قَالَتْ بَرِيرَةُ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا أَمْرًا أَغْمِصُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا فَتَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُهُ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ «يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذُرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِي؟ فَوَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ مِنْ أَهْلِي إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلًا مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا مَعِي» قَالَتْ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَنَا أَعْذُرُكَ مِنْهُ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْتُ عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا أَمْرَكَ قَالَتْ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَهُوَ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَكَانَ مِنْ قَبْلِ ذَلِكَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنْ حَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ واللهِ لَا تَقْتُلُهُ وَلَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ وَاللهِ لَيَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ قَالَتْ فَتَثَاوَرَ الْحَيَّانِ الْأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا أَنْ يَقْتَتِلُوا وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ قَالَتْ فَمَكَثْتُ يَوْمِي ذَلِكَ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ قَالَتْ فَأَصْبَحَ أَبَوَايَ عِنْدِي وَقَدْ بَكَيْتُ لَيْلَتِي لَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ وَلَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ يَظُنَّانِ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي فَبَيْنَمَا هُمَا جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي فَاسْتَأْذَنَتْ عَلَيَّ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَلَسَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي قَالَتْ فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَجَلَسَ قَالَتْ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ لِي مَا قِيلَ قَبْلَهَا وَلَقَدْ لَبِثَ شَهْرًا لَا يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فِي شَيْءٍ قَالَتْ فَتَشَهَّدَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ حِينَ جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللهُ وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللهَ وَتُوبِي إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِذَنَبِهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ تَابَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ» قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي أَجِبْ رَسُولَ اللهِ فِيمَا قَالَ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي أَجِيبِي رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فِيمَا قَالَ فَقَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لَا أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ إِنِّي وَاللهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ فَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ لَا تُصَدِّقُونِي بِذَلِكَ وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفْتُ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُنَّنِي وَإِنِّي وَاللهِ مَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا إِلَّا أَبَا يُوسُفَ قَالَ {فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ} الْآيَةَ قَالَتْ ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ فَاضْطَجَعْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي قَالَتْ وَأَنَا وَاللهِ حِينَئِذٍ أَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَأَنَّ اللهَ سَيُبَرِّئُنِي بِبَرَاءَتِي وَلَكِنْ وَاللهِ مَا كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ أَنَّ اللهَ يُنْزِلُ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيًا يُتْلَى وَلَشَأْنِي فِي نَفْسِي كَانَ أَحْقَرَ مِنْ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ اللهُ فِيَّ بِأَمْرٍ يُتْلَى وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي اللهُ بِهَا قَالَتْ فَوَاللهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَلَا خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى عَلَيْهِ فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ حَتَّى أَنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الشَّاتِي مِنْ ثِقَلِ الْقُرْآنِ الَّذِي يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا سُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ مَا سُرِّيَ عَنْهُ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلُ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا «أَمَّا اللهُ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ» فَقَالَتْ أُمِّي قُومِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَا أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلَا أَحْمَدُ إِلَّا اللهَ وَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ} الْعَشْرَ الْآيَاتِ كُلَّهَا فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ هَذَا فِي بَرَاءَتِي قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحِ بْنِ أُثَاثَةَ لِقَرَابَتِهِ مِنْهُ وَفَقْرِهِ وَاللهِ لَا أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ شَيْئًا بَعْدَ الَّذِي قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَنْ يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لَكُمْ وَاللهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ} الْآيَةَ قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى وَاللهِ إِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ النَّفَقَةَ الَّتِي كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ وَاللهِ لَا أَنْزِعُهَا عَنْهُ أَبَدًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَسْأَلُ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ عَنْ أَمْرِي فَقَالَ «يَا زَيْنَبُ مَاذَا عَلِمْتِ أَوْ رَأَيْتِ؟» قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا قَالَتْ وَهِيَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَعَصَمَهَا اللهُ بِالْوَرَعِ قَالَتْ وَطَفِقَتْ أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ تُحَارِبُ لَهَا فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْإِفْكِ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ فَهَذَا مَا انْتَهَى إِلَيْنَا مِنْ خَبَرِ هَؤُلَاءِ الرَّهْطِ مِنْ حَدِيثِ عَائِشَةَ  

(the wife of the Prophet) "Whenever Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to go on a journey, he would draw lots amongst his wives and would take with him the one upon whom the lot fell. During a Ghazwa of his, he drew lots amongst us and the lot fell upon me, and I proceeded with him after Allah had decreed the use of the veil by women. I was carried in a Howdah (on the camel) and dismounted while still in it. When Messenger of Allah ﷺ was through with his Ghazwa and returned home, and we approached the city of Medina, Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered us to proceed at night. When the order of setting off was given, I walked till I was past the army to answer the call of nature. After finishing I returned (to the camp) to depart (with the others) and suddenly realized that my necklace over my chest was missing. So, I returned to look for it and was delayed because of that. The people who used to carry me on the camel, came to my Howdah and put it on the back of the camel, thinking that I was in it, as, at that time, women were light in weight, and thin and lean, and did not use to eat much. So, those people did not feel the difference in the heaviness of the Howdah while lifting it, and they put it over the camel. At that time I was a young lady. They set the camel moving and proceeded on. I found my necklace after the army had gone, and came to their camp to find nobody. So, I went to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would discover my absence and come back in my search. While in that state, I felt sleepy and slept. Safwan bin Mu'attal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwani was behind the army and reached my abode in the morning. When he saw a sleeping person, he came to me, and he used to see me before veiling. So, I got up when I heard him saying, "Inna lil-lah-wa inn a ilaihi rajiun (We are for Allah, and we will return to Him)." He made his camel knell down. He got down from his camel, and put his leg on the front legs of the camel and then I rode and sat over it. Safwan set out walking, leading the camel by the rope till we reached the army who had halted to take rest at midday. Then whoever was meant for destruction, fell into destruction, (some people accused me falsely) and the leader of the false accusers was ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. After that we returned to Medina, and I became ill for one month while the people were spreading the forged statements of the false accusers. I was feeling during my ailment as if I were not receiving the usual kindness from the Prophet ﷺ which I used to receive from him when I got sick. But he would come, greet and say, 'How is that (girl)?' I did not know anything of what was going on till I recovered from my ailment and went out with Um Mistah to the Manasi where we used to answer the call of nature, and we used not to go to answer the call of nature except from night to night and that was before we had lavatories near to our houses. And this habit of ours was similar to the habit of the old 'Arabs in the open country (or away from houses). So. I and Um Mistah bint Ruhm went out walking. Um Mistah stumbled because of her long dress and on that she said, 'Let Mistah be ruined.' I said, 'You are saying a bad word. Why are you abusing a man who took part in (the battle of) Badr?' She said, 'O Hanata (you there) didn't you hear what they said?' Then she told me the rumors of the false accusers. My sickness was aggravated, and when I returned home, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me, and after greeting he said, 'How is that (girl)?' I requested him to allow me to go to my parents. I wanted then to be sure of the news through them I Messenger of Allah ﷺ allowed me, and I went to my parents and asked my mother, 'What are the people talking about?' She said, 'O my daughter! Don't worry much about this matter. By Allah, never is there a charming woman loved by her husband who has other wives, but the women would forge false news about her.' I said, 'Glorified be Allah! Are the people really taking of this matter?' That night I kept on weeping and could not sleep till morning. In the morning Messenger of Allah ﷺ called ʿAli bin Abu Talib and Usama bin Zaid when he saw the Divine Inspiration delayed, to consul them about divorcing his wife (i.e. ʿAisha). Usama bin Zaid said what he knew of the good reputation of his wives and added, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Keep you wife, for, by Allah, we know nothing about her but good.' ʿAli bin Abu Talib said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Allah has no imposed restrictions on you, and there are many women other than she, yet you may ask the woman-servant who will tell you the truth.' On that Messenger of Allah ﷺ called Barirah and said, 'O Barirah. Did you ever see anything which roused your suspicions about her?' Barirah said, 'No, by Allah Who has sent you with the Truth, I have never seen in her anything faulty except that she is a girl of immature age, who sometimes sleeps and leaves the dough for the goats to eat.' On that day Messenger of Allah ﷺ ascended the pulpit and requested that somebody support him in punishing ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. Allah's Apostle said, 'Who will support me to punish that person (ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul) who has hurt me by slandering the reputation of my family? By Allah, I know nothing about my family but good, and they have accused a person about whom I know nothing except good, and he never entered my house except in my company.' Saʿd bin Muʿadh got up and said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! by Allah, I will relieve you from him. If that man is from the tribe of the Aus, then we will chop his head off, and if he is from our brothers, the Khazraj, then order us, and we will fulfill your order.' On that Saʿd bin 'Ubada, the chief of the Khazraj and before this incident, he had been a pious man, got up, motivated by his zeal for his tribe and said, 'By Allah, you have told a lie; you cannot kill him, and you will never be able to kill him.' On that Usaid bin Al-Hadir got up and said (to Saʿd bin 'Ubada), 'By Allah! you are a liar. By Allah, we will kill him; and you are a hypocrite, defending the hypocrites.' On this the two tribes of Aus and Khazraj got excited and were about to fight each other, while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was standing on the pulpit. He got down and quieted them till they became silent and he kept quiet. On that day I kept on weeping so much so that neither did my tears stop, nor could I sleep. In the morning my parents were with me and I had wept for two nights and a day, till I thought my liver would burst from weeping. While they were sitting with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked my permission to enter, and I allowed her to come in. She sat down and started weeping with me. While we were in this state, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and sat down and he had never sat with me since the day they forged the accusation. No revelation regarding my case came to him for a month. He recited Tashah-hud (i.e. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is His Apostle) and then said, 'O ʿAisha! I have been informed such-and-such about you; if you are innocent, then Allah will soon reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him to forgive you, for when a person confesses his sin and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.' When Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished his speech my tears ceased completely and there remained not even a single drop of it. I requested my father to reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf. My father said, By Allah, I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' I said to my mother, 'Talk to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf.' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah's Apostle. I was a young girl and did not have much knowledge of the Qur'an. I said. 'I know, by Allah, that you have listened to what people are saying and that has been planted in your minds and you have taken it as a truth. Now, if I told you that I am innocent and Allah knows that I am innocent, you would not believe me and if I confessed to you falsely that I am guilty, and Allah knows that I am innocent you would believe me. By Allah, I don't compare my situation with you except to the situation of Joseph's father (i.e. Jacob) who said, 'So (for me) patience is most fitting against that which you assert and it is Allah (Alone) whose help can be sought.' Then I turned to the other side of my bed hoping that Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah I never thought that Allah would reveal Divine Inspiration in my case, as I considered myself too inferior to be talked of in the Holy Qur'an. I had hoped that Messenger of Allah ﷺ might have a dream in which Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah, Allah's Apostle had not got up and nobody had left the house before the Divine Inspiration came to Allah's Apostle. So, there overtook him the same state which used to overtake him, (when he used to have, on being inspired divinely). He was sweating so much so that the drops of the sweat were dropping like pearls though it was a (cold) wintry day. When that state of Messenger of Allah ﷺ was over, he was smiling and the first word he said, ʿAisha! Thank Allah, for Allah has declared your innocence.' My mother told me to go to Messenger of Allah ﷺ . I replied, 'By Allah I will not go to him and will not thank but Allah.' So Allah revealed: "Verily! They who spread the slander are a gang among you . . ." (24.11) When Allah gave the declaration of my Innocence, Abu Bakr, who used to provide for Mistah bin Uthatha for he was his relative, said, 'By Allah, I will never provide Mistah with anything because of what he said about Aisha.' But Allah later revealed: -- "And let not those who are good and wealthy among you swear not to help their kinsmen, those in need and those who left their homes in Allah's Cause. Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? Verily! Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." (24.22) After that Abu Bakr said, 'Yes ! By Allah! I like that Allah should forgive me,' and resumed helping Mistah whom he used to help before. Messenger of Allah ﷺ also asked Zainab bint Jahsh (i.e. the Prophet's wife about me saying, 'What do you know and what did you see?' She replied, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I refrain to claim hearing or seeing what I have not heard or seen. By Allah, I know nothing except goodness about Aisha." Aisha further added "Zainab was competing with me (in her beauty and the Prophet's love), yet Allah protected her (from being malicious), for she had piety." (Using translation from Bukhārī 2661)  

كُلُّهُمْ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنْ حَدِيثِهَا وَبَعْضُهُمْ أَوْعَى مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَأَثْبَتُ اقْتِصَاصًا وَقَدْ وَعَيْتُ عَنْ كُلِّ رَجُلٍ مِنْهُمُ الْحَدِيثَ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي وَبَعْضُ حَدِيثِهِمْ يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضًا زَعَمُوا أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ سَفَرًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ أَزْوَاجِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا مَعَهُ قَالَتْ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزَاةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَهُ بَعْدَمَا أُنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ فَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجٍ وَأُنْزَلُ فِيهِ حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ وَقَفَلَ وَدَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ آذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ فَقُمْتُ حِينَ آذَنُوا بِالرَّحِيلِ فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى الرَّحْلِ فَالْتَمَسْتُ صَدْرِي فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ لِي مِنْ جَزْعِ أَظْفَارٍ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَالْتَمَسْتُ عِقْدِي فَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ فَأَقْبَلَ الَّذِينَ يَرْحَلُونَ بِي فَحَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُهُ وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ وَكَانَ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يَثْقُلْنَ وَلَمْ يَغْشَهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ وَإِنَّمَا يَأْكُلْنَ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَاحْتَمَلُوهُ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ وَسَارُوا فَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَمَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنْزِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ فِيهِ أَحَدٌ فَأَمَمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ فِيهِ فَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَيَّ فَبَيْنَمَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنَايَ فَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ فَأَتَانِي وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ الْحِجَابِ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ يَدَهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِيَ الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ بَعْدَمَا نَزَلُوا مُعَرِّسِينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَ الْإِفْكِ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولٍ فَقَدِمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ بِهَا شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَصْحَابِ الْإِفْكِ لَا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَيَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لَا أَعْرِفُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَاهُ مِنْهُ حِينَ أَمْرَضُ إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ فَيُسَلِّمُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» فَذَلِكَ يَرِيبُنِي فَلَا أَشْعُرُ حَتَّى نَقَهْتُ فَخَرَجْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ إِلَى قِبَلِ الْمَنَاصِعِ مُتَبَرَّزِنَا لَا نَخْرُجُ إِلَّا مِنْ لَيْلٍ إِلَى لَيْلٍ وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُتَّخَذَ الْكُنُفُ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الْأُوَلِ فِي الْبَرِيَّةِ أَوْ فِي التَّبَرُّزِ فَأَقْبَلْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ بِنْتِ أَبِي رُهْمٍ نَمْشِي فَعَثَرَتْ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلًا شَهِدَ بَدْرًا؟ فَقَالَتْ يَا هَنْتَاهُ أَلَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالُوا؟ قُلْتُ وَمَا قَالُوا؟ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا إِلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي وَدَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» فَقُلْتُ ائْذَنْ لِي أَنْ آتِيَ أَبَوَيَّ قَالَتْ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا قَالَتْ فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَأَتَيْتُ أَبَوَيَّ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ بِهِ النَّاسُ؟ قَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَى نَفْسِكِ الشَّأْنَ فَوَاللهِ لَقَلَّمَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ قَطُّ وَضِيئَةً عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا وَلَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا أَكْثَرْنَ عَلَيْهَا فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا؟ قَالَتْ فَبِتُّ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْيُ يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ قَالَتْ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ بِالَّذِيِ يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَبِالَّذِيِ يَعْلَمُ فِي نَفْسِهِ مِنَ الْوُدِّ لَهُمْ فَقَالَ أُسَامَةُ أَهْلُكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ وَلَا نَعْلَمُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا عَلِيٌّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَسَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ قَالَتْ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ لَهَا «هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْهَا شَيْئًا يَرِيبُكِ؟» فَقَالَتْ بَرِيرَةُ لَا وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا رَأَيْتُ مِنْهَا أَمْرًا أَغْمِصُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنِ الْعَجِينِ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَ الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلَهُ قَالَتْ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ يَوْمِهِ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أُبَيِّ بْنِ سَلُولٍ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «مَنْ يَعْذُرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِي فَوَاللهِ قَالَهَا ثَلَاثًا مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلًا مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا مَعِي» قَالَتْ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ أَنَا وَاللهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَعْذُرُكَ مِنْهُ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْنَا عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا أَمْرَكَ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَكَانَ سَيِّدَ الْخَزْرَجِ وَكَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنَّهُ احْتَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَا تَقْتُلُهُ وَلَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَيَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فَثَارَ الْحَيَّانِ الْأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَائِمٌ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَنَزَلَ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ وَبَكَيْتُ يَوْمِي لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ وَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدِي أَبَوَايَ وَقَدْ بَكَيْتُ يَوْمِي وَلَيْلَتِي حَتَّى أَظُنُّ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ عَيْنِي قَالَتْ فَبَيْنَمَا هُمَا جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي إِذِ اسْتَأْذَنَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَلَسَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَجَلَسَ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ مَا قِيلَ قَبْلَهَا وَقَدْ مَكَثَ شَهْرًا لَا يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فِي شَأْنِي فَتَشَهَّدَ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ بَلَغَنِي عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللهُ وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللهَ وَتُوبِي إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِذَنْبٍ ثُمَّ تَابَ تَابَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ» فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي أَجِبْ عَنِّي رَسُولَ اللهِ فِيمَا قَالَ قَالَ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي فَقَالَتْ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لَا أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ وَاللهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ مَا تُحُدِّثَ بِهِ وَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ فَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَا تُصَدِّقُونَنِي بِذَلِكَ وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفْتُ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُنَّنِي وَاللهِ مَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا إِلَّا أَبَا يُوسُفَ إِذْ قَالَ {صَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ} الْآيَةَ قَالَتْ ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي وَأَنَا أَرْجُو أَنْ يُبَرِّئَنِيَ اللهُ بِبَرَاءَتِي وَلَكِنْ وَاللهِ مَا ظَنَنْتُ أَنْ يُنَزَّلَ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيٌ يُتْلَى وَلَأَنَا أَحْقَرُ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ أَنْ يُتَكَلَّمَ بِالْقُرْآنِ فِي أَمْرِي وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ رُؤْيَا تُبَرِّئُنِي قَالَتْ فَوَاللهِ مَا رَامَ مِنْ مَجْلِسِهِ وَلَا خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ حَتَّى إِنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ فِي يَوْمٍ شَاتٍ قَالَتْ فَسُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلُ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا أَنْ قَالَ «يَا عَائِشَةُ احْمَدِي اللهَ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ اللهُ» فَقَالَتْ لِي أُمِّي قُومِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَا أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلَا أَحْمَدُ إِلَّا اللهَ وَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ} الْآيَاتِ كُلَّهَا فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ هَذَا فِي بَرَاءَتِي قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحِ بْنِ أُثَاثَةَ لِقَرَابَتِهِ مِنْهُ وَاللهِ لَا أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا بَعْدَمَا قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ} إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَةِ قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى إِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ الَّذِي كَانَ يَجْرِي عَلَيْهِ قَالَتْ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ سَأَلَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ عَنْ أَمْرِي فَقَالَ «يَا زَيْنَبُ مَا عَلِمْتِ وَمَا رَأَيْتِ؟» فَقَالَتْ أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهَا إِلَّا خَيْرًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَهِيَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي فَعَصَمَهَا اللهُ بِالْوَرَعِ  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ سَفَرًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ نِسَائِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا سَافَرَ بِهَا فَغَزَا غَزْوَةً خَرَجَ فِيهَا سَهْمِي فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ غَزَاتِهِ وَدَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ آذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ فَخَرَجْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي رَجَعْتُ إِلَى مَنْزِلِي فَلَمَسْتُ عِقْدًا لِي مِنْ جَزْعِ أَظْفَارٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ وَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ فَجَاءَ النَّفْرُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَرْحَلُونَ بِي هَوْدَجِي فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى جَمَلِي وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ وَالنِّسَاءُ حِينَئِذٍ خِفَافٌ لَمْ يُهَبَّلْنَ اللَّحْمَ فَاسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ وَجِئْتُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ بِهَا مِنْهُمْ دَاعٍ وَلَا مُجِيبٌ فَتَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي وَعَلِمْتُ أَنْ سَيَفْقِدُونِي فَيَنْظُرُونِي فَبَيْنََا & أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ عَرَّسَ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ فَتَيَمَّمَنِي فَلَمَّا رَآنِي اسْتَرْجَعَ وَقَدْ كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَيَّ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُضْرَبَ عَلَيَّ الْحِجَابُ فَفَزِعْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي فَمَا تَكَلَّمَ غَيْرَهَا وَمَا تَكَلَّمَنِي حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ عَلَى ذِرَاعِهَا فَرَكِبْتُ فَجِئْنَا الْجَيْشَ نَحْرَ الظَّهِيرَةِ مُغَاوِلِينَ وَقَدْ هَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ فَقَدِمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَمَرِضْتُ شَهْرًا لَا أَشْعُرُ بِالَّذِيِ قَالَ أَهْلُ الْإِفْكِ وَأَنَا يَرِيبُنِي مِنَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنِّي لَا أَرَى مِنْهُ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ إِذَا مَرِضْتُ إِنَّمَا يَقُومُ قَائِمًا فَيَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» حَتَّى إِذَا نَقَهْتُ تَبَرَّزْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ إِلَى الْمَنَاصِعِ وَهُوَ مُتَبَرَّزُنَا وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الْأُوَلِ إِنَّمَا نَأْكُلُ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَيَتَبَرَّزْنَ لَيْلًا إِلَى لَيْلٍ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْنَا شَأْنَنَا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى مَنْزِلِي فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ سَبَبْتِ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا قَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا فَقَالَتْ أَيْ هَنْتَاهُ أَوَ مَا تَدْرِينَ مَا قَالُوا؟ قُلْتُ وَمَا قَالُوا؟ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي الْخَبَرَ فَانْتَظَرْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ لَيَأْتِيَ فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُهُ إِلَى أَبَوَيَّ فَأَسْتَيْقِنُ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا فَجِئْتُ بَيْتَهُمَا فَوَجَدْتُ أَبِي يُصَلِّي قُلْتُ يَا أُمَّهُ مَا قَالُوا؟ قَالَتْ أَيْ بُنَيَّةُ إِنَّهُ قَلَّ مَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ حَسْنَاءُ عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا لَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا أَكْثَرْنَ عَلَيْهَا قَالَتْ أَوَ لَقَدْ قَالُوا ذَلِكَ؟ فَانْصَرَفَ أَبِي يُصَلِّي فَوَاللهِ لَوَدِدْتُ أَنِّي كُنْتُ حَيْضَةً فَكُنْتُ لَا يَكْتَحِلُ عَيْنِي بِنَوْمٍ وَلَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَعَلَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ الْمِنْبَرَ فَقَالَ مَا بَالُ رِجَالٍ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُمْ فِي أَهْلِي وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلًا صَالِحًا قَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا مَا دَخَلَ عَلَى أَهْلِي قَطُّ إِلَّا وَأَنَا حَاضِرٌ وَلَا سَافَرْتُ مِنْ سَفَرٍ قَطُّ إِلَّا وَإِنَّهُ لَمَعِي فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ أَنَا لَكَ مِنْهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْنَا عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ بَنِي الْحَارِثِ بْنِ الْخَزْرَجِ أَتَيْنَاكَ بِهِ مُوَثَّقًا فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ فَقَالَ كَذَبْتَ وَاللهِ لَا تَقْتُلُهُ وَلَا تَسْتَطِيعُ قَتْلَهُ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرِ بْنِ سِمَاكٍ فَقَالَ كَذَبْتَ وَاللهِ لَيَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فَتَثَاوَرَ الْحَيَّانِ الْأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ فَنَزَلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ يُسْكِتُهُمْ وَيُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا قَالَ ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ قَالَ مَوْلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ مَوْعِدًا لَكُمُ الْحَرَّةُ فَلَبِسُوا السِّلَاحَ وَخَرَجُوا إِلَيْهَا فَأَتَاهُمُ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ {وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللهِ عَلَيْكُمْ} حَتَّى تَنْقَضِيَ يُرَدِّدُهَا عَلَيْهِمْ حَتَّى اعْتَنَقَ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا وَحَتَّى أَنَّ لَهُمْ لَخِنَانًا ثُمَّ انْصَرَفُوا قَدِ اصْطَلَحُوا وَاسْتَلْبَثَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ الْوَحْيَ فَدَعَا عَلِيًّا وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ فَاسْتَشَارَهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ فَأَمَّا عَلِيٌّ فَقَالَ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ كَثِيرٌ وَإِنْ تَسْأَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ يُرِيدُ بَرِيرَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ وَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ بِالَّذِيِ يَعْلَمُ فِي نَفْسِهِ مِنَ الْوَجْدِ بِأَهْلِهِ وَبِمَا يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَتِهِمْ فَدَعَا بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ «هَلْ رَأَيْتِ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْجَارِيَةِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ تَغْمِصِينَهُ عَلَيْهَا؟» فَقَالَتْ لَا وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ إِلَّا أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَرْقُدُ حَتَّى تَأْكُلَ الدَّاجِنُ عَجِينَهَا أَوْ خَمِيرَهَا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَمَكَثْتُ يَوْمَيْنِ وَلَيْلَتَيْنِ لَا تَكْتَحِلُ عَيْنِي بِنَوْمٍ وَلَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَأَصْبَحَ أَبَوَايَ عِنْدِي يَظُنَّانِ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي فَاسْتَأْذَنَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَلَسَتْ فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَجَلَسَ مِنِّي مَجْلِسًا لَمْ يُجْلِسْهُ مِنِّي مُنْذُ قِيلَ لِي مَا قِيلَ فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللهُ وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَتُوبِي مِنْهُ وَاعْتَرِفِي بِهِ فَإِنَّ الْمَرْءَ إِذَا تَابَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَاعْتَرَفَ بِهِ غُفِرَ لَهُ» قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً قُلْتُ يَا أَبَتِ أَجِبْ رَسُولَ اللهِ فَقَالَ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أُجِيبُهُ قُلْتُ يَا أُمِّي أَجِيبِي رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَتْ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أُجِيبُهُ قَالَتْ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لَا أَقْرَأُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ كَثِيرًا فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ مِنْ هَذَا شَيْئًا اسْتَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ فَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ أَنَا مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَا تُصَدِّقُونَنِي وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفَتُ بِذَنْبٍ أَنَا مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُونَنِي أَلَا فَإِنَّمَا مَثَلِي وَمَثَلُكُمْ كَأَبِي يُوسُفَ اخْتُلِسَ مِنِّي اسْمُهُ {فَصَبَرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ} ثُمَّ وَلَّيْتُ وَجْهِي نَحْوَ الْجِدَارِ وَنَفْسِي أَحْقَرُ عِنْدِي مِنْ أَنْ يُنَزَّلَ فِيَّ قُرْآنٌ يُتْلَى وَلَكِنِّي قَدْ رَجَوْتُ أَنْ يُرِيَ اللهُ رَسُولَهُ رُؤْيَا فِي الْمَنَامِ فَمَا تَفَرَّقَ أَهْلُ الْمَجْلِسِ حَتَّى أَخَذَتْ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ الْبُرَحَاءُ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تَأْخُذُهُ عِنْدَ الْوَحْيِ حَتَّى أَنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ فَاسْتَغْشَى ثَوْبَهُ قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَجَعَلْتُ أَنْظُرُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ فَأَخْشَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَا لَا مَرَدَّ لَهُ وَأَنْظُرُ إِلَى وَجْهِ عَائِشَةَ فَإِذَا هُوَ مُفِيقٌ فَيُطْعِمُنِي فِي ذَلِكَ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّمَا أَنْظُرُ هَهُنَا وَهَهُنَا فَنَزَعَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَنْهُ الثَّوْبَ وَهُوَ يَمْسَحُ جَبْهَتَهُ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ «أَبْشِرِي يَا عَائِشَ أَمَّا اللهُ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ» فَقُلْتُ بِحَمْدِ اللهِ وَذَمِّكُمْ فَقَالَتْ أُمِّي قَوْمِي فَقَبِّلِي رَأْسَ رَسُولِ اللهِ فَقُلْتُ لَا وَاللهِ لَا أَفْعَلُ وَلَا أَحْمَدُ إِلَّا اللهَ وَكَانَ مِمَّا يَبْغِي عَلَيْهِ أَنْ قَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا أَسْتَحِي مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِيَّةِ أَنْ تَقُولَ لِي مَا قَالَ  

(the wife of the Prophet) "Whenever Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to go on a journey, he would draw lots amongst his wives and would take with him the one upon whom the lot fell. During a Ghazwa of his, he drew lots amongst us and the lot fell upon me, and I proceeded with him after Allah had decreed the use of the veil by women. I was carried in a Howdah (on the camel) and dismounted while still in it. When Messenger of Allah ﷺ was through with his Ghazwa and returned home, and we approached the city of Medina, Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered us to proceed at night. When the order of setting off was given, I walked till I was past the army to answer the call of nature. After finishing I returned (to the camp) to depart (with the others) and suddenly realized that my necklace over my chest was missing. So, I returned to look for it and was delayed because of that. The people who used to carry me on the camel, came to my Howdah and put it on the back of the camel, thinking that I was in it, as, at that time, women were light in weight, and thin and lean, and did not use to eat much. So, those people did not feel the difference in the heaviness of the Howdah while lifting it, and they put it over the camel. At that time I was a young lady. They set the camel moving and proceeded on. I found my necklace after the army had gone, and came to their camp to find nobody. So, I went to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would discover my absence and come back in my search. While in that state, I felt sleepy and slept. Safwan bin Mu'attal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwani was behind the army and reached my abode in the morning. When he saw a sleeping person, he came to me, and he used to see me before veiling. So, I got up when I heard him saying, "Inna lil-lah-wa inn a ilaihi rajiun (We are for Allah, and we will return to Him)." He made his camel knell down. He got down from his camel, and put his leg on the front legs of the camel and then I rode and sat over it. Safwan set out walking, leading the camel by the rope till we reached the army who had halted to take rest at midday. Then whoever was meant for destruction, fell into destruction, (some people accused me falsely) and the leader of the false accusers was ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. After that we returned to Medina, and I became ill for one month while the people were spreading the forged statements of the false accusers. I was feeling during my ailment as if I were not receiving the usual kindness from the Prophet ﷺ which I used to receive from him when I got sick. But he would come, greet and say, 'How is that (girl)?' I did not know anything of what was going on till I recovered from my ailment and went out with Um Mistah to the Manasi where we used to answer the call of nature, and we used not to go to answer the call of nature except from night to night and that was before we had lavatories near to our houses. And this habit of ours was similar to the habit of the old 'Arabs in the open country (or away from houses). So. I and Um Mistah bint Ruhm went out walking. Um Mistah stumbled because of her long dress and on that she said, 'Let Mistah be ruined.' I said, 'You are saying a bad word. Why are you abusing a man who took part in (the battle of) Badr?' She said, 'O Hanata (you there) didn't you hear what they said?' Then she told me the rumors of the false accusers. My sickness was aggravated, and when I returned home, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me, and after greeting he said, 'How is that (girl)?' I requested him to allow me to go to my parents. I wanted then to be sure of the news through them I Messenger of Allah ﷺ allowed me, and I went to my parents and asked my mother, 'What are the people talking about?' She said, 'O my daughter! Don't worry much about this matter. By Allah, never is there a charming woman loved by her husband who has other wives, but the women would forge false news about her.' I said, 'Glorified be Allah! Are the people really taking of this matter?' That night I kept on weeping and could not sleep till morning. In the morning Messenger of Allah ﷺ called ʿAli bin Abu Talib and Usama bin Zaid when he saw the Divine Inspiration delayed, to consul them about divorcing his wife (i.e. ʿAisha). Usama bin Zaid said what he knew of the good reputation of his wives and added, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Keep you wife, for, by Allah, we know nothing about her but good.' ʿAli bin Abu Talib said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Allah has no imposed restrictions on you, and there are many women other than she, yet you may ask the woman-servant who will tell you the truth.' On that Messenger of Allah ﷺ called Barirah and said, 'O Barirah. Did you ever see anything which roused your suspicions about her?' Barirah said, 'No, by Allah Who has sent you with the Truth, I have never seen in her anything faulty except that she is a girl of immature age, who sometimes sleeps and leaves the dough for the goats to eat.' On that day Messenger of Allah ﷺ ascended the pulpit and requested that somebody support him in punishing ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. Allah's Apostle said, 'Who will support me to punish that person (ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul) who has hurt me by slandering the reputation of my family? By Allah, I know nothing about my family but good, and they have accused a person about whom I know nothing except good, and he never entered my house except in my company.' Saʿd bin Muʿadh got up and said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! by Allah, I will relieve you from him. If that man is from the tribe of the Aus, then we will chop his head off, and if he is from our brothers, the Khazraj, then order us, and we will fulfill your order.' On that Saʿd bin 'Ubada, the chief of the Khazraj and before this incident, he had been a pious man, got up, motivated by his zeal for his tribe and said, 'By Allah, you have told a lie; you cannot kill him, and you will never be able to kill him.' On that Usaid bin Al-Hadir got up and said (to Saʿd bin 'Ubada), 'By Allah! you are a liar. By Allah, we will kill him; and you are a hypocrite, defending the hypocrites.' On this the two tribes of Aus and Khazraj got excited and were about to fight each other, while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was standing on the pulpit. He got down and quieted them till they became silent and he kept quiet. On that day I kept on weeping so much so that neither did my tears stop, nor could I sleep. In the morning my parents were with me and I had wept for two nights and a day, till I thought my liver would burst from weeping. While they were sitting with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked my permission to enter, and I allowed her to come in. She sat down and started weeping with me. While we were in this state, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and sat down and he had never sat with me since the day they forged the accusation. No revelation regarding my case came to him for a month. He recited Tashah-hud (i.e. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is His Apostle) and then said, 'O ʿAisha! I have been informed such-and-such about you; if you are innocent, then Allah will soon reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him to forgive you, for when a person confesses his sin and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.' When Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished his speech my tears ceased completely and there remained not even a single drop of it. I requested my father to reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf. My father said, By Allah, I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' I said to my mother, 'Talk to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf.' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah's Apostle. I was a young girl and did not have much knowledge of the Qur'an. I said. 'I know, by Allah, that you have listened to what people are saying and that has been planted in your minds and you have taken it as a truth. Now, if I told you that I am innocent and Allah knows that I am innocent, you would not believe me and if I confessed to you falsely that I am guilty, and Allah knows that I am innocent you would believe me. By Allah, I don't compare my situation with you except to the situation of Joseph's father (i.e. Jacob) who said, 'So (for me) patience is most fitting against that which you assert and it is Allah (Alone) whose help can be sought.' Then I turned to the other side of my bed hoping that Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah I never thought that Allah would reveal Divine Inspiration in my case, as I considered myself too inferior to be talked of in the Holy Qur'an. I had hoped that Messenger of Allah ﷺ might have a dream in which Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah, Allah's Apostle had not got up and nobody had left the house before the Divine Inspiration came to Allah's Apostle. So, there overtook him the same state which used to overtake him, (when he used to have, on being inspired divinely). He was sweating so much so that the drops of the sweat were dropping like pearls though it was a (cold) wintry day. When that state of Messenger of Allah ﷺ was over, he was smiling and the first word he said, ʿAisha! Thank Allah, for Allah has declared your innocence.' My mother told me to go to Messenger of Allah ﷺ . I replied, 'By Allah I will not go to him and will not thank but Allah.' So Allah revealed: "Verily! They who spread the slander are a gang among you . . ." (24.11) When Allah gave the declaration of my Innocence, Abu Bakr, who used to provide for Mistah bin Uthatha for he was his relative, said, 'By Allah, I will never provide Mistah with anything because of what he said about Aisha.' But Allah later revealed: -- "And let not those who are good and wealthy among you swear not to help their kinsmen, those in need and those who left their homes in Allah's Cause. Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? Verily! Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." (24.22) After that Abu Bakr said, 'Yes ! By Allah! I like that Allah should forgive me,' and resumed helping Mistah whom he used to help before. Messenger of Allah ﷺ also asked Zainab bint Jahsh (i.e. the Prophet's wife about me saying, 'What do you know and what did you see?' She replied, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I refrain to claim hearing or seeing what I have not heard or seen. By Allah, I know nothing except goodness about Aisha." Aisha further added "Zainab was competing with me (in her beauty and the Prophet's love), yet Allah protected her (from being malicious), for she had piety." (Using translation from Bukhārī 2661)  

حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الْإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا فَبَرَّأَهَا اللهُ وَكُلٌّ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنَ الْحَدِيثِ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي عَنْ عَائِشَةَ وَبَعْضُ حَدِيثِهِمْ يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضًا وَإِنْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْعَى لِحَدِيثِهَا مِنْ بَعْضٍ فَذَكَرُوا أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ إِلَى سَفَرٍ أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ أَزْوَاجِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا مَعَهُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ فِيهَا سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ بَعْدَمَا أُنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ فَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي وَأُنْزَلُ فِيهِ فَسِرْنَا حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ وَقَفَلَ وَدَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ آذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ فَقُمْتُ حِينَ آذَنَ بِالرَّحِيلِ فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي وَأَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى رَحْلِي فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ لِي مِنْ جَزْعِ أَظْفَارٍ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ فِي الْتِمَاسِ عِقْدِي فَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يُرَحِّلُونَنِي فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ وَكُنَّا إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يُهَبِّلْنَا اللَّحْمُ إِنَّمَا تَأْكُلُ إِحْدَانَا الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ خِفَّةَ الْهَوْدَجِ حِينَ رَفَعُوهُ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ وَسَارُوا وَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَمَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنْزِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ بِهِ دَاعٍ وَلَا مُجِيبٌ فَتَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ فِيهِ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونِي وَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَيَّ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَدْلَجَ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ فَعَرَفَنِي حِينَ رَآنِي وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ الْحِجَابِ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ عَرَفَنِي فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي فَوَاللهِ مَا كَلَّمَنِي كَلَامًا وَلَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ عَلَى يَدِهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِيَ الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَى الْجَيْشَ بَعْدَمَا نَزَلُوا مُوغِرِينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَ الْإِثْمِ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيٍّ ابن سلول ففَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ حِينَ قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَهُوَ يَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لَمْ أَعْرِفْ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ حِينَ أَشْتَكِي إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَيَّ فَيَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُ فَذَلِكَ يَرِيبُنِي وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِالشَّرِّ حَتَّى خَرَجْنَا بَعْدَمَا نَقَهْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قَبِلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ وَهُوَ مُتَبَرَّزُنَا وَكُنَّا لَا نَخْرُجُ إِلَّا لَيْلًا إِلَى لَيْلٍ وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُتَّخَذَ الْكُنُفُ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الْأُوَلِ فِي التَّبَرُّزِ قِبَلَ الْغَائِطِ وَكُنَّا نَتَأَذَّى فِي الْكُنُفِ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَهَا عِنْدَ بُيُوتِنَا فَانْطَلَقْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ بَيْتِي حِينَ فَرَغْنَا مِنْ شَأْنِنَا فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسُ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلًا قَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا؟ قَالَتْ أَيْ هَنْتَاهُ أَوَ لَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ وَمَا قَالَ؟ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا عَلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي وَدَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» قُلْتُ أَتَأْذَنُ لِي إِلَى أَبَوَيَّ؟ قَالَتْ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا فَأَذِنَ لِي فَجِئْتُ أُمِّي وَأَبِي فَقُلْتُ يَا أُمَّتَاهُ مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ؟ قَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكِ فَوَاللهِ لَقَلَّمَا رَأَيْتُ امْرَأَةً وَضِيئَةً عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا لَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا أَكْثَرْنَ عَلَيْهَا فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَلَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِذَلِكَ؟ قَالَتْ فَبَكَيْتُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ قَالَتْ ثُمَّ أَصْبَحْتُ أَبْكِي وَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْيُ يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ بِالَّذِيِ يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَالَّذِي فِي نَفْسِهِ لَهُمْ مِنَ الْوُدِّ فَقَالَ أُسَامَةُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَهْلُكَ وَلَا نَعْلَمُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَإِنْ تَسْأَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ لَهَا «يَا بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ يَرِيبُكِ؟» قَالَتْ بَرِيرَةُ لَا وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ إِنْ رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا قَطُّ أَمْرًا أَغْمِصُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا فَتَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُهُ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أُبَيٍّ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ «يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذُرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِي فَوَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِي إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلًا مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا مَعِي» فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَنَا أَعْذُرُكَ مِنْهُ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْتُ عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا أَمْرَكَ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَهُوَ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ وَكَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنْ أَخَذْتُهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَا تَقْتُلُهُ وَلَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَيَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ قَالَتْ فَثَارَ الْحَيَّانِ الْأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا أَنْ يَقْتَتِلُوا وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَائِمٌ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ قَالَتْ وَمَكَثْتُ يَوْمِي ذَلِكَ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ وَأَبَوَاي عِنْدِي وَقَدْ مَكَثْتُ لَيْلَتَيْنِ وَيَوْمًا لَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ وَلَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ أَظُنُّ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي فَبَيْنَمَا هُمَا جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي اسْتَأْذَنَتْ عَلَيَّ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَعَلَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي فَبَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَجَلَسَ قَالَتْ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ مَا قِيلَ قَبْلَهَا وَلَقَدْ لَبِثَ شَهْرًا لَا يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فِي شَأْنِي قَالَتْ فَتَشَهَّدَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ حِينَ جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَإِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِي عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللهُ وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللهَ ثُمَّ تُوبِي إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِذَنْبٍ ثُمَّ تَابَ إِلَى اللهِ تَابَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ» قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا قَضَى مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي أَجِبْ رَسُولَ اللهِ فِيمَا قَالَ قَالَ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي أَجِيبِي رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لَا أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ إِنَّكُمْ وَاللهِ لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ فَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَا تُصَدِّقُونَنِي بِذَلِكَ وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفَتُ بِأَمْرٍ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُنَّنِي وَاللهِ مَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا إِلَّا أَبَا يُوسُفَ قَالَ {فَصَبَرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ وَاضْطَجَعْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي قَالَتْ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَأَنَّ اللهَ مُبَرِّئِي بِبَرَاءَتِي وَلَكِنْ وَاللهِ مَا كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ أَنَّ اللهَ ﷻ يُنْزِلُ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيًا يُتْلَى لَشَأْنِي فِي نَفْسِي كَانَ أَحْقَرَ مِنْ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ اللهُ فِيَّ بِأَمْرٍ يُتْلَى وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يُرِيَ اللهُ رَسُولَهُ فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي بِهَا قَالَتْ فَوَاللهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ مَجْلِسِهِ وَلَا خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ حَتَّى أَنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الشَّاتِي مِنْ ثِقَلِ الْقُرْآنِ الَّذِي يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِ فَلَمَّا سُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ سُرِّيَ عَنْهُ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ وَكَانَ أَوَّلَ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا أَنْ قَالَ «يَا عَائِشَةُ أَمَّا اللهُ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ» فَقَالَتْ أُمِّي قَوْمِي إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَا أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلَا أَحْمَدُ إِلَّا اللهَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ} الْعَشْرَ الْآيَاتِ كُلَّهَا فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ هَذَا فِي بَرَاءَتِي قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ لِقَرَابَتِهِ مِنْهُ وَفَقْرِهِ لَا أُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا لِلَّذِي قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ} الْآيَةَ قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى وَاللهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ بِالنَّفَقَةِ الَّتِي كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ وَاللهِ لَا أَنْزِعُهَا مِنْهُ أَبَدًا فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ سَأَلَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ عَنْ أَمْرِي فَقَالَ «يَا زَيْنَبُ مَاذَا عَلِمْتِ أَوْ رَأَيْتِ؟» قَالَتْ زَيْنَبُ أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَهِيَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَعَصَمَهَا اللهُ بِالْوَرَعِ وَطَفِقَتْ أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ تُحَارِبُ لَهَا فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْإِفْكِ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ فَهَذَا مَا انْتَهَى إِلَيْنَا مِنْ حَدِيثِ هَؤُلَاءِ الرَّهْطِ  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا خَرَجَ إِلَى سَفَرٍ أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ نِسَائِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا مَعَهُ قَالَتْ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَذَلِكَ بَعْدَمَا أُنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ فَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجٍ وَأُنْزَلُ فِيهِ حَتَّى إِذَا قَفَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَدَنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ آذَنَ بِالرَّحِيلِ فَقُمْتُ حِينَ أَذِنَ بِالرَّحِيلِ فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ لِقَضَاءِ حَاجَتِي فَلَمَسْتُ صَدْرِي فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ لِي مِنْ أَظْفَارٍ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ أَلْتَمِسُهُ وَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَحْمِلُونَ هَوْدَجِي فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ وَكُنَّ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يَهْتَبِلْنَ وَإِنَّمَا كُنَّ نَأْكُلُ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ ثِقَلَ الْهَوْدَجِ حِينَ رَحَّلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي فَسَارُوا فَجِئْتُ الْمَنْزِلَ وَلَيْسَ بِهِ مِنْهُمْ دَاعٍ وَلَا مُجِيبٌ فَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ فِيهِ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَرْجِعُونَ فِي طَلَبِي قَالَتْ فَبَيْنَمَا أَنَا قَاعِدَةٌ إِذْ غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَدْلَجَ فَأَصْبَحَ فِي الْمَنْزِلِ فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ فَعَرَفَنِي وَقَدْ كَانَ رَآنِي قَبْلَ أَنْ يُنَزَّلَ الْحِجَابُ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ فَخَمَّرْتُ بِجِلْبَابِي وَجْهِي وَاللهِ مَا كَلَّمْتُهُ وَلَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حَتَّى أَنَاخَ بَعِيرَهُ فَرَكِبْتُهُ فَأَتَيْنَا النَّاسَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَهُ مِنْهُمْ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولٍ قَالَتْ فَسِرْنَا حَتَّى قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ شَهْرًا لَا أَشْعُرُ بِمَا قَالُوا وَهُوَ يَرِيبُنِي مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ أَنِّي لَا أَعْرِفُ مِنْهُ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَيَّ فَيَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» وَلَا يَزِيدُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ حَتَّى خَرَجْتُ قِبَلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ وَخَرَجَتْ مَعِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ وَكُنَّا لَا نَخْرُجُ إِلَّا لَيْلًا إِلَى لَيْلٍ وَكُنَّا نَتَأَذَّى بِالْكُنُفِ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَهَا قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الْأُوَلِ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفْنَا عَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا أَوْ بِمِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلًا شَهِدَ بَدْرًا؟ قَالَتْ فَمَا عَلِمْتِ مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ وَمَا قَالَ؟ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ فَزَادَنِي مَرَضًا عَلَى مَا كَانَ بِي قَالَتْ وَكَانَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ بِنْتُ صَخْرِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ خَالَةَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ وَكَانَ ابْنُهَا مِسْطَحُ بْنُ أُثَاثَةَ بْنِ عَبَّادِ بْنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ بْنِ عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَبَكَيْتُ لَيْلَتَيْنِ وَيَوْمًا حَتَّى ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا اسْتَلْبَثَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ الْوَحْيَ دَعَا أُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ وَعَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ فَقَالَ أُسَامَةُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَهْلُكَ وَمَا عَلِمْنَا إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَقَالَ عَلِيٌّ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ كَثِيرٌ سِوَاهَا وَإِنْ تَسْأَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ «يَا بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْ عَائِشَةَ شَيْئًا تَكْرَهِينَهُ؟» قَالَتْ لَا وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا رَأَيْتُ مِنْهَا أَمْرًا أَغْمِصُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا فَتَدْخُلُ الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُهُ قَالَتْ وَقَدْ كَانَتِ امْرَأَةُ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ قَالَتْ لِأَبِي أَيُّوبَ أَمَا سَمِعْتَ مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ بِهِ فَحَدَّثَتْهُ بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَكَ مَا يَكُونُ لَنَا أَنْ نَتَكَلَّمَ بِهَذَا سُبْحَانَكَ هَذَا بُهْتَانٌ عَظِيمٌ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ «يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذُرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِي وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهَا إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلًا صَالِحًا مَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا مَعِي» فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ أَنَا أَعْذُرُكَ مِنْهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْنَا عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا فِيهِ أَمْرَكَ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَكَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنِ احْتَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ وَلَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَيَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فَتَثَاوَرَ الْحَيَّانِ حَتَّى هَمُّوا أَنْ يَقْتَتِلُوا فَلَمْ يَزَلْ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ حَتَّى حَجَزَ بَيْنَهُمْ قَالَتْ فَدَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَلَيَّ وَعِنْدِي أَبَوَايَ وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ دَخَلَتْ عَلَيَّ فَهِيَ تُسَاعِدُنِي قَالَتْ فَجَلَسَ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ لِي مَا قِيلَ فَقَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللهُ وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِشَيْءٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللهَ وَتُوبِي إِلَيْهِ» قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي أَجِبْ رَسُولَ اللهِ فِيمَا قَالَ فَقَالَ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي أَجِيبِي رَسُولَ اللهِ فِيمَا قَالَ قَالَتْ فَقَالَتْ أُمِّي وَمَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ قَالَتْ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ لَمْ أَكُنْ أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَئِنِ اعْتَرَفَتُ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُونَنِي وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَا تُصَدِّقُونَنِي وَاللهِ لَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا إِلَّا مَا قَالَ أَبُو يُوسُفَ {فَصَبَرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} قُلْتُ ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَلَشَأْنِي كَانَ أَصْغَرَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ أَنْ يُنَزَّلَ فِيَّ قُرْآنٌ قَالَتْ وَلَكِنِّي كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يُرِيَ اللهُ رَسُولَهُ فِي مَنَامِهِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي فِيهَا قَالَتْ فَوَاللهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ مَجْلِسَهُ وَلَا خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى أَخَذَتْهُ الْبُرَحَاءُ قَالَتْ وَكَانَ إِذَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْهِ أَخَذَتْهُ الْبُرَحَاءُ حَتَّى أَنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الشَّاتِي قَالَتْ فَسُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ حِينَ سُرِّيَ عَنْهُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلُ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا قَالَ «أَمَّا اللهُ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ يَا عَائِشَةُ» فَقَالَتْ لِي أُمِّي قُومِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَا أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلَا أَحْمَدُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ إِلَّا اللهَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ} إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {وَاللهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ} وَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ لِفَاقَتِهِ وَقَرَابَتِهِ فَلَمَّا تَكَلَّمَ بِمَا تَكَلَّمَ بِهِ قَالَ وَاللهِ لَا أُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ} إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لَكُمْ} فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ مِثْلَمَا كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَأَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ قَالَتْ وَكَانَتْ هِيَ الَّتِي تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَسَأَلَهَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَنِّي فَعَصَمَهَا اللهُ بِالْوَرَعِ فَقَالَتْ أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي مَا رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا شَيْئًا يَرِيبُنِي وَكَانَتْ أُخْتُ زَيْنَبَ حَمْنَةُ تُحَارِبُنِي فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ  

فِيمَا قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الْإِفْكِ فَبَرَّأَهَا اللهُ مِمَا قَالُوا قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ فَكُلُّهُمْ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنْ حَدِيثِهَا وَبَعْضُهُمْ كَانَ أَوْعَى لِحَدِيثِهَا مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَأَثْبَتَ لَهُ اقْتِصَاصًا وَقَدْ وَعَيْتُ عَنْ كُلِّ رَجُلٍ مِنْهُمُ الْحَدِيثَ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي عَنْهَا وَبَعْضُ حَدِيثِهِمْ يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضَهَا وَإِنْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْعَى لَهُ مِنْ بَعْضٍ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ إِلَى سَفَرٍ أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ أَزْوَاجِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مَعَهُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ بَعْدَمَا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ الْحِجَابَ فَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي وَأُنْزَلُ مَعَهُ حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ وَدَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ أَرَدْنَا الرَّحِيلَ فَخَرَجْتُ حِينَ آذَنُونَا بِالرَّحِيلِ فَتَبَرَّزْتُ لِحَاجَتِي حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي رَجَعْتُ إِلَى أَهْلِي فَلَمَسْتُ صَدْرِي فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ عَلَيَّ مِنْ جَزْعِ أَظْفَارٍ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَخَرَجْتُ فِي الْتِمَاسِهِ فَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ يَرْحَلُونَ بِي فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ وَكَانَ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ لَمْ يُهَبِّلْهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ إِنَّمَا تَأْكُلُ إِحْدَانَا الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ خِفَّةَ الْهَوْدَجِ حِينَ رَفَعُوهُ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ فَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَمَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ فَلَيْسَ بِهَا مِنْهُمْ دَاعٍ وَلَا مُجِيبٌ فَتَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ فِيهِ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَيَّ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا كَذَلِكَ فِي مَنْزِلِي إِذْ غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَدْلَجَ وَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ فَعَرَفَنِي حِينَ رَآنِي وَكَانَ رَآنِي قَبْلَ الْحِجَابِ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي وَاللهِ مَا كَلَّمَنِي كَلِمَةً وَلَا سَمِعْتُ شَيْئًا مِنْ كَلَامِهِ غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ وَوَطِئَ عَلَى يَدِهَا ثُمَّ رَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِيَ الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ بَعْدَمَا نَزَلُوا مُوغِرِينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ وَقَدْ هَلَكَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ مَنْ هَلَكَ وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَهُ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيِّ بْنِ سَلُولٍ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ حِينَ قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَهُوَ يَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لَا أَعْرِفُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَاهُ مِنْهُ حِينَ أَشْتَكِي إِنَّمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ فَيَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُ فَذَلِكَ الَّذِي يَرِيبُنِي مِنْهُ وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ حَتَّى خَرَجْتُ بَعْدَمَا نَقَهْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ وَهِيَ بِنْتُ أَبِي رُهْمِ بْنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ وَأُمُّهَا بِنْتُ صَخْرِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ خَالَةُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ وَابْنُهَا مِسْطَحُ بْنُ أُثَاثَةَ فَأَقْبَلْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ حِينَ فَرَغْنَا مِنْ شَأْنِنَا فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ تَسُبِّينَ رَجُلًا قَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا؟ قَالَتْ أَوَلَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ وَمَاذَا قَالَ؟ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا عَلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» قُلْتُ تَأْذَنُ لِي فَآتِي أَبَوَايَ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا قَالَتْ فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَأَتَيْتُ أَبَوَيَّ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي مَاذَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ بِهِ؟ قَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكِ قَلَّ مَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ وَضِيئَةً عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا وَلَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا أَكْثَرْنَ عَلَيْهَا قُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا؟ فَمَكَثْتُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ ثُمَّ أَصْبَحْتُ أَبْكِي فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَلِيًّا وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْيُ يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ بِمَا يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَبِالْوُدِّ الَّذِي لَهُمْ فِي نَفْسِهِ فَقَالَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَهْلُكَ وَمَا نَعْلَمُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا عَلِيٌّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ النِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَإِنْ تَسْأَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ «يَا بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ شَيْئًا يَرِيبُكِ؟» قَالَتْ لَا وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ إِنْ رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا شَيْئًا أَغْمِصُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا فَتَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُهُ فَصَعِدَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ الْمِنْبَرَ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ فَقَالَ «مَنْ يَعْذُرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِي فَوَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلًا مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا مَعِي» فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَنَا أَعْذُرُكَ مِنْهُ إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَنِنَا مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْتُ عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا بِأَمْرِكَ فِيهِ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَهُوَ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَا تَقْتُلُهُ وَلَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ وَقَدْ كَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنِ اسْتَجْهَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَيَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَتَثَاوَرَ الْحَيَّانِ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ وَالْخَزْرَجِ حَتَّى هَمُّوا أَنْ يَقْتَتِلُوا وَالنَّبِيُّ ﷺ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ يُسْكِتُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا فَمَكَثْتُ يَوْمِي ذَاكَ أَبْكِي لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ وَأَصْبَحَ أَبَوَايَ عِنْدِي يَظُنَّانِ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي فَبَيْنَمَا هُمَا جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي إِذِ اسْتَأْذَنَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ عَلَيَّ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَلَسَتْ مَعِي فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَجَلَسَ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ مُنْذُ قِيلَ مَا قِيلَ وَقَدْ لَبِثَ شَهْرًا لَا يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ بِشَيْءٍ فَتَشَهَّدَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ حِينَ جَلَسَ فَقَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَإِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِي كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللهُ وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللهَ ثُمَّ تُوبِي إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا أَذْنَبَ ثُمَّ تَابَ تَابَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ» فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي أَجِبْ رَسُولَ اللهِ فَقَالَ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي أَجِيبِي رَسُولَ اللهِ فَقَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ وَأَنَا امْرَأَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لَمْ أَقْرَأْ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي وَاللهِ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ فَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَا تُصَدِّقُونَنِي وَمَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا إِلَّا أَبَا يُوسُفَ {فَصَبَرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ فَاضْطَجَعْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي وَمَا كُنْتُ أَرَى أَنَّ اللهَ يُنْزِلُ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيًا وَلَشَأْنِي كَانَ أَحْقَرُ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ اللهُ فِيَّ بِأَمْرٍ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يُرِيَ اللهُ نَبِيَّهُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ رُؤْيَا فِي النَّوْمِ يُبَرِّئُنِي اللهُ بِهَا فَوَاللهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ مِنْ مَجْلِسِهِ وَلَا خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى أَخَذَ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ وَهُوَ الْعَرَقُ حِينَ يَنْزِلُ عَلَيْهِ الْوَحْيُ وَكَانَ إِذَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْهِ أَخَذَهُ الْبُرَحَاءُ حَتَّى أَنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الشَّاتِي مِنْ ثِقَلِ الْقُرْآنِ الَّذِي يُنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَتْ فَسُرِّيَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلُ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا «أَمَّا أَنْتِ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ اللهُ» فَقُلْتُ بِحَمْدِ اللهِ لَا بِحَمْدِكُمْ قَالَتْ أُمِّي قَوْمِي إِلَيْهِ قُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَا أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلَا أَحْمَدُ إِلَّا اللهَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ} إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَاتِ الْعَشْرِ كُلِّهَا فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ هَذَا فِي بَرَاءَتِي قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ لِقَرَابَتِهِ وَفَقْرِهِ وَاللهِ لَا أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا بَعْدَ الَّذِي قَالَ فِي عَائِشَةَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ} الْآيَةَ كُلَّهَا فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَاللهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ النَّفَقَةَ الَّتِي يُنْفِقُ وَقَالَ لَا أَنْزِعُهَا عَنْكَ أَبَدًا وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ سَأَلَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ عَنْ أَمْرِي فَقَالَتْ مَا رَأَيْتُ وَلَا عَلِمْتُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَهِيَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَعَصَمَهَا اللهُ بِالْوَرَعِ وَطَفِقَتْ أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ بِنْتُ جَحْشٍ تُحَارِبُ فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ فَهَذَا مَا انْتَهَى إِلَيْنَا مِنْ خَبَرِ هَؤُلَاءِ الرَّهْطِ مِنْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ  

(the wife of the Prophet) "Whenever Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to go on a journey, he would draw lots amongst his wives and would take with him the one upon whom the lot fell. During a Ghazwa of his, he drew lots amongst us and the lot fell upon me, and I proceeded with him after Allah had decreed the use of the veil by women. I was carried in a Howdah (on the camel) and dismounted while still in it. When Messenger of Allah ﷺ was through with his Ghazwa and returned home, and we approached the city of Medina, Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered us to proceed at night. When the order of setting off was given, I walked till I was past the army to answer the call of nature. After finishing I returned (to the camp) to depart (with the others) and suddenly realized that my necklace over my chest was missing. So, I returned to look for it and was delayed because of that. The people who used to carry me on the camel, came to my Howdah and put it on the back of the camel, thinking that I was in it, as, at that time, women were light in weight, and thin and lean, and did not use to eat much. So, those people did not feel the difference in the heaviness of the Howdah while lifting it, and they put it over the camel. At that time I was a young lady. They set the camel moving and proceeded on. I found my necklace after the army had gone, and came to their camp to find nobody. So, I went to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would discover my absence and come back in my search. While in that state, I felt sleepy and slept. Safwan bin Mu'attal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwani was behind the army and reached my abode in the morning. When he saw a sleeping person, he came to me, and he used to see me before veiling. So, I got up when I heard him saying, "Inna lil-lah-wa inn a ilaihi rajiun (We are for Allah, and we will return to Him)." He made his camel knell down. He got down from his camel, and put his leg on the front legs of the camel and then I rode and sat over it. Safwan set out walking, leading the camel by the rope till we reached the army who had halted to take rest at midday. Then whoever was meant for destruction, fell into destruction, (some people accused me falsely) and the leader of the false accusers was ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. After that we returned to Medina, and I became ill for one month while the people were spreading the forged statements of the false accusers. I was feeling during my ailment as if I were not receiving the usual kindness from the Prophet ﷺ which I used to receive from him when I got sick. But he would come, greet and say, 'How is that (girl)?' I did not know anything of what was going on till I recovered from my ailment and went out with Um Mistah to the Manasi where we used to answer the call of nature, and we used not to go to answer the call of nature except from night to night and that was before we had lavatories near to our houses. And this habit of ours was similar to the habit of the old 'Arabs in the open country (or away from houses). So. I and Um Mistah bint Ruhm went out walking. Um Mistah stumbled because of her long dress and on that she said, 'Let Mistah be ruined.' I said, 'You are saying a bad word. Why are you abusing a man who took part in (the battle of) Badr?' She said, 'O Hanata (you there) didn't you hear what they said?' Then she told me the rumors of the false accusers. My sickness was aggravated, and when I returned home, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me, and after greeting he said, 'How is that (girl)?' I requested him to allow me to go to my parents. I wanted then to be sure of the news through them I Messenger of Allah ﷺ allowed me, and I went to my parents and asked my mother, 'What are the people talking about?' She said, 'O my daughter! Don't worry much about this matter. By Allah, never is there a charming woman loved by her husband who has other wives, but the women would forge false news about her.' I said, 'Glorified be Allah! Are the people really taking of this matter?' That night I kept on weeping and could not sleep till morning. In the morning Messenger of Allah ﷺ called ʿAli bin Abu Talib and Usama bin Zaid when he saw the Divine Inspiration delayed, to consul them about divorcing his wife (i.e. ʿAisha). Usama bin Zaid said what he knew of the good reputation of his wives and added, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Keep you wife, for, by Allah, we know nothing about her but good.' ʿAli bin Abu Talib said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Allah has no imposed restrictions on you, and there are many women other than she, yet you may ask the woman-servant who will tell you the truth.' On that Messenger of Allah ﷺ called Barirah and said, 'O Barirah. Did you ever see anything which roused your suspicions about her?' Barirah said, 'No, by Allah Who has sent you with the Truth, I have never seen in her anything faulty except that she is a girl of immature age, who sometimes sleeps and leaves the dough for the goats to eat.' On that day Messenger of Allah ﷺ ascended the pulpit and requested that somebody support him in punishing ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. Allah's Apostle said, 'Who will support me to punish that person (ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul) who has hurt me by slandering the reputation of my family? By Allah, I know nothing about my family but good, and they have accused a person about whom I know nothing except good, and he never entered my house except in my company.' Saʿd bin Muʿadh got up and said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! by Allah, I will relieve you from him. If that man is from the tribe of the Aus, then we will chop his head off, and if he is from our brothers, the Khazraj, then order us, and we will fulfill your order.' On that Saʿd bin 'Ubada, the chief of the Khazraj and before this incident, he had been a pious man, got up, motivated by his zeal for his tribe and said, 'By Allah, you have told a lie; you cannot kill him, and you will never be able to kill him.' On that Usaid bin Al-Hadir got up and said (to Saʿd bin 'Ubada), 'By Allah! you are a liar. By Allah, we will kill him; and you are a hypocrite, defending the hypocrites.' On this the two tribes of Aus and Khazraj got excited and were about to fight each other, while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was standing on the pulpit. He got down and quieted them till they became silent and he kept quiet. On that day I kept on weeping so much so that neither did my tears stop, nor could I sleep. In the morning my parents were with me and I had wept for two nights and a day, till I thought my liver would burst from weeping. While they were sitting with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked my permission to enter, and I allowed her to come in. She sat down and started weeping with me. While we were in this state, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and sat down and he had never sat with me since the day they forged the accusation. No revelation regarding my case came to him for a month. He recited Tashah-hud (i.e. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is His Apostle) and then said, 'O ʿAisha! I have been informed such-and-such about you; if you are innocent, then Allah will soon reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him to forgive you, for when a person confesses his sin and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.' When Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished his speech my tears ceased completely and there remained not even a single drop of it. I requested my father to reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf. My father said, By Allah, I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' I said to my mother, 'Talk to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf.' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah's Apostle. I was a young girl and did not have much knowledge of the Qur'an. I said. 'I know, by Allah, that you have listened to what people are saying and that has been planted in your minds and you have taken it as a truth. Now, if I told you that I am innocent and Allah knows that I am innocent, you would not believe me and if I confessed to you falsely that I am guilty, and Allah knows that I am innocent you would believe me. By Allah, I don't compare my situation with you except to the situation of Joseph's father (i.e. Jacob) who said, 'So (for me) patience is most fitting against that which you assert and it is Allah (Alone) whose help can be sought.' Then I turned to the other side of my bed hoping that Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah I never thought that Allah would reveal Divine Inspiration in my case, as I considered myself too inferior to be talked of in the Holy Qur'an. I had hoped that Messenger of Allah ﷺ might have a dream in which Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah, Allah's Apostle had not got up and nobody had left the house before the Divine Inspiration came to Allah's Apostle. So, there overtook him the same state which used to overtake him, (when he used to have, on being inspired divinely). He was sweating so much so that the drops of the sweat were dropping like pearls though it was a (cold) wintry day. When that state of Messenger of Allah ﷺ was over, he was smiling and the first word he said, ʿAisha! Thank Allah, for Allah has declared your innocence.' My mother told me to go to Messenger of Allah ﷺ . I replied, 'By Allah I will not go to him and will not thank but Allah.' So Allah revealed: "Verily! They who spread the slander are a gang among you . . ." (24.11) When Allah gave the declaration of my Innocence, Abu Bakr, who used to provide for Mistah bin Uthatha for he was his relative, said, 'By Allah, I will never provide Mistah with anything because of what he said about Aisha.' But Allah later revealed: -- "And let not those who are good and wealthy among you swear not to help their kinsmen, those in need and those who left their homes in Allah's Cause. Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? Verily! Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." (24.22) After that Abu Bakr said, 'Yes ! By Allah! I like that Allah should forgive me,' and resumed helping Mistah whom he used to help before. Messenger of Allah ﷺ also asked Zainab bint Jahsh (i.e. the Prophet's wife about me saying, 'What do you know and what did you see?' She replied, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I refrain to claim hearing or seeing what I have not heard or seen. By Allah, I know nothing except goodness about Aisha." Aisha further added "Zainab was competing with me (in her beauty and the Prophet's love), yet Allah protected her (from being malicious), for she had piety." (Using translation from Bukhārī 2661)  

حَيْثُ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الْإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا فَبَرَّأَهَا اللهُ كُلُّهُمْ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنْ حَدِيثِهَا وَبَعْضُهُمْ كَانَ أَوْعَى لِحَدِيثِهَا مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَأَثْبَتَ اقْتِصَاصًا وَقَدْ وَعَيْتُ عَنْ كُلِّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمُ الْحَدِيثَ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ سَفَرًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ أَزْوَاجِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا مَعَهُ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزَاةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَهُ بَعْدَمَا أُنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ فَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي وَأُنْزَلُ فِيهِ حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ وَقَفَلَ دَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ آذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ فَقُمْتُ حِينَ آذَنُوا بِالرَّحِيلِ فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي أَقْبَلَتُ إِلَى الرَّحْلِ فَالْتَمَسْتُ صَدْرِي فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ لِي مِنْ جَزْعِ أَظْفَارٍ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ أَلْتَمِسُ عِقْدِي فَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ فَأَقْبَلَ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَرْحَلُونَ بِي فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أرْكَبْهُ وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنَّنِي فِيهِ وَكَانَ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يَثْقُلْنَ وَلَمْ يُهَبِّلْهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلْنَ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ حِينَ رَفَعُوهُ ثِقَلَ الْهَوْدَجِ فَاحْتَمَلُوهُ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ وَسَارُوا فَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَمَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنْزِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ فِيهِ أَحَدٌ فَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ فِيهِ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَيَّ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ قَدْ عَرَّسَ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَدْلَجَ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ فَأَتَانِي وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ الْحِجَابِ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ فَوَاللهِ مَا كَلَّمَنِي كَلِمَةً وَلَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ عَلَى يَدِهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِيَ الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ بَعْدَمَا نَزَلُوا مُعَرِّسِينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَ الْإِفْكِ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولٍ فَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ بِهَا شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَصْحَابِ الْإِفْكِ وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَيَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لَا أَعْرِفُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَاهُ حِينَ أَمْرَضُ إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ فَيُسَلِّمُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» فَذَلِكَ يَرِيبُنِي وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ حَتَّى نَقَهْتُ فَخَرَجْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ فَتَبَرَّزْنَا لَا نَخْرُجُ إِلَّا مِنْ لَيْلٍ إِلَى لَيْلٍ وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُتَّخَذَ الْكُنُفُ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الْأُوَلِ فِي التَّبَرُّزِ فَأَقْبَلْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ بِنْتُ أَبِي رُهْمٍ لَمَّا قَضَيْنَا شَأْنِنَا نَمْشِي فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلًا شَهِدَ بَدْرًا؟ فَقَالَتْ يَا هَنْتَاهُ أَلَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ وَمَا قَالَ؟ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا عَلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ فَقَالَ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» فَقُلْتُ ائْذَنْ لِي أَنْ آتِيَ أَبَوَيَّ قَالَتْ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ فَأَتَيْتُ أَبَوَيَّ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ بِهِ النَّاسُ؟ قَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكِ الشَّأْنَ فَوَاللهِ لَقَلَّ مَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَة قَطُّ وَضِيئَةً عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا وَلَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا أَكْثَرْنَ عَلَيْهَا فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَقَدْ يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا؟ قَالَتْ فَبِتُّ لَيْلَتِي تِلْكَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْيُ يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ قَالَتْ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ عَلَيْهِ بِالَّذِيِ يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَبِالَّذِيِ يَعْلَمُ فِي نَفْسِهِ مِنَ الْوُدِّ لَهُمْ فَقَالَ أُسَامَةُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَهْلُكَ وَلَا نَعْلَمُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا عَلِيٌّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَسَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ لَهَا «هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْ عَائِشَةَ شَيْئًا يَرِيبُكِ؟» قَالَتْ بَرِيرَةُ لَا وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا رَأَيْتُ مِنْهَا أَمْرًا أَغْمِصُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنِ الْعَجِينِ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَ الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلَهُ قَالَتْ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ يَوْمِهِ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ «مَنْ يَعْذُرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِي قَالَهُ ثَلَاثًا فَوَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلًا مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا مَعِي» فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ أَنَا وَاللهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَعْذُرُكَ مِنْهُ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْنَا عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا بِهِ أَمْرَكَ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَكَانَ سَيِّدَ الْخَزْرَجِ وَكَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنِ احْتَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ قَالَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَا تَقْتُلُهُ وَلَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرِ بْنِ سِمَاكٍ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَيَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فَثَارَ الْحَيَّانِ الْأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ وَرَسُولُ اللهِ قَائِمٌ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ وَبَكَيْتُ يَوْمِي وَلَيْلَتِي لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ حَتَّى ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي فَبَيْنَمَا أَنَا أَبْكِي إِذِ اسْتَأْذَنَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَلَسَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ فَجَلَسَ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ لِي مَا قِيلَ قَبْلَهَا وَقَدْ مَكَثَ شَهْرًا لَا يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ شَيْءٌ فِي شَأْنِي فَتَشَهَّدَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَقَدْ بَلَغَنِي عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللهُ وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللهَ وَتُوبِي إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِذَنْبٍ ثُمَّ تَابَ تَابَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ» فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي أَجِبْ رَسُولَ اللهِ فِيمَا قَالَ قَالَ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي فَقَالَتْ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لَا أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ وَاللهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ مَا تُحُدِّثَ بِهِ وَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ فَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَا تُصَدِّقُونِي بِذَلِكَ وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفْتُ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُنَّنِي وَاللهِ مَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا إِلَّا مَا قَالَ أَبُو يُوسُفَ {فَصَبَرٌ جَمِيلٌ} وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ لَا أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي وَأَنَا أَرْجُو أَنْ يُبَرِّئَنِيَ اللهُ بِبَرَاءَتِي وَلَكِنْ وَاللهِ مَا ظَنَنْتُ أَنْ يُنَزَّلَ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيٌ يُتْلَى وَلَأَنَا كُنْتُ أَحْقَرَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ أَنْ يُنَزَّلَ فِيَّ قُرْآنٌ وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يُرِيَ اللهُ رَسُولَهُ فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي بِهَا قَالَتْ فَوَاللهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ مِنْ مَجْلِسِهِ وَلَا خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ عِنْدَ الْوَحْيِ حَتَّى أَنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الشَّاتِي فَسُرِّيَ عَنْهُ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلَ مَا تَكَلَّمَ بِهِ أَنْ قَالَ «يَا عَائِشَةُ احْمَدِي اللهَ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ اللهُ» فَقَالَتْ لِي أُمِّي قُومِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ لَا وَاللهِ لَا أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلَا أَحْمَدُ إِلَّا اللهَ ﷻ وَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ} الْآيَاتِ كُلَّهَا فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ هَذَا فِي بَرَاءَتِي قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحِ بْنِ أُثَاثَةَ لِقَرَابَتِهِ مِنْهُ وَاللهِ لَا أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ شَيْئًا بَعْدَ الَّذِي قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ} إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَةِ قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ الَّذِي كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَتْ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ سَأَلَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ عَنْ أَمْرِي فَقَالَ «يَا زَيْنَبُ مَا عَلِمْتِ مَا رَأَيْتِ؟» فَقَالَتْ أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهَا إِلَّا خَيْرًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَهِيَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَعَصَمَهَا اللهُ بِالْوَرَعِ وَكَانَتْ أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ تُحَارِبُ عَنْهَا فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ  

(the wife of the Prophet) "Whenever Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to go on a journey, he would draw lots amongst his wives and would take with him the one upon whom the lot fell. During a Ghazwa of his, he drew lots amongst us and the lot fell upon me, and I proceeded with him after Allah had decreed the use of the veil by women. I was carried in a Howdah (on the camel) and dismounted while still in it. When Messenger of Allah ﷺ was through with his Ghazwa and returned home, and we approached the city of Medina, Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered us to proceed at night. When the order of setting off was given, I walked till I was past the army to answer the call of nature. After finishing I returned (to the camp) to depart (with the others) and suddenly realized that my necklace over my chest was missing. So, I returned to look for it and was delayed because of that. The people who used to carry me on the camel, came to my Howdah and put it on the back of the camel, thinking that I was in it, as, at that time, women were light in weight, and thin and lean, and did not use to eat much. So, those people did not feel the difference in the heaviness of the Howdah while lifting it, and they put it over the camel. At that time I was a young lady. They set the camel moving and proceeded on. I found my necklace after the army had gone, and came to their camp to find nobody. So, I went to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would discover my absence and come back in my search. While in that state, I felt sleepy and slept. Safwan bin Mu'attal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwani was behind the army and reached my abode in the morning. When he saw a sleeping person, he came to me, and he used to see me before veiling. So, I got up when I heard him saying, "Inna lil-lah-wa inn a ilaihi rajiun (We are for Allah, and we will return to Him)." He made his camel knell down. He got down from his camel, and put his leg on the front legs of the camel and then I rode and sat over it. Safwan set out walking, leading the camel by the rope till we reached the army who had halted to take rest at midday. Then whoever was meant for destruction, fell into destruction, (some people accused me falsely) and the leader of the false accusers was ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. After that we returned to Medina, and I became ill for one month while the people were spreading the forged statements of the false accusers. I was feeling during my ailment as if I were not receiving the usual kindness from the Prophet ﷺ which I used to receive from him when I got sick. But he would come, greet and say, 'How is that (girl)?' I did not know anything of what was going on till I recovered from my ailment and went out with Um Mistah to the Manasi where we used to answer the call of nature, and we used not to go to answer the call of nature except from night to night and that was before we had lavatories near to our houses. And this habit of ours was similar to the habit of the old 'Arabs in the open country (or away from houses). So. I and Um Mistah bint Ruhm went out walking. Um Mistah stumbled because of her long dress and on that she said, 'Let Mistah be ruined.' I said, 'You are saying a bad word. Why are you abusing a man who took part in (the battle of) Badr?' She said, 'O Hanata (you there) didn't you hear what they said?' Then she told me the rumors of the false accusers. My sickness was aggravated, and when I returned home, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me, and after greeting he said, 'How is that (girl)?' I requested him to allow me to go to my parents. I wanted then to be sure of the news through them I Messenger of Allah ﷺ allowed me, and I went to my parents and asked my mother, 'What are the people talking about?' She said, 'O my daughter! Don't worry much about this matter. By Allah, never is there a charming woman loved by her husband who has other wives, but the women would forge false news about her.' I said, 'Glorified be Allah! Are the people really taking of this matter?' That night I kept on weeping and could not sleep till morning. In the morning Messenger of Allah ﷺ called ʿAli bin Abu Talib and Usama bin Zaid when he saw the Divine Inspiration delayed, to consul them about divorcing his wife (i.e. ʿAisha). Usama bin Zaid said what he knew of the good reputation of his wives and added, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Keep you wife, for, by Allah, we know nothing about her but good.' ʿAli bin Abu Talib said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Allah has no imposed restrictions on you, and there are many women other than she, yet you may ask the woman-servant who will tell you the truth.' On that Messenger of Allah ﷺ called Barirah and said, 'O Barirah. Did you ever see anything which roused your suspicions about her?' Barirah said, 'No, by Allah Who has sent you with the Truth, I have never seen in her anything faulty except that she is a girl of immature age, who sometimes sleeps and leaves the dough for the goats to eat.' On that day Messenger of Allah ﷺ ascended the pulpit and requested that somebody support him in punishing ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. Allah's Apostle said, 'Who will support me to punish that person (ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul) who has hurt me by slandering the reputation of my family? By Allah, I know nothing about my family but good, and they have accused a person about whom I know nothing except good, and he never entered my house except in my company.' Saʿd bin Muʿadh got up and said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! by Allah, I will relieve you from him. If that man is from the tribe of the Aus, then we will chop his head off, and if he is from our brothers, the Khazraj, then order us, and we will fulfill your order.' On that Saʿd bin 'Ubada, the chief of the Khazraj and before this incident, he had been a pious man, got up, motivated by his zeal for his tribe and said, 'By Allah, you have told a lie; you cannot kill him, and you will never be able to kill him.' On that Usaid bin Al-Hadir got up and said (to Saʿd bin 'Ubada), 'By Allah! you are a liar. By Allah, we will kill him; and you are a hypocrite, defending the hypocrites.' On this the two tribes of Aus and Khazraj got excited and were about to fight each other, while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was standing on the pulpit. He got down and quieted them till they became silent and he kept quiet. On that day I kept on weeping so much so that neither did my tears stop, nor could I sleep. In the morning my parents were with me and I had wept for two nights and a day, till I thought my liver would burst from weeping. While they were sitting with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked my permission to enter, and I allowed her to come in. She sat down and started weeping with me. While we were in this state, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and sat down and he had never sat with me since the day they forged the accusation. No revelation regarding my case came to him for a month. He recited Tashah-hud (i.e. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is His Apostle) and then said, 'O ʿAisha! I have been informed such-and-such about you; if you are innocent, then Allah will soon reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him to forgive you, for when a person confesses his sin and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.' When Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished his speech my tears ceased completely and there remained not even a single drop of it. I requested my father to reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf. My father said, By Allah, I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' I said to my mother, 'Talk to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf.' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah's Apostle. I was a young girl and did not have much knowledge of the Qur'an. I said. 'I know, by Allah, that you have listened to what people are saying and that has been planted in your minds and you have taken it as a truth. Now, if I told you that I am innocent and Allah knows that I am innocent, you would not believe me and if I confessed to you falsely that I am guilty, and Allah knows that I am innocent you would believe me. By Allah, I don't compare my situation with you except to the situation of Joseph's father (i.e. Jacob) who said, 'So (for me) patience is most fitting against that which you assert and it is Allah (Alone) whose help can be sought.' Then I turned to the other side of my bed hoping that Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah I never thought that Allah would reveal Divine Inspiration in my case, as I considered myself too inferior to be talked of in the Holy Qur'an. I had hoped that Messenger of Allah ﷺ might have a dream in which Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah, Allah's Apostle had not got up and nobody had left the house before the Divine Inspiration came to Allah's Apostle. So, there overtook him the same state which used to overtake him, (when he used to have, on being inspired divinely). He was sweating so much so that the drops of the sweat were dropping like pearls though it was a (cold) wintry day. When that state of Messenger of Allah ﷺ was over, he was smiling and the first word he said, ʿAisha! Thank Allah, for Allah has declared your innocence.' My mother told me to go to Messenger of Allah ﷺ . I replied, 'By Allah I will not go to him and will not thank but Allah.' So Allah revealed: "Verily! They who spread the slander are a gang among you . . ." (24.11) When Allah gave the declaration of my Innocence, Abu Bakr, who used to provide for Mistah bin Uthatha for he was his relative, said, 'By Allah, I will never provide Mistah with anything because of what he said about Aisha.' But Allah later revealed: -- "And let not those who are good and wealthy among you swear not to help their kinsmen, those in need and those who left their homes in Allah's Cause. Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? Verily! Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." (24.22) After that Abu Bakr said, 'Yes ! By Allah! I like that Allah should forgive me,' and resumed helping Mistah whom he used to help before. Messenger of Allah ﷺ also asked Zainab bint Jahsh (i.e. the Prophet's wife about me saying, 'What do you know and what did you see?' She replied, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I refrain to claim hearing or seeing what I have not heard or seen. By Allah, I know nothing except goodness about Aisha." Aisha further added "Zainab was competing with me (in her beauty and the Prophet's love), yet Allah protected her (from being malicious), for she had piety." (Using translation from Bukhārī 2661)  

حِينَ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا فَبَرَّأَهَا اللهُ وَكُلٌّ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنَ الْحَدِيثِ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي عَنْ عَائِشَةَ وَبَعْضُ حَدِيثِهِمْ يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضًا وَإِنْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْعَى لَهُ مِنْ بَعْضٍ زَعَمُوا أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ إِلَى سَفَرٍ أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ أَزْوَاجِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللهِ مَعَهُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ بِهَا سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ بَعْدَمَا أُنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ فَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ وَأُنْزَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي فَسِرْنَا حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللهِ مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ وَدَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ قَافِلِينَ آذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ فَقُمْتُ حِينَ آذَنَ بِالرَّحِيلِ لِحَاجَتِي فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى رَحْلِي فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ لِي مِنْ جَزْعِ أَظْفَارٍ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَى عِقْدِي نَحْوَ ابْتِغَائِهِ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَرْحَلُونَ فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ وَكَانَ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يُهَبِّلْهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلْنَ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَلَمْ يُنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ خِفَّةَ الْهَوْدَجِ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ وَسَارُوا وَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَمَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ بِهَا دَاعٍ وَلَا مُجِيبٌ فَتَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ فِيهِ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونَنِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَيَّ فَبَيْنَمَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَدْلَجَ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ فَأَتَانِي فَعَرَفَنِي حِينَ رَآنِي وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ أَنْ يُنَزَّلَ الْحِجَابُ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ عَرَفَنِي فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي فَمَا كَلَّمَنِي كَلِمَةً وَلَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ عَلَى يَدِهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ بِي يَقُودُ بِيَ الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ بَعْدَمَا نَزَلُوا فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَ الْإِفْكِ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ فَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَصْحَابِ الْإِفْكِ لَا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَهُوَ يَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لَا أَعْرِفُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ حِينَ أَشْتَكِي إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ فَيَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُ فَذَلِكَ يَرِيبُنِي وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِالشَّرِّ حَتَّى خَرَجْتُ بَعْدَمَا أَفَقْتُ وَخَرَجَتْ مَعِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ وَهُوَ مُتَبَرَّزُنَا وَكُنَّا لَا نَخْرُجُ إِلَّا لَيْلًا إِلَى لَيْلٍ وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُتَّخَذَ الْكُنُفُ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الْأُوَلِ فِي التَّنَزُّهِ قِبَلَ الْغَائِطِ وَكُنَّا نَتَأَذَّى بِالْكُنُفِ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَهَا عِنْدَ بُيُوتِنَا فَانْطَلَقْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ وَهِيَ بِنْتُ أَبِي رُهْمِ بْنِ عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ وَأُمُّهَا أُمُّ صَخْرٍ بِنْتُ عَامِرٍ خَالَةُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ وَابْنُهَا مِسْطَحُ بْنُ أُثَاثَةَ بْنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَأَقْبَلْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ بَيْتِي حِينَ فَرَغْنَا مِنْ شَأْنِنَا فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ تَسُبِّينَ رَجُلًا قَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا؟ قَالَتْ يَا هَنْتَاهُ أَوَ لَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ وَمَا قَالَ؟ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا عَلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا رَجَعْنَا إِلَى بَيْتِي دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» قُلْتُ لَهُ أَتَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ آتِيَ أَبَوَيَّ؟ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا قَالَتْ فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَجِئْتُ لِأُمِّي فَقُلْتُ يَا أُمَّتَاهُ مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ؟ فَقَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكِ فَوَاللهِ لَقَلَّ مَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ وَضِيئَةً عِنْدَ مَنْ يُحِبُّهَا لَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا أَكْثَرْنَ عَلَيْهَا قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا؟ فَبَكَيْتُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ قَالَتْ ثُمَّ أَصْبَحْتُ أَبْكِي فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْيُ فَشَاوَرَهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ بِالَّذِيِ يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَبِالَّذِيِ كَانَ فِي نَفْسِهِ لَهُمْ مِنَ الْوُدِّ فَقَالَ أُسَامَةُ أَهْلُكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَا نَعْلَمُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَإِنْ تَسْأَلِ الْخَادِمَ تَصْدُقْكَ قَالَتْ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ لَهَا «أَيْ بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ يَرِيبُكِ؟» قَالَتْ بَرِيرَةُ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا رَأَيْتُ مِنْهَا أَمْرًا أَغْمِصُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا فَتَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُهُ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ «يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذُرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِي وَوَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ مِنْ أَهْلِي إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلًا مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا مَعِي» فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَنَا أَعْذُرُكَ مِنْهُ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْتُ عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا أَمْرَكَ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَهُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ وَكَانَ مِنْ قَبْلِ ذَلِكَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنْ حَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَا تَقْتُلُهُ وَلَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَيَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ قَالَتْ فَتَثَاوَرَ الْحَيَّانِ الْأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا أَنْ يَقْتَتِلُوا وَرَسُولُ اللهِ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ قَالَتْ فَلَبِثْتُ يَوْمِي ذَلِكَ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ قَالَتْ فَأَصْبَحَ أَبَوَايَ عِنْدِي وَقَدْ بَكَيْتُ لَيْلَتِي لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ يَظُنَّانِ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي فَبَيْنَمَا هُمَا جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي فَاسْتَأْذَنَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَلَسَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَجَلَسَ قَالَتْ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ لِي مَا قِيلَ قَبْلَهَا وَلَقَدْ لَبِثَ شَهْرًا لَا يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فِي شَيْءٍ قَالَتْ فَتَشَهَّدَ رَسُولُ اللهِ حِينَ جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللهَ وَتُوبِي إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِذَنَبِهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ تَابَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ» قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي أَجِبْ رَسُولَ اللهِ فِيمَا قَالَ فَقَالَ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي أَجِيبِي رَسُولَ اللهِ فِيمَا قَالَ فَقَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لَا أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ إِنِّي وَاللهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَا تُصَدِّقُونِي وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفْتُ لَكُمْ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُنَّنِي وَإِنِّي وَاللهِ مَا أَعْلَمُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا إِلَّا أَبَا يُوسُفَ قَالَ {فَصَبَرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} قَالَتْ ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ فَاضْطَجَعْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ حِينَئِذٍ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَأَنَّ اللهَ سَيُبَرِّئُنِي بِبَرَاءَتِي وَلَكِنْ وَاللهِ مَا كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ أَنَّ اللهَ يُنْزِلُ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيًا يُتْلَى وَلَشَأْنِي كَانَ أَحْقَرَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ اللهُ فِيَّ بِأَمْرٍ يُتْلَى وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللهِ فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي اللهُ بِهَا قَالَتْ فَوَاللهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ وَلَا خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ حَتَّى أَنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الشَّاتِي مِنْ ثِقَلِ الْقُرْآنِ الَّذِي يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَتْ فَسُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلُ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا «أَمَّا اللهُ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ» فَقَالَتْ لِي أُمِّي قَوْمِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ إِنِّي لَا أَقُومُ وَلَا أَحْمَدُ إِلَّا اللهَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ} الْعَشْرَ الْآيَاتِ كُلَّهَا فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ هَذَا فِي بَرَاءَتِي قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ وَهُوَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحِ بْنِ أُثَاثَةَ لِقَرَابَتِهِ مِنْهُ وَفَقْرِهِ وَاللهِ لَا أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ شَيْئًا بَعْدَ الَّذِي قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ} إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {وَاللهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ} فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى وَاللهِ إِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ النَّفَقَةَ الَّتِي كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ وَاللهِ لَا أَنْزِعُهَا عَنْهُ أَبَدًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ يَسْأَلُ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ عَنْ أَمْرِي فَقَالَ «يَا زَيْنَبُ مَاذَا عَلِمْتِ أَوْ رَأَيْتِ؟» قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا قَالَتْ وَهِيَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَعَصَمَهَا اللهُ بِالْوَرَعِ وَطَفِقَتْ أُخْتُهَا تُحَارِبُ فَأُهْلِكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْإِفْكِ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ فَهَذَا مَا انْتَهَى إِلَيْنَا مِنْ خَبَرِ هَؤُلَاءِ الرَّهْطِ مِنْ حَدِيثِ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ تَعَالَى عَنْهَا  

(The wife of the Prophet) Whenever Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to go on a journey, he used to draw lots among his wives and would take with him the one on whom the lot had fallen. Once he drew lots when he wanted to carry out a Ghazwa, and the lot came upon me. So I proceeded with Allah's Apostle after Allah's order of veiling (the women) had been revealed and thus I was carried in my howdah (on a camel) and dismounted while still in it. We carried on our journey, and when Allah's Apostle had finished his Ghazwa and returned and we approached Medina, Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered to proceed at night. When the army was ordered to resume the homeward journey, I got up and walked on till I left the army (camp) behind. When I had answered the call of nature, I went towards my howdah, but behold ! A necklace of mine made of Jaz Azfar (a kind of black bead) was broken and I looked for it and my search for it detained me. The group of people who used to carry me, came and carried my howdah on to the back of my camel on which I was riding, considering that I was therein. At that time women were light in weight and were not fleshy for they used to eat little (food), so those people did not feel the lightness of the howdah while raising it up, and I was still a young lady. They drove away the camel and proceeded. Then I found my necklace after the army had gone. I came to their camp but found nobody therein so I went to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would miss me and come back in my search. While I was sitting at my place, I felt sleepy and slept. Safwan bin Al-Mu'attil As-Sulami Adh- Dhakw-ani was behind the army. He had started in the last part of the night and reached my stationing place in the morning and saw the figure of a sleeping person. He came to me and recognized me on seeing me for he used to see me before veiling. I got up because of his saying: "Inna Li l-lahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun," which he uttered on recognizing me. I covered my face with my garment, and by Allah, he did not say to me a single word except, "Inna Li l-lahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun," till he made his shecamel kneel down whereupon he trod on its forelegs and I mounted it. Then Safwan set out, leading the she-camel that was carrying me, till we met the army while they were resting during the hot midday. Then whoever was meant for destruction, fell in destruction, and the leader of the Ifk (forged statement) was ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. After this we arrived at Medina and I became ill for one month while the people were spreading the forged statements of the people of the Ifk, and I was not aware of anything thereof. But what aroused my doubt while I was sick, was that I was no longer receiving from Messenger of Allah ﷺ the same kindness as I used to receive when I fell sick. Messenger of Allah ﷺ would enter upon me, say a greeting and add, "How is that (lady)?" and then depart. That aroused my suspicion but I was not aware of the propagated evil till I recovered from my ailment. I went out with Um Mistah to answer the call of nature towards Al-Manasi, the place where we used to relieve ourselves, and used not to go out for this purpose except from night to night, and that was before we had lavatories close to our houses. And this habit of ours was similar to the habit of the old 'Arabs (in the deserts or in the tents) concerning the evacuation of the bowels, for we considered it troublesome and harmful to take lavatories in the houses. So I went out with Um Mistah who was the daughter of Abi Ruhm bin ʿAbd Manaf, and her mother was daughter of Sakhr bin Amir who was the aunt of Abi Bakr As-Siddiq, and her son was Mistah bin Uthatha. When we had finished our affair, Um Mistah and I came back towards my house. Um Mistah stumbled over her robe whereupon she said, "Let Mistah be ruined ! " I said to her, "What a bad word you have said! Do you abuse a man who has taken part in the Battle of Badr?' She said, "O you there! Didn't you hear what he has said?" I said, "And what did he say?" She then told me the statement of the people of the Ifk (forged statement) which added to my ailment. When I returned home, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me, and after greeting, he said, "How is that (lady)?" I said, "Will you allow me to go to my parents?" At that time I intended to be sure of the news through them. Messenger of Allah ﷺ allowed me and I went to my parents and asked my mother, "O my mother! What are the people talking about?" My mother said, "O my daughter! Take it easy, for by Allah, there is no charming lady who is loved by her husband who has other wives as well, but that those wives would find fault with her." I said, "Subhan Allah! Did the people really talk about that?" That night I kept on weeping the whole night till the morning. My tears never stopped, nor did I sleep, and morning broke while I was still weeping, Messenger of Allah ﷺ called ʿAli bin Abi Talib and Usama bin Zaid when the Divine Inspiration delayed, in order to consult them as to the idea of divorcing his wife. Usama bin Zaid told Messenger of Allah ﷺ of what he knew about the innocence of his wife and of his affection he kept for her. He said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! She is your wife, and we do not know anything about her except good." But ʿAli bin Abi Talib said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Allah does not impose restrictions on you; and there are plenty of women other than her. If you however, ask (her) slave girl, she will tell you the truth." ʿAisha added: So Messenger of Allah ﷺ called for Barira and said, "O Barira! Did you ever see anything which might have aroused your suspicion? (as regards Aisha). Barira said, "By Allah Who has sent you with the truth, I have never seen anything regarding Aisha which I would blame her for except that she is a girl of immature age who sometimes sleeps and leaves the dough of her family unprotected so that the domestic goats come and eat it." So Messenger of Allah ﷺ got up (and addressed) the people an asked for somebody who would take revenge on ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul then. Messenger of Allah ﷺ, while on the pulpit, said, "O Muslims! Who will help me against a man who has hurt me by slandering my family? By Allah, I know nothing except good about my family, and people have blamed a man of whom I know nothing except good, and he never used to visit my family except with me," Saʿd bin Muʿadh Al-Ansari got up and said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! By Allah, I will relieve you from him. If he be from the tribe of (Bani) Al-Aus, then I will chop his head off; and if he be from our brethren, the Khazraj, then you give us your order and we will obey it." On that, Saʿd bin 'Ubada got up, and he was the chief of the Khazraj, and before this incident he had been a pious man but he was incited by his zeal for his tribe. He said to Saʿd (bin Muʿadh), "By Allah the Eternal, you have told a lie! You shall not kill him and you will never be able to kill him!" On that, Usaid bin Hudair, the cousin of Saʿd (bin Muʿadh) got up and said to Saʿd bin 'Ubada, "You are a liar! By Allah the Eternal, we will surely kill him; and you are a hypocrite defending the hypocrites!" So the two tribes of Al-Aus and Al-Khazraj got excited till they were on the point of fighting with each other while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was standing on the pulpit. Messenger of Allah ﷺ continued quietening them till they became silent whereupon he became silent too. On that day I kept on weeping so much that neither did my tears stop, nor could I sleep. In the morning my parents were with me, and I had wept for two nights and a day without sleeping and with incessant tears till they thought that my liver would burst with weeping. While they were with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked permission to see me. I admitted her and she sat and started weeping with me. While I was in that state, Allah's Apostle came to us, greeted, and sat down,. He had never sat with me since the day what was said, was said. He had stayed a month without receiving any Divine Inspiration concerning my case. Messenger of Allah ﷺ recited the Tashahhud after he had sat down, and then said, "Thereafter, O ʿAisha! I have been informed such and-such a thing about you; and if you are innocent, Allah will reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then ask for Allah's forgiveness and repent to Him, for when a slave confesses his sin and then repents to Allah, Allah accepts his repentance." When Allah's Apostle had finished his speech, my tears ceased completely so that I no longer felt even a drop thereof. Then I said to my father, "Reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf as to what he said." He said, "By Allah, I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ." Then I said to my mother, "Reply to Allah's Apostle." She said, "I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ." Still a young girl as I was and though I had little knowledge of Qur'an, I said, "By Allah, I know that you heard this story (of the Ifk) so much so that it has been planted in your minds and you have believed it. So now, if I tell you that I am innocent, and Allah knows that I am innocent, you will not believe me; and if I confess something, and Allah knows that I am innocent of it, you will believe me. By Allah, I cannot find of you an example except that of Joseph's father: "So (for me) patience is most fitting against that which you assert and it is Allah (Alone) Whose help can be sought. Then I turned away and lay on my bed, and at that time I knew that I was innocent and that Allah would reveal my innocence. But by Allah, I never thought that Allah would sent down about my affair, Divine Inspiration that would be recited (forever), as I considered myself too unworthy to be talked of by Allah with something that was to be recited: but I hoped that Messenger of Allah ﷺ might have a vision in which Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah, Messenger of Allah ﷺ had not left his seat and nobody had left the house when the Divine Inspiration came to Messenger of Allah ﷺ . So there overtook him the same hard condition which used to overtake him (when he was Divinely Inspired) so that the drops of his sweat were running down, like pearls, though it was a (cold) winter day, and that was because of the heaviness of the Statement which was revealed to him. When that state of Messenger of Allah ﷺ was over, and he was smiling when he was relieved, the first word he said was, "Aisha, Allah has declared your innocence." My mother said to me, "Get up and go to him." I said, "By Allah, I will not go to him and I will not thank anybody but Allah." So Allah revealed: "Verily! They who spread the Slander are a gang among you. Think it not...." (24.11-20). When Allah revealed this to confirm my innocence, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq who used to provide for Mistah bin Uthatha because of the latter's kinship to him and his poverty, said, "By Allah, I will never provide for Mistah anything after what he has said about Aisha". So Allah revealed: (continued...) (continuing... 1): -6.274:... ... "Let not those among you who are good and are wealthy swear not to give (help) to their kinsmen, those in need, and those who have left their homes for Allah's Cause. Let them Pardon and forgive (i.e. do not punish them). Do you not love that should forgive you? Verily Allah is Oft-forgiving. Most Merciful." (24.22) Abu Bakr said, "Yes, by Allah, I wish that Allah should forgive me." So he resumed giving Mistah the aid he used to give him before and said, "By Allah, I will never withold it from him at all." Aisha further said: Messenger of Allah ﷺ also asked Zainab bint Jahsh about my case. He said, "O Zainab! What have you seen?" She replied, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I protect my hearing and my sight (by refraining from telling lies). I know nothing but good (about Aisha)." Of all the wives of Messenger of Allah ﷺ, it was Zainab who aspired to receive from him the same favor as I used to receive, yet, Allah saved her (from telling lies) because of her piety. But her sister, Hamna, kept on fighting on her behalf so she was destroyed as were those who invented and spread the slander. (Using translation from Bukhārī 4750)  

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ الْوَلِيدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ لَيْلَةً مِنَ اللَّيَالِيِ وَهُوَ يَقْرَأُ سُورَةَ النُّورِ مُسْتَلْقِيًا فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ} حَتَّى بَلَغَ {وَالَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَهُ مِنْهُمْ لَهُ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ} جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ مَنْ تَوَلَّى كِبْرَهُ أَلَيْسَ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ؟ قُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي مَاذَا أَقُولُ؟ لَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَا لَقَدْ خَشِيتُ أَنْ أَلْقَى مِنْهُ شَرًّا وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ لَقَدْ جِئْتُ بِأَمْرٍ عَظِيمٍ قُلْتُ لِرَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللهِ مَا لَمْ يَقُلْ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي لَقَدْ عَوَّدَنِيَ اللهُ عَلَى الصِّدْقِ خَيْرًا لَا يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ فَضَرَبَ بِقَضِيبِهِ السَّرِيرَ مَرَّتَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلَاثًا ثُمَّ قَالَ فَمَنْ؟ حَتَّى رَدَّدَ ذَلِكَ مِرَارًا قُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ حَدَّثَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ وَسَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيِّبِ وَعَلْقَمَةُ بْنُ وَقَّاصٍ وَعُبَيْدُ اللهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ وَبَعْضُ الْقَوْمِ أَحْسَنُ سِيَاقًا مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَكُلٌّ قَدْ حَفِظَ حَدِيثَهُ أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ إِنَّ عَلِيًّا أَشَارَ فِي شَأْنِي وَاللهُ يَغْفِرُ لَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ إِذَا أَرَادَ سَفَرًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ نِسَائِهِ فَغَزَا غَزْوَةَ بَنِي الْمُصْطَلِقِ فَسَاهَمَ بَيْنَ نِسَائِهِ فَخَرَجَ سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ بَعْدَمَا أُنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ فَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي وَأُنْزَلُ مِنْهُ فَسِرْنَا حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللهِ مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ قَفَلَ وَدَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ آذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ فَقُمْتُ حِينَ آذَنَ بِالرَّحِيلِ فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي وَأَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى رَحْلِي إِذَا عِقْدٌ لِي مِنْ جَزْعِ أَظْفَارٍ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ فِي الْتِمَاسِ عِقْدِي فَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَرْحَلُونَ فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ وَكُنَّ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يُهَبِّلْهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ إِنَّمَا تَأْكُلُ إِحْدَانَا الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ خِفَّةَ الْهَوْدَجِ حِينَ رَفَعُوهُ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ وَسَارُوا وَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَمَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنْزِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ بِهِ دَاعٍ وَلَا مُجِيبٌ فَتَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ فِيهِ فَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَيَّ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَدْلَجَ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ فَعَرَفَنِي حِينَ رَآنِي وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ الْحِجَابِ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ عَرَفَنِي فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي وَاللهِ مَا كَلَّمَنِي كَلَامًا وَلَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ عَلَى يَدِهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِيَ الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَى الْجَيْشَ بَعْدَمَا نَزَلُوا مُوغِرِينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَ الْإِثْمِ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيِّ بْنِ سَلُولٍ فَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ حِينَ قَدِمْنَا شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَهُوَ يَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لَا أَعْرِفُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ حِينَ أَشْتَكِي إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَيَّ فَيَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُ فَذَلِكَ يَرِيبُنِي وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِالشَّرِّ حَتَّى خَرَجْتُ بَعْدَمَا نَقَهْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ بَيْتِي حِينَ فَرَغْنَا مِنْ شَأْنِنَا فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلًا قَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا؟ قَالَتْ أَيْ هَنْتَاهُ أَوَلَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ وَمَا قَالَ؟ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا عَلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ فَقَالَ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» فَقُلْتُ أَتَأْذَنُ لِي إِلَى أَبَوَيَّ؟ قَالَ «نَعَمْ» وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا فَأَذِنَ لِي فَجِئْتُ إِلَى أُمِّي وَأَبِي فَقُلْتُ يَا أُمَّتَاهُ مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ؟ قَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكِ فَوَاللهِ لَقَلَّ مَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ وَضِيئَةً عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا لَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا أَكْثَرْنَ عَلَيْهَا فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَلَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا؟ قَالَتْ فَبَكَيْتُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ ثُمَّ أَصْبَحْتُ أَبْكِي وَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْيُ يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ بِالَّذِيِ يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ فِي نَفْسِهِ لَهُمْ مِنَ الْوُدِّ فَقَالَ أُسَامَةُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَهْلُكَ وَلَا نَعْلَمُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَإِنْ تَسْأَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ «يَا بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ يَرِيبُكِ؟» قَالَتْ بَرِيرَةُ لَا وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ إِنْ رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا أَمْرًا قَطُّ أَغْمِصُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا فَتَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُهُ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ فَقَالَ «يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذُرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِي فَوَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِي إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلًا مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا مَعِي» فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَنَا أَعْذُرُكَ مِنْهُ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْتُ عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا أَمْرَكَ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَهُوَ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَكَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنْ أَخَذْتُهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَا تَقْتُلُهُ وَلَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَيَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ قَالَتْ فَثَارَ الْحَيَّانِ الْأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا أَنْ يَقْتَتِلُوا وَرَسُولُ اللهِ قَائِمٌ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ قَالَتْ وَبَكَيْتُ يَوْمِي ذَلِكَ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ وَأَبَوَايَ عِنْدِي وَقَدْ بَكَيْتُ لَيْلَتَيْنِ وَيَوْمًا أَظُنُّ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي فَبَيْنَمَا هُمَا جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي اسْتَأْذَنَتْ عَلَيَّ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَلَسَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي فَبَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ وَجَلَسَ قَالَتْ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ لِي مَا قِيلَ قَبْلَهَا وَقَدْ لَبِثَ شَهْرًا لَا يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فِي شَأْنِي قَالَتْ فَتَشَهَّدَ رَسُولُ اللهِ حِينَ جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَإِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِي عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللهُ وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللهَ ثُمَّ تُوبِي إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِذَنَبِهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ إِلَى اللهِ تَابَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ» قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي أَجِبْ رَسُولَ اللهِ فِيمَا قَالَ قَالَ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي أَجِيبِي رَسُولَ اللهِ فَقَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لَا أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ إِنَّكُمْ وَاللهِ لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَا تُصَدِّقُونَنِي بِذَلِكَ وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفَتُ بِذَنْبٍ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُنَّنِي وَاللهِ مَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا إِلَّا أَبَا يُوسُفَ قَالَ {فَصَبَرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ فَاضْطَجَعْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَأَنَّ اللهَ مُبَرِّئِي بِبَرَاءَتِي وَلَكِنْ وَاللهِ مَا كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ أَنَّ اللهَ يُنْزِلُ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيًا يُتْلَى لَشَأْنِي فِي نَفْسِي كَانَ أَحْقَرَ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ اللهُ فِيَّ بِأَمْرٍ يُتْلَى وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يُرِيَ اللهُ رَسُولَهُ فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي بِهَا قَالَتْ فَوَاللهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ مِنْ مَجْلِسِهِ وَلَا خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ حَتَّى أَنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الشَّاتِي مِنْ ثِقَلِ الْقُرْآنِ الَّذِي يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِ فَلَمَّا سُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ سُرِّيَ عَنْهُ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلَ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا أَنْ قَالَ «يَا عَائِشَةُ أَمَّا اللهُ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ» فَقَالَتْ أُمِّي قَوْمِي إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ لَا وَاللهِ لَا أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَمَا أَحْمَدُ إِلَّا اللهَ وَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ} الْعَشْرَ الْآيَاتِ كُلَّهَا فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ هَذَا فِي بَرَاءَتِي قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ لِقَرَابَتِهِ وَفَقْرِهِ وَاللهِ لَا أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ نَفَقَةَ شَيْءٍ أَبَدًا لِلَّذِي قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ} الْآيَةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَاللهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ النَّفَقَةَ الَّتِي كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ وَاللهِ لَا أَنْزِعُهُ مِنْهُ أَبَدًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ يَسْأَلُ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ عَنْ أَمْرِي فَقَالَ «يَا زَيْنَبُ مَاذَا عَلِمْتِ أَوْ رَأَيْتِ؟» فَقَالَتْ زَيْنَبُ أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَهِيَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَعَصَمَهَا اللهُ بِالْوَرَعِ وَطَفِقَتْ أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ تُحَارِبُ لَهَا فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْإِفْكِ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ فَهَذَا مَا انْتَهَى إِلَيْنَا مِنْ حَدِيثِ هَؤُلَاءِ الرَّهْطِ  

لَمَا قَالَ أَصْحَابُ الْإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا فَبَرَّأَهَا اللهُ وَكُلُّهُمْ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنْ حَدِيثِهَا وَبَعْضُهُمْ كَانَ أَثْبَتَ لِحَدِيثِهَا وَأَحْسَنَ اقْتِصَاصًا قَالُوا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ سَفَرًا أَوْ وَجْهًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ أَزْوَاجِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا أَخْرَجَهَا مَعَهُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزَاةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ فِيهَا سَهْمِي وَذَلِكَ بَعْدَمَا أُنْزِلَتْ آيَةُ الْحِجَابِ فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَهُ وَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي وَأُنْزَلُ فِيهِ وَالنِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافٌ قَالَتْ فَآذَنَ رَسُولُ اللهِ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ فَقُمْتُ فَجَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى رَحْلِي فَلَمَسْتُ صَدْرِي فَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدًا مِنْ جَزْعِ أَظْفَارٍ سَقَطَتَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ يَرْحَلُونَ هَوْدَجِي فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ فَرَحَلُونِي عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ ثُمَّ انْطَلَقُوا يَقُودُونَهُ فَجِئْتُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ لَيْسَ بِهَا دَاعٍ وَلَا مُجِيبٌ فَتَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ بِهِ وَعَرَفْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونَنِي فَيَبْغُونِي فَبَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ فَأَقْبَلَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ وَكَانَ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَدْلَجَ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ فَعَرَفَنِي وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ أَنْ يَنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ فَاسْتَرْجَعَ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ فَأَنَاخَ لِي رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ لِي فَرَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِي حَتَّى جِئْنَا النَّاسَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ وَقَدْ هَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ اشْتَكَيْتُ شَهْرًا لَا أَشْعُرُ بِالشَّرِّ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ يَرِيبُنِي أَنِّي لَا أَرَى مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ حِينَ أَشْتَكِي إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ فَيُسَلِّمُ قَائِمًا وَيَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِالشَّرِّ فَلَمَّا نَقَهْتُ مِنْ مَرَضِي خَرَجْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحِ بْنِ أُثَاثَةَ إِلَى الْمَنَاصِعِ وَهُوَ مُتَبَرَّزُنَا إِنَّمَا نَخْرُجُ لَيْلًا إِلَى لَيْلٍ إِنَّمَا نَأْكُلُ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الْأُوَلِ وَكُنَّا نَتَأَذَّى أَنْ تُتَّخَذَ الْكُنُفُ قُرْبَ بُيُوتِنَا فَلَمَّا قَضَيْنَا شَأْنَنَا أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى مَنْزِلِي فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلًا قَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا؟ قَالَتْ أَيْ هَنْتَاهُ أَوَلَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ مَاذَا قَالَ؟ قَالَتْ كَذَا وَكَذَا قَالَتْ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا عَلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا جَاءَ رَسُولُ اللهِ قُلْتُ ائْذَنْ لِي فَآتِي أَبَوَيَّ وَأَنَا أُرِيدُ حِينَئِذٍ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا قَالَتْ فَأَذِنَ لِي فَجِئْتُ أُمِّي فَقُلْتُ يَا أُمَّهْ مَاذَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ؟ فَقَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكِ فَإِنَّهُ قَلَّ مَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ وَضِيئَةً عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا لَهَا كَنَائِنُ إِلَّا أَكْثَرْنَ عَلَيْهَا قَالَتْ قُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ أَوَقَدْ تَحَدِّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا فَمَكَثْتُ لَيْلَتِي لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ فَلَمَّا أَبْطَأَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ الْوَحْيُ دَعَا عَلِيًّا وَأُسَامَةَ يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ بِمَا يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ فِي نَفْسِ رَسُولِ اللهِ مِنَ الْوُدِّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَهْلُكَ وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْنَا إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا عَلِيٌّ فَقَالَ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَإِنْ تَسْأَلِ الْخَادِمَ تَصْدُقْكَ قَالَتْ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ «أَيْ بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ يَرِيبُكِ؟» فَقَالَتْ لَا وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا مِنْ أَمْرٍ قَطُّ أَغْمِصُهَا بِهِ إِلَّا أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ فَتَنَامُ فَتَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُ الْعَجِينَ فَلَمَّا قَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ فَرَقَى فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذُرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِي وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلًا مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا مَعِي» فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَنَا أَعْذُرُكَ مِنْهُ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْتُ عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا أَمْرَكَ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَكَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنْ حَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَا تَقْتُلُهُ وَلَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ فَقَالَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَيَقْتُلَنَّهُ قَالَتْ فَتَثَاوَرَ الْحَيَّانِ الْأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ رَسُولُ اللهِ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ وَيُسْكِتُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا قَالَتْ فَبَكَيْتُ لَيْلَتِي لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ وَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدِي أَبَوَايَ يَظُنَّانِ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي فَبَيْنَمَا هُمَا عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي اسْتَأْذَنَتْ عَلَيَّ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَجَلَسَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ قَعَدَ وَاللهِ مَا قَعَدَ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ لِي مَا قِيلَ قَبْلَهَا فَتَشَهَّدَ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَقَدْ بَلَغَنِي كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَاعْتَرِفِي وَتُوبِي إِلَى اللهِ وَاسْتَغْفِرِي فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِذَنْبٍ ثُمَّ تَابَ تَابَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ» فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً فَقُلْتُ يَا أُمَّهْ أَجِيبِي رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ يَا أَبَهْ أَجِبْ رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لَا أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ وَاللهِ لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ إِنِّي لَبَرِيئَةٌ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَا تُصَدِّقُونِي وَلَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا إِلَّا قَوْلَ أَبِي يُوسُفَ {فَصَبَرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} ثُمَّ وَلَّيْتُ وَجْهِي إِلَى الْجِدَارِ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَلَنَفْسِي كَانَتْ أَحْقَرَ عِنْدِي مِنْ أَنْ يُنْزِلَ اللهُ فِيَّ وَحْيًا وَتِلَاوَةً وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرَى أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللهِ رُؤْيَا فَيُبَرِّئُنِي اللهُ بِهَا قَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا قَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ مَجْلِسِهِ وَلَا رَامَ أَهْلُ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى أَخَذَتْهُ الْبُرَحَاءُ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تَأْخُذُهُ حِينَ يَنْزِلُ عَلَيْهِ الْوَحْيُ حَتَّى أَنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الشَّاتِي مِنْ ثِقَلِ الْوَحْيِ فَسُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ فَقَالَ «يَا عَائِشَةُ أَمَا وَاللهِ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ اللهُ» فَقَالَتْ لِي أُمِّي قَوْمِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ قُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَا أَقُومُ وَلَا أَحْمَدُ إِلَّا اللهَ قَالَتْ وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَهُ مِنْهُمْ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيِّ بْنِ سَلُولٍ قَالَتْ وَقَدْ كَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحِ بْنِ أُثَاثَةَ لِقَرَابَتِهِ وَيُتْمِهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَاللهِ لَا أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ} الْآيَةَ {أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لَكُمْ} فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى يَا رَبِّ فَرَدَّ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ نَفَقَتَهُ  

When there was said about me what was said which I myself was unaware of, Messenger of Allah ﷺ got up and addressed the people. He recited Tashah-hud, and after glorifying and praising Allah as He deserved, he said, "To proceed: O people Give me your opinion regarding those people who made a forged story against my wife. By Allah, I do not know anything bad about her. By Allah, they accused her of being with a man about whom I have never known anything bad, and he never entered my house unless I was present there, and whenever I went on a journey, he went with me." Saʿd bin Muʿadh got up and said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ Allow me to chop their heads off". Then a man from the Al-Khazraj (Saʿd bin 'Ubada) to whom the mother of (the poet) Hassan bin Thabit was a relative, got up and said (to Saʿd bin Muʿadh), "You have told a lie! By Allah, if those persons were from the Aus Tribe, you would not like to chop their heads off." It was probable that some evil would take place between the Aus and the Khazraj in the mosque, and I was unaware of all that. In the evening of that day, I went out for some of my needs (i.e. to relieve myself), and Um Mistah was accompanying me. On our return, Um Mistah stumbled and said, "Let Mistah. be ruined" I said to her, "O mother Why do you abuse your Son" On that Um Mistah became silent for a while, and stumbling again, she said, "Let Mistah be ruined" I said to her, "Why do you abuse your son?" She stumbled for the third time and said, "Let Mistah be ruined" whereupon I rebuked her for that. She said, "By Allah, I do not abuse him except because of you." I asked her, "Concerning what of my affairs?" So she disclosed the whole story to me. I said, "Has this really happened?" She replied, "Yes, by Allah." I returned to my house, astonished (and distressed) that I did not know for what purpose I had gone out. Then I became sick (fever) and said to Messenger of Allah ﷺ "Send me to my father's house." So he sent a slave with me, and when I entered the house, I found Um Rum-an (my mother) downstairs while (my father) Abu Bakr was reciting something upstairs. My mother asked, "What has brought you, O (my) daughter?" I informed her and mentioned to her the whole story, but she did not feel it as I did. She said, "O my daughter! Take it easy, for there is never a charming lady loved by her husband who has other wives but that they feel jealous of her and speak badly of her." But she did not feel the news as I did. I asked (her), "Does my father know about it?" She said, "yes" I asked, Does Messenger of Allah ﷺ know about it too?" She said, "Yes, Messenger of Allah ﷺ does too." So the tears filled my eyes and I wept. Abu Bakr, who was reading upstairs heard my voice and came down and asked my mother, "What is the matter with her? " She said, "She has heard what has been said about her (as regards the story of Al-lfk)." On that Abu- Bakr wept and said, "I beseech you by Allah, O my daughter, to go back to your home". I went back to my home and Messenger of Allah ﷺ had come to my house and asked my maid-servant about me (my character). The maid-servant said, "By Allah, I do not know of any defect in her character except that she sleeps and let the sheep enter (her house) and eat her dough." On that, some of the Prophet's companions spoke harshly to her and said, "Tell the truth to Messenger of Allah ﷺ." Finally they told her of the affair (of the slander). She said, "Subhan Allah! By Allah, I know nothing against her except what goldsmith knows about a piece of pure gold." Then this news reached the man who was accused, and he said, "Subhan Allah! By Allah, I have never uncovered the private parts of any woman." Later that man was martyred in Allah's Cause. Next morning my parents came to pay me a visit and they stayed with me till Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me after he had offered the ʿAsr prayer. He came to me while my parents were sitting around me on my right and my left. He praised and glorified Allah and said, "Now then O ʿAisha! If you have committed a bad deed or you have wronged (yourself), then repent to Allah as Allah accepts the repentance from his slaves." An Al-Ansari woman had come and was sitting near the gate. I said (to the Prophet). "Isn't it improper that you speak in such a way in the presence of this lady? Allah's Apostle then gave a piece of advice and I turned to my father and requested him to answer him (on my behalf). My father said, "What should I say?" Then I turned to my mother and asked her to answer him. She said, "What should I say?" When my parents did not give a reply to the Prophet, I said, "I testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Apostle!" And after praising and glorifying Allah as He deserves, I said, "Now then, by Allah, if I were to tell you that I have not done (this evil action) and Allah is a witness that I am telling the truth, that would not be of any use to me on your part because you (people) have spoken about it and your hearts have absorbed it; and if I were to tell you that I have done this sin and Allah knows that I have not done it, then you will say, 'She has confessed herself guilty." By Allah, 'I do not see a suitable example for me and you but the example of (I tried to remember Jacob's name but couldn't) Joseph's father when he said; So (for me) "Patience is most fitting against that which you assert. It is Allah (alone) whose help can be sought.' At that very hour the Divine Inspiration came to Messenger of Allah ﷺ and we remained silent. Then the Inspiration was over and I noticed the signs of happiness on his face while he was removing (the sweat) from his forehead and saying, "Have the good tidings O ' "Aisha! Allah has revealed your innocence." At that time I was extremely angry. My parents said to me. "Get up and go to him." I said, "By Allah, I will not do it and will not thank him nor thank either of you, but I will thank Allah Who has revealed my innocence. You have heard this story but neither did not deny it nor change it (to defend me)," (Aisha used to say:) "But as regards Zainab bint Jahsh, (the Prophet's wife), Allah protected her because of her piety, so she did not say anything except good (about me), but her sister, Hamna, was ruined among those who were ruined. Those who used to speak evil about me were Mistah, Hassan bin Thabit, and the hypocrite, ʿAbdullah bin Ubai, who used to spread that news and tempt others to speak of it, and it was he and Hamna who had the greater share therein. Abu Bakr took an oath that he would never do any favor to Mistah at all. Then Allah revealed the Divine Verse: "Let not those among you who are good and wealthy (i.e. Abu Bakr) swear not to give (any sort of help) to their kinsmen, and those in need, (i.e. Mistah) ...Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (24.22) On that, Abu Bakr said, "Yes, by Allah, O our Lord! We wish that You should forgive us." So Abu Bakr again started giving to Mistah the expenditure which he used to give him before. (Using translation from Bukhārī 4757)  

لَمَّا ذُكِرَ مِنْ شَأْنِي الَّذِي ذُكِرَ وَمَا عَلِمْتُ قَامَ فِيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ خَطِيبًا فَتَشَهَّدَ فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ أَشِيرُوا عَلَيَّ فِي أُنَاسٍ أَبَنُوا أَهْلِي وَأَيْمُ اللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي مِنْ سُوءٍ قَطُّ وَأَبَنُوهُمْ بِمَنْ وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ سُوءٍ قَطُّ وَلَا دَخَلَ بَيْتِي إِلَّا وَأَنَا حَاضِرٌ وَلَا غِبْتُ فِي سَفَرٍ إِلَّا غَابَ مَعِي» فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ نَرَى يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَنْ نَضْرِبَ أَعْنَاقَهُمْ فَقَامَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ وَكَانَتْ أُمُّ حَسَّانَ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ مِنْ رَهْطِ ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلِ فَقَالَ كَذَبَتْ أَمَ وَاللهِ لَوْ كَانُوا مِنَ الْأَوْسِ مَا أَحْبَبْتَ أَنْ تُضْرَبَ أَعْنَاقُهُمْ حَتَّى كَادَ أَنْ يَكُونَ بَيْنَ الْأَوْسِ وَالْخَزْرَجِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ شَرٌّ وَمَا عَلِمْتُ بِهِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ مَسَاءُ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ خَرَجْتُ لِبَعْضِ حَاجَتِي وَمَعِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فَعَثَرَتْ فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَانْتَهَرْتُهَا فَقُلْتُ أَوَ تَسُبِّينَ ابْنَكِ؟ فَقَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا أَسُبُّهُ إِلَّا فِيكِ فَقُلْتُ فِي أَيِّ شَأْنِي فَنَقَرَتِ الْحَدِيثَ فَقُلْتُ وَقَدْ كَانَ هَذَا؟ فَقَالَتْ نَعَمْ وَاللهِ فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي لَكَأَنَّ الَّذِي خَرَجْتُ لَهُ لَمْ أَخْرُجْ لَهُ وَلَا أَجِدُ مِنْهُ قَلِيلًا وَلَا كَثِيرًا وَوُعِكْتُ فَقُلْتُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ أَرْسِلْنِي إِلَى بَيْتِ أَبِي فَأَرْسَلَ مَعِيَ الْغُلَامَ فَدَخَلْتُ الدَّارَ فَوَجَدْتُ أُمَّ رُومَانَ فِي السُّفْلِ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ فَوْقَ الْبَيْتِ يَقْرَأُ فَقَالَتْ أُمِّي مَا جَاءَ بِكِ يَا بُنَيَّةُ؟ فَأَخْبَرْتُهَا وَذَكَرْتُ لَهَا الْحَدِيثَ وَإِذَا هِي لَمْ يَبْلُغْ مِنْهَا مَا بَلَغَ مِنِّي فَقَالَتْ أَيْ بُنَيَّةُ خَفِّفِي عَلَيْكِ الشَّأْنَ فَإِنَّهُ وَاللهِ لَقَلَّ مَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ حَسْنَاءَ عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا وَلَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا حَسَدْنَهَا وَقِيلَ فِيهَا قُلْتُ وَقَدْ عَلِمَ بِهَا أَبِي؟ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ؟ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ قَالَتْ وَاسْتَعْبَرْتُ فَبَكَيْتُ فَسَمِعَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ صَوْتِي وَهُوَ فَوْقَ الْبَيْتِ يَقْرَأُ فَنَزَلَ فَقَالَ لِأُمِّي مَا شَأْنُهَا؟ قَالَتْ بَلَغَهَا الَّذِي ذُكِرَ مِنْ شَأْنِهَا فَفَاضَتْ عَيْنَاهُ فَقَالَ أَقْسَمْتُ عَلَيْكِ يَا بُنَيَّةُ إِلَّا رَجَعْتِ إِلَى بَيْتِكِ قَالَتْ فَرَجَعْتُ قَالَتْ وَلَقَدْ جَاءَ رَسُولُ اللهِ بَيْتِي فَسَأَلَ عَنِّي خَادِمَتِي فَقَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهَا عَيْبًا إِلَّا أَنَّهَا كَانَتْ تَرْقُدُ حَتَّى تَدْخُلَ الشَّاةُ فَتَأْكُلَ خَمِيرَهَا أَوْ عَجِينَهَا قَالَتْ فَانْتَهَرَهَا بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِهِ فَقَالَ أَصْدِقِي رَسُولَ اللهِ فَقَالَتْ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهَا إِلَّا مَا يَعْلَمُ الصَّائِغُ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ الْأَحْمَرِ فَبَلَغَ الْأَمْرُ ذَاكَ الرَّجُلَ الَّذِي كَانَ قِيلَ لَهُ فِيهَا فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ مَا كَشَفْتُ أُنْثَى قَطُّ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَقُتِلَ شَهِيدًا فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ قَالَتْ وَأَصْبَحَ أَبَوَايَ عِنْدِي فَلَمْ يَزَالَا عِنْدِي حَتَّى دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ وَقَدْ صَلَّى الْعَصْرَ وَقَدِ اكْتَنَفَنِي أَبَوَايَ عَنْ يَمِينِي وَشِمَالِي فَتَشَهَّدَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَإِنْ كُنْتِ قَارَفْتِ سُوءًا أَوْ ظَلَمْتِ فَتُوبِي إِلَى اللهِ فَإِنَّ اللهَ هُوَ يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ» قَالَتْ وَقَدْ جَاءَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَهِيَ جَالِسَةٌ بِالْبَابِ فَقُلْتُ أَلَا تَسْتَحْي مِنْ هَذِهِ الْمَرْأَةِ أَنْ تَذْكُرَ شَيْئًا فَوَعَظَ رَسُولُ اللهِ فَالْتَفَتُّ إِلَى أَبِي فَقُلْتُ أَجِبْهُ فَقَالَ أَقُولُ مَاذَا؟ فَالْتَفَتُّ إِلَى أُمِّي فَقُلْتُ أَجِيبِيهِ فَقَالَتْ أَقُولُ مَاذَا؟ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا لَمْ يُجِيبَاهُ تَشَهَّدْتُ فَحَمِدْتُ اللهَ وَأَثْنَيْتُ عَلَيْهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَوَاللهِ لَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي لَمْ أَفْعَلْ وَاللهُ يَشْهَدُ أَنِّي لَصَادِقَةٌ مَا ذَاكَ بِنَافِعِي عِنْدَكُمْ لَقَدْ تَكَلَّمْتُمْ بِهِ وَأَشْرَبْتُمُوهُ قُلُوبَكُمْ وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ إِنِّي قَدْ فَعَلْتُ وَاللهُ يَشْهَدُ أَنِّي لَمْ أَفْعَلْ لَتَقُولُنَّ قَدْ بَاتَ بِهِ عَلَى نَفْسِهَا وَاللهُ يَشْهَدُ أَنِّي لَمْ أَفْعَلْ وَإِنِّي وَاللهِ مَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا قَالَتْ وَالْتَمَسْتُ اسْمَ يَعْقُوبَ فَلَمْ أَقْدِرْ عَلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ إِلَّا أَبَا يُوسُفَ حِينَ قَالَ {فَصَبَرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ} الْآيَةَ قَالَتْ فَأُنْزِلَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ مِنْ سَاعَتِهِ فَرُفِعَ عَنْهُ وَإِنِّي لَأَتَبَيَّنُ السُّرُورَ فِي وَجْهِهِ وَهُوَ يَمْسَحُ جَبِينَهُ وَيَقُولُ «أَبْشِرِي يَا عَائِشَةُ فَقَدْ أَبْرَأَكِ اللهُ بِبَرَاءَتِكِ» قَالَتْ فَكُنْتُ أَشَدَّ مَا كُنْتُ غَضَبًا فَقَالَ لِي أَبَوَايَ قَوْمِي إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَا أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلَا أَحْمَدُهُ وَلَا أَحْمَدُكُمَا وَلَكِنِّي أَحْمَدُ اللهَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ بَرَاءَتِي لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ فَمَا أَنْكَرْتُمُوهُ وَلَكِنْ أَحْمَدُ اللهَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ بَرَاءَتِي فَأَمَّا زَيْنَبُ بِنْتُ جَحْشٍ فَعَصَمَهَا اللهُ بِدِينِهَا فَلَمْ تَقُلْ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ وَكَانَ الَّذِينَ تَكَلَّمُوا بِهِ مِسْطَحَ بْنَ أُثَاثَةَ وَحَسَّانَ بْنَ ثَابِتٍ وَحَمْنَةَ وَالْمُنَافِقَ عَبْدَ اللهِ بْنَ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَسْتَوْشِيهِ وَيَجْمَعُهُمْ وَهُوَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَهُ فَحَلَفَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ مِسْطَحًا أَبَدًا بِنَافِعَةٍ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ} يَعْنِي أَبَا بَكْرٍ {أَنْ يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ} يَعْنِي مِسْطَحًا {أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لَكُمْ وَاللهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ} فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى وَاللهِ يَا رَبِّ إِنَّا لَنُحِبُّ أَنْ يُغْفَرَ لَنَا فَعَادَ لِمَا كَانَ يَنْفَعُهُ بِهِ  

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يُسَافَرَ سَفَرًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ نِسَائِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا مَعَهُ فَخَرَجَ سَهْمُ عَائِشَةَ فِي غَزْوَةِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ بَنِي الْمُصْطَلِقِ مِنْ خُزَاعَةَ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَكَانَ قَرِيبًا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ وَكَانَتْ عَائِشَةُ جُوَيْرِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ قَلِيلَةَ اللَّحْمِ خَفِيفَةً وَكَانَتْ تَلْزَمُ خِدْرَهَا فَإِذَا أَرَادَ النَّاسُ الرَّحِيلَ ذَهَبَتْ فَتَوَضَّأَتْ وَرَجَعَتْ فَدَخَلَتْ مِحَفَّتَهَا فَيُرْحَلُ بَعِيرُهَا ثُمَّ يُحْمَلُ مِحَفَّتُهَا فَتُوضَعُ عَلَى الْبَعِيرِ فَكَانَ أَوَّلُ مَا قَالَ فِيهَا الْمُنَافِقُونَ وَغَيْرُهُمْ مِمَّنْ أَشْرَكَ فِي عَائِشَةَ أَنَّهَا خَرَجَتْ تَتَوَضَّأُ حِينَ دَنَوْا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ فَانْسَلَّ مِنْ عُنُقِهَا عِقْدٌ لَهَا مِنْ جَزْعِ أَظْفَارٍ فَارْتَحَلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ وَالنَّاسُ وَهِيَ فِي ابْتِغَاءِ الْعِقْدِ وَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ بِرَحِيلِهِمْ فَشَدُّوا عَلَى بَعِيرِهَا الْمِحَفَّةَ وَهُمْ يَرَوْنَ أَنَّهَا فِيهَا كَمَا كَانَتْ فَرَجَعَتْ عَائِشَةُ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهَا فَلَمْ تَجِدْ فِي الْعَسْكَرِ أَحَدًا فَغَلَبَتْهَا عَيْنَاهَا وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ صَاحِبُ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ تَخَلَّفَ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ عَنِ الْعَسْكَرِ حَتَّى أَصْبَحَ قَالَتْ فَمَرَّ بِي فَرَآنِي فَاسْتَرْجَعَ وَأَعْظَمَ مَكَانِي حِينَ رَآنِي وَحْدِي وَقَدْ كُنْتُ أَعْرِفُهُ وَيَعْرِفُنِي قَبْلَ أَنْ يُضْرَبَ عَلَيْنَا الْحِجَابُ قَالَتْ فَسَأَلَنِي عَنْ أَمْرِي فَسَتَرْتُ وَجْهِي عَنْهُ بِجِلْبَابِي وَأَخْبَرْتُهُ بِأَمْرِي فَقَرَّبَ بَعِيرَهُ فَوَطِئَ عَلَى ذِرَاعِهِ وَوَلَّانِي قَفَاهُ حَتَّى رَكِبْتُ وَسَوَّيْتُ ثِيَابِي ثُمَّ بَعَثَهُ فَأَقْبَلَ يَسِيرُ بِي حَتَّى دَخَلْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ نِصْفَ النَّهَارِ أَوْ نَحْوَهُ فَهُنَالِكَ قَالَ فِيَّ وَفِيهِ مَنْ قَالَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ وَأَنَا لَا أَعْلَمُ شَيْئًا مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَلَا مِمَّا يَخُوضُ النَّاسُ فِيهِ مِنْ أَمْرِي وَكُنْتُ تِلْكَ اللَّيَالِيَ شَاكِيَةً وَكَانَ مِنْ أَوَّلِ مَا أَنْكَرْتُ مِنْ أَمْرِ النَّبِيِّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَعُودُنِي قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ إِذَا مَرِضْتُ وَكَانَ تِلْكَ اللَّيَالِيَ لَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَيَّ وَلَا يَعُودُنِي إِلَّا أَنَّهُ يَقُولُ وَهُوَ مَارٌّ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» فَيَسْأَلُ عَنِّي بَعْضَ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ مَا أَكْثَرَ النَّاسُ فِيهِ مِنْ أَمْرِي غَمَّهُ ذَلِكَ وَقَدْ كُنْتُ شَكَوْتُ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى أُمِّي مَا رَأَيْتُ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ مِنَ الْجَفْوَةِ فَقَالَتْ لِي يَا بُنَيَّةُ اصْبِرِي فَوَاللهِ لَقَلَّ مَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ حَسْنَاءُ يُحِبُّهَا زَوْجُهَا لَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا رَمَيْنَهَا قَالَتْ فَوَجَدْتُ حِسًّا تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ الَّتِي بَعَثَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مِنْ صُبْحِهَا إِلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ فَاسْتَشَارَهُمَا فِي أَمْرِي وَكُنَّا ذَلِكَ الزَّمَانَ لَيْسَتْ لَنَا كُنُفٌ نَذْهَبُ فِيهَا إِنَّمَا كُنَّا نَذْهَبُ كَمَا يَذْهَبُ الْعَرَبُ لَيْلًا إِلَى لَيْلٍ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّ مِسْطَحِ بْنِ أُثَاثَةَ خُذِي الْإِدَاوَةَ فَامْلَئِيهَا مَاءً فَاذْهَبِي بِهَا إِلَى الْمَنَاصِعِ وَكَانَتْ هِيَ وَابْنُهَا مِسْطَحُ بَيْنَهُمَا وَبَيْنَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ قَرَابَةٌ وَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِمَا فَكَانَ يَكُونَانِ مَعَهُ وَمَعَ أَهْلِهِ فَأَخَذْتُ الْإِدَاوَةَ وَخَرَجْنَا نَحْوَ الْمَنَاصِعِ فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ قَالَتْ ثُمَّ مَشَيْنَا فَعَثَرَتْ أَيْضًا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ لِصَاحِبِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَصَاحِبِ بَدْرٍ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّكِ لَغَافِلَةٌ عَمَّا فِيهِ النَّاسُ مِنْ أَمْرِكِ قُلْتُ أَجَلْ فَمَا ذَاكَ؟ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّ مِسْطَحًا وَفُلَانًا وَفُلَانَةَ فِيمَنِ اسْتَزَلَّهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يَجْتَمِعُونَ فِي بَيْتِ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ أَخِي بَنِي الْحَارِثِ بْنِ الْخَزْرَجِ يَتَحَدَّثُونَ عَنْكِ وَعَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ الْمُعَطَّلِ وَيَرْمُونَكِ بِهِ قَالَتْ فَذَهَبَ عَنِّي مَا كُنْتُ أَجِدُ مِنَ الْغَائِطِ وَرَجَعْتُ عَوْدِي عَلَى بَدْئِي إِلَى بَيْتِي فَلَمَّا أَصْبَحْنَا مِنْ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةِ بَعَثَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ فَأَخْبَرَهُمَا بِمَا قِيلَ فِيَّ وَاسْتَشَارَهُمَا فِي أَمْرِي فَقَالَ أُسَامَةُ وَاللهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ مَا عَلِمْنَا عَلَى أَهْلِكَ سُوءًا وَقَالَ لَهُ عَلِيٌّ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ مَا أَكْثَرَ النِّسَاءِ وَإِنْ أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَعْلَمَ الْخَبَرَ فَتَوَعَّدِ الْجَارِيَةَ يَعْنِي بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ لِعَلِيٍّ «فَشَأْنَكَ ائْتِ الْخَادِمَ» فَسَأَلَهَا عَلِيٌّ عَنِّي فَلَمْ تُخْبِرْهُ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ إِلَّا بِخَيْرٍ قَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى عَائِشَةَ سُوءًا إِلَّا أَنَّهَا جُوَيْرِيَةٌ تُصْبِحُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا فَتَدْخُلُ الشَّاةُ الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُ مِنَ الْعَجِينِ قَالَتْ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ حِينَ سَمِعَ مَا قَالَتْ فِيَّ بَرِيرَةُ لِعَلِيٍّ إِلَى النَّاسِ فَلَمَّا اجْتَمَعُوا إِلَيْهِ قَالَ «يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ لِي مِنْ رِجَالٍ يُؤْذُونِي فِي أَهْلِي فَمَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي سُوءًا وَيَذُمُّونَ رَجُلًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِي مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ سُوءًا وَلَا خَرَجْتُ مَخْرَجًا إِلَّا خَرَجَ مَعِي فِيهِ» فَقَالَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ ثُمَّ الْأَشْهَلِيُّ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ فِي أَحَدٍ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ كَفَيْنَاكَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فِيهِ أَمْرَكَ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ ثُمَّ الْخَزْرَجِيُّ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ كَذَبْتَ وَاللهِ وَهَذَا الْبَاطِلُ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ ثُمَّ الْأَشْهَلِيُّ وَرِجَالٌ مِنَ الْفَرِيقَيْنِ فَاسْتَبَّوْا وَتَنَازَعَوْا حَتَّى كَادَ أَنْ يَعْظُمَ الْأَمْرُ بَيْنَهُمْ فَدَخَلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بَيْتِي وَبَعَثَ إِلَى أَبَوَيَّ فَأَتَيَاهُ فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي «يَا عَائِشَةُ إِنَّمَا أَنْتِ مِنْ بَنَاتِ آدَمَ فَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَخْطَأْتِ فَتُوبِي إِلَى اللهِ وَاسْتَغْفِرِيهِ» فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي أَجِبْ عَنِّي رَسُولَ اللهِ فَقَالَ لِي أَبِي لَا أَفْعَلُ هُوَ نَبِيُّ اللهِ وَالْوَحْيُ يَأْتِيَهِ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي أَجِيبِي عَنِّي رَسُولَ اللهِ فَقَالَتْ لِي كَمَا قَالَ أَبِي فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَئِنْ أَقْرَرْتُ عَلَى نَفْسِي بِبَاطِلٍ لَتُصَدِّقُنَّنِي وَلَئِنْ بَرَّأْتُ نَفْسِي وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُكَذِّبُنَّنِي فَمَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا إِلَّا قَوْلَ أَبِي يُوسُفَ {فَصَبَرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} وَنَسِيتُ اسْمَ يَعْقُوبَ لِمَا بِي مِنَ الْحُزْنِ وَالْبُكَاءِ وَاحْتِرَاقِ الْجَوْفِ فَتَغَشَّى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَا كَانَ يَتَغَشَّاهُ مِنَ الْوَحْيِ ثُمَّ سُرِّيَ عَنْهُ فَمَسَحَ وَجْهَهُ بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي «أَبْشِرِي يَا عَائِشَةُ فَقَدْ أَنْزَلَ اللهُ بَرَاءَتَكِ» قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَاللهِ مَا كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ أَنْ يُنَزَّلَ الْقُرْآنُ فِي أَمْرِي وَلَكِنِّي كُنْتُ أَرْجُو كَمَا يَعْلَمُ اللهُ مِنْ بَرَاءَتِي أَنْ يَرَى النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فِي أَمْرِي رُؤْيَا فَيُبَرِّئَنِي اللهُ بِهَا عِنْدَ نَبِيِّهِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ فَقَالَ لِي أَبَوَايَ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ قَوْمِي فَقَبِّلِي رَأْسَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَا أَفْعَلُ بِحَمْدِ اللهِ كَانَ لَا بِحَمْدِكُمْ قَالَتْ وَكَانَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ وَأُمِّهِ فَلَمَّا رَمَانِي حَلَفَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ أَنْ لَا يَنْفَعَهُ بِشَيْءٍ أَبَدًا قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا تَلَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَوْلَ اللهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى {وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لَكُمْ} بَكَى أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ بَلَى يَا رَبُّ وَعَادَ لِلنَّفَقَةِ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ وَأُمِّهِ قَالَتْ وَقَعَدَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ لِحَسَّانَ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ بِالسَّيْفِ فَضَرَبَهُ ضَرْبَةً فَقَالَ صَفْوَانُ لِحَسَّانَ فِي الشَّعْرِ حِينَ ضَرَبَهُ  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ سَفَرًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ نِسَائِهِ أَثْلَاثًا فَمَنْ أَصَابَتْهُ الْقُرْعَةُ أَخْرَجَ بِهِنَّ مَعَهُ فَكُنَّ يَخْرُجْنَ يَسْقِينَ الْمَاءَ وَيُدَاوِينَ الْجَرْحَى فَلَمَّا غَزَا بَنِي الْمُصْطَلِقِ أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَهُنَّ فَأَصَابَتِ الْقُرْعَةُ عَائِشَةَ وَأُمَّ سَلَمَةَ فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِمَا مَعَهُ فَلَمَّا كَانُوا فِي بَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ مَالَ رَحْلُ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ فَأَنَاخُوا بَعِيرَهَا لِيُصْلِحُوا رَحْلَهَا وَكَانَتْ عَائِشَةُ تُرِيدُ قَضَاءَ حَاجَةٍ فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلُوا إِبِلَهُمْ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي إِلَى مَا يُصْلِحُوا رَحْلَ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ أَقْضِي حَاجَتِي قَالَتْ فَنَزَلْتُ مِنَ الْهَوْدَجِ فَأَخَذْتُ مَاءً فِي السَّطْلِ وَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوا بِنُزُولِي فَأَتَيْتُ خَرِبَةً وَانْقَطَعَتْ قِلَادَتِي فَاحْتَبَسْتُ فِي رَجْعِهَا وَنِظَامِهَا وَبَعَثَ الْقَوْمُ إِبِلَهُمْ وَمَضَوْا وَظَنُّوا أَنِّي فِي الْهَوْدَجِ لَمْ أَنْزَلْ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَرَجَعْتُ وَلَمْ أَرَ أَحَدًا قَالَتْ فَاتَّبَعْتُهُمْ حَتَّى أُعْيِيتُ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي إِنَّ الْقَوْمَ سَيَفْقِدُونِي وَيَرْجِعُونَ فِي طَلَبِي قَالَتْ فَقُمْتُ عَلَى بَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ فَمَرَّ بِي صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ وَكَانَ رَفِيقَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَكَانَ سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ أَنْ يَجْعَلَهُ عَلَى السَّاقَةِ فَجَعَلَهُ فَكَانَ إِذَا رَحَلَ النَّاسُ أَقَامَ يُصَلِّي ثُمَّ اتَّبَعَهُمْ فَمَا سَقَطَ مِنْهُمْ مِنْ شَيْءٍ حَمَلَهُ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ بِهِ أَصْحَابَهُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَلَمَّا مَرَّ بِي ظَنَّ أَنِّي رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا نَوْمَانُ قُمْ فَإِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ مَضَوْا قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي لَسْتُ رَجُلًا أَنَا عَائِشَةُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ ثُمَّ أَنَاخَ بَعِيرَهُ فَعَقَلَ يَدَيْهِ ثُمَّ وَلَّى عَنِّي فَقَالَ يَا أُمَّةَ قَوْمِي فَارْكَبِي فَإِذَا رَكِبْتِ فَآذِنِينِي قَالَتْ فَرَكِبْتُ فَجَاءَ حَتَّى حَلَّ الْعِقَالَ ثُمَّ بَعَثَ حِمْلَهُ فَأَخَذَ بِخِطَامِ الْجَمَلِ فَقَالَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ فَمَا كَلَّمَهَا كَلَامًا حَتَّى أَتَى بِهَا رَسُولَ اللهِ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ الْمُنَافِقُ فَجَرَ بِهَا وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ وَأَعَانَهُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ حَسَّانُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ وَمِسْطَحُ بْنُ أُثَاثَةَ وَحَمْنَةُ وَشاعَ ذَلِكَ فِي الْعَسْكَرِ وَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَكَانَ فِي قَلْبِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ مِمَا قَالُوا حَتَّى رَجَعُوا إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ وَأَشَاعَ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيِّ بْنِ سَلُولٍ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ وَاشْتَدَّ ذَلِكَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَدَخَلَتْ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فَرَأَتْنِي وَأَنَا أُرِيدُ الْمَذْهَبَ فَحَمَلَتْ مَعِي السَّطْلَ وَفِيهِ مَاءٌ فَوَقَعَ السَّطْلُ مِنْهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ قَالَتْ لَهَا عَائِشَةُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ تُتْعِسِينَ رَجُلًا مِنْ أَهْلِ بَدْرٍ وَهُوَ ابْنُكِ؟ قَالَتْ لَهَا أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ إِنَّهُ سَالَ بِكِ السَّيْلُ وَأَنْتِ لَا تَدْرِينَ وَأَخْبَرَتْهَا الْخَبَرَ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا أَخْبَرَتْنِي أَخَذَتْنِي الْحُمَّى وَتَقَلَّصَ مَا كَانَ بِي وَلَمْ أَبْعُدِ الْمَذْهَبَ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَقَدْ كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ جَفْوَةً وَلَمْ أَدْرِ مِنْ أَيِّ شَيْءٍ هِيَ؟ فَلَمَّا حَدَّثَتْنِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فَعَلِمْتُ أَنَّ جَفْوَةَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ كَانَتْ لِمَا أَخْبَرَتْنِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُلْتُ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَتَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ أَذْهَبَ إِلَى أَهْلِي؟ قَالَ «اذْهَبِي» فَخَرَجَتْ عَائِشَةُ حَتَّى أَتَتْ أَبَاهَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ قَالَ لَهَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ مَا لَكِ؟ قَالَتْ أَخْرَجَنِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ بَيْتِهِ قَالَ لَهَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَأَخْرَجَكِ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَآوِيكِ أَنَا وَاللهِ لَا آوِيكِ حَتَّى يَأْمُرَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَأَمَرَهُ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَنْ يُؤْوِيَهَا فَقَالَ لَهَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَاللهِ مَا قِيلَ لَنَا هَذَا فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ قَطُّ فَكَيْفَ وَقَدْ أَعَزَّنَا اللهُ بِالْإِسْلَامِ؟ فَبَكَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَأُمُّهَا أُمُّ رُومَانَ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ وَبَكَى مَعَهُمْ أَهْلُ الدَّارِ وَبَلَغَ ذَاكَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَصَعِدَ الْمِنْبَرَ فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ «أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ مَنْ يَعْذُرُنِي مِمَّنْ يُؤْذِينِي؟» فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ فَسَلَّ سَيْفَهُ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَنَا أَعْذُرُكَ مِنْهُ إِنْ يَكَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ أَتَيْتُكَ بِرَأْسِهِ وَإِنْ يَكُ مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا بِأَمْرِكَ فِيهِ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ فَقَالَ كَذَبْتَ وَاللهِ مَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ إِنَّمَا طَلَبْتَنَا بِدُخُولٍ كَانَتْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَقَالَ هَذَا يَا لَلْأَوْسِ وَقَالَ هَذَا يَا لَلْخَزْرَجِ فَاضْطَرَبُوا بِالنِّعَالِ وَالْحِجَارَةِ وَتَلَاطَمُوا فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ فَقَالَ فِيمَ الْكَلَامُ؟ هَذَا رَسُولُ اللهِ يَأْمُرُنَا بِأَمْرِهِ فَسَفَدَ عَنْ رَغْمِ أَنْفِ مَنْ رَغِمَ وَنَزَلَ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَصَعِدَ إِلَيْهِ أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ فَاحْتَضَنَهُ فَلَمَّا سُرِّيَ عَنْهُ أَوْمَأَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِلَى النَّاسِ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ تَلَا عَلَيْهِمْ مَا نَزَلَ بِهِ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ فَنَزَلَ {وَإِنْ طَائِفَتَانِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اقْتَتَلُوا فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا فَإِنْ بَغَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا عَلَى الْأُخْرَى فَقَاتِلُوا الَّتِي تَبْغِي} بِالسَّيْفِ إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَاتِ فَصَاحَ النَّاسُ رَضِينَا يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ فَقَامَ بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى بَعْضٍ فَتَلَازَمُوا وَتَصَالَحُوا وَنَزَلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ عَنِ الْمِنْبَرِ وَانْتَظَرَ الْوَحْيَ فِي عَائِشَةَ وَبَعَثَ إِلَى عَلِيٍّ وَأُسَامَةَ وَبَرِيرَةَ وَكَانَ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَسْتَشِيرَ امْرَأً لَمْ يَعْدُ عَلِيًّا وَأُسَامَةَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِ أَبِيهِ زَيْدٍ فَقَالَ لِعَلِيٍّ «مَا تَقُولُ فِي عَائِشَةَ؟ فَقَدْ أَهَمَّنِي مَا قَالَ النَّاسُ فِيهَا» فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَدْ قَالَ النَّاسُ وَقَدْ حَلَّ لَكَ طَلَاقُهَا وَقَالَ لِأُسَامَةَ «مَا تَقُولُ أَنْتَ؟» قَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ مَا يَحِلُّ لَنَا أَنْ نَتَكَلَّمَ بِهَذَا سُبْحَانَكَ هَذَا بُهْتَانٌ عَظِيمٌ فَقَالَ لِبَرِيرَةَ «مَا تَقُولِينَ يَا بَرِيرَةُ؟» قَالَتْ وَاللهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِكَ إِلَّا خَيْرًا إِلَّا أَنَّهَا امْرَأَةٌ نَؤُومٌ تَنَامُ حَتَّى تَجِيءَ الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلَ عَجِينَهَا وَإِنْ كَانَ شَيْءٌ مِنْ هَذَا لَيُخْبِرَنَّكَ اللهُ فَخَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ حَتَّى أَتَى مَنْزِلَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالَ لَهَا «يَا عَائِشَةُ إِنْ كُنْتِ فَعَلْتِ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ فَقُولِي حَتَّى اسْتَغْفِرَ اللهَ لَكِ» قَالَتْ وَاللهِ لَا أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ مِنْهُ أَبَدًا إِنْ كُنْتُ فَعَلْتُهُ فَلَا غَفَرَ اللهُ لِي وَمَا أَجِدُ مَثَلِي وَمَثَلَكُمْ إِلَّا مَثَلُ أَبِي يُوسُفَ وَذَهَبَ اسْمُ يَعْقُوبَ مِنَ الْأَسَفِ {إِنَّمَا أَشْكُو بَثِّي وَحُزْنِي إِلَى اللهِ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ} فَبَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُكَلِّمُهَا إِذْ نَزَلَ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ بِالْوَحْيِ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَأَخَذَتِ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ نَعْسَةٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ لِعَائِشَةَ قَوْمِي فَاحْتَضِنِي رَسُولَ اللهِ فَقَالَتْ لَا وَاللهِ لَا أَدْنُو مِنْهُ فَقَامَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَاحْتَضَنَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَسُرِّيَ عَنْهُ وَهُوَ يَبْتَسِمُ فَقَالَ «عَائِشَةُ قَدْ أَنْزَلَ اللهُ عُذْرَكِ» قَالَتْ بِحَمْدِ اللهِ لَا بِحَمْدِكَ فَتَلَا عَلَيْهَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ سُورَةَ النُّورِ إِلَى الْمَوْضِعِ الَّذِي انْتَهَى خَبَرُهَا وَعُذْرُهَا وَبَرَاءَتُهَا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «قُومِي إِلَى الْبَيْتِ» فَقَامَتْ وَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ فَدَعَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ بْنَ الْجَرَّاحِ فَجَمَعَ النَّاسَ ثُمَّ تَلَا عَلَيْهِمْ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ مِنَ الْبَرَاءَةِ لِعَائِشَةَ وَنَزَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَبَعَثَ إِلَى عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أُبَيٍّ الْمُنَافِقِ فَجِيءَ بِهِ فَضَرَبَهُ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ حَدَّيْنِ وَبَعَثَ إِلَى حَسَّانَ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ وَمِسْطَحِ بْنِ أُثَاثَةَ وَحَمْنَةَ بِنْتِ جَحْشٍ فَضُرِبُوا ضَرْبًا وَجِيعًا وَوُجِئَ فِي رِقَابِهِمْ قَالَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ إِنَّمَا ضَرَبَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ عَبْدَ اللهِ بْنَ أُبَيٍّ حَدَّيْنِ لِأَنَّهُ مَنْ قَذَفَ أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَعَلَيْهِ حَدَّانِ فَبَعَثَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ إِلَى مِسْطَحِ بْنِ أُثَاثَةَ فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْكَ وَأَنْتَ ابْنُ خَالَتِي مَا حَمَلَكَ عَلَى مَا قُلْتَ فِي عَائِشَةَ؟ أَمَّا حَسَّانُ فَرَجُلٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ لَيْسَ مِنْ قَوْمِي وَأَمَّا حَمْنَةُ فَامْرَأَةٌ ضَعِيفَةٌ لَا عَقْلَ لَهَا وَأَمَّا عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيٍّ فَمُنَافِقٌ وَأَنْتَ فِي عِيَالِي مُنْذُ مَاتَ أَبُوكَ وَأَنْتَ ابْنُ أَرْبَعِ حِجَجٍ أُنْفِقُ عَلَيْكَ وَأَكْسُوكَ حَتَّى بَلَغْتَ مَا قَطَعْتُ عَنْكَ نَفَقَةً إِلَى يَوْمِي هَذَا وَاللهِ إِنَّكَ لِرَجُلٌ لَا وَصَلْتُكَ بِدِرْهَمٍ أَبَدًا وَلَا عَطَفْتُ عَلَيْكَ بِخَيْرٍ أَبَدًا ثُمَّ طَرَدَهُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَأَخْرَجَهُ مِنْ مَنْزِلِهِ فَنَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ} الْآيَةَ فَلَمَّا قَالَ {أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لَكُمْ} بَكَى أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ أَمَّا إِذْ نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ بِأَمْرِي فِيكَ لَأُضَاعِفَنَّ لَكَ النَّفَقَةَ وَقَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَكَ فَإِنَّ اللهَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أَغْفِرَ لَكَ وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَةُ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أُبَيٍّ مُنَافِقَةً مَعَهُ فَنَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ {الْخَبِيثَاتُ} يَعْنِي امْرَأَةَ عَبْدِ اللهِ {لِلْخَبِيثِينَ} يَعْنِي عَبْدَ اللهِ {وَالْخَبِيثُونَ لِلْخَبِيثَاتِ} يَعْنِي عَبْدَ اللهِ لِامْرَأَتِهِ {وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ لِلطَّيِّبِينَ} يَعْنِي عَائِشَةَ وَأَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ {وَالطَّيِّبُونَ} يَعْنِي النَّبِيَّ ﷺ {لِلطَّيِّبَاتِ} يَعْنِي لِعَائِشَةَ وَأَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ {أُولَئِكَ مُبَرَّءُونَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَ} إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَاتِ  

كَانَ فِي الْأُسَارَى يَوْمَ بَدْرٍ أَبُو الْعَاصِ بْنُ الرَّبِيعِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْعُزَّى بْنِ عَبْدِ شَمْسٍ خَتَنُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ زَوْجُ ابْنَتِهِ زَيْنَبَ وَكَانَ أَبُو الْعَاصِ مِنْ رِجَالِ مَكَّةَ الْمَعْدُودِينَ مَالًا وَأَمَانَةً وَكَانَ لهالةَ بِنْتِ خُوَيْلِدٍ وَكَانَتْ خَدِيجَةُ خَالَتَهُ فَسَأَلَتْ خَدِيجَةُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ أَنْ يُزَوِّجَهُ زَيْنَبَ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ لَا يُخَالِفُهَا وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ وَكَانَتْ تَعُدُّهُ بِمَنْزِلَةِ وَلَدِهَا فَلَمَّا أَكْرَمَ اللهُ نَبِيَّهُ بِالنُّبُوَّةِ وَآمَنَتْ بِهِ خَدِيجَةُ وَبَنَاتُهُ وَصَدَّقْنَهُ وَشَهِدْنَ أَنَّ مَا جَاءَ بِهِ هُوَ الْحَقُّ وَدِنَّ بِدِينِهِ وَثَبَتَ أَبُو الْعَاصِ عَلَى شِرْكِهِ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَدْ زَوَّجَ عُتْبَةَ بْنَ أَبِي لَهَبٍ إِحْدَى بِنْتَيْهِ رُقَيَّةَ أَوْ أُمَّ كُلْثُومٍ فَلَمَّا بَادَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قُرَيْشًا بِأَمْرِ اللهِ وَبَادَوْهُ قَالُوا إِنَّكُمْ قَدْ فَرَّغْتُمْ مُحَمَّدًا مِنْ هَمِّهِ فَرُدُّوا عَلَيْهِ بَنَاتِهِ فَاشْغَلُوهُ بِهِنَّ فَمَشَوْا إِلَى أَبِي الْعَاصِ بْنِ الرَّبِيعِ فَقَالُوا فَارِقْ صَاحِبَتَكَ وَنَحْنُ نُزَوِّجُكَ أَيَّ امْرَأَةٍ شِئْتَ فَقَالَ لَا هَا اللهِ إِذًا لَا أُفَارِقُ صَاحِبَتِي وَمَا أُحِبُّ أَنَّ لِي بِامْرَأَتِي امْرَأَةً مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُثْنِي عَلَيْهِ فِي صِهْرِهِ خَيْرًا فِيمَا بَلَغَنِي فَمَشَوْا إِلَى الْفَاسِقِ عُتْبَةَ بْنِ أَبِي لَهَبٍ فَقَالُوا طَلِّقِ امْرَأَتَكَ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَنَحْنُ نُنْكِحُكَ أَيَّ امْرَأَةٍ شِئْتَ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَقَالَ إِنْ زَوَّجْتُمُونِي بِنْتَ أَبَانَ بْنِ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْعَاصِ أَوْ بِنْتَ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْعَاصِ فَارَقْتُهَا فَزَوَّجُوهُ بِنْتَ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْعَاصِ فَفَارَقَهَا وَلَمْ يَكُنْ عَدُوُّ اللهِ دَخَلَ بِهَا فَأَخْرَجَهَا اللهُ مِنْ يَدِهِ كَرَامَةً لَهَا وَهَوَانًا لَهُ وَخَلَفَ عُثْمَانُ بْنُ عَفَّانَ عَلَيْهَا بَعْدَهُ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ لَا يُحِلُّ بِمَكَّةَ وَلَا يُحَرِّمُ مَغْلُوبًا عَلَى أَمْرِهِ وَكَانَ الْإِسْلَامُ قَدْ فَرَّقَ بَيْنَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ حِينَ أَسْلَمَتْ وَبَيْنَ أَبِي الْعَاصِ بْنِ الرَّبِيعِ إِلَّا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ كَانَ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى أَنْ يُفِرِّقَ بَيْنَهُمَا فَأَقَامَتْ مَعَهُ عَلَى إِسْلَامِهَا وَهُوَ عَلَى شِرْكِهِ حَتَّى هَاجَرَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ وَهِيَ مُقِيمَةٌ مَعَهُ بِمَكَّةَ فَلَمَّا سَارَتْ قُرَيْشٌ إِلَى بَدْرٍ سَارَ فِيهِمْ أَبُو الْعَاصِ بْنُ الرَّبِيعِ فَأُصِيبَ فِي الْأُسَارَى يَوْمَ بَدْرٍ وَكَانَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ ابْنُ إِسْحَاقَ فَحَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ عَبَّادِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَبَّادِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَتْ لَمَّا بَعَثَ أَهْلُ مَكَّةَ فِي فِدَاءِ أُسَرائِهِمْ بَعَثَتْ زَيْنَبُ بِنْتُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فِي فِدَاءِ أَبِي الْعَاصِ وَبَعَثَتْ فِيهِ بِقِلَادَةٍ لَهَا كَانَتْ خَدِيجَةُ قَدْ أَدْخَلَتْهَا فِيهَا عَلَى أَبِي الْعَاصِ حِينَ بَنَى عَلَيْهَا فَلَمَّا رَآهَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ رَقَّ لَهَا رِقَّةً شَدِيدَةً فَقَالَ «إِنْ رَأَيْتُمْ أَنْ تُطْلِقُوا لَهَا أَسِيرَهَا وَتَرُدُّوا عَلَيْهَا مَالَهَا فَافْعَلُوا» فَقَالُوا نَعَمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ فَأَطْلَقُوهُ وَرَدُّوا عَلَيْهَا الَّذِي لَهَا قَالَ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَدْ أَخَذَ عَلَيْهِ وَوَعَدَهُ ذَلِكَ أَنْ يُخَلِّيَ سَبِيلَ زَيْنَبَ إِلَيْهِ إِذْ كَانَ فِيمَا شَرَطَ عَلَيْهِ فِي إِطْلَاقِهِ وَلَمْ يَظْهَرْ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ وَلَا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَيَعْلَمُ إِلَّا إِنَّهُ لَمَّا خَرَجَ أَبُو الْعَاصِ إِلَى مَكَّةَ وَخَلَا سَبِيلُهُ بَعَثَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ زَيْدَ بْنَ حَارِثَةَ وَرَجُلًا مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ مَكَانَهُ وَقَالَ كُونَا بِبَطْحِ يَأْجِجَ حَتَّى تَمُرَّ بِكُمَا زَيْنَبُ فَتَصْحَبَانِهَا حَتَّى تَأْتِيَانِي بِهَا فَخَرَجَا مَكَانَهُمَا وَذَلِكَ بَعْدَ بَدْرٍ بِشَهْرٍ أَوْ شَيْعِهِ فَلَمَّا قَدِمَ أَبُو الْعَاصِ مَكَّةَ أَمَرَهَا بِاللُّحُوقِ بِأَبِيهَا فَخَرَجَتْ جَهْرَةً قَالَ ابْنُ إِسْحَاقَ قَالَ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أَبِي بَكْرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ حَزْمٍ حُدِّثْتُ عَنْ زَيْنَبَ أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ بَيْنَمَا أَنَا أَتَجَهَّزُ بِمَكَّةَ لِلُّحُوقِ بِأَبِي لَقِيَتْنِي هِنْدُ بِنْتُ عُتْبَةَ فَقَالَتْ يَا ابْنَةَ عَمِّي إِنْ كَانَ لَكِ حَاجَةٌ بِمَتَاعٍ مِمَّا يُرْفَقُ بِكِ فِي سَفَرِكِ أَوْ مَالٍ تَبْلُغِينَ بِهِ إِلَى أَبِيكِ فَإِنَّ عِنْدِي حَاجَتَكِ فَلَا تَضْطَنِي مِنِّي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَدْخُلُ بَيْنَ النِّسَاءِ مَا يَدْخُلُ بَيْنَ الرِّجَالِ قَالَتْ وَوَاللهِ مَا أُرَاهَا قَالَتْ ذَلِكَ إِلَّا لِتَفْعَلَ وَلَكِنْ خِفْتُهَا فَأَنْكَرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ أُرِيدُ ذَلِكَ فَتَجَهَّزْتُ فَلَمَّا فَرَغْتُ مِنْ جَهَازِي قَدَّمَ لِي حَمْوِي كِنَانَةُ بْنُ الرَّبِيعِ أَخُو زَوْجِي بَعِيرًا فَرَكِبْتُهُ وَأَخَذَ قَوْسَهُ وَكِنَانَتَهُ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ بِهَا نَهَارًا يَقُودُ بِهَا وَهِيَ فِي هَوْدَجِهَا وَتَحَدَّثَتْ بِذَلِكَ رِجَالُ قُرَيْشٍ فَخَرَجُوا فِي طَلَبِهَا حَتَّى أَدْرَكُوهَا بِذِي طُوًى وَكَانَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ سَبَقَ إِلَيْهَا هَبَّارُ بْنُ الْأَسْوَدِ بْنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ بْنِ أَسَدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْعُزَّى بْنِ قُصَيٍّ وَنَافِعُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْقَيْسِ الزُّهْرِيِّ بِقِينَةِ بَنِي أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ بْنِ نَافِعٍ الَّذِي بِإِفْرِيقِيَّةَ فَرَوَّعَهَا هَبَّارُ بِالرُّمْحِ وَهِيَ فِي هَوْدَجِهَا وَكَانَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ حَامِلًا فِيمَا يَزْعُمُونَ فَلَمَّا رِيعَتْ أَلْقَتْ مَا فِي بَطْنِهَا فَنَزَلَ حَمْوُهَا وَنَثَرَ كِنَانَتَهُ فَقَالَ وَاللهِ لَا يَدْنُو مِنِّي رَجُلٌ إِلَّا وَضَعْتُ فِيهِ سَهْمًا فَتَكَرْكَرَ النَّاسُ عَنْهُ وَأَتَى أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فِي جُلَّةِ قُرَيْشٍ فَقَالَ أَيُّهَا الرَّجُلُ كَفَّ عَنَّا نَبْلَكَ حَتَّى نُكَلِّمَكَ فَكَفَّ وَأَقْبَلَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَأَقْبَلَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّكَ لَمْ تُصِبْ خَرَجْتَ بِامْرَأَةٍ عَلَى رُءُوسِ النَّاسِ عَلَانِيَةً وَقَدْ عَرَفْتَ مُصِيبَتَنَا وَنَكْبَتَنَا وَمَا قَدْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ فَيَظُنُّ النَّاسُ إِذَا خَرَجَتْ إِلَيْهِ ابْنَتُهُ عَلَانِيَةً مِنْ ظَهْرَانَيْنَا أَنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنْ ذُلٍّ أَصَابَنَا عَنْ مُصِيبَتِنَا الَّتِي كَانَتْ وَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنَّا ضِعْفٌ وَوَهَنٌ وَأَنَّهُ لَعَمْرِي مَا لَنَا فِي حَبِسِهَا عَنْ أَبِيهَا حَاجَةٌ وَلَكِنْ أَرْجِعِ الْمَرْأَةَ حَتَّى إِذَا هَدَأَ الصَّوْتُ وَتَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ أَنَا قَدْ رَدَدْنَاهَا فَسُلَّهَا سِرًّا وَأَلْحِقْهَا بِأَبِيهَا قَالَ فَفَعَلَ وَأَقَامَتْ لَيَالِي حَتَّى إِذَا هَدَأَ النَّاسُ خَرَجَ بِهَا لَيْلًا حَتَّى أَسْلَمَهَا إِلَى زَيْدِ بنِ حَارِثَةَ وَصَاحِبِهِ فَقَدِمَا بِهَا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَأَقَامَ أَبُو الْعَاصِ بِمَكَّةَ وَكَانَتْ زَيْنَبُ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ قَدْ فَرَّقَ الْإِسْلَامُ بَيْنَهُمَا حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَتْ قُبَيلَ الْفَتْحِ خَرَجَ أَبُو الْعَاصِ تَاجِرًا إِلَى الشَّامِ وَكَانَ رَجُلًا مَأْمُونًا بِمَالٍ لَهُ وَأَمْوَالٍ لِرِجَالٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ أَبْضَعُوهَا مَعَهُ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ مِنْ تِجَارَتِهِ أَقْبَلَ قَافِلًا فَلَقِيَتْهُ سَرِيَّةُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَأَصَابُوا مَا مَعَهُ وَأَعْجَزَهُمْ هَارِبًا فَلَمَّا قَدِمَتِ السَّرِيَّةُ بِمَا أَصَابُوا مِنْ مَالِهِ أَقْبَلَ أَبُو الْعَاصِ بْنِ الرَّبِيعِ تَحْتَ اللَّيْلِ حَتَّى دَخَلَ عَلَى زَيْنَبَ بِنْتِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَاسْتَجَارَ بِهَا فَأَجَارَتْهُ وَجَاءَ فِي طَلَبِ مَالِهِ فَلَمَّا خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِلَى الصُّبْحِ كَمَا حَدَّثَنِي يَزِيدُ بْنُ رُومَانَ فَكَبَّرَ وَكَبَّرَ النَّاسُ خَرَجَتْ زَيْنَبُ مِنْ صُفَّةِ النِّسَاءِ وَقَالَتْ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي أَجَرْتُ أَبَا الْعَاصِ بْنَ الرَّبِيعِ فَلَمَّا سَلَّمَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى النَّاسِ فَقَالَ «أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَسَمِعْتُمْ» قَالُوا نَعَمْ قَالَ «أَمَا وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ مَا عَمِلْتُ بِشَيْءٍ كَانَ حَتَّى سَمِعْتُهُ وَإِنَّهُ لَيُجِيرُ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَدْنَاهُمْ» ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ حَتَّى دَخَلَ عَلَى ابْنَتِهِ فَقَالَ «يَا بُنَيَّةُ أَكْرِمِي مَثْوَاهُ وَلَا يَخْلُصْ إِلَيْكِ فَإِنَّكِ لَا تَحَلِّينَ لَهُ» قَالَ ابْنُ إِسْحَاقَ وَحَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ بَعَثَ إِلَى السَّرِيَّةِ الَّذِينَ أَصَابُوا مَالَ أَبِي الْعَاصِ بْنِ الرَّبِيعِ أَنَّ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ مِنَّا حَيْثُ قَدْ عَلِمْتُمْ وَقَدْ أَصَبْتُمْ لَهُ مَالًا فَإِنْ تُحْسِنُوا وَتَرُدُّوا عَلَيْهِ الَّذِي لَهُ فَإِنَّا نُحِبُّ ذَلِكَ وَإِنْ أَبَيْتُمْ فَهُوَ فَيْءُ اللهِ الَّذِي أَفَاءَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَنْتُمُ أَحَقُّ بِهِ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ بَلْ نَرُدَّهُ فَرَدُّوا عَلَيْهِ مَالَهُ حَتَّى إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَأْتِي بِالْحَبْلِ وَيَأْتِي الرَّجُلُ بِالشَّنَّةِ وَبِالْإِدْوَاةِ حَتَّى إِنَّ أَحَدَهُمْ لَيَأْتِي بِالشَّظَاظِ حَتَّى إِذَا رَدُّوا عَلَيْهِ مَالَهُ بِأَسْرِهِ لَا يَفْقِدُ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا احْتَمَلَ إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَرَدَّ إِلَى كُلِّ ذِي مَالٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ مَالَهُ مِمَّنْ كَانَ أَبْضَعَ مَعَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ هَلْ بَقِيَ لِأَحَدٍ مِنْكُمْ عِنْدِي مَالٌ لَمْ يَأْخُذْهُ؟ قَالُوا لَا وَجَزَاكَ اللهُ خَيْرًا فَقَدْ وَجَدْنَاكَ لَعَفِيفًا كَرِيمًا قَالَ فَإِنِّي أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَاللهِ مَا مَنَعَنِي مِنَ الْإِسْلَامِ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا تَخَوُّفًا أَنْ تَظُنُّوا أَنِّي إِنَّمَا أَرَدْتُ أَنْ آكُلَ أَمْوَالَكُمْ فَأَمَّا إِذَا أَدَّاهَا اللهُ إِلَيْكُمْ وَفَرَغْتُ مِنْهَا أَسْلَمْتُ وَخَرَجَ حَتَّى قَدِمَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ  

وَتَسْمِيَةُ الَّذِينَ خَرَجُوا إِلَى أَرْضِ الْحَبَشَةِ الْمَرَّةَ الْأُولَى قَبْلَ خُرُوجِ جَعْفَرٍ وَأَصْحَابِهِ عُثْمَانُ بْنُ مَظْعُونٍ وَعُثْمَانُ بْنُ عَفَّانَ وَمَعَهُ امْرَأَتُهُ رُقَيَّةُ بِنْتُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَعَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ وَعَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ وَأَبُو حُذَيْفَةَ بْنُ عُتْبَةَ بْنِ رَبِيعَةَ وَمَعَهُ امْرَأَتُهُ سَهْلَةُ بِنْتُ سُهَيْلِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو وَوَلَدَتْ لَهُ بِأَرْضِ الْحَبَشَةِ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ أَبِي حُذَيْفَةَ وَالزُّبَيْرُ بْنُ الْعَوَّامِ وَمُصْعَبُ بْنُ عُمَيْرٍ أَخُو بَنِي عَبْدِ الدَّارِ وَعَامِرُ بْنُ رَبِيعَةَ وَأَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْأَسَدِ وَامْرَأَتُهُ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ وَأَبُو سَبْرَةَ بْنُ أَبِي رُهْمٍ وَمَعَهُ أُمُّ كُلْثُومِ بِنْتُ سُهَيْلِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو وَسُهَيْلُ بْنُ بَيْضَاءَ قَالَ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ هَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ ذَهَبُوا الْمَرَّةَ الْأُولَى قَبْلَ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأَصْحَابِهِ حِينَ أَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ السُّورَةَ الَّتِي يَذْكُرُ فِيهَا {وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَى} وَقَالَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ لَوْ كَانَ هَذَا الرَّجُلُ يَذْكُرُ آلِهَتَنَا بِخَيْرٍ أَقْرَرْنَاهُ وَأَصْحَابَهُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَذْكُرُ أَحَدًا مِمَّنْ خَالَفَ دِينَهُ مِنَ الْيَهُودِ وَالنَّصَارَى بِمِثْلِ الَّذِي يَذْكُرُ بِهِ آلِهَتَنَا مِنَ الشَّتْمِ وَالشَّرِّ فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ السُّورَةَ الَّتِي يَذْكُرُ فِيهَا {وَالنَّجْمِ} وَقَرَأَ {أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ اللَّاتَ وَالْعُزَّى وَمَنَاةَ الثَّالِثَةَ الْأُخْرَى} أَلْقَى الشَّيْطَانُ فِيهَا عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ ذِكْرَ الطَّوَاغِيتِ فَقَالَ «وَإِنَّهُنَّ لِمَنَ الْغَرَانِيقِ الْعُلَى وَإِنَّ شَفَاعَتَهُمْ لَتُرْتَجَى» وَذَلِكَ مِنْ سَجْعِ الشَّيْطَانِ وَفِتْنَتِهِ فَوَقَعَتْ هَاتَانِ الْكَلِمَتَانِ فِي قَلْبِ كُلِّ مُشْرِكٍ وَذَلَّتْ بِهَا أَلْسِنَتُهُمْ وَاسْتَبْشَرُوا بِهَا وَقَالُوا إِنَّ مُحَمَّدًا ﷺ قَدْ رَجَعَ إِلَى دِينِهِ الْأَوَّلِ وَدِينِ قَوْمِهِ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ آخِرَ السُّورَةِ الَّتِي فِيهَا النَّجْمُ سَجَدَ وَسَجَدَ مَعَهُ كُلُّ مَنْ حَضَرَ مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ وَمُشْرِكٍ غَيْرَ أَنَّ الْوَلِيدَ بْنَ الْمُغِيرَةِ كَانَ رَجُلًا كَبِيرًا فَرَفَعَ عَلَى كَفِّهِ تُرَابًا فَسَجَدَ عَلَيْهِ فَعَجِبَ الْفَرِيقَانِ كِلَاهُمَا مِنْ جَمَاعَتِهِمْ فِي السُّجُودِ لِسُجُودِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَأَمَّا الْمُسْلِمُونَ فَعَجِبُوا مِنْ سُجُودِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ عَلَى غَيْرِ إِيمَانٍ وَلَا يَقِينٍ وَلَمْ يَكُنِ الْمُسْلِمُونَ سَمِعُوا الَّذِي أَلْقَى الشَّيْطَانُ عَلَى أَلْسِنَةِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ وَأَمَّا الْمُشْرِكُونَ فَاطْمَأَنَّتْ أَنْفُسُهُمْ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَأَصْحَابِهِ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا الَّذِي أَلْقَى الشَّيْطَانُ فِي أُمْنِيَّةِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَحَدَّثَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَدْ قَرَأَهَا فِي السَّجْدَةِ فَسَجَدُوا لِتَعْظِيمِ آلِهَتِهِمْ فَفَشَتْ تِلْكَ الْكَلِمَةُ فِي النَّاسِ وَأَظْهَرَهَا الشَّيْطَانُ حَتَّى بَلَغَتِ الْحَبَشَةَ فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ عُثْمَانُ بْنُ مَظْعُونٍ وَعَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَعَهُمْ مِنْ أَهْلِ مَكَّةَ أَنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ أَسْلَمُوا وَصَلَّوْا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَبَلَغَهُمْ سُجُودُ الْوَلِيدِ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ عَلَى التُّرَابِ عَلَى كَفَّيْهِ أَقْبَلُوا سِرَاعًا وَكَبُرَ ذَلِكَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَلَمَّا أَمْسَى أَتَاهُ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ فَأَمَرَهُ فَقَرَأَ عَلَيْهِ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَهَا تَبَرَّأَ مِنْهَا جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ وَقَالَ مَعَاذَ اللهِ مِنْ هَاتَيْنِ مَا أَنْزَلَهُمَا رَبِّي وَلَا أَمَرَنِي بِهِمَا رَبُّكَ فَلَمَّا رَأَى ذَلِكَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ شَقَّ عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ «أَطَعْتُ الشَّيْطَانَ وَتَكَلَّمْتُ بِكَلَامِهِ وَشَرَكَنِي فِي أَمْرِ اللهِ» فَنَسَخَ اللهُ ﷻ مَا أَلْقَى الشَّيْطَانُ وَأَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ {وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ وَلَا نَبِيٍّ إِلَّا إِذَا تَمَنَّى أَلْقَى الشَّيْطَانُ فِي أُمْنِيَّتِهِ فَيَنْسَخُ اللهُ مَا يُلْقِي الشَّيْطَانُ ثُمَّ يُحْكِمُ اللهُ آيَاتِهِ وَاللهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ لِيَجْعَلَ مَا يُلْقِي الشَّيْطَانُ فِتْنَةً لِلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ مَرَضٌ وَالْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ لَفِي شِقَاقٍ بَعِيدٍ} فَلَمَّا بَرَّأَهُ اللهُ مِنْ سَجْعِ الشَّيْطَانِ وَفِتْنَتِهِ انْقَلَبَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ بَضَلَالِهِمْ وَعَدَاوَتِهِمْ وَبَلَغَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِمَّنْ كَانَ بِأَرْضِ الْحَبَشَةِ وَقَدْ شَارَفُوا مَكَّةَ فَلَمْ يَسْتَطِيعُوا الرُّجُوعَ مِنْ شِدَّةِ الْبَلَاءِ الَّذِي أَصَابَهُمْ وَالْجُوعِ وَالْخَوْفِ خَافُوا أَنْ يَدْخُلُوا مَكَّةَ فَيُبْطَشَ بِهِمْ فَلَمْ يَدْخُلْ رَجُلٌ مِنْهُمْ إِلَّا بِجِوَارٍ وَأَجَارَ الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ الْمُغِيرَةِ عُثْمَانَ بْنَ مَظْعُونٍ فَلَمَّا أَبْصَرَ عُثْمَانُ بْنُ مَظْعُونٍ الَّذِي لَقِيَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ وَأَصْحَابَهُ مِنَ الْبَلَاءِ وَعُذِّبَتْ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْهُمْ بِالنَّارِ وَبِالسِّيَاطِ وَعُثْمَانُ مُعَافًى لَا يُعْرَضُ لَهُ رَجَعَ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ فَاسْتَحَبَّ الْبَلَاءَ عَلَى الْعَافِيَةِ وَقَالَ أَمَا مَنْ كَانَ فِي عَهْدِ اللهِ وَذِمَّتَهِ وَذِمَّةِ رَسُولِهِ الَّذِي اخْتَارَ لِأَوْلِيَائِهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَمَنْ دَخَلَ فِيهِ فَهُوَ خَائِفٌ مُبْتَلًى بِالشِّدَّةِ وَالْكَرْبِ عَمَدَ إِلَى الْوَلِيدِ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ فَقَالَ يَا ابْنَ عَمِّ قَدْ أَجَرْتَنِي فَأَحْسَنْتَ جِوَارِي وَإِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ تُخْرِجَنِي إِلَى عَشِيرَتِكَ فَتَبْرَأَ مِنِّي بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِهِمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْوَلِيدُ ابْنَ أَخِي لَعَلَّ أَحَدًا آذَاكَ وَشَتَمَكَ وَأَنْتَ فِي ذِمَّتِي فَأَنْتَ تُرِيدُ مَنْ هُوَ أَمْنَعُ لَكَ مِنِّي فَأَكْفِيكَ ذَلِكَ؟ قَالَ لَا وَاللهِ مَا بِي ذَلِكَ وَمَا اعْتَرَضَ لِي مِنْ أَحَدٍ فَلَمَّا أَبَى عُثْمَانُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَتَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُ الْوَلِيدُ أَخْرَجَهُ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ وَقُرَيْشٌ فِيهِ كَأَحْفَلِ مَا كَانُوا وَلَبِيدُ بْنُ رَبِيعَةَ الشَّاعِرُ يُنْشِدُهُمْ فَأَخَذَ الْوَلِيدُ بِيَدِ عُثْمَانَ فَأَتَى بِهِ قُرَيْشًا فَقَالَ إِنَّ هَذَا غَلَبَنِي وَحَمَلَنِي عَلَى أَنْ أَبْرَأَ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ جِوَارِي أُشْهِدُكُمْ أَنِّي مِنْهُ بَرِيءٌ فَجَلَسَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ وَأَخَذَ لَبِيدُ يُنْشِدُهُمْ فَقَالَ  

لَمَّا بَلَغَنَا ظُهُورُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ خَرَجْتُ وَافِدًا عَنْ قَوْمِي حَتَّى قَدِمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَلَقِيتُ أَصْحَابَهُ قَبْلَ لِقَائِهِ فَقَالُوا قَدْ بَشَّرْنَا بِكَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تُقِدَمَ عَلَيْنَا بِثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فَقَالَ «قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ وَائِلُ بْنُ حُجْرٍ» ثُمَّ لَقِيتُهُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ فَرَحَّبَ بِي وأَدْنَا مَجْلِسِي وَبَسَطَ لِي رِدَاءَهُ فَأَجْلَسَنِي عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ دَعَا فِي النَّاسِ فَاجْتَمَعُوا إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ اطَّلَعَ الْمِنْبَرَ وأَطْلَعَنِي مَعَهُ فَأَنَا مِنْ دُونِهِ ثُمَّ حَمِدَ اللهَ وَقَالَ «يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ هَذَا وَائِلُ بْنُ حُجْرٍ أَتَاكُمْ مِنْ بِلَادٍ بَعِيدَةٍ مِنْ بِلَادِ حَضْرَمَوْتَ طَائِعًا غَيْرَ مُكْرِهٍ بَقِيَّةُ أَبْنَاءِ الْمُلُوكِ بَارَكَ اللهُ فِيكَ يَا وَائِلُ وَفِي وَلَدِكَ وَفِي وَلَدِ وَلَدِكَ» ثُمَّ نَزَلَ وَأَنْزَلَنِي مَعَهُ وَأَنْزَلَنِي مَنْزِلًا شَاسَعًا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ وَأَمَرَ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنَ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ أَنْ يُنْزِلَنِي إِيَّاهُ فَخَرَجْتُ وَخَرَجَ مَعِي حَتَّى إِذَا كُنَّا بِبَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ قَالَ يَا وَائِلُ إِنَّ الرَّمْضَاءَ قَدْ أَصَابَتْ بَاطِنَ قَدَمَيَّ فَأَرْدَفَنِي خَلْفَكَ قُلْتُ مَا أَضِنُّ عَنْكَ بِهَذِهِ النَّاقَةِ وَلَكِنْ لَسْتَ مِنْ أَرْدَافِ الْمُلُوكِ وَأَكْرَهُ أَنْ أُعَيَّرَ بِكَ قَالَ فَأَلْقِ إِلَيَّ حِذَاءَكَ أَتَوَقَّى بِهِ مِنْ حَرِّ الشَّمْسِ قَالَ مَا أَضِنُّ عَنْكَ بِهَاتَيْنِ الْجِلْدَتَيْنِ وَلَكِنْ لَسْتَ مِمَّنْ يَلْبَسُ لِبَاسَ الْمُلُوكِ وَأَكْرَهُ أَنْ أُعَيَّرَ بِكَ فَلَمَّا أَرَدْتُ الرُّجُوعَ إِلَى قَوْمِي أَمَرَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بِكُتُبٍ ثَلَاثَةٍ مِنْهَا كِتَابٌ لِي خَالِصٌ يُفَضِّلُنِي فِيهِ عَلَى قَوْمِي وَكِتَابٌ لِي وَلِأَهْلِ بَيْتِي بِأَمْوَالِنَا هُنَالِكَ وَبكِتَابٌ لِي وَلِقَوْمِي فِي كِتَابِي الْخَالِصِ بِسْمِ اللهِ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللهِ إِلَى الْمُهَاجِرِ بْنِ أَبِي أُمَيَّةَ أَنَّ وَائِلًا يَسْتَسْعَى وَيَتَرَفَّلُ فِي الْأَقْبَالِ حَيْثُ كَانُوا مِنْ حَضْرَمَوْتَ وَفِي كِتَابِي الَّذِي لِي وَلِأَهْلِ بَيْتِي بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللهِ إِلَى الْمُهَاجِرِ بْنِ أَبِي أُمَيَّةَ لِأَبْنَاءِ مَعْشَرٍ وَأَبْنَاءِ ضِمْعَاجٍ أَقْيَالُ شَنُوءَةَ بِمَا كَانَ لَهُمْ فِيهَا مِنْ مُلْكٍ ومَرَاهِنَ وَعِمْرَانَ وَبَحْرٍ وَمِلْحٍ وَمَحْجَرٍ وَمَا كَانَ مِنْ مَالٍ أَترَّثُوهُ وَمَاءٍ يَنَابِعَ وَمَا لَهُمْ فِيهَا مِنْ مَالٍ بِحَضْرَمَوْتَ أَعْلَاهَا وأَسْفَلَهَا عَلَى الذِّمَّةِ وَالْجِوَارِ اللهُ لَهُمْ جَارٌ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ أَنْصَارٌ وَفِي الْكِتَابِ الَّذِي لِي وَلِقَوْمِي بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللهِ إِلَى وَائِلِ بْنِ حُجْرٍ وَالْأَقْوَالُ الْعَيَاهِلَةِ مِنْ حَضْرَمَوْتَ بإِقامِ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ مِنَ الصِّرْمَةِ التَّبِعَةِ وَلِصَاحِبِهَا الثِّيمَةُ لَا جَلَبَ وَلَا جَنَبَ وَلَا شِغَارَ وَلَا وِرَاطَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ لِكُلِّ عَشَرَةٍ مِنَ السَّرَايَا مَا يَحْمِلُ الْقِرَابُ مِنَ التَّمْرِ مِنْ أَجْبَا فَقَدْ أَرْبَى وَكُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ حَرَامٌ فَلَمَّا مَلَكَ مُعَاوِيَةُ بَعَثَ رَجُلًا مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ يُقَالُ لَهُ بُسْرُ بْنُ أَرْطَاةَ وَقَالَ لَهُ لَقَدْ ضَمَمْتَ إِلَيْكَ النَّاحِيَةَ فَاخْرَجْ بِجَيْشِكَ فَإِذَا خَلَّفْتَ أَفْوَاهَ الشَّامِ فَضَعْ سَيْفَكَ فَاقْتُلْ مَنْ أَبَى بَيْعَتِي حَتَّى تَصِيرَ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ ثُمَّ ادْخُلِ الْمَدِينَةَ فَاقْتُلْ مَنْ أَبَى بَيْعَتِي ثُمَّ اخْرُجْ إِلَى حَضْرَمَوْتَ فَاقْتُلْ مَنْ أَبَى بَيْعَتِي وَإِنْ أَصَبْتَ وَائِلَ بْنَ حُجْرٍ حَيًّا فَائْتِنِي بِهِ فَفَعَلَ فَأَصَابَ وَائِلَ بْنَ حُجْرٍ حَيًّا فَجَاءَ بِهِ إِلَيْهِ فَأَمَرَ مُعَاوِيَةُ أَنْ يَتَلَقَّى وَأَذِنَ لَهُ فَأَجْلَسَهُ مَعَهُ عَلَى سَرِيرِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ مُعَاوِيَةُ أَسَرِيرِي هَذَا أَفْضَلُ أَمْ ظَهْرُ نَاقَتِكَ؟ قُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كُنْتُ حَدِيثَ عَهْدٍ بِجَاهِلِيَّةٍ وَكُفْرٍ وَكَانَتَ تِلْكَ سِيرَةَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَقَدْ أَتَانَا اللهُ الْيَوْمَ بِالْإِسْلَامِ فَسِيرَةُ الْإِسْلَامِ مَا فَعَلْتَ قَالَ فَمَا مَنَعَكَ مِنْ نَصْرِنَا وَقَدِ اتَّخَذَكَ عُثْمَانُ ثِقَةً وَصِهْرًا؟ قُلْتُ إِنَّكَ قَاتَلْتَ رَجُلًا هُوَ أَحَقُّ بِعُثْمَانَ مِنْكَ قَالَ فَكَيْفَ يَكُونُ أَحَقَّ بِعُثْمَانَ مِنِّي فَأَنَا أَقْرَبُ إِلَى عُثْمَانَ بالنَّسَبِ؟ قُلْتُ إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ آخَا بَيْنَ عَلِيٍّ وَعُثْمَانَ وَالْأَخُ أَوْلَى مِنِ ابْنِ الْعَمِّ وَلَسْتُ أُقَاتِلُ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ قَالَ أَوَلَسْنَا مُهَاجِرِينَ؟ قُلْتُ أَوَلَيْسَ قَدِ اعْتَزَلْنَاكُمَا جَمِيعًا؟ وَحُجَّةٌ أُخْرَى حَضَرْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ وَقَدْ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ نَحْوَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَقَدْ حَضَرَهُ جَمْعٌ كَثِيرٌ ثُمَّ رَدَّ إِلَيْهِ بَصَرَهُ فَقَالَ «أَتَتْكُمُ الْفِتَنُ كَقِطَعِ اللَّيْلِ الْمُظْلِمِ فَشَدَّ أَمْرَهَا وَعَجَّلَهُ وَقَبَّحَهُ» قُلْتُ لَهُ مِنْ بَيْنِ الْقَوْمِ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ وَمَا الْفِتَنُ؟ قَالَ «يَا وَائِلُ إِذَا اخْتَلَفَ سَيْفَانِ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ فَاعْتَزِلْهُمَا» فَقَالَ أَصْبَحْتَ شِيعِيًّا فَقُلْتُ لَا وَلَكِنْ أَصْبَحْتُ نَاصِحًا لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ فَقَالَ مُعَاوِيَةُ لَوْ سَمِعْتُ ذَا وَعَلِمْتُهُ مَا أَقْدَمْتُكَ قُلْتُ أَوَلَيْسَ قَدْ رَأَيْتَ مَا صَنَعَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ عِنْدَ مَقْتَلِ عُثْمَانَ أَوْمَأَ بِسَيْفِهِ إِلَى صَخْرَةٍ فَضَرَبَهُ بِهَا حَتَّى انْكَسَرَ؟ قَالَ أُولَئِكَ قَوْمٌ يَحْمِلُونَ عَلَيْنَا قُلْتُ فَكَيْفَ نَصْنَعُ بِقَوْلِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ مَنْ أَحَبَّ الْأَنْصَارَ فَبِحُبِّي وَمَنْ أَبْغَضَهُمْ فَبِبُغْضِي؟ فَقَالَ اخْتَرْ أَيَّ الْبِلَادِ شِئْتَ فَإِنَّكَ لَسْتَ بِرَاجِعٍ إِلَى حَضْرَمَوْتَ فَقُلْتُ عَشِيرَتِي بِالشَّامِ وَأَهْلُ بَيْتِي بِالْكُوفَةِ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ خَيْرٌ مِنْ عَشَرَةٍ مِنْ عَشِيرَتَكَ فَقُلْتُ مَا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى حَضْرَمَوْتَ سُرُورًا بِهَا وَمَا يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُهَاجِرِ أَنْ يَرْجِعَ إِلَى الْمَوْضِعِ الَّذِي هَاجَرَ مِنْهُ إِلَّا مِنْ عِلَّةٍ قَالَ وَمَا عِلَّتُكَ؟ قُلْتُ قَوْلُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فِي الْفِتَنِ «فَحَيْثُ اخْتَلَفْتُمِ اعْتَزْلَنَاكُمْ وَحَيْثُ اجْتَمَعْتُمْ جِئْنَاكُمْ» فَهَذِهِ الْعِلَّةُ فَقَالَ إِنِّي قَدْ وَلَّيْتُكَ الْكُوفَةَ فَسِرْ إِلَيْهَا فَقُلْتُ مَا إِلَيَّ بَعْدَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لِأَحَدٍ أَمَا رَأَيْتَ أَبَا بَكْرٍ قَدْ أَرَادَنِي فَأَبَيْتُ وَأَرَادَنِي عُمَرُ فَأَبَيْتُ وَأَرَادَنِي عُثْمَانُ فَأَبَيْتُ وَلَمْ أَدَعْ بَيْعَتَهُمْ قَدْ جَاءَ فِي كِتَابِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ حَيْثُ ارْتَدَّ أَهْلُ نَاحِيتِنَا فَقُمْتُ فِيهِمْ حَتَّى رَدَّهُمُ اللهُ إِلَى الْإِسْلَامِ بِغَيْرِ وِلَايَةٍ فَدَعَا عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ ابْنَ أُمِّ الْحَكَمِ فَقَالَ لَهُ سِرْ فَقَدْ وَلَّيْتُكَ الْكُوفَةَ وَسِرْ بوائلِ بْنِ حُجْرٍ فَأَكْرِمْهُ وأَقْضِ حَوَائِجَهُ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَسَأْتَ فِيَّ الظَّنِّ تَأْمُرُنِي بِإِكْرَامِ رَجُلٍ قَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ أَكْرَمَهُ وَأَبَا بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ وَأَنْتَ قَالَ فَسِرْ بِمَعْرِفَةِ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ فَقَدِمَ مَعَهُ  

ثُمَّ مَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَاسْتَخْلَفَ عَلَى الْمَدِينَةِ أَبَا رُهْمٍ كُلْثُومَ بْنَ حُصَيْنٍ الْغِفَارِيَّ وَخَرَجَ لِعَشْرٍ مَضَيْنَ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ «فَصَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَصَامَ النَّاسُ مَعَهُ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ بِالْكَدِيدِ مَا بَيْنَ عُسْفَانَ وَأَمَجَ أَفْطَرَ» ثُمَّ مَضَى حَتَّى نَزَلَ مَرَّ الظَّهْرَانِ فِي عَشَرَةِ آلَافٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِنْ مُزَيْنَةَ وَسُلَيْمٍ وَفِي كُلِّ الْقَبَائِلِ عَدَدٌ وَإِسْلَامٌ وَأَوْعَبَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ والْمُهَاجِرُونَ وَالْأَنْصَارُ فَلَمْ يَتَخَلَّفْ مِنْهُمْ أَحَدٌ فَلَمَّا نَزَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بِمَرِّ الظَّهْرَانِ وَقَدْ عَمِيَتِ الْأَخْبَارُ عَنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَلَمْ يَأْتِهِمْ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ خَبَرٌ وَلَا يَدْرُونَ مَا هُوَ فَاعِلٌ خَرَجَ فِي تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةِ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ بْنُ حَرْبٍ وَحَكِيمُ بْنُ حِزَامٍ وَبُدَيْلُ بْنُ وَرْقَاءَ يَتَحَسَّسُونَ وَيَنْتَظِرُونَ هَلْ يَجِدُونَ خَبَرًا أَوْ يَسْمَعُونَ بِهِ وَقَدْ كَانَ الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ أَتَى رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ بِبَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ وَقَدْ كَانَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ بْنُ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ وَعَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أَبِي أُمَيَّةَ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ قَدْ لَقِيَا رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فِيمَا بَيْنَ مَكَّةَ وَالْمَدِينَةِ فَالْتَمَسَا الدُّخُولَ عَلَيْهِ فَكَلَّمَتْهُ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ فِيهِمَا فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ ابْنُ عَمِّكَ وَابْنُ عَمَّتِكَ وَصِهْرُكَ قَالَ «لَا حَاجَةَ لِي بِهِمَا أَمَّا ابْنُ عَمِّي فَهَتَكَ عِرْضِي وَأَمَّا ابْنُ عَمَّتِي وَصِهْرِي فَهُوَ الَّذِي قَالَ لِي بِمَكَّةَ مَا قَالَ» فَلَمَّا أَخْرَجَ إِلَيْهِمَا بِذَلِكَ وَمَعَ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ بُنَيٌّ لَهُ فَقَالَ وَاللهِ لَيَأْذَنَنَّ لِي أَوْ لَآخُذَنَّ بِيَدِ ابْنَيَّ هَذَا ثُمَّ لَنَذْهَبَنَّ فِي الْأَرْضِ حَتَّى نَمُوتَ عَطَشًا وَجُوعًا فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ ذَلِكَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ رَقَّ لَهُمْا ثُمَّ أَذِنَ لَهُمْا فَدَخَلَا وَأَسْلَمَا فَلَمَّا نَزَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بِمَرِّ الظَّهْرَانِ قَالَ الْعَبَّاسُ وَاصَبَاحَ قُرَيْشٍ وَاللهِ لَئِنْ دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَكَّةَ عَنْوَةً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَسْتَأْمِنُوهُ إِنَّهُ لَهَلَاكُ قُرَيْشٍ إِلَى آخِرِ الدَّهْرِ قَالَ فَجَلَسْتُ عَلَى بَغْلَةِ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمِ الْبَيْضَاءِ فَخَرَجْتُ عَلَيْهَا حَتَّى جِئْتُ الْأَرَاكَ فَقُلْتُ لَعَلِّي أَلْقَى بَعْضَ الْحَطَّابَةِ أَوْ صَاحِبَ لَبِنٍ أَوْ ذَا حَاجَةٍ يَأْتِي مَكَّةَ فَيُخْبِرُهُمْ بِمَكَانِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ لِيَخْرُجُوا إِلَيْهِ فَيَسْتَأْمِنُوهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَهَا عَلَيْهِمْ عَنْوَةً قَالَ فَوَاللهِ إِنِّي لَأَسِيرُ عَلَيْهَا وأَلْتَمِسُ مَا خَرَجْتُ لَهُ إِذْ سَمِعْتُ كَلَامَ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ وَبُدَيْلِ بْنِ وَرْقَاءَ وَهُمَا يَتَرَاجَعَانِ وَأَبُو سُفْيَانَ يَقُولُ مَا رَأَيْتُ كَالْيَوْمِ قَطُّ نِيرَانًا وَلَا عَسْكَرًا قَالَ يَقُولُ بُدَيْلٌ هَذِهِ وَاللهِ نِيرَانُ خُزَاعَةَ حَمَشَتْهَا الْحَرْبُ قَالَ يَقُولُ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ خُزَاعَةُ وَاللهِ أَذَلُّ وأَلْأَمُ مِنْ أَنْ تَكُونَ هَذِهِ نِيرَانُهَا وَعَسْكَرُهَا قَالَ فَعَرَفْتُ صَوْتَهُ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَا حَنْظَلَةَ فَعَرَفَ صَوْتِي فَقَالَ أَبُو الْفَضْلِ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ مَالَكَ فِدَاكَ أَبِي وَأُمِّي فَقُلْتُ وَيْحَكَ يَا أَبَا سُفْيَانَ هَذَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فِي النَّاسِ وَاصَبَاحَ قُرَيْشٍ وَاللهِ قَالَ فَمَا الْحِيلَةُ فِدَاكَ أَبِي وَأُمِّي؟ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَئِنْ ظَفَرَ بِكَ لَيَضْرِبَنَّ عُنُقَكَ فَارْكَبْ مَعِي هَذِهِ الْبَغْلَةَ حَتَّى آتِيَ بِكَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ أَسْتَأْمِنَهُ لَكَ قَالَ فَرَكِبَ خَلْفِي وَرَجَعَ صَاحِبَاهُ فَحَرَّكْتُ بِهِ كُلَّمَا مَرَرْتُ بِنَارٍ مِنْ نِيرَانِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ قَالُوا مَنْ هَذَا؟ فَإِذَا رَأَوْا بَغْلَةَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ قَالُوا عَمُّ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ عَلَى بَغْلَتِهِ حَتَّى مَرَرْتُ بِنَارِ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ ؓ فَقَالَ مَنْ هَذَا؟ وَقَامَ إِلَيَّ فَلَمَّا رَأَى أَبَا سُفْيَانَ عَلَى عَجُزِ الْبَغْلَةِ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ عَدُوُّ اللهِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَمْكَنَ مِنْكَ بِغَيْرِ عَقْدٍ وَلَا عَهْدٍ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ يَشْتَدُّ نَحْوَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَرَكَضَتِ الْبَغْلَةُ فَسَبَقَتْهُ بِمَا تَسْبِقُ الدَّابَّةُ الْبَطِيءُ الرَّجُلَ الْبَطِيءَ فَاقْتَحَمْتُ عَنِ الْبَغْلَةِ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَدَخَلَ عُمَرُ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ هَذَا أَبُو سُفْيَانَ قَدْ أَمْكَنَ اللهُ مِنْهُ بِغَيْرِ عَقْدٍ وَلَا عَهْدٍ فَدَعْنِي فَلْأَضْرِبَ عُنُقَهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنِّي أَجَرْتُهُ ثُمَّ جَلَسْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَأَخَذْتُ بِرَأْسِهِ فَقُلْتُ لَا وَاللهِ لَا يُنَاجِيهِ اللَّيْلَةَ رَجُلٌ دُونِي فَلَمَّا أَكْثَرَ عُمَرُ فِي شَأْنِهِ قُلْتُ مَهْلًا يَا عُمَرُ أَمَا وَاللهِ لَوْ كَانَ مِنْ رِجَالِ بَنِي عَدِيِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ مَا قُلْتُ هَذَا وَلَكِنَّكَ عَرَفْتَ أَنَّهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ رِجَالِ بَنِي عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ قَالَ مَهْلًا يَا عَبَّاسُ فَوَاللهِ لَإِسِلَامُكَ يَوْمَ أَسْلَمْتَ كَانَ أَحَبَّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ إِسْلَامِ الْخَطَّابِ لَوْ أَسْلَمَ وَمَا بِي إِلَّا أَنِّي قَدْ عَرَفْتُ أَنَّ إِسْلَامَكَ كَانَ أَحَبَّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ إِسْلَامِ الْخَطَّابِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «اذْهَبْ بِهِ إِلَى رَحْلِكَ يَا عَبَّاسُ فَإِذَا أَصْبَحَ فَائْتِنِي بِهِ» فَذَهَبْتُ بِهِ إِلَى رَحْلِي فَبَاتَ عِنْدِي فَلَمَّا أَصْبَحَ غَدَوْتُ بِهِ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ «وَيْحَكَ يَا أَبَا سُفْيَانَ أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لَكَ أَنْ تَعْلَمَ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ؟» قَالَ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي مَا أَكْرَمَكَ وَأَوْصَلَكَ وَاللهِ لَقَدْ ظَنَنْتُ أَنْ لَوْ كَانَ مَعَ اللهِ غَيْرُهُ لَقَدْ أَغْنَى عَنِّي شَيْئًا قَالَ «وَيْحَكَ يَا أَبَا سُفْيَانَ أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لَكَ أَنْ تَعْلَمَ أَنِّي رَسُولُ اللهِ؟» قَالَ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي مَا أحْلَمَكَ وَأَكْرَمَكَ وَأَوْصَلَكَ هَذِهِ وَاللهِ كَانَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْهَا شَيْءُ حَتَّى الْآنَ قَالَ الْعَبَّاسُ وَيْحَكَ يَا أَبَا سُفْيَانَ أَسْلِمْ وَاشْهَدْ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُضْرَبَ عُنُقُكَ قَالَ فَشَهِدَ بِشَهَادَةِ الْحَقِّ وَأَسْلَمَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّ أَبَا سُفْيَانَ رَجُلٌ يُحِبُّ هَذَا الْفَخْرَ فَاجْعَلْ لَهُ شَيْئًا قَالَ «نَعَمْ مَنْ دَخَلَ دَارَ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ فَهُوَ آمِنٌ وَمَنْ أَغْلَقَ بَابَهُ فَهُوَ آمِنٌ وَمَنْ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَهُوَ آمِنٌ» فَلَمَّا ذَهَبَ لِيَنْصَرِفَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «يَا عَبَّاسُ احْبِسْهُ بِمَضِيقِ الْوَادِي عِنْدَ خَطْمِ الْجَبَلِ حَتَّى تَمُرَّ بِهِ جُنُودُ اللهِ فَيَرَاهَا» قَالَ فَخَرَجْتُ بِهِ حَتَّى حَبَسْتَهُ حَيْثُ أَمَرَنِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَنْ أَحْبِسَهُ قَالَ وَمَرَّتْ بِهِ الْقَبَائِلُ عَلَى رَايَاتِهَا كُلَّمَا مَرَّتْ قَبِيلَةٌ قَالَ مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ؟ فَأَقُولُ سُلَيْمٌ فَيَقُولُ مَالِي وَلِسُلَيْمٍ؟ قَالَ ثُمَّ تَمُرُّ الْقَبِيلَةُ قَالَ مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ؟ فَأَقُولُ مُزَيْنَةُ فَيَقُولُ مَا لِي وَلِمُزَيْن‍َةَ؟ حَتَّى تَعَدَّتِ الْقَبَائِلُ لَا تَمُرُّ قَبِيلَةٌ إِلَّا قَالَ مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ؟ فَأَقُولُ بَنُو فُلَانٍ فَيَقُولُ مَالِي وَلِبَنِي فُلَانٍ حَتَّى مَرَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فِي الْخَضْرَاءِ كَتِيبَةٌ فِيهَا الْمُهَاجِرُونَ وَالْأَنْصَارُ لَا يَرَى مِنْهُمْ إِلَّا الْحَدَقَ قَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ يَا عَبَّاسُ؟ قُلْتُ هَذَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فِي الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنْصَارِ قَالَ مَا لِأَحَدٍ بِهَؤُلَاءِ قِبَلٌ وَلَا طَاقَةٌ وَاللهِ يَا أَبَا الْفَضْلِ لَقَدْ أَصْبَحَ مِلْكَ ابْنِ أَخِيكَ الْغَدَاةَ عَظِيمًا قُلْتُ يَا أَبَا سُفْيَانَ إِنَّهَا النُّبُوَّةُ قَالَ فَنَعَمْ إِذَنْ قُلْتُ النَّجَاءُ إِلَى قَوْمِكَ قَالَ فَخَرَجَ حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءَهُمْ صَرَخَ بِأَعْلَى صَوْتِهِ يَا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ هَذَا مُحَمَّدٌ قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ بِمَا لَا قِبَلَ لَكُمْ بِهِ فَمَنْ دَخَلَ دَارَ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ فَهُوَ آمِنٌ فَقَامَتْ إِلَيْهِ امْرَأَتُهُ هِنْدُ بِنْتُ عُتْبَةَ فَأَخَذَتْ بِشَارِبِهِ فَقَالَتْ اقْتُلُوا الدَّسَمَ الْأَحْمَسَ فَبِئْسَ مِنْ طَلِيعَةِ قَوْمٍ قَالَ وَيْحَكُمْ لَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمْ هَذِهِ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ جَاءَ مَا لَا قِبَلَ لَكُمْ بِهِ مَنْ دَخَلَ دَارَ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ فَهُوَ آمِنٌ قَالُوا وَيْلَكَ وَمَا تُغْنِي عَنَّا دَارُكَ قَالَ وَمَنْ أَغْلَقَ بَابَهُ فَهُوَ آمِنٌ وَمَنْ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَهُوَ آمِنٌ فَتَفَرَّقَ النَّاسُ إِلَى دُورِهِمْ وَإِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ  

Abu Sufyan bin Harb informed me that Heraclius had sent a messenger to him while he had been accompanying a caravan from Quraish. They were merchants doing business in Sham (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan), at the time when Messenger of Allah ﷺ had truce with Abu Sufyan and Quraish infidels. So Abu Sufyan and his companions went to Heraclius at Ilya (Jerusalem). Heraclius called them in the court and he had all the senior Roman dignitaries around him. He called for his translator who, translating Heraclius's question said to them, "Who amongst you is closely related to that man who claims to be a Prophet?" Abu Sufyan replied, "I am the nearest relative to him (amongst the group)." Heraclius said, "Bring him (Abu Sufyan) close to me and make his companions stand behind him." Abu Sufyan added, Heraclius told his translator to tell my companions that he wanted to put some questions to me regarding that man (The Prophet) and that if I told a lie they (my companions) should contradict me." Abu Sufyan added, "By Allah! Had I not been afraid of my companions labeling me a liar, I would not have spoken the truth about the Prophet. The first question he asked me about him was: 'What is his family status amongst you?' I replied, 'He belongs to a good (noble) family amongst us.' Heraclius further asked, 'Has anybody amongst you ever claimed the same (i.e. to be a Prophet) before him?' I replied, 'No.' He said, 'Was anybody amongst his ancestors a king?' I replied, 'No.' Heraclius asked, 'Do the nobles or the poor follow him?' I replied, 'It is the poor who follow him.' He said, 'Are his followers increasing decreasing (day by day)?' I replied, 'They are increasing.' He then asked, 'Does anybody amongst those who embrace his religion become displeased and renounce the religion afterwards?' I replied, 'No.' Heraclius said, 'Have you ever accused him of telling lies before his claim (to be a Prophet)?' I replied, 'No. ' Heraclius said, 'Does he break his promises?' I replied, 'No. We are at truce with him but we do not know what he will do in it.' I could not find opportunity to say anything against him except that. Heraclius asked, 'Have you ever had a war with him?' I replied, 'Yes.' Then he said, 'What was the outcome of the battles?' I replied, 'Sometimes he was victorious and sometimes we.' Heraclius said, 'What does he order you to do?' I said, 'He tells us to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship anything along with Him, and to renounce all that our ancestors had said. He orders us to pray, to speak the truth, to be chaste and to keep good relations with our Kith and kin.' Heraclius asked the translator to convey to me the following, I asked you about his family and your reply was that he belonged to a very noble family. In fact all the Apostles come from noble families amongst their respective peoples. I questioned you whether anybody else amongst you claimed such a thing, your reply was in the negative. If the answer had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man was following the previous man's statement. Then I asked you whether anyone of his ancestors was a king. Your reply was in the negative, and if it had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man wanted to take back his ancestral kingdom. I further asked whether he was ever accused of telling lies before he said what he said, and your reply was in the negative. So I wondered how a person who does not tell a lie about others could ever tell a lie about Allah. I, then asked you whether the rich people followed him or the poor. You replied that it was the poor who followed him. And in fact all the Apostle have been followed by this very class of people. Then I asked you whether his followers were increasing or decreasing. You replied that they were increasing, and in fact this is the way of true faith, till it is complete in all respects. I further asked you whether there was anybody, who, after embracing his religion, became displeased and discarded his religion. Your reply was in the negative, and in fact this is (the sign of) true faith, when its delight enters the hearts and mixes with them completely. I asked you whether he had ever betrayed. You replied in the negative and likewise the Apostles never betray. Then I asked you what he ordered you to do. You replied that he ordered you to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship any thing along with Him and forbade you to worship idols and ordered you to pray, to speak the truth and to be chaste. If what you have said is true, he will very soon occupy this place underneath my feet and I knew it (from the scriptures) that he was going to appear but I did not know that he would be from you, and if I could reach him definitely, I would go immediately to meet him and if I were with him, I would certainly wash his feet.' Heraclius then asked for the letter addressed by Allah's Apostle which was delivered by Dihya to the Governor of Busra, who forwarded it to Heraclius to read. The contents of the letter were as follows: "In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful (This letter is) from Muhammad the slave of Allah and His Apostle to Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be upon him, who follows the right path. Furthermore I invite you to Islam, and if you become a Muslim you will be safe, and Allah will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin of Arisiyin (tillers, farmers i.e. your people). And (Allah's Statement:) 'O people of the scripture! Come to a word common to you and us that we worship none but Allah and that we associate nothing in worship with Him, and that none of us shall take others as Lords beside Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims (those who have surrendered to Allah).' (3:64). Abu Sufyan then added, "When Heraclius had finished his speech and had read the letter, there was a great hue and cry in the Royal Court. So we were turned out of the court. I told my companions that the question of Ibn-Abi-Kabsha) (the Prophet ﷺ Muhammad) has become so prominent that even the King of Bani Al-Asfar (Byzantine) is afraid of him. Then I started to become sure that he (the Prophet) would be the conqueror in the near future till I embraced Islam (i.e. Allah guided me to it)." The sub narrator adds, "Ibn An-Natur was the Governor of llya' (Jerusalem) and Heraclius was the head of the Christians of Sham. Ibn An-Natur narrates that once while Heraclius was visiting ilya' (Jerusalem), he got up in the morning with a sad mood. Some of his priests asked him why he was in that mood? Heraclius was a foreteller and an astrologer. He replied, 'At night when I looked at the stars, I saw that the leader of those who practice circumcision had appeared (become the conqueror). Who are they who practice circumcision?' The people replied, 'Except the Jews nobody practices circumcision, so you should not be afraid of them (Jews). 'Just Issue orders to kill every Jew present in the country.' While they were discussing it, a messenger sent by the king of Ghassan to convey the news of Messenger of Allah ﷺ to Heraclius was brought in. Having heard the news, he (Heraclius) ordered the people to go and see whether the messenger of Ghassan was circumcised. The people, after seeing him, told Heraclius that he was circumcised. Heraclius then asked him about the Arabs. The messenger replied, 'Arabs also practice circumcision.' (After hearing that) Heraclius remarked that sovereignty of the 'Arabs had appeared. Heraclius then wrote a letter to his friend in Rome who was as good as Heraclius in knowledge. Heraclius then left for Homs. (a town in Syrian and stayed there till he received the reply of his letter from his friend who agreed with him in his opinion about the emergence of the Prophet ﷺ and the fact that he was a Prophet. On that Heraclius invited all the heads of the Byzantines to assemble in his palace at Homs. When they assembled, he ordered that all the doors of his palace be closed. Then he came out and said, 'O Byzantines! If success is your desire and if you seek right guidance and want your empire to remain then give a pledge of allegiance to this Prophet (i.e. embrace Islam).' (On hearing the views of Heraclius) the people ran towards the gates of the palace like onagers but found the doors closed. Heraclius realized their hatred towards Islam and when he lost the hope of their embracing Islam, he ordered that they should be brought back in audience. (When they returned) he said, 'What already said was just to test the strength of your conviction and I have seen it.' The people prostrated before him and became pleased with him, and this was the end of Heraclius's story (in connection with his faith). (Using translation from Bukhārī 7)  

أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ هِرَقْلَ أَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ فِي رَكْبٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ وَكَانُوا تُجَّارًا بِالشَّامِ فِي الْمُدَّةِ الَّتِي مَادَّ فِيهَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَبَا سُفْيَانَ وَكُفَّارَ قُرَيْشٍ فَأَتَوْهُ بِإِيلِيَاءَ فَدَعَاهُمْ فِي مَجْلِسٍ وَحَوْلَهُ عُقَلَاءُ الرُّومِ ثُمَّ دَعَا بِتَرْجُمَانِهِ فَقَالَ قُلْ لَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ نَسَبًا بِهَذَا الرَّجُلِ الَّذِي يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ؟ فَقَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ أَنَا أَقْرَبُهُمْ نَسَبًا فَقَالَ ادْنُ مِنِّي وَقَرَّبُوا أَصْحَابَهُ فَجْعَلُوهُمْ عِنْدَ ظَهْرِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِتَرْجُمَانِهِ قُلْ لَهُمْ إِنِّي سَائِلٌ هَذَا عَنْ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ فَإِنْ كَذَبَنِي فَكَذِّبُوهُ قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَوَاللهِ لَوْلَا الْحَيَاءُ أَنْ يَأْثِرُوا عَلَيَّ الْكَذِبَ لَكَذَبْتُهُ عَنْهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَوَّلُ شَيْءٍ سَأَلَنِي عَنْهُ قَالَ فَكَيْفَ نَسَبُهُ فِيكُمْ؟ قُلْتُ هُوَ فِينَا ذُو نَسَبٍ قَالَ فَهَلْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ مِنْكُمْ أَحَدٌ قَبْلَهُ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَهَلْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مَلِكٌ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَأَشْرَافُهُمِ اتَّبَعُوهُ أَمْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ؟ قُلْتُ بَلْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ قَالَ يَزِيدُونَ أَمْ يَنْقُصُونَ؟ قُلْتُ بَلْ يَزِيدُونَ قَالَ فَهَلْ مِنْهُمْ أَحَدٌ يَرْتَدُّ سَخْطَةً لِدِينِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِيهِ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَهَلْ كُنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ بِالْكَذِبِ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَهَلْ يَغْدِرُ؟ قُلْتُ لَا وَنَحْنُ مِنْهُ فِي مُدَّةٍ لَا نَدْرِي مَا هُوَ فَاعِلٌ فِيهَا قَالَ وَلَمْ يُمْكِنِّي كَلِمَةٌ أُدْخِلُ فِيهَا شَيْئًا غَيْرُ هَذِهِ الْكَلِمَةِ قَالَ فَهَلْ قَاتَلْتُمُوهُ؟ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ قِتَالُكُمْ إِيَّاهُ؟ قُلْتُ يَكُونُ الْحَرْبُ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُ سِجَالًا ودُوَلًا يَنَالُ مِنَّا وَنَنَالُ مِنْهُ قَالَ مَاذَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ؟ قُلْتُ يَقُولُ اعْبُدُوا اللهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا وَاتْرُكُوا مَا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَيَأْمُرُ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَالصَّدَقَةِ وَبِالْعَفَافِ وَبِالصِّلَةِ فَقَالَ لِلتَّرْجُمَانِ قُلْ لَهُ سَأَلْتُكَ عَنْ نَسَبِهِ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ فِيكُمْ ذُو نَسَبٍ وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ تُبْعَثُ فِي نَسَبِ قَوْمِهِمْ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ قَالَ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ قَبْلَهُ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا فَقُلْتُ لَوْ كَانَ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ أَحَدٌ قَبْلَهُ؛ قُلْتُ رَجُلٌ ائْتَمَّ بِقَوْلٍ قِيلَ قَبْلَهُ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ كَانَ مِنْ آبَائِهِ مَلِكٌ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا فَقُلْتُ لَوْ كَانَ فِي آبَائِهِ مَلِكٌ قُلْتُ يَطْلُبُ مُلْكَ آبَائِهِ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ كُنْتُمْ تَتَّهِمُونَهُ بِالْكَذِبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا قَالَ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا فَقَدْ أَعْرِفُ أَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيَذَرَ الْكَذِبَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكْذِبَ عَلَى اللهِ وَسَأَلْتُكَ أَشْرَافُ النَّاسِ اتَّبَعُوهُ أَمْ ضُعَفَاؤُهُمْ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّ ضُعَفَاءَهُمِ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ وَهُمْ أَتْبَاعُ الرُّسُلِ وَسَأَلْتُكَ أَيَزِيدُونَ أَمْ يَنْقُصُونَ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُمْ يَزِيدُونَ وَكَذَلِكَ أَمْرُ الْإِيمَانِ حَتَّى يَتِمَّ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَرْتَدُّ أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ سَخْطَةً لِدِينِهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ فِيهِ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا وَكَذَلِكَ الْإِيمَانُ حِينَ يُخَالِطُ بَشَاشَةَ الْقُلُوبَ وَسَأَلْتُكَ هَلْ يَغْدِرُ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنْ لَا وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ لَا يَغْدِرونَ وَسَأَلْتُكَ كَيْفَ قِتَالُكُمْ إِيَّاهُ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّ الْحَرْبَ بَيْنَكُمْ سِجَالٌ وَدُوَلٌ وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّسُلُ تُبْتَلَى ثُمَّ يَكُونُ لَهُمُ الْعَاقِبَةُ وَسَأَلْتُكَ عَمَّا يَأْمُرُكُمْ بِهِ؟ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تَعْبُدُوا اللهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا وَيَنْهَاكُمْ عَنْ عِبَادَةِ الْأَوْثَانِ وَيَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالصَّدَقَةِ وَالْعَفَافِ وَالصِّلَةِ وَإِنْ كَانَ مَا تَقُولُ حَقًّا فَيُوشِكُ أَنْ يَمْلِكَ مَوْضِعَ قَدَمَيَّ هَاتَيْنِ وَقَدْ كُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ خَارِجٌ ولَكِنْ لَمْ أَكُنْ أَظُنُّ أَنَّهُ مِنْكُمْ وَلَوْ أَعْلَمُ أَنْ أَخْلُصَ إِلَيْهِ لَالْتَمَسْتُ لُقِيَّهُ وَلَوْ كُنْتُ عِنْدَهُ لَغَسَلْتُ قَدَمَيْهِ ثُمَّ دَعَا بِكِتَابِ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمِ الَّذِي بَعَثَ بِهِ دِحْيَةُ الْكَلْبِيُّ إِلَى عَظِيمِ بُصْرَى فَدَفَعَهُ إِلَى هِرَقْلَ فَقَرَأَهُ فَإِذَا فِيهِ بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِ اللهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى هِرَقْلَ عَظِيمِ الرُّومِ سَلَامٌ عَلَى مَنِ اتَّبَعَ الْهُدَى أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي أَدْعُوكَ بِدِعَايَةِ الْإِسْلَامِ أَسْلِمْ تَسْلَمْ وَأَسْلِمْ يُؤْتِكَ اللهُ أَجْرَكَ مَرَّتَيْنِ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ فَإِنَّ عَلَيْكَ إِثْمَ الْأَرِيسِيِّينَ قَالَ اللَّيْثُ الْأَرِيسِيُّونَ الْعَشَّارُونَ وَ {يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا إِلَى كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَنْ لَا نَعْبُدَ إِلَّا اللهَ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِنْ دُونِ اللهِ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَقُولُوا اشْهَدُوا بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ} قَالَ أَبُو سُفْيَانَ فَلَمَّا قَالَ مَا قَالَ وَفَرَغَ مِنْ قِرَاءَةِ الْكِتَابِ كَثُرَ عِنْدَهُ اللَّجَبُ وَارْتَفَعَتِ الْأَصْوَاتُ وَخَرَجْنَا فَقُلْتُ لِأَصْحَابِي حِينَ خَرَجْنَا لَقَدِ ارْتَفَعَ أَمْرُ ابْنِ أَبِي كَبْشَةَ إِنَّهُ يَخَافُهُ مَلِكُ بَنِي الْأَصْفَرِ فَمَا زِلْتُ مُسْتَيْقِنًا أَنَّهُ سَيَظْهَرُ حَتَّى أَدْخَلَ اللهُ عَلَيَّ الْإِسْلَامَ وَكَانَ ابْنُ النَّاظُورِ صَاحِبُ إِيلِيَّا وَهِرَقْلَ سُقُفًّا عَلَى نَصَارَى الشَّامِ يُحَدِّثُ أَنَّ هِرَقْلَ حِينَ قَدِمَ إِيلِيَّا أَصْبَحَ يَوْمًا خَبِيثَ النَّفْسِ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَعْضُ بَطَارِقَتِهِ لَقَدِ اسْتَنْكَرْنَا هَيْئَتَكَ قَالَ وَكَانَ هِرَقْلُ رَجُلًا حَزَّاءً يَنْظُرُ فِي النُّجُومِ قَالَ لَهُمْ حِينَ سَأَلُوهُ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ اللَّيْلَةَ حِينَ نَظَرْتُ فِي النُّجُومِ مَلِكَ الْخِتَانِ قَدْ ظَهَرَ قَالَ فَمَنْ يَخْتَتِنُ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأُمَمِ؟ قَالَ يَخْتَتِنُ الْيَهُودُ قَالَ فَلَا يُهِمَّنَّكَ شَأْنُهُمْ فَاكْتُبْ إِلَى مَدَائِنِ مُلْكِكَ فَلْيَقْتُلُوا مَنْ فِيهَا مِنَ الْيَهُودِ فَبَيْنَمَا هُمْ عَلَى ذَلِكَ أَتَى هِرَقْلَ رَجُلٌ أَرْسَلَ بِهِ مَلِكُ غَسَّانَ يُخْبِرُهُ خَبَرَ ظُهُورِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ كِتَابُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ فَاذْهَبُوا فَانْظُرُوا أَمُخْتَتِنٌ هُوَ أَمْ لَا؟ فَنَظَرُوا إِلَيْهِ فَحَدَّثُوهُ أَنَّهُ مُخْتَتِنٌ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ الْعَرَبِ؟ فَأَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُمْ يَخْتَتِنُونَ فَقَالَ هِرَقْلُ هَذَا مُلْكُ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ ثُمَّ كَتَبَ هِرَقْلُ إِلَى صَاحِبٍ لَهُ بِرُومِيَّةَ وَنَظِيرٌ لَهُ فِي الْعِلْمِ وَسَارَ هِرَقْلُ إِلَى حِمْصَ فَلَمْ يَرِمْ حِمْصَ حَتَّى جَاءَهُ كِتَابُ صَاحِبِهِ فَوَافَقَ رَأْيَ هِرَقْلَ عَلَى خُرُوجِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَأَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ فَأَذِنَ هِرَقْلُ لِلْعُظَمَاءِ مِنَ الرُّومِ فِي دَسْكَرَةٍ لَهُ بِحِمْصَ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ بِالْأَبْوَابِ فَأُغْلِقَتْ ثُمَّ اطَّلَعَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ يَا مَعْشَرَ الرُّومِ هَلْ لَكُمْ فِي الْفَلَاحِ وَالرَّشَادِ وَأَنْ يَثْبُتَ مُلْكُكُمْ؟ تَتَّبِعُونَ هَذَا النَّبِيَّ فَحَاصُوا حَيْصَةَ حُمُرِ الْوَحْشِ إِلَى الْأَبْوَابِ فَوَجَدُوهَا قَدْ أُغْلِقَتْ فَلَمَّا رَأَى هِرَقْلُ ذَلِكَ وَيَئِسَ مِنْ إِيمَانِهِمْ قَالَ رُدُّوهُمْ عَلَيَّ وَقَالَ إِنِّي قُلْتُ لَكُمْ مَقَالَتِي الَّتِي قُلْتُ لَكُمْ آنِفًا لِأَخْتَبِرَ بِهَا شِدَّتَكُمْ عَلَى دِينِكُمْ فَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ مِنْكُمُ الَّذِي أُحِبُّ فَسَجَدُوا لَهُ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ فِي آخِرِ حَدِيثِهِ  

عُمَرُ لِكَاتِبِهِ اكْتُبْ إِلَى عُمَيْرٍ فَوَاللهِ مَا أُرَاهُ إِلَّا قَدْ خَانَنَا فَإِذَا جَاءَكَ كِتَابِي هَذَا فَأَقْبِلْ وأَقْبِلْ بِمَا جَبَيْتَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ حِينَ تَنْظُرُ فِي كِتَابِي هَذَا قَالَ فَأَخَذَ عُمَيْرٌ جِرَابَهُ فَجَعَلَ فِيهِ زَادَهُ وَقَصْعَتَهُ وَعَلَّقَ إِدَاوَتَهُ وَأَخَذَ عَنَزَتَهُ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ يَمْشِي مِنْ حِمْصَ حَتَّى دَخَلَ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ قَالَ فَقَدِمَ وَقَدْ شَحَبَ لَوْنُهُ وَاغْبَرَّ وَجْهُهُ وَطَالَتْ شَعَرَتُهُ فَدَخَلَ عَلَى عُمَرَ فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ «مَا شَأْنُكَ؟» فَقَالَ عُمَيْرٌ مَا تَرَى مِنْ شَأْنِي أَلَسْتَ تَرَانِي صَحِيحَ الْبَدَنِ طَاهِرَ الدَّمِ مَعِي الدُّنْيَا أَجُرُّهَا بِقَرْنِهَا قَالَ «وَمَا مَعَكَ؟» فَظَنَّ عُمَرُ أَنَّهُ قَدْ جَاءَ بِمَالٍ فَقَالَ مَعِي جِرَابِي أجْعَلُ فِيهِ زَادِي وَقَصْعَتِي آكُلُ وأغْتَسِلُ فِيهَا رَأْسِي وثِيابِي وَإِداَوَتِي أَحْمِلُ فِيهَا وَضُوئِي وَشَرَابِي وَعَنَزَتِي أَتَوَكَّأُ عَلَيْهَا وَأُجَاهِدُ بِهَا عَدُوًّا إِنْ عَرَضَنِي فَوَاللهِ مَا الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا تَبَعٌ لِمَتَاعِي قَالَ عُمَرُ «فَجِئْتَ تَمْشِي؟» قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ عُمَرُ أَمَا كَانَ لَكَ أَحَدٌ يَتَبَرَّعُ لَكَ بِدَابَّةٍ تَرْكَبُهَا؟ قَالَ مَا فَعَلُوا وَمَا سَأَلْتُهُمْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ بِئْسَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ خَرَجْتَ مِنْ عِنْدِهِمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَيْرٌ اتَّقِ اللهَ يَا عُمَرُ فَقَدْ نَهَاكَ اللهُ عَنِ الْغِيبَةِ رَأَيْتُهُمْ يُصَلُّونَ صَلَاةَ الْغَدَاةِ قَالَ «فَأَيْنَ نَصِيبُكَ وَأَيٌّ شَيْءٍ صَنَعْتَ؟» فَقَالَ وَمَا سُؤَالُكَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ؟ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ «سُبْحَانَ اللهِ» فَقَالَ عُمَيْرٌ أَمَا إِنِّي لَوْلَا أَنِّي أَخْشَى أَنْ أَغُمَّكَ مَا أَخْبَرْتُكَ بَعَثْتَنِي حَتَّى أَتَيْتُ الْبَلَدَ فَجَمَعْتُ صُلَحَاءَ أَهْلِهَا فَوَلَّيْتُهُمْ جِبَايَةَ فَيْئِهِمْ حَتَّى إِذَا جَمَعُوا مِنْهُمْ وَضَعْتُهُ مَوَاضِعَهُ وَلَوْ نَالَكَ مِنْهُ شَيْءٌ لَأَتَيْتُكَ بِهِ قَالَ «فَمَا جِئْتَنَا بِشَيْءٍ؟» قَالَ لَا قَالَ «أَجِدُوا لِعُمَيرٍ عَهْدًا» قَالَ إِنَّ ذَلِكَ لَشَيْءٌ لَا عَمِلْتُ لَكَ وَلَا لِأَحَدٍ بَعْدَكَ وَاللهِ مَا سَلِمْتُ بَلْ لَمْ أَسْلَمْ وَلَوْ قُلْتُ لِنَصْرَانِيٍّ أَيْ أَخْزَاكَ اللهُ فَهَذَا مَا عَرَضَنِي لَهُ يَا عُمَرُ وَإِنَّ أَشْقَى أَيَّامِي يَوْمَ حَلَفْتُ مَعَكَ يَا عُمَرُ فَاسْتَأْذَنَهُ فَأَذِنَ لَهُ فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ قَالَ وَبَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْمَدِينَةِ أَمْيَالٌ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ حِينَ انْصَرَفَ عُمَيْرٌ «مَا أُرَاهُ إِلَّا خانَنَا» فَبَعَثَ رَجُلًا يُقَالُ لَهُ الْحَارِثُ وَأَعْطَاهُ مِائَةَ دِينَارٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ «انْطَلِقْ حَتَّى تَنْزِلَ بِهِ كَأَنَّكَ ضَيْفٌ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ أَثَرَ شَيْءٍ فَأَقْبِلْ وَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ حَالًا شَدِيدَةً فَادْفَعْ إِلَيْهِ هَذِهِ الْمِائَةَ دِينَارٍ» فَانْطَلَقَ الْحَارِثُ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِعُمَيرٍ جَالِسٌ يَفْلِي قَمِيصَهُ إِلَى جَنْبِ الْحَائِطِ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ الرَّجُلُ فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَيْرٌ انْزِلْ رَحِمَكَ اللهُ فَنَزَلَ ثُمَّ سَأَلَهُ فَقَالَ مِنْ أَيْنَ جِئْتَ؟ قَالَ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ قَالَ كَيْفَ تَرَكْتَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ؟ قَالَ صَالِحًا قَالَ كَيْفَ تَرَكْتَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ؟ قَالَ صَالِحِينَ قَالَ كَيْفَ تَرَكْتَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ؟ قَالَ صَالِحًا قَالَ أَلَيْسَ يُقِيمُ الْحُدُودَ؟ قَالَ بَلَى ضَرَبَ ابْنًا لَهُ أَتَى فَاحِشَةً فَمَاتَ مِنْ ضَرْبِهِ فَقَالَ عُمَيْرٌ اللهُمَّ أَعِنْ عُمَرَ فَإِنِّي لَا أَعْلَمُهُ إِلَّا شَدِيدًا حُبُّهُ لَكَ قَالَ فَنَزَلَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَيْسَ لَهُمْ إِلَّا قُرْصَةٌ مِنْ شَعِيرٍ كَانُوا يَخُصُّونَهُ بِهَا وَيَطْوُونَ حَتَّى أَتَاهُمُ الْجَهْدُ فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَيْرٌ يَا هَذَا إِنَّكَ قَدْ أَجَعْتَنَا فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ أَنْ تَتَحَوَّلَ عَنَّا فَافْعَلْ قَالَ فَأَخْرَجَ الدَّنَانِيرَ فَدَفَعَهَا إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ بَعَثَ بِهَا إِلَيْكَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَاسْتَعِنْ بِهَا قَالَ فَصَاحَ فَقَالَ لَا حَاجَةَ لِي فِيهَا رُدَّهَا فَقَالَتْ لَهُ امْرَأَتُهُ إِنِ احْتَجْتَ إِلَيْهَا وَإِلَّا فَضَعْهَا مَوَاضِعَهَا فَقَالَ عُمَيْرٌ وَاللهِ مَا لِي شَيْءٌ أَجْعَلُهَا فِيهِ فَشَقَّتْ امْرَأَتُهُ أَسْفَلَ دِرْعِهَا فَأَعْطَتْهُ خِرْقَةً فَجَعَلَهَا فِيهَا ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَقَسَمَهَا عَلَى أَبْنَاءِ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَالْفُقَرَاءِ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ وَالرَّسُولُ يَظُنُّ أَنَّهُ يُعْطِيهِ مِنْهَا شَيْئًا فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَيْرٌ أَقْرِئْ مِنِّي لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ السَّلَامَ فَرَجَعَ الْحَارِثُ إِلَى عُمَرَ فَقَالَ مَا رَأَيْتَ؟ فَقَالَ رَأَيْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَالًا شَدِيدَةً قَالَ «فَمَا صَنَعَ بِالدَّنَانِيرِ؟» قَالَ لَا أَدْرِي قَالَ وَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ عُمَرُ إِذَا جَاءَكَ كِتَابِي هَذَا فَلَا تَضَعْهُ مِنْ يَدِكَ حَتَّى تُقْبِلَ فَأَقْبَلَ إِلَى عُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَرُ «مَا صَنَعْتَ بِالدَّنَانِيرِ؟» قَالَ صَنَعْتُ مَا صَنَعْتُ فَمَا سُؤَالُكَ عَنْهَا قَالَ «أَنْشُدُ عَلَيْكَ لَتُخْبِرَنِّي مَا صَنَعْتَ بِهِ؟» قَالَ قَدَّمْتُهَا لِنَفْسِي قَالَ «رَحِمَكَ اللهُ فَأَمَرَ بِوَسْقٍ مِنْ طَعَامٍ وَثَوْبَينِ» فَقَالَ أَمَّا الطَّعَامُ فَلَا حَاجَةَ لِي فِيهِ قَدْ تَرَكْتُ فِي الْمَنْزِلِ صَاعَيْنِ مِنْ شَعِيرٍ إِلَى أَنْ آكُلَ ذَلِكَ قَدْ جَاءَ اللهُ بالرِّزْقِ وَلَمْ يَأْخُذِ الطَّعَامَ وَأَمَّا الثَّوْبانِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ امْرَأَةَ فُلَانٍ عَارِيَةٌ فَأَخَذَهُمَا وَرَجَعَ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ فَلَمْ يَلْبَثْ أَنْ هَلَكَ رَحِمَهُ اللهُ فَبَلَغَ عُمَرَ ذَلِكَ فَشَقَّ عَلَيْهِ وتَرَحَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَخَرَجََ يَمْشِي وَمَعَهُ المَشَّاءُونَ إِلَى بَقِيعِ الْغَرْقَدِ فَقَالَ لِأَصْحَابِهِ لَيَتَمَنَّى كُلُّ رَجُلٍ مِنْكُمْ أُمْنِيَّةً فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ وَدِدْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنَّ عِنْدِي مَالًا فَأُعْتِقَ كَذَا وَكَذَا لِوَجْهِ اللهِ وَقَالَ آخَرُ وَدِدْتُ لَو أَنَّ عِنْدِي مَالًا فَأُنْفِقَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ وَقَالَ آخَرُ وَدِدْتُ أَنَّ لِي قُوَّةً فَأَمْتَحَ بِدَلْوٍ مِنْ زَمْزَمَ لِحُجَّاجِ بَيْتِ اللهِ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ «وَدِدْتُ أَنَّ لِي رَجُلًا مِثْلَ عُمَيْرٍ أَسْتَعِينُ بِهِ فِي أَعْمَالِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ»  

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ لَمَّا هَمَّ بِبَنِي الْأَصْفَرِ يَغْزُوهُمْ جَلَّى لِلنَّاسِ أَمَرَهُمْ وَكَانَ قَلَّمَا أَرَادَ غَزْوَةً إِلَّا وَرَّى بِغَيْرِهَا عَنْهَا حَتَّى كَانَتْ تِلْكَ الْغَزْوَةِ فَاسْتَقْبَلَ حَرًّا شَدِيدًا وَسَفَرًا بَعِيدًا وَعَدُوًّا جَدِيدًا فَكَشَفَ لِلنَّاسِ الْوَجْهَ الَّذِي خَرَجَ بِهِمْ إِلَيْهِمْ لِيَتَأَهَّبُوا فِي ذَلِكَ أُهْبَةَ عَدُوِّهِمْ فَتَجَهَّزَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَتَجَهَّزَ النَّاسُ مَعَهُ وَطَفِقْتُ أَغْدُو لِأَتَجَهَّزَ فَأَرْجِعُ وَلَمْ أَقْضِ شَيْئًا حَتَّى فَزِعَ النَّاسُ وَقِيلَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ غَادٍ وَخَارِجٌ إِلَى وَجْهِهِ فَقُلْتُ أَتَجَهَّزُ بَعْدَهُ بِيَوْمٍ أَوْ يَوْمَيْنِ ثُمَّ أُدْرِكُهُمْ وَعِنْدِي رَاحِلَتَانِ وَمَا اجْتَمَعَتْ عِنْدِي رَاحِلَتَانِ قَطُّ قَبْلَهُمَا فَأَنَا قَادِرٌ فِي نَفْسِي قَوِيٌّ بِعُدَّتِي فَمَا زِلْتُ أَغْدُو بَعْدَهُ فَأَرْجِعُ وَلَمْ أَقْضِ شَيْئًا حَتَّى أَمْعَنَ الْقَوْمُ وَأَسْرَعُوا وَطَفِقْتُ أَغْدُو لِلْحَدِيثِ وَيَشْغَلُنِي الرِّجَالُ فَأَجْمَعْتُ الْقُعُودَ حَتَّى سَبَقَنِي الْقَوْمُ وَطَفِقْتُ أَغْدُو فَلَا أَرَى إِلَّا رَجُلًا مِمَّنْ عَذَّرَ اللهُ جَلَّ اسْمُهُ أَوْ رَجُلًا مَغْمُوصًا فِي النِّفَاقِ وَيُحْزِنُنِي ذَلِكَ فَطَفِقْتُ أُعِدُّ الْعُذْرَ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا جَاءَ وَأُهَيْيءُ الْكَلَامَ وَقُدِّرَ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ أَنْ لَا يَذْكُرَنِي حَتَّى نَزَلَ تَبُوكًا فَقَالَ لِلنَّاسِ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ بِتَبُوكٍ «مَا فَعَلَ كَعْبُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ؟» فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ قَوْمِي فَقَالَ شَغَلَهُ بُرْدَاهُ وَالنَّظَرُ فِي عِطْفَيْهِ فَتَكَلَّمَ رَجُلٌ آخَرُ فَقَالَ وَاللهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنْ عَلِمْنَا إِلَّا خَيْرًا فَصَمَتَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَلَمَّا قِيلَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَدِمَ زَاحَ عَنِّي الْبَاطِلُ وَمَا كُنْتُ أَجْمَعُ مِنَ الْكَذِبِ وَالْعُذْرِ وَعَرَفْتُ أَنَّهُ لَنْ يُنَجِّيَنِي مِنْهُ إِلَّا الصِّدْقُ فَأَجْمَعْتُ صِدْقَهُ وَصَبَّحَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ الْمَدِينَةَ فَقَدِمَ فَغَدَوْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ فِي النَّاسِ جَالِسٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ وَكَانَ قَلَّمَا نَظَرَ إِلَيَّ دَعَانِي فَقَالَ «هَلُمَّ يَا كَعْبُ مَا خَلْفَكَ عَنِّي؟» وَتَبَسَّمَ تَبَسُّمَ الْمُغْضَبِ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَا عُذْرَ لِي مَا كُنْتُ قَطُّ أَقْوَى وَلَا أَيْسَرَ مِنِّي حِينَ تَخَلَّفْتُ عَنْكَ وَقَدْ جَاءَ الْمُخَلَّفُونَ يَحْلِفُونَ فَيَقْبَلُ مِنْهُمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُ لَهُمْ وَيَكِلُ سَرَائِرَهُمْ فِي ذَلِكَ إِلَى اللهِ ﷻ فَلَمَّا صَدَقَهُ قَالَ «أَمَّا هَذَا فَقَدْ صَدَقَ فَقُمْ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَ اللهُ فِيكَ مَا هُوَ قَاضٍ» فَقُمْتُ فَقَامَ إِلَيَّ رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي سَلِمَةَ فَقَالَ وَاللهِ مَا صَنَعْتَ شَيْئًا وَاللهِ إِنْ كَانَ لَكَافِيكَ مِنْ ذَنْبِكِ الَّذِي أَذْنَبْتَ اسْتِغْفَارُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ لَكَ كَمَا صَنَعَ ذَلِكَ بِغَيْرِكَ فَقَدْ قَبِلَ مِنْهُمْ عُذْرَهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمْ فَمَا زَالُوا يَلُومُونَنِي حَتَّى تَمَنَّيْتُ أَنْ أَرْجِعَ فَأُكَذِّبَ نَفْسِي ثُمَّ قُلْتُ لَهُمْ هَلْ قَالَ لَهُ هَذِهِ الْمَقَالَةَ أَحَدٌ وَاعْتَذَرَ بِمِثْلِ مَا اعْتَذَرْتُ بِهِ أَحَدٌ؟ قَالُوا نَعَمْ قُلْتُ مَنْ؟ قَالُوا هِلَالُ بْنُ أُمَيَّةَ الْوَاقِفِيُّ وَرَبِيعَةُ بْنُ مُرَارَةَ الْعُمَرِيُّ فَذَكَرُوا لِي رَجُلَيْنِ صَالِحَيْنِ قَدْ شَهِدَا بَدْرًا قَدِ اعْتَذَرَا بِمِثْلِ الَّذِي اعْتَذَرْتَ وَقِيلَ لَهُمَا مِثْلُ الَّذِيِ قِيلَ لَكَ وَنَهَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَنْ كَلَامِنَا فَطَفَقْنَا نَغْدُو فِي النَّاسِ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُنَا أَحَدٌ كَلِمَةً وَلَا يُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْنَا وَلَا يَرُدُّ عَلَيْنَا سَلَامَنَا حَتَّى إِذَا دَنَتْ أَرْبَعُونَ لَيْلَةً جَاءَنَا رَسُولُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ أَنِ اعْتَزِلُوا نِسَاءَكُمْ فَأَمَّا هِلَالُ بْنُ أُمَيَّةَ فَجَاءَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّهُ شَيْخٌ ضَعِيفٌ بَصَرُهُ فَهَلْ تَكْرَهُ أَنْ أَصْنَعَ لَهُ طَعَامًا؟ قَالَ «لَا وَلَكِنْ لَا يَقْرَبَنَّكِ» قَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا بِهِ مِنْ حَرَكَةٍ إِلَى شَيْءٍ وَاللهِ مَا زَالَ يَبْكِي إِذْ كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ مَا كَانَ إِلَى يَوْمِهِ هَذَا قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي أَهْلِي لَوِ اسْتَأْذَنْتَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ كَمَا اسْتَأْذَنَتِ امْرَأَةُ هِلَالِ بْنِ أُمَيَّةَ أَنْ تَخْدُمَهُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ مَا أَسْتَأْذِنَهُ فِيهَا وَمَا أَدْرِي مَا يَقُولُ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِنِ اسْتَأْذَنْتُهُ وَهُوَ شَيْخٌ كَبِيرٌ وَأَنَا شَابٌّ فَقُلْتُ لِامْرَأَتِي الْحَقِي بِأَهْلِكِ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَ اللهُ مَا هُوَ قَاضٍ وَطَفِقْنَا نَمْشِي فِي النَّاسِ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُنَا أَحَدٌ وَلَا يُرَدُّ عَلَيْنَا سَلَّامٌ فَأَقْبَلْتُ حَتَّى تَسَوَّرْتُ جِدَارًا لِابْنِ عَمِّي فِي حَائِطِهِ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَمَا حَرَّكَ شَفَتَيْهِ يَرُدُّ عَلِيَّ السَّلَامَ فَقُلْتُ أَنْشُدُكَ بِاللهِ أَتَعْلَمُ أَنِّي أُحِبُّ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ؟ فَمَا كَلَّمَنِي كَلِمَةً ثُمَّ عُدْتُ فَلَمْ يُكَلِّمْنِي ثُمَّ عُدْتُ فَلَمْ يُكَلِّمْنِي حَتَّى إِذَا كَمُلَتِ الرَّابِعَةُ أَوِ الثَّالِثَةُ قَالَ اللهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ فَرَجَعْتُ وَإِنِّي لَأَمْشِي فِي السُّوقِ وَإِذَا النَّاسُ يُشِيرُونَ إِلَيَّ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ فَإِذَا نَبَطِيٌّ مِنْ نَبَطِ الشَّامِ يَسْأَلُ عَنِّي فَجَعَلُوا يُشِيرُونَ لَهُ إِلَيَّ حَتَّى جَاءَنِي فَدَفَعَ إِلَيَّ كِتَابًا مِنْ بَعْضِ قَوْمِي بِالشَّامِ قَدْ بَلَغَنَا مَا صَنَعَ بِكَ صَاحِبُكَ وَجَفْوَتُهُ عَنْكَ فَالْحَقْ بِنَا وَإِنَّ اللهَ ﷻ لَمْ يَجْعَلْكَ بِدَارِ هَوَانٍ وَلَا دَارَ مَضْيَعَةٍ نُوَاسِكَ فِي أَمْوَالِنَا قَالَ قُلْتُ أَنَا لِلَّهِ فِي طَمَعٍ فِي أَهْلِ الْكُفْرِ فَتَيَمَّمْتُ لَهُ تَنُّورًا فَسَجَرْتُهُ لَهَا فَوَاللهِ أَنَا لَعَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ الَّتِي ذَكَرَ اللهُ تَعَالَى قَدْ ضَاقَتْ عَلَيْنَا الْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْنَا أَنْفُسُنَا صَبَاحِيَّةَ لَيْلَةٍ مُنْذُ نُهِيَ عَنْ كَلَامِنَا أُنْزِلَتِ التَّوْبَةُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ آذَنَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَلَيْنَا حِينَ صَلَّى الْفَجْرَ فَذَهَبَ النَّاسُ يُبَشِّرُونَنَا وَرَكَضَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى فَرَسٍ أَوْ سَعَى سَاعٍ مِنْ أَسْلَمَ فَأَوْفَى عَلَى الْجَبَلِ وَكَانَ الصَّوْتُ أَسْرَعَ مِنَ الْفَرَسِ فَنَادَى يَا كَعْبُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ أَبْشِرْ فَخَرَرْتُ سَاجِدًا وَعَرَفْتُ أَنْ قَدْ جَاءَ الْفَرَجُ فَلَمَّا جَاءَنِي الَّذِي سَمِعْتُ صَوْتَهُ دَفَعَتُ لَهُ ثَوْبَيْنِ بُشْرَاهُ وَاللهِ مَا أَمْلِكُ يَوْمَئِذٍ ثَوْبَيْنِ غَيْرَهُمَا وَاسْتَعَرْتُ ثَوْبَيْنِ فَخَرَجْتُ قِبَلَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَتَلَقَّانِي النَّاسُ فَوْجًا فَوْجًا يُهَنِّئُونَنِي بِتَوْبَةِ اللهِ عَلَيَّ حَتَّى دَخَلْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَقَامَ إِلَيَّ طَلْحَةُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللهِ يُهَرْوِلُ حَتَّى صَافَحَنِي وَهَنَّأَنِي مَا قَامَ إِلَيَّ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ غَيْرُهُ فَكَانَ كَعْبٌ يَعْرِفُ ذَلِكَ لِطَلْحَةَ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَتُ حَتَّى وَقَفْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ كَأَنَّ وَجْهَهُ قِطْعَةُ قَمَرٍ وَكَانَ إِذَا سُرَّ اسْتَنَارَ وَجْهُهُ لِذَلِكَ فَنَادَانِي «هَلُمَّ يَا كَعْبُ أَبْشِرْ بِخَيْرِ يَوْمٍ مَرَّ عَلَيْكَ مُنْذُ وَلَدَتْكَ أُمُّكَ» قَالَ قُلْتُ أَمِنْ عِنْدِ اللهِ أَمْ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ؟ قَالَ «لَا بَلْ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللهِ إِنَّكُمْ صَدَقْتُمُ اللهَ فَصَدَقَكُمْ» قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ مِنْ تَوْبَتِي إِلَيْهِ أَنْ أَخْرُجَ مِنْ مَالِي صَدَقَةً إِلَى اللهِ وَإِلَى رَسُولِهِ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ بَعْضَ مَالِكَ» قُلْتُ أُمْسِكُ سَهْمِي بِخَيْبَرَ قَالَ كَعْبٌ فَوَاللهِ مَا أَبْلَى اللهُ رَجُلًا فِي صِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ مَا أَبْلَانِي  

كَانَ أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ يُقَالُ لَهُمْ بَنُو أُبَيْرِقَ بِشْرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ وَمُبَشِّرٌ وَكَانَ بَشِيرٌ رَجُلًا مُنَافِقًا وَكَانَ يَقُولُ الشَّعْرَ يَهْجُو بِهِ أَصْحَابَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ يَنْحَلُهُ لِبَعْضِ الْعَرَبِ وَيَقُولُ قَالَ فُلَانٌ كَذَا وَقَالَ فُلَانٌ كَذَا فَإِذَا سَمِعَ أَصْحَابُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ بِذَلِكَ الشَّعْرِ قَالُوا وَاللهِ مَا يَقُولُ هَذَا الشَّعْرَ إِلَّا الْخَبِيثُ فَقَالَ أَوَكُلَّمَا قَالَ الرَّجُلُ قَصِيَدةً قَالُوا ابْنُ أُبَيْرِقٍ قَالَهَا وَكَانُوا أَهْلَ بَيْتِ فَاقَةٍ وَحَاجَةٍ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَالْإِسْلَامِ وَكَانَ النَّاسُ إِنَّمَا طَعَامُهُمْ بِالْمَدِينَةِ التَّمْرُ وَالشَّعِيرُ فَكَانَ الرَّجُلُ إِذَا كَانَ لَهُ الْيَسَارُ أَكَلَ الْبُرَّ فَقَدِمَ طَعَامٌ مِنَ الشَّامِ فَابْتَاعَ عَمِّي رِفَاعَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ حِمْلًا مِنَ الدَّرْمَكِ فَجَعَلَهُ فِي مَشْرُبَةٍ لَهُ وَفِي الْمَشْرُبَةِ سِلَاحٌ لَهُ دِرْعَانِ وَسَيْفَاهُمَا وَمَا يُعَلِّمُهُمَا فَعُدِّيَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ تَحْتِ اللَّيْلِ وَنُقِبَتِ الْمَشْرُبَةُ وَأُخِذَ الطَّعَامُ وَالسِّلَاحُ فَأَتَانِي عَمِّي رِفَاعَةُ فَقَالَ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ عُدِّيَ عَلَيْنَا فِي لَيْلَتِنَا هَذِهِ فَنُقِبَتِ الْمَشْرُبَةُ فَذُهِبَ بِطَعَامِنَا وَسِلَاحِنَا فَتَحَسَّسْنَا فِي الدَّارِ وَسَأَلْنَا فَقِيلَ قَدْ رَأَيْنَا بَنِي أُبَيْرِقٍ وَاسْتَوْقَدُوا فِي هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ وَمَا نَرَى فِيمَا نَرَى إِلَّا أَنَّهُ عَلَى بَعْضِ طَعَامِكُمْ وَقَدْ كَانَ يَقُولُ بَنُو أُبَيْرِقٍ وَنَحْنُ نَسْأَلُ فِي الدَّارِ وَاللهِ مَا نَرَى صَاحِبَكُمْ إِلَا لَبِيدَ بْنَ سَهْلٍ رَجُلٌ مِنَّا لَهُ صَلَاحٌ وَإِسْلَامٌ فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ بِذَلِكَ لَبِيدٌ اخْتَرَطَ سَيْفَهُ وَقَالَ أَنَا أَسْرِقُ وَاللهِ لَيُخَالِطَنَّكُمْ هَذَا السَّيْفُ أَوْ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّ هَذِهِ السَّرِقَةَ قَالُوا إِلَيْكَ عَنَّا أَيُّهَا الرَّجُلُ وَاللهِ مَا أَنْتَ بِصَاحِبِهَا فَسَأَلْنَا فِي الدَّارِ حَتَّى لَمْ يُشَكَّ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُهَا فَقَالَ لِي عَمِّي يَا ابْنَ أَخِي لَوْ أَتَيْتَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فَذَكَرْتَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّ أَهْلَ بَيْتٍ مِنَّا أَهْلَ جَفَاءٍ عَمَدُوا إِلَى عَمِّي رِفَاعَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ فَنَقَبُوا مَشْرُبَةً لَهُ وَأَخَذُوا سِلَاحَهُ وَطَعَامَهُ فَلْيَرْدُدْ إِلَيْنَا سِلَاحَنَا أَمَا الطَّعَامُ فَلَا حَاجَةَ لَنَا بِهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «سَأَنْظُرُ فِي ذَلِكَ» فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ بِذَلِكَ بَنُو أُبَيْرِقٍ أَتَوْا رَجُلًا مِنْهُمْ يُقَالُ لَهُ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ عُرْوَةَ وَكَلَّمُوهُ فِي ذَلِكَ وَاجْتَمَعَ لَهُ ثَلَاثُونَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الدَّارِ فَأَتَوْا رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّ قَتَادَةَ بْنَ النُّعْمَانِ وَعَمَّهُ عَمَدَا إِلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ مِنَّا أَهْلِ إِسْلَامٍ وَصَلَاحٍ يَرْمُونَهُمْ بِالسَّرِقَةِ مِنْ غَيْرِ بَيِّنَةٍ وَلَا ثَبْتٍ قَالَ قَتَادَةُ فَأَتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فَكَلَّمَتْهُ فَقَالَ «أَعَمَدْتُمْ إِلَى قَوْمٍ ذُكِرَ مِنْهُمْ إِسْلَامٌ وَصَلَاحٌ تَرْمُونَهُمْ بِالسَّرِقَةِ؟» فَرَجَعْتُ وَلَوَدِدْتُ أَنِّي خَرَجْتُ مِنْ بَعْضِ مَالِي وَلَمْ أُكَلِّمَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فِي ذَلِكَ فَأَتَانِي عَمِّي رِفَاعَة فَقَالَ ابْنَ أَخِي مَا صَنَعْتَ؟ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ مَا قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ اللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ فَلَمْ نَلْبَثْ أَنْ نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ {إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ لِتَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِمَا أَرَاكَ اللهُ وَلَا تَكُنْ لِلْخَائِنِينَ خَصِيمًا} بَنِي أُبَيْرِقٍ {وَاسْتَغْفَرِ اللهَ} أَيْ مِمَّا قُلْتَ لِقَتَادَةَ {إِنَّ اللهَ كَانَ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا وَلَا تُجَادِلْ عَنِ الَّذِينَ يَخْتَانُونَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ} بَنِي أُبَيْرِقٍ {إِنَّ اللهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَنْ كَانَ خَوَّانًا أَثِيمًا يَسْتَخْفُونَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَلَا يَسْتَخْفُونَ مِنَ اللهِ وَهُوَ مَعَهُمْ إِذْ يُبَيَّتُونَ مَا لَا يَرْضَى مِنَ الْقَوْلِ وَكَانَ اللهُ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطًا هَا أَنْتُمْ هَؤُلَاءِ جَادَلْتُمْ عَنْهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَمَنْ يُجَادِلُ اللهَ عَنْهُمْ} الْآيَةُ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا} أَيْ لَوْ أَنَّهُمُ اسْتَغْفَرُوا اللهَ لَغَفَرَ لَهُمْ {وَمَنْ يَكْسِبْ إِثْمًا} فَإِنَّمَا يَكْسِبُهُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ وَكَانَ اللهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا وَمَنْ يَكْسِبْ خَطِيئَةً أَوْ إِثْمًا ثُمَّ يَرْمِ بِهِ بَرِيئًا فَقَدِ احْتَمَلَ بُهْتَانًا وَإِثْمًا مُبِينًا قَوْلُهُمْ لِلَبِيدٍ {وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللهِ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَهَمَّتْ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْهُمْ أَنْ يُضِلُّوكَ وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلَّا أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَضُرُّونَكَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ} إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَةِ فَلَمَّا نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ أُتِيَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بِالسِّلَاحِ فَرَدُّهُ إِلَى رِفَاعَةَ قَالَ قَتَادَةُ فَلَمَّا أَتَيْتُ عَمِّيَ بِالسِّلَاحِ وَكَانَ شَيْخًا قَدْ عَمِيَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَكُنْتُ أَرَى إِسْلَامَهُ مَدْخُولًا فَلَمَّا أَتَيْتُهُ بِالسِّلَاحِ قَالَ ابْنَ أَخِي هُوَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ فَعَرَفْتُ أَنَّ إِسْلَامَهُ كَانَ صَحِيحًا فَلَمَّا نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ لَحِقَ بَشِيرٌ بِالْمُشْرِكِينَ فَنَزَلَ عَلَى سُلَافَةَ بِنْتِ سَعِيدِ بْنِ سُهَيْلٍ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ فِيهِ {وَمَنْ يُشَاقِقِ} الرَّسُولَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْهُدَى وَيَتَّبِعَ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِ مَا تَوَلَّى وَنُصْلِهِ جَهَنَّمَ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيرًا إِنَّ اللهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ وَمَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللهِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا بَعِيدًا فَلَمَّا نَزَلَ عَلَى سُلَافَةَ بِنْتِ سَعِيدٍ رَمَاهَا بِأَبْيَاتِ شَعَرٍ أَخَذَتْ رَحْلَهُ فَوَضَعَتْهُ عَلَى رَأْسِهَا ثُمَّ خَرَجَتْ بِهِ فَرَمَتْ بِهِ الْأَبْطَحَ وَأَنَّهُ نَفَتَ عَلَى قَوْمٍ مِنْهُمْ لِيَسْرِقَ مَتَاعَهُمْ فَأَلْقَى الله عَلَيْهِ صَخْرَةً فَكَانَتْ قَبْرَهُ  

(the wife of the Prophet) "Whenever Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to go on a journey, he would draw lots amongst his wives and would take with him the one upon whom the lot fell. During a Ghazwa of his, he drew lots amongst us and the lot fell upon me, and I proceeded with him after Allah had decreed the use of the veil by women. I was carried in a Howdah (on the camel) and dismounted while still in it. When Messenger of Allah ﷺ was through with his Ghazwa and returned home, and we approached the city of Medina, Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered us to proceed at night. When the order of setting off was given, I walked till I was past the army to answer the call of nature. After finishing I returned (to the camp) to depart (with the others) and suddenly realized that my necklace over my chest was missing. So, I returned to look for it and was delayed because of that. The people who used to carry me on the camel, came to my Howdah and put it on the back of the camel, thinking that I was in it, as, at that time, women were light in weight, and thin and lean, and did not use to eat much. So, those people did not feel the difference in the heaviness of the Howdah while lifting it, and they put it over the camel. At that time I was a young lady. They set the camel moving and proceeded on. I found my necklace after the army had gone, and came to their camp to find nobody. So, I went to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would discover my absence and come back in my search. While in that state, I felt sleepy and slept. Safwan bin Mu'attal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwani was behind the army and reached my abode in the morning. When he saw a sleeping person, he came to me, and he used to see me before veiling. So, I got up when I heard him saying, "Inna lil-lah-wa inn a ilaihi rajiun (We are for Allah, and we will return to Him)." He made his camel knell down. He got down from his camel, and put his leg on the front legs of the camel and then I rode and sat over it. Safwan set out walking, leading the camel by the rope till we reached the army who had halted to take rest at midday. Then whoever was meant for destruction, fell into destruction, (some people accused me falsely) and the leader of the false accusers was ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. After that we returned to Medina, and I became ill for one month while the people were spreading the forged statements of the false accusers. I was feeling during my ailment as if I were not receiving the usual kindness from the Prophet ﷺ which I used to receive from him when I got sick. But he would come, greet and say, 'How is that (girl)?' I did not know anything of what was going on till I recovered from my ailment and went out with Um Mistah to the Manasi where we used to answer the call of nature, and we used not to go to answer the call of nature except from night to night and that was before we had lavatories near to our houses. And this habit of ours was similar to the habit of the old 'Arabs in the open country (or away from houses). So. I and Um Mistah bint Ruhm went out walking. Um Mistah stumbled because of her long dress and on that she said, 'Let Mistah be ruined.' I said, 'You are saying a bad word. Why are you abusing a man who took part in (the battle of) Badr?' She said, 'O Hanata (you there) didn't you hear what they said?' Then she told me the rumors of the false accusers. My sickness was aggravated, and when I returned home, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me, and after greeting he said, 'How is that (girl)?' I requested him to allow me to go to my parents. I wanted then to be sure of the news through them I Messenger of Allah ﷺ allowed me, and I went to my parents and asked my mother, 'What are the people talking about?' She said, 'O my daughter! Don't worry much about this matter. By Allah, never is there a charming woman loved by her husband who has other wives, but the women would forge false news about her.' I said, 'Glorified be Allah! Are the people really taking of this matter?' That night I kept on weeping and could not sleep till morning. In the morning Messenger of Allah ﷺ called ʿAli bin Abu Talib and Usama bin Zaid when he saw the Divine Inspiration delayed, to consul them about divorcing his wife (i.e. ʿAisha). Usama bin Zaid said what he knew of the good reputation of his wives and added, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Keep you wife, for, by Allah, we know nothing about her but good.' ʿAli bin Abu Talib said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Allah has no imposed restrictions on you, and there are many women other than she, yet you may ask the woman-servant who will tell you the truth.' On that Messenger of Allah ﷺ called Barirah and said, 'O Barirah. Did you ever see anything which roused your suspicions about her?' Barirah said, 'No, by Allah Who has sent you with the Truth, I have never seen in her anything faulty except that she is a girl of immature age, who sometimes sleeps and leaves the dough for the goats to eat.' On that day Messenger of Allah ﷺ ascended the pulpit and requested that somebody support him in punishing ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul. Allah's Apostle said, 'Who will support me to punish that person (ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul) who has hurt me by slandering the reputation of my family? By Allah, I know nothing about my family but good, and they have accused a person about whom I know nothing except good, and he never entered my house except in my company.' Saʿd bin Muʿadh got up and said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! by Allah, I will relieve you from him. If that man is from the tribe of the Aus, then we will chop his head off, and if he is from our brothers, the Khazraj, then order us, and we will fulfill your order.' On that Saʿd bin 'Ubada, the chief of the Khazraj and before this incident, he had been a pious man, got up, motivated by his zeal for his tribe and said, 'By Allah, you have told a lie; you cannot kill him, and you will never be able to kill him.' On that Usaid bin Al-Hadir got up and said (to Saʿd bin 'Ubada), 'By Allah! you are a liar. By Allah, we will kill him; and you are a hypocrite, defending the hypocrites.' On this the two tribes of Aus and Khazraj got excited and were about to fight each other, while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was standing on the pulpit. He got down and quieted them till they became silent and he kept quiet. On that day I kept on weeping so much so that neither did my tears stop, nor could I sleep. In the morning my parents were with me and I had wept for two nights and a day, till I thought my liver would burst from weeping. While they were sitting with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked my permission to enter, and I allowed her to come in. She sat down and started weeping with me. While we were in this state, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came and sat down and he had never sat with me since the day they forged the accusation. No revelation regarding my case came to him for a month. He recited Tashah-hud (i.e. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is His Apostle) and then said, 'O ʿAisha! I have been informed such-and-such about you; if you are innocent, then Allah will soon reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him to forgive you, for when a person confesses his sin and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.' When Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished his speech my tears ceased completely and there remained not even a single drop of it. I requested my father to reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf. My father said, By Allah, I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' I said to my mother, 'Talk to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf.' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah's Apostle. I was a young girl and did not have much knowledge of the Qur'an. I said. 'I know, by Allah, that you have listened to what people are saying and that has been planted in your minds and you have taken it as a truth. Now, if I told you that I am innocent and Allah knows that I am innocent, you would not believe me and if I confessed to you falsely that I am guilty, and Allah knows that I am innocent you would believe me. By Allah, I don't compare my situation with you except to the situation of Joseph's father (i.e. Jacob) who said, 'So (for me) patience is most fitting against that which you assert and it is Allah (Alone) whose help can be sought.' Then I turned to the other side of my bed hoping that Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah I never thought that Allah would reveal Divine Inspiration in my case, as I considered myself too inferior to be talked of in the Holy Qur'an. I had hoped that Messenger of Allah ﷺ might have a dream in which Allah would prove my innocence. By Allah, Allah's Apostle had not got up and nobody had left the house before the Divine Inspiration came to Allah's Apostle. So, there overtook him the same state which used to overtake him, (when he used to have, on being inspired divinely). He was sweating so much so that the drops of the sweat were dropping like pearls though it was a (cold) wintry day. When that state of Messenger of Allah ﷺ was over, he was smiling and the first word he said, ʿAisha! Thank Allah, for Allah has declared your innocence.' My mother told me to go to Messenger of Allah ﷺ . I replied, 'By Allah I will not go to him and will not thank but Allah.' So Allah revealed: "Verily! They who spread the slander are a gang among you . . ." (24.11) When Allah gave the declaration of my Innocence, Abu Bakr, who used to provide for Mistah bin Uthatha for he was his relative, said, 'By Allah, I will never provide Mistah with anything because of what he said about Aisha.' But Allah later revealed: -- "And let not those who are good and wealthy among you swear not to help their kinsmen, those in need and those who left their homes in Allah's Cause. Let them forgive and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? Verily! Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." (24.22) After that Abu Bakr said, 'Yes ! By Allah! I like that Allah should forgive me,' and resumed helping Mistah whom he used to help before. Messenger of Allah ﷺ also asked Zainab bint Jahsh (i.e. the Prophet's wife about me saying, 'What do you know and what did you see?' She replied, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I refrain to claim hearing or seeing what I have not heard or seen. By Allah, I know nothing except goodness about Aisha." Aisha further added "Zainab was competing with me (in her beauty and the Prophet's love), yet Allah protected her (from being malicious), for she had piety." (Using translation from Bukhārī 2661)   

عَنْ حَدِيثِ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الْإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا فَبَرَّأَهَا اللهُ وَكُلُّهُمْ حَدَّثَنِي بِطَائِفَةٍ مِنْ حَدِيثِهَا وَبَعْضُهُمْ كَانَ أَوْعَى لِحَدِيثِهَا مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَأَثْبَتَ لَهُ اقْتِصَاصًا وَقَدْ وَعَيْتُ مِنْ كُلِّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمُ الْحَدِيثَ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي بِهِ وَبَعْضُ حَدِيثِهِمْ يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضُهُ بَعْضًا زَعَمُوا أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ سَفَرًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ نِسَائِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا مَعَهُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ فِيهَا سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ بَعْدَمَا أُنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ فَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي وَأَنْزِلُ فِيهِ فَسِرْنَا حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ وَقَفَلَ وَدَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ أَذَّنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى الرَّحْلِ فَلَمَسْتُ صَدْرِي فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ مِنْ جَزْعِ أَظْفَارٍ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَالْتَمَسْتُ عِقْدِي فَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَرْحَلُونَ لِي وَحَمَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُهُ وَهُمْ يَحْسِبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ وَكَانَ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يُهَبِّلْهُنَّ وَلَمْ يَغْشَهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلْنَ الْعُلْقَتَيْنِ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ ثِقَلَ الْهَوْدَجِ حِينَ رَفَعُوهُ وَرَحَلُوهُ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ وَسَارُوا فَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَمَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ بِهَا دَاعٍ وَلَا مُجِيبٌ فَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ فِيهِ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّ الْقَوْمَ سَيَفْقِدُونِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِيُ مَنْزِلِي إِذْ غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَدْلَجَ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمًا فَأَتَانِي فَعَرَفَنِي حِينَ رَآنِي وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ أَنْ يُضْرَبَ عَلَيْنَا الْحِجَابُ [199] فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ عَرَفَنِي فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي وَاللهِ مَا كَلَّمَنِي كَلِمَةً وَلَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ عَلَى يَدِهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا وَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِي الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ بَعْدَمَا نَزَلُوا مُوغِرِينَ فِي نَحْوِ الظَّهِيرَةِ فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ فِي شَأْنِي وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَهُ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيِّ ابْنِ سَلُولٍ فَقَدِمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَهُو يَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لَا أَعْرِفُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى حِينَ أَشْتَكِي إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَيَّ فَيُسَلِّمُ فَيَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ» فَذَلِكَ الَّذِي يَرِيبُنِي وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِالشَّرِّ حَتَّى خَرَجْتُ بَعْدَمَا نَقَهْتُ فَخَرَجَتْ مَعِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ وَهُوَ مُتَبَرَّزُنَا وَلَا نَخْرُجُ إِلَّا لَيْلًا إِلَى لَيْلٍ وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُتَّخَذَ الْكُنُفُ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الْأُوَلِ فِي التَّبَرُّزِ وَكُنَّا نَتَأَذَّى بِالْكُنُفِ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَهَا عِنْدَ بُيُوتِنَا فَانْطَلَقْتُ أَنَا وَأَمُّ مِسْطَحٍ وَهِيَ بِنْتُ أَبِي رُهْمِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ بْنِ عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ وَأُمُّهَا بِنْتُ صَخْرِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ خَالَةُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ وَابْنُهَا مِسْطَحُ بْنُ أُثَاثَةَ بْنِ عَبَّادِ بْنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ فَأَقْبَلْتُ أَنَا وَابْنَةُ أَبِي رُهْمٍ قِبَلَ بَيْتِي حِينَ فَرَغْنَا مِنْ شَأْنِنَا فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ تَسُبِّينَ رَجُلًا قَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا؟ فَقَالَتْ يَا هَنْتَاهُ أَلَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ وَمَا قَالَ؟ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا إِلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي وَدَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَقَالَ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ» قُلْتُ أَتَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ آتِيَ أَبَوَيَّ؟ قَالَ «نَعَمْ» وَأَنَا أُرِيدُ حِينَئِذٍ أَنْ أَتَيَقَّنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ عِنْدِهِمَا فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَجِئْتُ لِأَبَوَيَّ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي أَيْ هَنْتَاهُ مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ؟ قَالَتْ أَيْ بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكِ فَوَاللهِ لَقَلَّمَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ قَطُّ وَضِيئَةً عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا لَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا كَثَّرْنَ عَلَيْهَا فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ أَوَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا وَبَلَغَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ؟ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ فَبَكَيْتُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ حَتَّى ظَنَّ أَبَوَايَ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ سَيَفْلِقُ كَبِدِي [200] فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْيُ يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ بِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَالَّذِي فِي نَفْسِهِ مِنَ الْوُدِّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَهْلُكَ وَلَا نَعْلَمُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ النِّسَاءَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَإِنْ تَسْأَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ يَعْنِي بَرِيرَةَ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ «هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ يُرِيبُكِ مِنْ عَائِشَةَ؟» قَالَتْ بَرِيرَةُ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ إِنْ رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا أَمْرًا أَغْمِصُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا فَتَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلُهُ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ خَطِيبًا فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَمَنْ يُعْذِرُنِي مِمَّنْ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِي؟» يَعْنِي عَبْدَ اللهِ بْنَ أُبَيِّ ابْنِ سَلُولٍ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ أَيْضًا «يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِنْ يُعْذِرُنِي مِمَّنْ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِي؟ يَعْنِي عَبْدَ اللهِ بْنَ أُبَيِّ ابْنِ سَلُولٍ فَوَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا مَعِي» فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ فَقَالَ أُعْذِرُكَ مِنْهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْنَا عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا أَمْرَكَ فَقَالَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَهُوَ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ وَكَانَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنِ احْتَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ أَيْ سَعْدُ بْنَ مُعَاذٍ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَا تَقْتُلُهُ وَلَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَنَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فَثَارَ الْحَيَّانِ الْأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا أَنْ يَقْتَتِلُوا وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَائِمٌ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا ثُمَّ أَتَانِي النَّبِيُّ ﷺ وَأَنَا فِي بَيْتِ أَبَوَيَّ فَبَيْنَا هُوَ جَالِسٌ وَأَنَا أَبْكِي فَاسْتَأْذَنَتْ عَلَيَّ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَسَاقَ الْحَدِيثَ  

Whenever Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to go on a journey, he used to draw lots amongst his wives, and Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to take with him the one on whom lot fell. He drew lots amongst us during one of the Ghazwat which he fought. The lot fell on me and so I proceeded with Messenger of Allah ﷺ after Allah's order of veiling (the women) had been revealed. I was carried (on the back of a camel) in my howdah and carried down while still in it (when we came to a halt). So we went on till Messenger of Allah ﷺ had finished from that Ghazwa of his and returned. When we approached the city of Medina he announced at night that it was time for departure. So when they announced the news of departure, I got up and went away from the army camps, and after finishing from the call of nature, I came back to my riding animal. I touched my chest to find that my necklace which was made of Zifar beads (i.e. Yemenite beads partly black and partly white) was missing. So I returned to look for my necklace and my search for it detained me. (In the meanwhile) the people who used to carry me on my camel, came and took my howdah and put it on the back of my camel on which I used to ride, as they considered that I was in it. In those days women were light in weight for they did not get fat, and flesh did not cover their bodies in abundance as they used to eat only a little food. Those people therefore, disregarded the lightness of the howdah while lifting and carrying it; and at that time I was still a young girl. They made the camel rise and all of them left (along with it). I found my necklace after the army had gone. Then I came to their camping place to find no call maker of them, nor one who would respond to the call. So I intended to go to the place where I used to stay, thinking that they would miss me and come back to me (in my search). While I was sitting in my resting place, I was overwhelmed by sleep and slept. Safwan bin Al-Muattal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwani was behind the army. When he reached my place in the morning, he saw the figure of a sleeping person and he recognized me on seeing me as he had seen me before the order of compulsory veiling (was prescribed). So I woke up when he recited Istirja' (i.e. "Inna li l-lahi wa inna llaihi raji'un") as soon as he recognized me. I veiled my face with my head cover at once, and by Allah, we did not speak a single word, and I did not hear him saying any word besides his Istirja'. He dismounted from his camel and made it kneel down, putting his leg on its front legs and then I got up and rode on it. Then he set out leading the camel that was carrying me till we overtook the army in the extreme heat of midday while they were at a halt (taking a rest). (Because of the event) some people brought destruction upon themselves and the one who spread the Ifk (i.e. slander) more, was ʿAbdullah bin Ubai Ibn Salul." (Urwa said, "The people propagated the slander and talked about it in his (i.e. ʿAbdullah's) presence and he confirmed it and listened to it and asked about it to let it prevail." ʿUrwa also added, "None was mentioned as members of the slanderous group besides (ʿAbdullah) except Hassan bin Thabit and Mistah bin Uthatha and Hamna bint Jahsh along with others about whom I have no knowledge, but they were a group as Allah said. It is said that the one who carried most of the slander was ʿAbdullah bin Ubai bin Salul." ʿUrwa added, "ʿAisha disliked to have Hassan abused in her presence and she used to say, 'It was he who said: My father and his (i.e. my father's) father and my honor are all for the protection of Muhammad's honor from you."). ʿAisha added, "After we returned to Medina, I became ill for a month. The people were propagating the forged statements of the slanderers while I was unaware of anything of all that, but I felt that in my present ailment, I was not receiving the same kindness from Messenger of Allah ﷺ as I used to receive when I got sick. (But now) Messenger of Allah ﷺ would only come, greet me and say,' How is that (lady)?' and leave. That roused my doubts, but I did not discover the evil (i.e. slander) till I went out after my convalescence, I went out with Um Mistah to Al-Manasi' where we used to answer the call of nature and we used not to go out (to answer the call of nature) except at night, and that was before we had latrines near our houses. And this habit of our concerning evacuating the bowels, was similar to the habits of the old 'Arabs living in the deserts, for it would be troublesome for us to take latrines near our houses. So I and Um Mistah who was the daughter of Abu Ruhm bin Al-Muttalib bin ʿAbd Manaf, whose mother was the daughter of Sakhr bin 'Amir and the aunt of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and whose son was Mistah bin Uthatha bin ʿAbbas bin Al-Muttalib, went out. I and Um Mistah returned to my house after we finished answering the call of nature. Um Mistah stumbled by getting her foot entangled in her covering sheet and on that she said, 'Let Mistah be ruined!' I said, 'What a hard word you have said. Do you abuse a man who took part in the battle of Badr?' On that she said, 'O you Hantah! Didn't you hear what he (i.e. Mistah) said? 'I said, 'What did he say?' Then she told me the slander of the people of Ifk. So my ailment was aggravated, and when I reached my home, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to me, and after greeting me, said, 'How is that (lady)?' I said, 'Will you allow me to go to my parents?' as I wanted to be sure about the news through them. Allah's Apostle allowed me (and I went to my parents) and asked my mother, 'O mother! What are the people talking about?' She said, 'O my daughter! Don't worry, for scarcely is there a charming woman who is loved by her husband and whose husband has other wives besides herself that they (i.e. women) would find faults with her.' I said, 'Subhan-Allah! (I testify the uniqueness of Allah). Are the people really talking in this way?' I kept on weeping that night till dawn I could neither stop weeping nor sleep then in the morning again, I kept on weeping. When the Divine Inspiration was delayed. Messenger of Allah ﷺ called ʿAli bin Abi Talib and Usama bin Zaid to ask and consult them about divorcing me. Usama bin Zaid said what he knew of my innocence, and the respect he preserved in himself for me. Usama said, '(O Messenger of Allah ﷺ!) She is your wife and we do not know anything except good about her.' ʿAli bin Abi Talib said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Allah does not put you in difficulty and there are plenty of women other than she, yet, ask the maid-servant who will tell you the truth.' On that Messenger of Allah ﷺ called Barira (i.e. the maid-servant) and said, 'O Barira! Did you ever see anything which aroused your suspicion?' Barira said to him, 'By Him Who has sent you with the Truth. I have never seen anything in her (i.e. Aisha) which I would conceal, except that she is a young girl who sleeps leaving the dough of her family exposed so that the domestic goats come and eat it.' So, on that day, Messenger of Allah ﷺ got up on the pulpit and complained about ʿAbdullah bin Ubai (bin Salul) before his companions, saying, 'O you Muslims! Who will relieve me from that man who has hurt me with his evil statement about my family? By Allah, I know nothing except good about my family and they have blamed a man about whom I know nothing except good and he used never to enter my home except with me.' Saʿd bin Muʿadh the brother of Banu ʿAbd Al-Ashhal got up and said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I will relieve you from him; if he is from the tribe of Al-Aus, then I will chop his head off, and if he is from our brothers, i.e. Al-Khazraj, then order us, and we will fulfill your order.' On that, a man from Al-Khazraj got up. Um Hassan, his cousin, was from his branch tribe, and he was Saʿd bin Ubada, chief of Al-Khazraj. Before this incident, he was a pious man, but his love for his tribe goaded him into saying to Saʿd (bin Muʿadh). 'By Allah, you have told a lie; you shall not and cannot kill him. If he belonged to your people, you would not wish him to be killed.' On that, Usaid bin Hudair who was the cousin of Saʿd (bin Muʿadh) got up and said to Saʿd bin 'Ubada, 'By Allah! You are a liar! We will surely kill him, and you are a hypocrite arguing on the behalf of hypocrites.' On this, the two tribes of Al-Aus and Al Khazraj got so much excited that they were about to fight while Messenger of Allah ﷺ was standing on the pulpit. Messenger of Allah ﷺ kept on quietening them till they became silent and so did he. All that day I kept on weeping with my tears never ceasing, and I could never sleep. In the morning my parents were with me and I wept for two nights and a day with my tears never ceasing and I could never sleep till I thought that my liver would burst from weeping. So, while my parents were sitting with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked me to grant her admittance. I allowed her to come in, and when she came in, she sat down and started weeping with me. While we were in this state, Messenger of Allah ﷺ came, greeted us and sat down. He had never sat with me since that day of the slander. A month had elapsed and no Divine Inspiration came to him about my case. Allah's Apostle then recited Tashah-hud and then said, 'Amma Badu, O ʿAisha! I have been informed so-andso about you; if you are innocent, then soon Allah will reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah and ask Him for forgiveness for when a slave confesses his sins and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.' (continued...) (continuing... 1): -5.462:... ... When Messenger of Allah ﷺ finished his speech, my tears ceased flowing completely that I no longer felt a single drop of tear flowing. I said to my father, 'Reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf concerning what he has said.' My father said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ .' Then I said to my mother, 'Reply to Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf concerning what he has said.' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Messenger of Allah ﷺ.' In spite of the fact that I was a young girl and had a little knowledge of Qur'an, I said, 'By Allah, no doubt I know that you heard this (slanderous) speech so that it has been planted in your hearts (i.e. minds) and you have taken it as a truth. Now if I tell you that I am innocent, you will not believe me, and if confess to you about it, and Allah knows that I am innocent, you will surely believe me. By Allah, I find no similitude for me and you except that of Joseph's father when he said, '(For me) patience in the most fitting against that which you assert; it is Allah (Alone) Whose Help can be sought.' Then I turned to the other side and lay on my bed; and Allah knew then that I was innocent and hoped that Allah would reveal my innocence. But, by Allah, I never thought that Allah would reveal about my case, Divine Inspiration, that would be recited (forever) as I considered myself too unworthy to be talked of by Allah with something of my concern, but I hoped that Messenger of Allah ﷺ might have a dream in which Allah would prove my innocence. But, by Allah, before Messenger of Allah ﷺ left his seat and before any of the household left, the Divine inspiration came to Messenger of Allah ﷺ. So there overtook him the same hard condition which used to overtake him, (when he used to be inspired Divinely). The sweat was dropping from his body like pearls though it was a wintry day and that was because of the weighty statement which was being revealed to him. When that state of Messenger of Allah ﷺ was over, he got up smiling, and the first word he said was, 'O ʿAisha! Allah has declared your innocence!' Then my Mother said to me, 'Get up and go to him (i.e. Messenger of Allah ﷺ). I replied, 'By Allah, I will not go to him, and I praise none but Allah. So Allah revealed the ten Verses:- - "Verily! They who spread the slander Are a gang, among you............." (24.11-20) Allah revealed those Qur'anic Verses to declare my innocence. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq who used to disburse money for Mistah bin Uthatha because of his relationship to him and his poverty, said, 'By Allah, I will never give to Mistah bin Uthatha anything after what he has said about Aisha.' Then Allah revealed:-- "And let not those among you who are good and wealthy swear not to give (any sort of help) to their kinsmen, those in need, and those who have left their homes for Allah's cause, let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is oft-Forgiving Most Merciful." (24.22) Abu Bakr As-Siddiq said, 'Yes, by Allah, I would like that Allah forgive me.' and went on giving Mistah the money he used to give him before. He also added, 'By Allah, I will never deprive him of it at all.' Aisha further said:." Messenger of Allah ﷺ also asked Zainab bint Jahsh (i.e. his wife) about my case. He said to Zainab, 'What do you know and what did you see?" She replied, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I refrain from claiming falsely that I have heard or seen anything. By Allah, I know nothing except good (about ʿAisha).' From amongst the wives of the Prophet ﷺ Zainab was my peer (in beauty and in the love she received from the Prophet) but Allah saved her from that evil because of her piety. Her sister Hamna, started struggling on her behalf and she was destroyed along with those who were destroyed. The man who was blamed said, 'Subhan-Allah! By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, I have never uncovered the cover (i.e. veil) of any female.' Later on the man was martyred in Allah's Cause." (Using translation from Bukhārī 4141)  

حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الْإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا فَبَرَّأَهَا اللهُ قَالَ وَكُلُّهُمْ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنْ حَدِيثِهَا وَبَعْضُهُمْ كَانَ أَوْعَى لِحَدِيثِهَا مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَأَثْبَتَ لَهُ اقْتِصَاصًا وَقَدْ وَعَيْتُ عَنْ كُلِّ رَجُلٍ مِنْهُمُ الْحَدِيثَ الَّذِي حَدَّثَنِي عَنْ عَائِشَةَ وَبَعْضُ حَدِيثِهِمْ يُصَدِّقُ بَعْضًا وَإِنْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْعَى لَهُ مِنْ بَعْضٍ قَالُوا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ سَفَرًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ أَزْوَاجِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَعَهُ فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ «فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ فِيهَا سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ بَعْدَمَا نَزَلَ الْحِجَابُ فَكُنْتُ أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجٍ وَأَنْزِلُ فِيهِ فَسِرْنَا حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ غَزْوَتِهِ تِلْكَ وَقَفَلَ دَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ قَافِلِينَ آذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ فَقُمْتُ حِينَ آذَنُوا بِالرَّحِيلِ فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ شَأْنِي أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى رَحْلِي فَالْتَمَسْتُ صَدْرِي فَإِذَا عِقْدٌ لِي مِنْ جَزْعِ ظَفَارٍ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَالْتَمَسْتُ عِقْدِي فَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يُرَحِّلُونِي فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ وَكَانَ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يُهَبَّلْنَ وَلَمْ يَغْشَهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلْنَ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ خِفَّةَ الْهَوْدَجِ حِينَ رَفَعُوهُ وَحَمَلُوهُ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ وَسَارُوا وَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَمَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ بِهَا مِنْهُمْ دَاعٍ وَلَا مُجِيبٌ فَتَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ بِهِ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَيَّ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ فَعَرَفَنِي حِينَ رَآنِي وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ الْحِجَابِ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ عَرَفَنِي فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي وَاللهِ مَا تَكَلَّمْنَا كَلِمَةً وَلَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ وَهَوَى حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ عَلَى يَدِهَا فَقُمْتُ إِلَيْهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِيَ الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ مُوغِرِينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ وَهُمْ نُزُولٌ فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَ الْإِفْكِ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيِّ ابْنِ سَلُولٍ» قَالَ عُرْوَةُ كَانَتْ عَائِشَةُ تَكْرَهُ أَنْ يُسَبَّ عِنْدَهَا حَسَّانٌ وَتَقُولُ إِنَّهُ قَدْ قَالَ [البحر الوافر] فَإِنَّ أَبِي وَوَالِدَهُ وَعِرْضِي لِعْرِضِ مُحَمَّدٍ مِنْكُمْ وِقَاءُ [169] قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ حِينَ قَدِمْنَا شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَصْحَابِ الْإِفْكِ لَا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَهُوَ يَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لَا أَعْرِفُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ حِينَ أَشْتَكِي إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُ فَذَلِكَ يَرِيبُنِي وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِالشَّرِّ حَتَّى خَرَجْتُ حِينَ نَقِهْتُ فَخَرَجَتْ مَعِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ وَكَانَتْ مُتَبَرَّزَنَا وَكُنَّا لَا نَخْرُجُ إِلَّا لَيْلًا إِلَى لَيْلٍ وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُتَّخَذَ الْكُنُفُ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الْأُولَى وَكُنَّا نَتَأَذَّى بِالْكُنُفِ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَهَا عِنْدَ بُيُوتِنَا فَانْطَلَقْتُ أَنَا وَأَمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ بَيْتِي حِينَ فَرَغْنَا مِنْ شَأْنِنَا فَعَثَرَتْ أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ «تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ» فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلًا شَهِدَ بَدْرًا؟ قَالَتْ أَيْ هَنْتَاهُ أَوَ لَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ وَمَا قَالَ؟ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا عَلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ قَالَ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» فَقُلْتُ لَهُ ائْذَنْ لِي أَنْ آتِيَ أَبَوَيَّ وَأَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَجِئْتُ أَبَوَيَّ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي يَا أُمَّتَاهُ مَاذَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ؟ قَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكِ فَوَاللهِ لَقَلَّمَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ قَطُّ وَضِيئَةٌ عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا لَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا كَثَّرْنَ عَلَيْهَا [170] فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ أَوَ لَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا؟ فَبَكَيْتُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةِ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ ثُمَّ أَصْبَحْتُ أَبْكِي فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْيُ يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ فَأَشَارَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ بِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَبِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ لَهُمْ فِي نَفْسِهِ فَقَالَ أُسَامَةُ «أَهْلُكَ وَلَا نَعْلَمُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا» وَأَمَّا عَلِيٌّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَسَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ «أَيْ بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ يَرِيبُكِ؟» قَالَتْ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا قَطُّ أَمْرًا أَغْمِصُهُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنْ عَجِينِ أَهْلِهَا فَيَأْتِي الدَّاجِنُ فَيأْكُلُهُ قَالَتْ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ نَوْمِهِ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَقَالَ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذِرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِي وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوا رَجُلًا مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا مَعِي فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ أَخُو بَنِي عَبْدِ الْأَشْهَلِ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَنَا أَعْذِرُ مِنْهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْتُ عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا أَمْرَكَ قَالَتْ وَقَامَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ وَكَانَتْ أُمُّ حَسَّانٍ ابْنَةَ عَمِّهِ مِنْ فَخِذِهِ وَهُوَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَهُوَ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ قَالَتْ وَكَانَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنِ احْتَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَا تَقْتُلُهُ وَلَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللهِ لَيَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فَثَارَ الْحَيَّانِ الْأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ [171] حَتَّى هَمُّوا أَنْ يَقْتَتِلُوا وَرَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَائِمٌ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ قَالَتْ وَبَكَيْتُ يَوْمِي ذَلِكَ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَمْ أَكْتَحِلْ بِنَوْمٍ وَأَصْبَحَ أَبَوَايَ عِنْدِي وَقَدْ بَقِيتُ لَيْلَتَيْنِ وَيَوْمًا لَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ حَتَّى إِنِّي لَأَظُنُّ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي فَبَيْنَا أَبَوَايَ جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي اسْتَأْذَنَتْ عَلَيَّ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَلَسَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي فَبَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ مَا قِيلَ قَبْلَهَا وَلَقَدْ لَبِثَ شَهْرًا لَا يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فِي شَأْنِي بِشَيْءٍ فَتَشَهَّدَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ حِينَ جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي عَنْكِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِنْ كُنْتِ بَرِيئَةً فَسَيُبَرِّئُكِ اللهُ وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللهَ وَتُوبِي إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِذَنْبٍ ثُمَّ تَابَ تَابَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ» فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً وَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي أَجِبْ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فِيمَا قَالَ فَقَالَ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي أَجِيبِي رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فِيمَا قَالَ قَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لَا أَقْرَأُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ كَثِيرًا إِنِّي وَاللهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَا تُصَدِّقُونِي وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفْتُ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُنِّي فَوَاللهِ لَا أَجِدُ لِي مَثَلًا وَلَا لَكُمْ إِلَّا أَبَا يُوسُفَ حِينَ قَالَ {فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} [يوسف 18] ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ فَاضْطَجَعْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ حِينَئِذٍ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَإِنَّ اللهَ مُبَرِّئِي بِبَرَاءَتِي وَلَكِنْ وَاللهِ مَا كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ أَنَّ اللهَ مَنْزِلٌ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيًا يُتْلَى لَشَأْنِي فِي نَفْسِي كَانَ أَحْقَرَ مِنْ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ اللهُ فِيَّ بِأَمْرٍ [172] وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي اللهُ بِهَا قَالَتْ فَوَاللهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَجْلَسَهُ وَلَا خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ حَتَّى إِنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ الْعَرَقُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ وَهُوَ فِي يَوْمٍ شَاتٍ مِنْ ثِقَلِ الْقَوْلِ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ فَسُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلُ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا أَنْ قَالَ يَا عَائِشَةُ «أَمَّا اللهُ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ» فَقَالَتْ لِي أُمِّي قُومِي إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَا أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَإِنِّي لَا أَحْمَدُ إِلَّا اللهَ قَالَتْ وَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ لَا تَحْسَبُوهُ شَرًّا لَكُمْ بَلْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مِنْهُمْ مَا اكْتَسَبَ مِنَ الْإِثْمِ} الْعَشْرَ الْآيَاتِ كُلَّهَا فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ هَذَا فِي بَرَاءَتِي قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ لِقَرَابَتِهِ وَفَقْرِهِ وَاللهِ لَا أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا بَعْدَ الَّذِي قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ تَعَالَى {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَنْ يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لَكُمْ وَاللهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ} فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى وَاللهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ الَّذِي كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ وَاللهِ لَا أَنْزِعُهَا مِنْهُ أَبَدًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ سَأَلَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ عَنْ أَمْرِي فَقَالَ لِزَيْنَبَ مَاذَا عَلِمْتِ أَوْ رَأَيْتِ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَهِيَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَعَصَمَهَا اللهُ بِالْوَرَعِ وَطَفِقَتْ أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ تُحَارِبُ لَهَا فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ فَهَذَا الَّذِي بَلَغَنِي مِنْ حَدِيثِ هَؤُلَاءِ الرَّهْطِ