Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "If anyone of you feels drowsy while praying he should go to bed (sleep) till his slumber is over because in praying while drowsy one does not know whether one is asking for forgiveness or for a bad thing for oneself."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ إِذَا نَعَسَ أَحَدُكُمْ وَهُوَ يُصَلِّي فَلْيَرْقُدْ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ عَنْهُ النَّوْمُ فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا صَلَّى وَهُوَ نَاعِسٌ لاَ يَدْرِي لَعَلَّهُ يَسْتَغْفِرُ فَيَسُبَّ نَفْسَهُ  

When anyone amongst you dozes in prayer, he should sleep, till sleep is gone, for when one of you prays while dozing he does not know whether he may be asking pardon or vilifying himself.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ إِذَا نَعَسَ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَلْيَرْقُدْ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ عَنْهُ النَّوْمُ فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا صَلَّى وَهُوَ نَاعِسٌ لَعَلَّهُ يَذْهَبُ يَسْتَغْفِرُ فَيَسُبُّ نَفْسَهُ  

When one of you dozes in prayer he should sleep till his sleep is gone, for when one of you prays while he is dozing, perhaps he might curse himself if he begs pardon of Allah.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ إِذَا نَعَسَ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَلْيَرْقُدْ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ عَنْهُ النَّوْمُ فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا صَلَّى وَهُوَ نَاعِسٌ لَعَلَّهُ يَذْهَبُ يَسْتَغْفِرُ فَيَسُبَّ نَفْسَهُ  

Messenger of Allah said: "When one of you is sleepy and he is performing Salat, then let him lie down until the sleep is gone from him. For when one of you performs Salat while he is sleepy, perhaps he wants to seek forgiveness but he curses himself."  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا نَعَسَ أَحَدُكُمْ وَهُوَ يُصَلِّي فَلْيَرْقُدْ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ عَنْهُ النَّوْمُ فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا صَلَّى وَهُوَ يَنْعَسُ لَعَلَّهُ يَذْهَبُ يَسْتَغْفِرُ فَيَسُبَّ نَفْسَهُ قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَنَسٍ وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ  

“The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘If anyone of you becomes drowsy, let him sleep until he feels refreshed, for he does not know, if he prays when he feels drowsy, he may want to say words seeking forgiveness but (instead) he ends up cursing himself.’”  

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا نَعَسَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَرْقُدْ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ عَنْهُ النَّوْمُ فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَدْرِي إِذَا صَلَّى وَهُوَ نَاعِسٌ لَعَلَّهُ يَذْهَبُ يَسْتَغْفِرُ فَيَسُبُّ نَفْسَهُ  

Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn Urwa from his father from A'isha, the wife of the Prophet ﷺ that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "If you are drowsy in prayer, sleep until sleep leaves you, because if you pray while you are drowsy, you do not know whether you may intend to ask for forgiveness but (in fact) ask for harm."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ إِذَا نَعَسَ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي صَلاَتِهِ فَلْيَرْقُدْ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ عَنْهُ النَّوْمُ فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا صَلَّى وَهُوَ نَاعِسٌ لاَ يَدْرِي لَعَلَّهُ يَذْهَبُ يَسْتَغْفِرُ فَيَسُبُّ نَفْسَهُ  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "If one of you feels sleepy while praying, let him lie down until his sleep goes away. For it may be that one of you is seeking forgiveness from Allah, and then he ends up cursing himself."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ إِذَا وَجَدَ أَحَدُكُمُ النَّوْمَ وَهُوَ يُصَلِّي فَلْيَرْقُدْ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ نَوْمُهُ إِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ عَسَى أَنْ يَذْهَبَ يَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ فَيَسُبُّ نَفْسَهُ  

When one of you dozes in prayer he should sleep till his sleep is gone, for when one of you prays while he is dozing, perhaps he might curse himself if he begs pardon of Allah. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 1310)   

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ إِذَا نَعَسَ أَحَدُكُمْ وَهُوَ يُصَلِّي فَلْيَرْقُدْ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ عَنْهُ النَّوْمُ فَإِنَّهُ إِذَا صَلَّى وَهُوَ يَنْعَسُ لَعَلَّهُ يَذْهَبُ يَسْتَغْفِرُ فَيَسُبُّ نَفْسَهُ  

“The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘If anyone of you becomes drowsy, let him sleep until he feels refreshed, for he does not know, if he prays when he feels drowsy, he may want to say words seeking forgiveness but (instead) he ends up cursing himself.’” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 1370)   

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا نَعَسَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَرْقُدْ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ عَنْهُ النَّوْمُ فَإِنَّهُ إِذَا صَلَّى وَهُوَ يَنْعَسُ لَعَلَّهُ يَذْهَبُ يَسْتَغْفِرُ فَيَسُبُّ نَفْسَهُ  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "If one of you falls asleep while praying, let him lie down until sleep goes away. For if one of you stands up to pray while drowsy, he may pray seeking forgiveness and curse himself."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ «إِذَا نَامَ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِ فَلْيَرْقُدْ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ عَنْهُ النَّوْمُ فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا قَامَ يُصَلِّي وَهُوَ نَاعِسٌ لَعَلَّهُ يَسْتَغْفِرُ فَيَسُبُّ نَفْسَهُ»  

When one of you dozes in prayer he should sleep till his sleep is gone, for when one of you prays while he is dozing, perhaps he might curse himself if he begs pardon of Allah. (Using translation from Abū Dāʾūd 1310)   

"إذَا نَعَسَ أحدُكُمْ في الصلاةِ فليرقد حتَّى يذهب عنه النومُ, فإِنَّ أحدَكُمْ إذَا صلَّى وهو ناعِسٌ لا يدْرى لعلَّه يذهبُ يستغفِرُ فيسُبُّ نفسَهُ".  

I had been eager to ask ʿUmar about the two ladies from among the wives of the Prophet ﷺ regarding whom Allah said (in the Qur'an saying): If you two (wives of the Prophet ﷺ namely Aisha and Hafsa) turn in repentance to Allah your hearts are indeed so inclined (to oppose what the Prophet ﷺ likes) (66.4), till performed the Hajj along with ʿUmar (and on our way back from Hajj) he went aside (to answer the call of nature) and I also went aside along with him carrying a tumbler of water. When he had answered the call of nature and returned. I poured water on his hands from the tumbler and he performed ablution. I said, "O Chief of the believers! ' Who were the two ladies from among the wives of the Prophet ﷺ to whom Allah said: 'If you two return in repentance (66.4)? He said, "I am astonished at your question, O Ibn ʿAbbas. They were Aisha and Hafsa." Then ʿUmar went on relating the narration and said. "I and an Ansari neighbor of mine from Bani Umaiya bin Zaid who used to live in ʿAwali Al-Medina, used to visit the Prophet ﷺ in turns. He used to go one day, and I another day. When I went I would bring him the news of what had happened that day regarding the instructions and orders and when he went, he used to do the same for me. We, the people of Quraish, used to have authority over women, but when we came to live with the Ansar, we noticed that the Ansari women had the upper hand over their men, so our women started acquiring the habits of the Ansari women. Once I shouted at my wife and she paid me back in my coin and I disliked that she should answer me back. She said, 'Why do you take it ill that I retort upon you? By Allah, the wives of the Prophet ﷺ retort upon him, and some of them may not speak with him for the whole day till night.' What she said scared me and I said to her, 'Whoever amongst them does so, will be a great loser.' Then I dressed myself and went to Hafsa and asked her, 'Does any of you keep Messenger of Allah ﷺ angry all the day long till night?' She replied in the affirmative. I said, 'She is a ruined losing person (and will never have success)! Doesn't she fear that Allah may get angry for the anger of Messenger of Allah ﷺ and thus she will be ruined? Don't ask Messenger of Allah ﷺ too many things, and don't retort upon him in any case, and don't desert him. Demand from me whatever you like, and don't be tempted to imitate your neighbor (i.e. ʿAisha) in her behavior towards the Prophet), for she (i.e. Aisha) is more beautiful than you, and more beloved to Messenger of Allah ﷺ. In those days it was rumored that Ghassan, (a tribe living in Sham) was getting prepared their horses to invade us. My companion went (to the Prophet ﷺ on the day of his turn, went and returned to us at night and knocked at my door violently, asking whether I was sleeping. I was scared (by the hard knocking) and came out to him. He said that a great thing had happened. I asked him: What is it? Have Ghassan come? He replied that it was worse and more serious than that, and added that Allah's Apostle had divorced all his wives. I said, Hafsa is a ruined loser! I expected that would happen some day.' So I dressed myself and offered the Fajr prayer with the Prophet. Then the Prophet ﷺ entered an upper room and stayed there alone. I went to Hafsa and found her weeping. I asked her, 'Why are you weeping? Didn't I warn you? Have Messenger of Allah ﷺ divorced you all?' She replied, 'I don't know. He is there in the upper room.' I then went out and came to the pulpit and found a group of people around it and some of them were weeping. Then I sat with them for some time, but could not endure the situation. So I went to the upper room where the Prophet ﷺ was and requested to a black slave of his: "Will you get the permission of (Allah's Apostle) for ʿUmar (to enter)? The slave went in, talked to the Prophet ﷺ about it and came out saying, 'I mentioned you to him but he did not reply.' So, I went and sat with the people who were sitting by the pulpit, but I could not bear the situation, so I went to the slave again and said: "Will you get he permission for ʿUmar? He went in and brought the same reply as before. When I was leaving, behold, the slave called me saying, "Messenger of Allah ﷺ has granted you permission." So, I entered upon the Prophet and saw him lying on a mat without wedding on it, and the mat had left its mark on the body of the Prophet, and he was leaning on a leather pillow stuffed with palm fires. I greeted him and while still standing, I said: "Have you divorced your wives?' He raised his eyes to me and replied in the negative. And then while still standing, I said chatting: "Will you heed what I say, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! We, the people of Quraish used to have the upper hand over our women (wives), and when we came to the people whose women had the upper hand over them..." ʿUmar told the whole story (about his wife). "On that the Prophet ﷺ smiled." ʿUmar further said, "I then said, 'I went to Hafsa and said to her: Do not be tempted to imitate your companion (ʿAisha) for she is more beautiful than you and more beloved to the Prophet.' The Prophet ﷺ smiled again. When I saw him smiling, I sat down and cast a glance at the room, and by Allah, I couldn't see anything of importance but three hides. I said (to Messenger of Allah ﷺ) "Invoke Allah to make your followers prosperous for the Persians and the Byzantines have been made prosperous and given worldly luxuries, though they do not worship Allah?' The Prophet ﷺ was leaning then (and on hearing my speech he sat straight) and said, 'O Ibn Al-Khattab! Do you have any doubt (that the Hereafter is better than this world)? These people have been given rewards of their good deeds in this world only.' I asked the Prophet ﷺ . 'Please ask Allah's forgiveness for me. The Prophet ﷺ did not go to his wives because of the secret which Hafsa had disclosed to ʿAisha, and he said that he would not go to his wives for one month as he was angry with them when Allah admonished him (for his oath that he would not approach Maria). When twenty-nine days had passed, the Prophet ﷺ went to Aisha first of all. She said to him, 'You took an oath that you would not come to us for one month, and today only twenty-nine days have passed, as I have been counting them day by day.' The Prophet ﷺ said, 'The month is also of twenty-nine days.' That month consisted of twenty-nine days. ʿAisha said, 'When the Divine revelation of Choice was revealed, the Prophet ﷺ started with me, saying to me, 'I am telling you something, but you need not hurry to give the reply till you can consult your parents." ʿAisha knew that her parents would not advise her to part with the Prophet ﷺ . The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah had said: 'O Prophet! Say To your wives; If you desire The life of this world And its glitter, ... then come! I will make a provision for you and set you free In a handsome manner. But if you seek Allah And His Apostle, and The Home of the Hereafter, then Verily, Allah has prepared For the good-doers amongst you A great reward.' (33.28) ʿAisha said, 'Am I to consult my parents about this? I indeed prefer Allah, His Apostle, and the Home of the Hereafter.' After that the Prophet ﷺ gave the choice to his other wives and they also gave the same reply as ʿAisha did."  

لَمْ أَزَلْ حَرِيصًا عَلَى أَنْ أَسْأَلَ عُمَرَ ؓ عَنِ الْمَرْأَتَيْنِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ اللَّتَيْنِ قَالَ اللَّهُ لَهُمَا {إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا} فَحَجَجْتُ مَعَهُ فَعَدَلَ وَعَدَلْتُ مَعَهُ بِالإِدَاوَةِ فَتَبَرَّزَ حَتَّى جَاءَ فَسَكَبْتُ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الإِدَاوَةِ فَتَوَضَّأَ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَنِ الْمَرْأَتَانِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ اللَّتَانِ قَالَ لَهُمَا {إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ} فَقَالَ وَاعَجَبِي لَكَ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ عَائِشَةُ وَحَفْصَةُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبَلَ عُمَرُ الْحَدِيثَ يَسُوقُهُ فَقَالَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ وَجَارٌ لِي مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فِي بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ وَهْىَ مِنْ عَوَالِي الْمَدِينَةِ وَكُنَّا نَتَنَاوَبُ النُّزُولَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَيَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا وَأَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا فَإِذَا نَزَلْتُ جِئْتُهُ مِنْ خَبَرِ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ مِنَ الأَمْرِ وَغَيْرِهِ وَإِذَا نَزَلَ فَعَلَ مِثْلَهُ وَكُنَّا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا عَلَى الأَنْصَارِ إِذَا هُمْ قَوْمٌ تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ فَطَفِقَ نِسَاؤُنَا يَأْخُذْنَ مِنْ أَدَبِ نِسَاءِ الأَنْصَارِ فَصِحْتُ عَلَى امْرَأَتِي فَرَاجَعَتْنِي فَأَنْكَرْتُ أَنْ تُرَاجِعَنِي فَقَالَتْ وَلِمَ تُنْكِرُ أَنْ أُرَاجِعَكَ فَوَاللَّهِ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لَيُرَاجِعْنَهُ وَإِنَّ إِحْدَاهُنَّ لَتَهْجُرُهُ الْيَوْمَ حَتَّى اللَّيْلِ فَأَفْزَعَنِي فَقُلْتُ خَابَتْ مَنْ فَعَلَ مِنْهُنَّ بِعَظِيمٍ ثُمَّ جَمَعْتُ عَلَىَّ ثِيَابِي فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَقُلْتُ أَىْ حَفْصَةُ أَتُغَاضِبُ إِحْدَاكُنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ الْيَوْمَ حَتَّى اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَتْ نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ خَابَتْ وَخَسِرَتْ أَفَتَأْمَنُ أَنْ يَغْضَبَ اللَّهُ لِغَضَبِ رَسُولِهِ ﷺ فَتَهْلِكِينَ لاَ تَسْتَكْثِرِي عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَلاَ تُرَاجِعِيهِ فِي شَىْءٍ وَلاَ تَهْجُرِيهِ وَاسْأَلِينِي مَا بَدَا لَكِ وَلاَ يَغُرَّنَّكِ أَنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ هِيَ أَوْضَأَ مِنْكِ وَأَحَبَّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُرِيدُ عَائِشَةَ وَكُنَّا تَحَدَّثْنَا أَنَّ غَسَّانَ تُنْعِلُ النِّعَالَ لِغَزْوِنَا فَنَزَلَ صَاحِبِي يَوْمَ نَوْبَتِهِ فَرَجَعَ عِشَاءً فَضَرَبَ بَابِي ضَرْبًا شَدِيدًا وَقَالَ أَنَائِمٌ هُوَ فَفَزِعْتُ فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَيْهِ وَقَالَ حَدَثَ أَمْرٌ عَظِيمٌ قُلْتُ مَا هُوَ أَجَاءَتْ غَسَّانُ قَالَ لاَ بَلْ أَعْظَمُ مِنْهُ وَأَطْوَلُ طَلَّقَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ نِسَاءَهُ قَالَ قَدْ خَابَتْ حَفْصَةُ وَخَسِرَتْ كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ أَنَّ هَذَا يُوشِكُ أَنْ يَكُونَ فَجَمَعْتُ عَلَىَّ ثِيَابِي فَصَلَّيْتُ صَلاَةَ الْفَجْرِ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَدَخَلَ مَشْرُبَةً لَهُ فَاعْتَزَلَ فِيهَا فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَإِذَا هِيَ تَبْكِي قُلْتُ مَا يُبْكِيكِ أَوَلَمْ أَكُنْ حَذَّرْتُكِ أَطَلَّقَكُنَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ لاَ أَدْرِي هُوَ ذَا فِي الْمَشْرُبَةِ فَخَرَجْتُ فَجِئْتُ الْمِنْبَرَ فَإِذَا حَوْلَهُ رَهْطٌ يَبْكِي بَعْضُهُمْ فَجَلَسْتُ مَعَهُمْ قَلِيلاً ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَجِئْتُ الْمَشْرُبَةَ الَّتِي هُوَ فِيهَا فَقُلْتُ لِغُلاَمٍ لَهُ أَسْوَدَ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ فَكَلَّمَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَقَالَ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ فَانْصَرَفْتُ حَتَّى جَلَسْتُ مَعَ الرَّهْطِ الَّذِينَ عِنْدَ الْمِنْبَرِ ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَجِئْتُ فَذَكَرَ مِثْلَهُ فَجَلَسْتُ مَعَ الرَّهْطِ الَّذِينَ عِنْدَ الْمِنْبَرِ ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَجِئْتُ الْغُلاَمَ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَذَكَرَ مِثْلَهُ فَلَمَّا وَلَّيْتُ مُنْصَرِفًا فَإِذَا الْغُلاَمُ يَدْعُونِي قَالَ أَذِنَ لَكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ مُضْطَجِعٌ عَلَى رِمَالِ حَصِيرٍ لَيْسَ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهُ فِرَاشٌ قَدْ أَثَّرَ الرِّمَالُ بِجَنْبِهِ مُتَّكِئٌ عَلَى وِسَادَةٍ مِنْ أَدَمٍ حَشْوُهَا لِيفٌ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ وَأَنَا قَائِمٌ طَلَّقْتَ نِسَاءَكَ فَرَفَعَ بَصَرَهُ إِلَىَّ فَقَالَ لاَ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ وَأَنَا قَائِمٌ أَسْتَأْنِسُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ رَأَيْتَنِي وَكُنَّا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا عَلَى قَوْمٍ تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ فَذَكَرَهُ فَتَبَسَّمَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ لَوْ رَأَيْتَنِي وَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَقُلْتُ لاَ يَغُرَّنَّكِ أَنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ هِيَ أَوْضَأَ مِنْكِ وَأَحَبَّ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ يُرِيدُ عَائِشَةَ فَتَبَسَّمَ أُخْرَى فَجَلَسْتُ حِينَ رَأَيْتُهُ تَبَسَّمَ ثُمَّ رَفَعْتُ بَصَرِي فِي بَيْتِهِ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا رَأَيْتُ فِيهِ شَيْئًا يَرُدُّ الْبَصَرَ غَيْرَ أَهَبَةٍ ثَلاَثَةٍ فَقُلْتُ ادْعُ اللَّهَ فَلْيُوَسِّعْ عَلَى أُمَّتِكَ فَإِنَّ فَارِسَ وَالرُّومَ وُسِّعَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأُعْطُوا الدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ لاَ يَعْبُدُونَ اللَّهَ وَكَانَ مُتَّكِئًا فَقَالَ أَوَفِي شَكٍّ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ أُولَئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَيِّبَاتُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي فَاعْتَزَلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَلِكَ الْحَدِيثِ حِينَ أَفْشَتْهُ حَفْصَةُ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ وَكَانَ قَدْ قَالَ مَا أَنَا بِدَاخِلٍ عَلَيْهِنَّ شَهْرًا مِنْ شِدَّةِ مَوْجَدَتِهِ عَلَيْهِنَّ حِينَ عَاتَبَهُ اللَّهُ فَلَمَّا مَضَتْ تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ دَخَلَ عَلَى عَائِشَةَ فَبَدَأَ بِهَا فَقَالَتْ لَهُ عَائِشَةُ إِنَّكَ أَقْسَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ تَدْخُلَ عَلَيْنَا شَهْرًا وَإِنَّا أَصْبَحْنَا لِتِسْعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ لَيْلَةً أَعُدُّهَا عَدًّا فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ الشَّهْرُ تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ الشَّهْرُ تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَأُنْزِلَتْ آيَةُ التَّخْيِيرِ فَبَدَأَ بِي أَوَّلَ امْرَأَةٍ فَقَالَ إِنِّي ذَاكِرٌ لَكِ أَمْرًا وَلاَ عَلَيْكِ أَنْ لاَ تَعْجَلِي حَتَّى تَسْتَأْمِرِي أَبَوَيْكِ قَالَتْ قَدْ أَعْلَمُ أَنَّ أَبَوَىَّ لَمْ يَكُونَا يَأْمُرَانِي بِفِرَاقِكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَالَ {يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لأَزْوَاجِكَ} إِلَى قَوْلِهِ { عَظِيمًا} قُلْتُ أَفِي هَذَا أَسْتَأْمِرُ أَبَوَىَّ فَإِنِّي أُرِيدُ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَالدَّارَ الآخِرَةَ ثُمَّ خَيَّرَ نِسَاءَهُ فَقُلْنَ مِثْلَ مَا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ  

I had been eager to ask ʿUmar bin Al-Khattab about the two ladies from among the wives of the Prophet regarding whom Allah said 'If you two (wives of the Prophet ﷺ namely Aisha and Hafsa) turn in repentance to Allah, your hearts are indeed so inclined (to oppose what the Prophet ﷺ likes). (66.4) till ʿUmar performed the Hajj and I too, performed the Hajj along with him. (On the way) ʿUmar went aside to answer the call of nature, and I also went aside along with him carrying a tumbler full of water, and when ʿUmar had finished answering the call of nature, I poured water over his hands and he performed the ablution. Then I said to him, "O chief of the Believers! Who were the two ladies from among the wives of the Prophet ﷺ regarding whom Allah said: 'If you two (wives of the Prophet) turn in repentance to Allah your hearts are indeed so inclined (to oppose what the Prophet ﷺ likes)?" (66.4) He said, "I am astonished at your question, O Ibn ʿAbbas. They were ʿAisha and Hafsa." Then ʿUmar went on narrating the Hadith and said, "I and an Ansari neighbor of mine from Bani Umaiyya bin Zaid who used to live in ʿAwali-al-Medina, used to visit the Prophet ﷺ in turn. He used to go one day and I another day. When I went, I would bring him the news of what had happened that day regarding the Divine Inspiration and other things, and when he went, he used to do the same for me. We, the people of Quraish used to have the upper hand over our wives, but when we came to the Ansar, we found that their women had the upper hand over their men, so our women also started learning the ways of the Ansari women. I shouted at my wife and she retorted against me and I disliked that she should answer me back. She said to me, 'Why are you so surprised at my answering you back? By Allah, the wives of the Prophet answer him back and some of them may leave (does not speak to) him throughout the day till the night.' The (talk) scared me and I said to her, 'Whoever has done so will be ruined!' Then I proceeded after dressing myself, and entered upon Hafsa and said to her, 'Does anyone of you keep the Prophet ﷺ angry till night?' She said, 'Yes.' I said, 'You are a ruined losing person! Don't you fear that Allah may get angry for the anger of Messenger of Allah ﷺ and thus you will be ruined? So do not ask more from the Prophet ﷺ and do not answer him back and do not give up talking to him. Ask me whatever you need and do not be tempted to imitate your neighbor (i.e., ʿAisha) in her manners for she is more charming than you and more beloved to the Prophet ﷺ ." ʿUmar added,"At that time a talk was circulating among us that (the tribe of) Ghassan were preparing their horses to invade us. My Ansari companion, on the day of his turn, went (to the town) and returned to us at night and knocked at my door violently and asked if I was there. I became horrified and came out to him. He said, 'Today a great thing has happened.' I asked, 'What is it? Have (the people of) Ghassan come?' He said, 'No, but (What has happened) is greater and more horrifying than that: Messenger of Allah ﷺ; has divorced his wives. ʿUmar added, "The Prophet ﷺ kept away from his wives and I said "Hafsa is a ruined loser.' I had already thought that most probably this (divorce) would happen in the near future. So I dressed myself and offered the morning prayer with the Prophet ﷺ and then the Prophet; entered an upper room and stayed there in seclusion. I entered upon Hafsa and saw her weeping. I asked, 'What makes you weep? Did I not warn you about that? Did the Prophet ﷺ divorce you all?' She said, 'I do not know. There he is retired alone in the upper room.' I came out and sat near the pulpit and saw a group of people sitting around it and some of them were weeping. I sat with them for a while but could not endure the situation, so I went to the upper room where the Prophet; was and said to a black slave of his, 'Will you get the permission (of the Prophet ﷺ ) for ʿUmar (to enter)?' The slave went in, talked to the Prophet ﷺ about it and then returned saying, 'I have spoken to the Prophet ﷺ and mentioned you but he kept quiet.' Then I returned and sat with the group of people sitting near the pulpit. but I could not bear the situation and once again I said to the slave, 'Will you get the permission for ʿUmar?' He went in and returned saying, 'I mentioned you to him but he kept quiet.' So I returned again and sat with the group of people sitting near the pulpit, but I could not bear the situation, and so I went to the slave and said, 'Will you get the permission for ʿUmar?' He went in and returned to me saying, 'I mentioned you to him but he kept quiet.' When I was leaving, behold! The slave called me, saying, 'The Prophet ﷺ has given you permission.' Then I entered upon Messenger of Allah ﷺ and saw him Lying on a bed made of stalks of date palm leaves and there was no bedding between it and him. The stalks left marks on his side and he was leaning on a leather pillow stuffed with date-palm fires. I greeted him and while still standing I said, 'O Allah's Apostle! Have you divorced your wives?' He looked at me and said, 'No.' I said, 'Allah Akbar!' And then, while still standing, I said chatting, 'Will you heed what I say, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ? We, the people of Quraish used to have power over our women, but when we arrived at Medina we found that the men (here) were overpowered by their women.' The Prophet ﷺ smiled and then I said to him, 'Will you heed what I say, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ? I entered upon Hafsa and said to her, "Do not be tempted to imitate your companion (ʿAisha), for she is more charming than you and more beloved to the Prophet.' " The Prophet ﷺ smiled for a second time. When I saw him smiling, I sat down. Then I looked around his house, and by Allah, I could not see anything of importance in his house except three hides, so I said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Invoke Allah to make your followers rich, for the Persians and the Romans have been made prosperous and they have been given (the pleasures of the world), although they do not worship Allah.' Thereupon the Prophet ﷺ sat up as he was reclining. and said, 'Are you of such an opinion, O the son of Al-Khattab? These are the people who have received the rewards for their good deeds in this world.' I said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Ask Allah to forgive me.' Then the Prophet ﷺ kept away from his wives for twenty-nine days because of the story which Hafsa had disclosed to ʿAisha. The Prophet ﷺ had said, 'I will not enter upon them (my wives) for one month,' because of his anger towards them, when Allah had admonished him. So, when twenty nine days had passed, the Prophet ﷺ first entered upon ʿAisha. ʿAisha said to him, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! You had sworn that you would not enter upon us for one month, but now only twenty-nine days have passed, for I have been counting them one by one.' The Prophet ﷺ said, 'The (present) month is of twenty nine days.' ʿAisha added, 'Then Allah revealed the Verses of the option. (2) And out of all his-wives he asked me first, and I chose him.' Then he gave option to his other wives and they said what ʿAisha had said . " (1) The Prophet, ' had decided to abstain from eating a certain kind of food because of a certain event, so Allah blamed him for doing so. Some of his wives were the cause of him taking that decision, therefore he deserted them for one month. See Qur'an: (66.4)  

لَمْ أَزَلْ حَرِيصًا أَنْ أَسْأَلَ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ عَنِ الْمَرْأَتَيْنِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ اللَّتَيْنِ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى {إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا} حَتَّى حَجَّ وَحَجَجْتُ مَعَهُ وَعَدَلَ وَعَدَلْتُ مَعَهُ بِإِدَاوَةٍ فَتَبَرَّزَ ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَسَكَبْتُ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ مِنْهَا فَتَوَضَّأَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَنِ الْمَرْأَتَانِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ اللَّتَانِ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى {إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا} قَالَ وَاعَجَبًا لَكَ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ هُمَا عَائِشَةُ وَحَفْصَةُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبَلَ عُمَرُ الْحَدِيثَ يَسُوقُهُ قَالَ كُنْتُ أَنَا وَجَارٌ لِي مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فِي بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ وَهُمْ مِنْ عَوَالِي الْمَدِينَةِ وَكُنَّا نَتَنَاوَبُ النُّزُولَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَيَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا وَأَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا فَإِذَا نَزَلْتُ جِئْتُهُ بِمَا حَدَثَ مِنْ خَبَرِ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ مِنَ الْوَحْىِ أَوْ غَيْرِهِ وَإِذَا نَزَلَ فَعَلَ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ وَكُنَّا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا عَلَى الأَنْصَارِ إِذَا قَوْمٌ تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ فَطَفِقَ نِسَاؤُنَا يَأْخُذْنَ مِنْ أَدَبِ نِسَاءِ الأَنْصَارِ فَصَخِبْتُ عَلَى امْرَأَتِي فَرَاجَعَتْنِي فَأَنْكَرْتُ أَنْ تُرَاجِعَنِي قَالَتْ وَلِمَ تُنْكِرُ أَنْ أُرَاجِعَكَ فَوَاللَّهِ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لَيُرَاجِعْنَهُ وَإِنَّ إِحْدَاهُنَّ لَتَهْجُرُهُ الْيَوْمَ حَتَّى اللَّيْلِ فَأَفْزَعَنِي ذَلِكَ وَقُلْتُ لَهَا وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُنَّ ثُمَّ جَمَعْتُ عَلَىَّ ثِيَابِي فَنَزَلْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا أَىْ حَفْصَةُ أَتُغَاضِبُ إِحْدَاكُنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ الْيَوْمَ حَتَّى اللَّيْلِ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ قَدْ خِبْتِ وَخَسِرْتِ أَفَتَأْمَنِينَ أَنْ يَغْضَبَ اللَّهُ لِغَضَبِ رَسُولِهِ ﷺ فَتَهْلِكِي لاَ تَسْتَكْثِرِي النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَلاَ تُرَاجِعِيهِ فِي شَىْءٍ وَلاَ تَهْجُرِيهِ وَسَلِينِي مَا بَدَا لَكِ وَلاَ يَغُرَّنَّكِ أَنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ أَوْضَأَ مِنْكِ وَأَحَبَّ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ يُرِيدُ عَائِشَةَ قَالَ عُمَرُ وَكُنَّا قَدْ تَحَدَّثْنَا أَنَّ غَسَّانَ تُنْعِلُ الْخَيْلَ لِغَزْوِنَا فَنَزَلَ صَاحِبِي الأَنْصَارِيُّ يَوْمَ نَوْبَتِهِ فَرَجَعَ إِلَيْنَا عِشَاءً فَضَرَبَ بَابِي ضَرْبًا شَدِيدًا وَقَالَ أَثَمَّ هُوَ فَفَزِعْتُ فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ قَدْ حَدَثَ الْيَوْمَ أَمْرٌ عَظِيمٌ قُلْتُ مَا هُوَ أَجَاءَ غَسَّانُ قَالَ لاَ بَلْ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَأَهْوَلُ طَلَّقَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ نِسَاءَهُ فَقُلْتُ خَابَتْ حَفْصَةُ وَخَسِرَتْ قَدْ كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ هَذَا يُوشِكُ أَنْ يَكُونَ فَجَمَعْتُ عَلَىَّ ثِيَابِي فَصَلَّيْتُ صَلاَةَ الْفَجْرِ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَدَخَلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ مَشْرُبَةً لَهُ فَاعْتَزَلَ فِيهَا وَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَإِذَا هِيَ تَبْكِي فَقُلْتُ مَا يُبْكِيكِ أَلَمْ أَكُنْ حَذَّرْتُكِ هَذَا أَطَلَّقَكُنَّ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ قَالَتْ لاَ أَدْرِي هَا هُوَ ذَا مُعْتَزِلٌ فِي الْمَشْرُبَةِ فَخَرَجْتُ فَجِئْتُ إِلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَإِذَا حَوْلَهُ رَهْطٌ يَبْكِي بَعْضُهُمْ فَجَلَسْتُ مَعَهُمْ قَلِيلاً ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَجِئْتُ الْمَشْرُبَةَ الَّتِي فِيهَا النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ لِغُلاَمٍ لَهُ أَسْوَدَ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ الْغُلاَمُ فَكَلَّمَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ فَقَالَ كَلَّمْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ فَانْصَرَفْتُ حَتَّى جَلَسْتُ مَعَ الرَّهْطِ الَّذِينَ عِنْدَ الْمِنْبَرِ ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَجِئْتُ فَقُلْتُ لِلْغُلاَمِ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ فَقَالَ قَدْ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَجَلَسْتُ مَعَ الرَّهْطِ الَّذِينَ عِنْدَ الْمِنْبَرِ ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَجِئْتُ الْغُلاَمَ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَىَّ فَقَالَ قَدْ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ فَلَمَّا وَلَّيْتُ مُنْصَرِفًا قَالَ إِذَا الْغُلاَمُ يَدْعُونِي فَقَالَ قَدْ أَذِنَ لَكَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَإِذَا هُوَ مُضْطَجِعٌ عَلَى رِمَالِ حَصِيرٍ لَيْسَ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهُ فِرَاشٌ قَدْ أَثَّرَ الرِّمَالُ بِجَنْبِهِ مُتَّكِئًا عَلَى وِسَادَةٍ مِنْ أَدَمٍ حَشْوُهَا لِيفٌ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ وَأَنَا قَائِمٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَطَلَّقْتَ نِسَاءَكَ فَرَفَعَ إِلَىَّ بَصَرَهُ فَقَالَ لاَ فَقُلْتُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ وَأَنَا قَائِمٌ أَسْتَأْنِسُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ رَأَيْتَنِي وَكُنَّا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ إِذَا قَوْمٌ تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ فَتَبَسَّمَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ رَأَيْتَنِي وَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا لاَ يَغُرَّنَّكِ أَنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ أَوْضَأَ مِنْكِ وَأَحَبَّ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ يُرِيدُ عَائِشَةَ فَتَبَسَّمَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ تَبَسُّمَةً أُخْرَى فَجَلَسْتُ حِينَ رَأَيْتُهُ تَبَسَّمَ فَرَفَعْتُ بَصَرِي فِي بَيْتِهِ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا رَأَيْتُ فِي بَيْتِهِ شَيْئًا يَرُدُّ الْبَصَرَ غَيْرَ أَهَبَةٍ ثَلاَثَةٍ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ادْعُ اللَّهَ فَلْيُوَسِّعْ عَلَى أُمَّتِكَ فَإِنَّ فَارِسًا وَالرُّومَ قَدْ وُسِّعَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأُعْطُوا الدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ لاَ يَعْبُدُونَ اللَّهَ فَجَلَسَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ وَكَانَ مُتَّكِئًا فَقَالَ أَوَفِي هَذَا أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ إِنَّ أُولَئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلُوا طَيِّبَاتِهِمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي فَاعْتَزَلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ نِسَاءَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَلِكَ الْحَدِيثِ حِينَ أَفْشَتْهُ حَفْصَةُ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ تِسْعًا وَعِشْرِينَ لَيْلَةً وَكَانَ قَالَ مَا أَنَا بِدَاخِلٍ عَلَيْهِنَّ شَهْرًا مِنْ شِدَّةِ مَوْجِدَتِهِ عَلَيْهِنَّ حِينَ عَاتَبَهُ اللَّهُ فَلَمَّا مَضَتْ تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ لَيْلَةً دَخَلَ عَلَى عَائِشَةَ فَبَدَأَ بِهَا فَقَالَتْ لَهُ عَائِشَةُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّكَ كُنْتَ قَدْ أَقْسَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ تَدْخُلَ عَلَيْنَا شَهْرًا وَإِنَّمَا أَصْبَحْتَ مِنْ تِسْعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ لَيْلَةً أَعُدُّهَا عَدًّا فَقَالَ الشَّهْرُ تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ فَكَانَ ذَلِكَ الشَّهْرُ تِسْعًا وَعِشْرِينَ لَيْلَةً قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ ثُمَّ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى آيَةَ التَّخَيُّرِ فَبَدَأَ بِي أَوَّلَ امْرَأَةٍ مِنْ نِسَائِهِ فَاخْتَرْتُهُ ثُمَّ خَيَّرَ نِسَاءَهُ كُلَّهُنَّ فَقُلْنَ مِثْلَ مَا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ  

(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  

(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  

" If you both turn in repentance to Allah, then indeed your hearts are inclined (to this)" (Ixvi. 4), until 'Umar (Allah be pleased with him) set out for Hajj and I also went along with him. And as we were going along a path, 'Umar (Allah be pleased with hiyn) went aside and I also went aside with him with a jug (of water). He answered the call of nature, and then came to me and I poured water over his hands and he performed ablution I said: Commander of the Faithful, who are the two ladies amongst the wives of Allah's Prophet ﷺ about whom Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, said: 'If you both turn to Allah in repentance, then indeed your heart are inclined to it"? 'Umar (Allah he pleased with him) said: How strange is it for you, Ibn 'Abbas! (Zuhri said: By Allah, he disliked what he asked about, but did not keep it a secret.) He ('Umar) said: They are Hafsa and 'A'isha; and he then began to narrate the hadith and said: We were such people among the Quraish who dominated women, and as we reached Medina we found there people who were dominated by their women, and our women began to learn (the habits) of their women. He further said: And my house was situated in the suburb of Aledina in the tribe of Banu Umayya b. Zaid. One day I became angry with my wife and she retorted upon me. I did not like that she should retort upon me. She said: You disapprove of my retorting upon you By Allah, the wives of Allah's Apostle ﷺ retort upon him, and one of them detaches herself from him for the day until the night. So I ('Umar) went out and visited Hafsa and said: Do you retort upon Messenger of Allah ﷺ? She said: Yes. I said; Does any one of you detach herself from him from the day to the night? She said: Yes. He said: She who did like it amongst you in fact failed and incurred loss. Does everyone amongst you not fear the wrath of Allah upon her due to the wrath of His Messenger ﷺ, and (as a result thereof) she may perish? So do not retort upon Messenger of Allah ﷺ and do not ask him for anything, but ask me that which you desire, (and the frank behaviour) of your companion may not mislead you, if she is more graceful and is dearer to Messenger of Allah ﷺ than you (meaning 'A'isha) (Allah be pleased with her). He (Hadrat 'Umar further) said: I had a compalaion from the Ansar and, we used to remain in the company of the Messenger ﷺ turn by turn. He remained there for a day while I remained there on the other day, and he brought me the news about the revelation and other (matter), and I brought him (the news) like this. And we discussed that the Ghassanids were shoeing the horses in order to attack us. Id y companion once attended (the Apostle). and then came to me at night and knocked at my door and called me, and I came out to him, and he said: A matter of great importance has happened. I said: What is that? Have the Ghassanids come? He said: No, but even more serious and more significant than that: the Prophet ﷺ has divorced his wives. I said: Hafsa has failed and has incurred loss. and I feared that it would happen. When it was dawn I observed the dawn prayer and dressed myself, and then came there (in the house of the Holy Prophet) and visited Hafsa, and she was weeping. I said: Has Messenger of Allah ﷺ divorced you (all)? She said: I do not know. He has, however, separated himself in his attic. I came to a black servant and said to him: Seek permission for 'Umar. He went in and then came to me and said: I made mention of you to him, but he kept quiet. I then went to the pulpit and sat there, and there was a group of people sitting by it and some of then were weeping. I sat there for some time, until I was overpowered (by that very idea) which was in my mind. I then came back to the boy and said to him: Seek permission for Umar. He went in and came to me and said: I made mention of you to him but he kept quiet. I was about to turn back when the boy called me and said: Go in; permission has been granted to you. I went in and greeted Messenger of Allah ﷺ and he was reclining against the couch of mat and it had left its marks upon his side. I said: Messenger of Allah, have you divorced your wives? He raised his head towards me and said: No. I said: Allah is the Greatest. Messenger of Allah, I wish if you had seen how we the people of Quraish had domination over women but when we came to Medina we found people whom their women dominated. So our women began to learn from their women. One dily I became angry with my wife and she began to retort upon me. I did not approve that she should retort upon me. She said: You do not like that I should retort upon you, but, by Allah. the wives of Allah's Apostle ﷺ retort upon him and any one of them separates herself from him for a day until night. I said: He who did that amongst them in fact failed and incurred loss. Does any of them feel sate from the wrath of Allahupon her due to the wrath of Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and she has certainly perished. Allah's Messtnger ﷺ smiled, I said: Messenger of Allah, I visited Hafsa and said: (The behaviour) of your companion ('A'isha) may not mislead you, If she is more graceful than you and is dearer to Messenger of Allah ﷺ than you. Messenger of Allah ﷺ smiled for the second time. I said: Messenger of Allah, way I talk to you about agreeable things? He said: Yes. I sat down and lifted my head (to see things) in the house and, by Allah, I did not see anything significant besides three hides. I said: Messenger of Allah, supplicate the Lord that He should make (life) prosperous for your Ummah as He has made plentiful for the people of Persia and Rome (in spite of the fact) that they do no, worship Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, whereupon he (Messenger of Allah) sat up an I then said: Ibn Khattab, do you doubt that they are a nation whom their nice things have been given immediately in the life of this world. I said: Messenger of Allah! seek pardon for me. And he (Messenger of Allah) had taken an oath that he would not visit them for a month due to extreme annoyance with them until Allah showed His displeasure to him (Messenger of Allah). Zuhri said: 'Urwa informed me that 'A'Isha (Allah be pleased with her) said: When twenty-nine nights were over, Messenger of Allah ﷺ visited me, and he began (his visit) with me. I said: Messenger of Allah, you had taken an oath that you would not visit us for a month, while you have visited after I have counted only twenty-nine (nights). Thereupon he said: The month may also be of twenty-nine (days). He then said: 'A'isha, I am going to talk to you about a matter, and you should not be hasty in it (and do not give your final decision) until you have consulted your parents. He then recited this verse to me:" O Prophet, say to your wives" till he reached" mighty reward" (xxxiii. 28). 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) said: By Allah, he knew that my parents would not allow me to separate from him. I said: Is there any need to consult my parents in this matter? I in fact choose Allah and His Messenger ﷺ and the abode in the Hereafter. Ma'mar said: Ayyub reported to me that 'A'isha said: Don't inform your wives that I have chosen you, whereupon Allah's Apostle ﷺ said: Verily Allah has sent me as a conveyer of message, and He has not sent me as a source of hardship (to others). Qatada said:" Saghat qulubukum" means" Your hearts have inclined."  

لَمْ أَزَلْ حَرِيصًا أَنْأَسْأَلَ عُمَرَ عَنِ الْمَرْأَتَيْنِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ اللَّتَيْنِ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى {إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا} حَتَّى حَجَّ عُمَرُ وَحَجَجْتُ مَعَهُ فَلَمَّا كُنَّا بِبَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ عَدَلَ عُمَرُ وَعَدَلْتُ مَعَهُ بِالإِدَاوَةِ فَتَبَرَّزَ ثُمَّ أَتَانِي فَسَكَبْتُ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ فَتَوَضَّأَ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَنِ الْمَرْأَتَانِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ اللَّتَانِ قَالَ اللَّهُ ﷻ لَهُمَا { إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا} قَالَ عُمَرُ وَاعَجَبًا لَكَ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ كَرِهَ وَاللَّهِ مَا سَأَلَهُ عَنْهُ وَلَمْ يَكْتُمْهُ قَالَ هِيَ حَفْصَةُ وَعَائِشَةُ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ يَسُوقُ الْحَدِيثَ قَالَ كُنَّا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ قَوْمًا نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ وَجَدْنَا قَوْمًا تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ فَطَفِقَ نِسَاؤُنَا يَتَعَلَّمْنَ مِنْ نِسَائِهِمْ قَالَ وَكَانَ مَنْزِلِي فِي بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ بِالْعَوَالِي فَتَغَضَّبْتُ يَوْمًا عَلَى امْرَأَتِي فَإِذَا هِيَ تُرَاجِعُنِي فَأَنْكَرْتُ أَنْ تُرَاجِعَنِي فَقَالَتْ مَا تُنْكِرُ أَنْ أُرَاجِعَكَ فَوَاللَّهِ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لَيُرَاجِعْنَهُ وَتَهْجُرُهُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ فَانْطَلَقْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَقُلْتُ أَتُرَاجِعِينَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَتْ نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ أَتَهْجُرُهُ إِحْدَاكُنَّ الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ قَدْ خَابَ مَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ مِنْكُنَّ وَخَسِرَ أَفَتَأْمَنُ إِحْدَاكُنَّ أَنْ يَغْضَبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا لِغَضَبِ رَسُولِهِ ﷺ فَإِذَا هِيَ قَدْ هَلَكَتْ لاَ تُرَاجِعِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَلاَ تَسْأَلِيهِ شَيْئًا وَسَلِينِي مَا بَدَا لَكِ وَلاَ يَغُرَّنَّكِ أَنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ هِيَ أَوْسَمَ وَأَحَبَّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْكِ يُرِيدُ عَائِشَةَ قَالَ وَكَانَ لِي جَارٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فَكُنَّا نَتَنَاوَبُ النُّزُولَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَيَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا وَأَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا فَيَأْتِينِي بِخَبَرِ الْوَحْىِ وَغَيْرِهِ وَآتِيهِ بِمِثْلِ ذَلِكَ وَكُنَّا نَتَحَدَّثُ أَنَّ غَسَّانَ تُنْعِلُ الْخَيْلَ لِتَغْزُوَنَا فَنَزَلَ صَاحِبِي ثُمَّ أَتَانِي عِشَاءً فَضَرَبَ بَابِي ثُمَّ نَادَانِي فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ حَدَثَ أَمْرٌ عَظِيمٌ قُلْتُ مَاذَا أَجَاءَتْ غَسَّانُ قَالَ لاَ بَلْ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَأَطْوَلُ طَلَّقَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ نِسَاءَهُ فَقُلْتُ قَدْ خَابَتْ حَفْصَةُ وَخَسِرَتْ قَدْ كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ هَذَا كَائِنًا حَتَّى إِذَا صَلَّيْتُ الصُّبْحَ شَدَدْتُ عَلَىَّ ثِيَابِي ثُمَّ نَزَلْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ وَهْىَ تَبْكِي فَقُلْتُ أَطَلَّقَكُنَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَتْ لاَ أَدْرِي هَا هُوَ ذَا مُعْتَزِلٌ فِي هَذِهِ الْمَشْرُبَةِ فَأَتَيْتُ غُلاَمًا لَهُ أَسْوَدَ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَىَّ فَقَالَ قَدْ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ فَانْطَلَقْتُ حَتَّى انْتَهَيْتُ إِلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَجَلَسْتُ فَإِذَا عِنْدَهُ رَهْطٌ جُلُوسٌ يَبْكِي بَعْضُهُمْ فَجَلَسْتُ قَلِيلاً ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ ثُمَّ أَتَيْتُ الْغُلاَمَ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَىَّ فَقَالَ قَدْ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ فَوَلَّيْتُ مُدْبِرًا فَإِذَا الْغُلاَمُ يَدْعُونِي فَقَالَ ادْخُلْ فَقَدْ أَذِنَ لَكَ فَدَخَلْتُ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَإِذَا هُوَ مُتَّكِئٌ عَلَى رَمْلِ حَصِيرٍ قَدْ أَثَّرَ فِي جَنْبِهِ فَقُلْتُ أَطَلَّقْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ نِسَاءَكَ فَرَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ إِلَىَّ وَقَالَ لاَ فَقُلْتُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ رَأَيْتَنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَكُنَّا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ قَوْمًا نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ وَجَدْنَا قَوْمًا تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ فَطَفِقَ نِسَاؤُنَا يَتَعَلَّمْنَ مِنْ نِسَائِهِمْ فَتَغَضَّبْتُ عَلَى امْرَأَتِي يَوْمًا فَإِذَا هِيَ تُرَاجِعُنِي فَأَنْكَرْتُ أَنْ تُرَاجِعَنِي فَقَالَتْ مَا تُنْكِرُ أَنْ أُرَاجِعَكَ فَوَاللَّهِ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لَيُرَاجِعْنَهُ وَتَهْجُرُهُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ فَقُلْتُ قَدْ خَابَ مَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُنَّ وَخَسِرَ أَفَتَأْمَنُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ أَنْ يَغْضَبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا لِغَضَبِ رَسُولِهِ ﷺ فَإِذَا هِيَ قَدْ هَلَكَتْ فَتَبَسَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَدْ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَقُلْتُ لاَ يَغُرَّنَّكِ أَنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ هِيَ أَوْسَمُ مِنْكِ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْكِ فَتَبَسَّمَ أُخْرَى فَقُلْتُ أَسْتَأْنِسُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَجَلَسْتُ فَرَفَعْتُ رَأْسِي فِي الْبَيْتِ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا رَأَيْتُ فِيهِ شَيْئًا يَرُدُّ الْبَصَرَ إِلاَّ أُهُبًا ثَلاَثَةً فَقُلْتُ ادْعُ اللَّهَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنْ يُوَسِّعَ عَلَى أُمَّتِكَ فَقَدْ وَسَّعَ عَلَى فَارِسَ وَالرُّومِ وَهُمْ لاَ يَعْبُدُونَ اللَّهَ فَاسْتَوَى جَالِسًا ثُمَّ قَالَ أَفِي شَكٍّ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ أُولَئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَيِّبَاتُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَكَانَ أَقْسَمَ أَنْ لاَ يَدْخُلَ عَلَيْهِنَّ شَهْرًا مِنْ شِدَّةِ مَوْجِدَتِهِ عَلَيْهِنَّ حَتَّى عَاتَبَهُ اللَّهُ ﷻ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ فَأَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ لَمَّا مَضَى تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ لَيْلَةً دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَدَأَ بِي فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّكَ أَقْسَمْتَ أَنْ لاَ تَدْخُلَ عَلَيْنَا شَهْرًا وَإِنَّكَ دَخَلْتَ مِنْ تِسْعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ أَعُدُّهُنَّ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الشَّهْرَ تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا عَائِشَةُ إِنِّي ذَاكِرٌ لَكِ أَمْرًا فَلاَ عَلَيْكِ أَنْ لاَ تَعْجَلِي فِيهِ حَتَّى تَسْتَأْمِرِي أَبَوَيْكِ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ عَلَىَّ الآيَةَ { يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لأَزْوَاجِكَ} حَتَّى بَلَغَ { أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا} قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ قَدْ عَلِمَ وَاللَّهِ أَنَّ أَبَوَىَّ لَمْ يَكُونَا لِيَأْمُرَانِي بِفِرَاقِهِ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ أَوَفِي هَذَا أَسْتَأْمِرُ أَبَوَىَّ فَإِنِّي أُرِيدُ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَالدَّارَ الآخِرَةَ قَالَ مَعْمَرٌ فَأَخْبَرَنِي أَيُّوبُ أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ لاَ تُخْبِرْ نِسَاءَكَ أَنِّي اخْتَرْتُكَ فَقَالَ لَهَا النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَرْسَلَنِي مُبَلِّغًا وَلَمْ يُرْسِلْنِي مُتَعَنِّتًا قَالَ قَتَادَةُ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا مَالَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا  

'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.  

حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا فَبَرَّأَهَا اللَّهُ مِمَّا قَالُوا وَكُلُّهُمْ حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنْ حَدِيثِهَا وَبَعْضُهُمْ كَانَ أَوْعَى 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 اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ سَفَرًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ نِسَائِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَعَهُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَا فَخَرَجَ فِيهَا سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَذَلِكَ بَعْدَ مَا أُنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ فَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي وَأُنْزَلُ فِيهِ مَسِيرَنَا حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ غَزْوِهِ وَقَفَلَ وَدَنَوْنَا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ آذَنَ لَيْلَةً بِالرَّحِيلِ فَقُمْتُ حِينَ آذَنُوا بِالرَّحِيلِ فَمَشَيْتُ حَتَّى جَاوَزْتُ الْجَيْشَ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْتُ مِنْ شَأْنِي أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَى الرَّحْلِ فَلَمَسْتُ صَدْرِي فَإِذَا عِقْدِي مِنْ جَزْعِ ظَفَارِ قَدِ انْقَطَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَالْتَمَسْتُ عِقْدِي فَحَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَرْحَلُونَ لِي فَحَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِيَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ قَالَتْ وَكَانَتِ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يُهَبَّلْنَ وَلَمْ يَغْشَهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلْنَ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ ثِقَلَ الْهَوْدَجِ حِينَ رَحَلُوهُ وَرَفَعُوهُ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةً حَدِيثَةَ السِّنِّ فَبَعَثُوا الْجَمَلَ وَسَارُوا وَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَ مَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنَازِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ بِهَا دَاعٍ وَلاَ مُجِيبٌ فَتَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ فِيهِ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّ الْقَوْمَ سَيَفْقِدُونِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَىَّ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ قَدْ عَرَّسَ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَادَّلَجَ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ فَأَتَانِي فَعَرَفَنِي حِينَ رَآنِي وَقَدْ كَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ أَنْ يُضْرَبَ الْحِجَابُ عَلَىَّ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ عَرَفَنِي فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي وَوَاللَّهِ مَا يُكَلِّمُنِي كَلِمَةً وَلاَ سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ عَلَى يَدِهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِي الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ بَعْدَ مَا نَزَلُوا مُوغِرِينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ فِي شَأْنِي وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَهُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أُبَىٍّ ابْنُ سَلُولَ فَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ حِينَ قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَهْلِ الإِفْكِ وَلاَ أَشْعُرُ بِشَىْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَهُوَ يَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لاَ أَعْرِفُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ حِينَ أَشْتَكِي إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَيُسَلِّمُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ فَذَاكَ يَرِيبُنِي وَلاَ أَشْعُرُ بِالشَّرِّ حَتَّى خَرَجْتُ بَعْدَ مَا نَقِهْتُ وَخَرَجَتْ مَعِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ قِبَلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ وَهُوَ مُتَبَرَّزُنَا وَلاَ نَخْرُجُ إِلاَّ لَيْلاً إِلَى لَيْلٍ وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنَّ نَتَّخِذَ الْكُنُفَ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الأُوَلِ فِي التَّنَزُّهِ وَكُنَّا نَتَأَذَّى بِالْكُنُفِ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَهَا عِنْدَ بُيُوتِنَا فَانْطَلَقْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ وَهِيَ بِنْتُ أَبِي رُهْمِ بْنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ بْنِ عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ وَأُمُّهَا ابْنَةُ 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 أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلاً قَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا قَالَتْ أَىْ هَنْتَاهُ أَوَلَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ قُلْتُ وَمَاذَا قَالَ قَالَتْ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا إِلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي فَدَخَلَ عَلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ قُلْتُ أَتَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ آتِيَ أَبَوَىَّ قَالَتْ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَتَيَقَّنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَجِئْتُ أَبَوَىَّ فَقُلْتُ لأُمِّي يَا أُمَّتَاهْ مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ فَقَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكِ فَوَاللَّهِ لَقَلَّمَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَةٌ قَطُّ وَضِيئَةٌ عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا وَلَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلاَّ كَثَّرْنَ عَلَيْهَا قَالَتْ قُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا قَالَتْ فَبَكَيْتُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لاَ يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلاَ أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ ثُمَّ أَصَبَحْتُ أَبْكِي وَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْىُ يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ قَالَتْ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ فَأَشَارَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَبِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ فِي نَفْسِهِ لَهُمْ مِنَ الْوُدِّ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هُمْ أَهْلُكَ وَلاَ نَعْلَمُ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا وَأَمَّا عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَقَالَ لَمْ يُضَيِّقِ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَإِنْ تَسْأَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ قَالَتْ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بَرِيرَةَ فَقَالَ أَىْ بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْ شَىْءٍ يَرِيبُكِ مِنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ 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 اللَّهِ ﷺ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَىٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذِرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ قَدْ بَلَغَ 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 أَنَا أَعْذِرُكَ مِنْهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الأَوْسِ ضَرَبْنَا عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا أَمْرَكَ قَالَتْ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَهُوَ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ وَكَانَ رَجُلاً صَالِحًا وَلَكِنِ اجْتَهَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ لاَ تَقْتُلُهُ وَلاَ تَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَتْلِهِ فَقَامَ أُسَيْدُ بْنُ حُضَيْرٍ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ كَذَبْتَ لَعَمْرُ اللَّهِ لَنَقْتُلَنَّهُ فَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فَثَارَ الْحَيَّانِ الأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا أَنْ يَقْتَتِلُوا وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَائِمٌ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ قَالَتْ وَبَكَيْتُ يَوْمِي ذَلِكَ لاَ يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلاَ أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ ثُمَّ بَكَيْتُ لَيْلَتِي الْمُقْبِلَةَ لاَ يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلاَ أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ وَأَبَوَاىَ يَظُنَّانِ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي فَبَيْنَمَا هُمَا جَالِسَانِ عِنْدِي وَأَنَا أَبْكِي اسْتَأْذَنَتْ عَلَىَّ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَلَسَتْ تَبْكِي قَالَتْ فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ قَالَتْ وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ لِي مَا قِيلَ وَقَدْ لَبِثَ شَهْرًا لاَ يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فِي شَأْنِي بِشَىْءٍ 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 بِذَنْبٍ ثُمَّ تَابَ تَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً فَقُلْتُ لأَبِي أَجِبْ عَنِّي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِيمَا قَالَ فَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ لأُمِيِّ أَجِيبِي عَنِّي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَتْ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لاَ أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ إِنِّي وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَرَفْتُ أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ بِهَذَا حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ فِي نُفُوسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ فَإِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لاَ تُصَدِّقُونِي بِذَلِكَ وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفْتُ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُونَنِي وَإِنِّي وَاللَّهِ مَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلاً إِلاَّ كَمَا قَالَ أَبُو يُوسُفَ فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ قَالَتْ ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ فَاضْطَجَعْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي قَالَتْ وَأَنَا وَاللَّهِ حِينَئِذٍ أَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ مُبَرِّئِي بِبَرَاءَتِي وَلَكِنْ وَاللَّهِ مَا كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ أَنْ يُنْزَلَ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْىٌ يُتْلَى وَلَشَأْنِي كَانَ أَحْقَرَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ اللَّهُ ﷻ فِيَّ بِأَمْرٍ يُتْلَى وَلَكِنِّي كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي اللَّهُ بِهَا قَالَتْ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَجْلِسَهُ وَلاَ خَرَجَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ أَحَدٌ حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ ﷻ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ ﷺ فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ عِنْدَ الْوَحْىِ حَتَّى إِنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الشَّاتِ مِنْ ثِقَلِ الْقَوْلِ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا سُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلَ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا أَنْ قَالَ أَبْشِرِي يَا عَائِشَةُ أَمَّا اللَّهُ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ فَقَالَتْ لِي أُمِّي قُومِي إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلاَ أَحْمَدُ إِلاَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ بَرَاءَتِي قَالَتْ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ ﷻ { إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ} عَشْرَ آيَاتٍ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ ﷻ هَؤُلاَءِ الآيَاتِ بَرَاءَتِي قَالَتْ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ لِقَرَابَتِهِ مِنْهُ وَفَقْرِهِ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا بَعْدَ الَّذِي قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ ﷻ { وَلاَ يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَنْ يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَى} إِلَى قَوْلِهِ { أَلاَ تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ} قَالَ حِبَّانُ بْنُ مُوسَى قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ هَذِهِ أَرْجَى آيَةٍ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ النَّفَقَةَ الَّتِي كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ لاَ أَنْزِعُهَا مِنْهُ أَبَدًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ سَأَلَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ عَنْ أَمْرِي مَا عَلِمْتِ أَوْ مَا رَأَيْتِ فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَهِيَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَعَصَمَهَا اللَّهُ بِالْوَرَعِ وَطَفِقَتْ أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ بِنْتُ جَحْشٍ تُحَارِبُ لَهَا فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ فَهَذَا مَا انْتَهَى إِلَيْنَا مِنْ أَمْرِ هَؤُلاَءِ الرَّهْطِ وَقَالَ فِي حَدِيثِ يُونُسَ احْتَمَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ  

"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.'"  

كَانَ أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ مِنَّا يُقَالُ لَهُمْ بَنُو أُبَيْرِقٍ بِشْرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ وَمُبَشِّرٌ وَكَانَ بَشِيرٌ رَجُلاً مُنَافِقًا يَقُولُ الشِّعْرَ يَهْجُو بِهِ أَصْحَابَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ يَنْحَلُهُ بَعْضَ الْعَرَبِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ قَالَ فُلاَنٌ كَذَا وَكَذَا قَالَ فُلاَنٌ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَإِذَا سَمِعَ أَصْحَابُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ ذَلِكَ الشِّعْرَ قَالُوا وَاللَّهِ مَا يَقُولُ هَذَا الشِّعْرَ إِلاَّ هَذَا الْخَبِيثُ أَوْ كَمَا قَالَ الرَّجُلُ وَقَالُوا ابْنُ الأُبَيْرِقِ قَالَهَا قَالَ وَكَانَ أَهْلُ بَيْتِ حَاجَةٍ وَفَاقَةٍ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَالإِسْلاَمِ وَكَانَ النَّاسُ إِنَّمَا طَعَامُهُمْ بِالْمَدِينَةِ التَّمْرُ وَالشَّعِيرُ وَكَانَ الرَّجُلُ إِذَا كَانَ لَهُ يَسَارٌ فَقَدِمَتْ ضَافِطَةٌ مِنَ الشَّامِ مِنَ الدَّرْمَكِ ابْتَاعَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْهَا فَخَصَّ بِهَا نَفْسَهُ وَأَمَّا الْعِيَالُ فَإِنَّمَا طَعَامُهُمُ التَّمْرُ وَالشَّعِيرُ فَقَدِمَتْ ضَافِطَةٌ مِنَ الشَّامِ فَابْتَاعَ عَمِّي رِفَاعَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ حِمْلاً مِنَ الدَّرْمَكِ فَجَعَلَهُ فِي مَشْرَبَةٍ لَهُ وَفِي الْمَشْرَبَةِ سِلاَحٌ وَدِرْعٌ وَسَيْفٌ فَعُدِيَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ تَحْتِ الْبَيْتِ فَنُقِبَتِ الْمَشْرَبَةُ وَأُخِذَ الطَّعَامُ وَالسِّلاَحُ فَلَمَّا أَصْبَحَ أَتَانِي عَمِّي رِفَاعَةُ فَقَالَ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي إِنَّهُ قَدْ عُدِيَ عَلَيْنَا فِي لَيْلَتِنَا هَذِهِ فَنُقِبَتْ مَشْرَبَتُنَا فَذُهِبَ بِطَعَامِنَا وَسِلاَحِنَا قَالَ فَتَحَسَّسْنَا فِي الدَّارِ وَسَأَلْنَا فَقِيلَ لَنَا قَدْ رَأَيْنَا بَنِي أُبَيْرِقٍ اسْتَوْقَدُوا فِي هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ وَلاَ نُرَى فِيمَا نُرَى إِلاَّ عَلَى بَعْضِ طَعَامِكُمْ قَالَ وَكَانَ بَنُو أُبَيْرِقٍ قَالُوا وَنَحْنُ نَسْأَلُ فِي الدَّارِ وَاللَّهِ مَا نُرَى صَاحِبَكُمْ إِلاَّ لَبِيدَ بْنَ سَهْلٍ رَجُلٌ مِنَّا لَهُ صَلاَحٌ وَإِسْلاَمٌ فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ لَبِيدٌ اخْتَرَطَ سَيْفَهُ وَقَالَ أَنَا أَسْرِقُ فَوَاللَّهِ لَيُخَالِطَنَّكُمْ هَذَا السَّيْفُ أَوْ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّ هَذِهِ السَّرِقَةَ قَالُوا إِلَيْكَ عَنْهَا أَيُّهَا الرَّجُلُ فَمَا أَنْتَ بِصَاحِبِهَا فَسَأَلْنَا فِي الدَّارِ حَتَّى لَمْ نَشُكَّ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُهَا فَقَالَ لِي عَمِّي يَا ابْنَ أَخِي لَوْ أَتَيْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَذَكَرْتَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ قَالَ قَتَادَةُ فَأَتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ أَهْلَ بَيْتٍ مِنَّا أَهْلَ جَفَاءٍ عَمَدُوا إِلَى عَمِّي رِفَاعَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ فَنَقَبُوا مَشْرَبَةً لَهُ وَأَخَذُوا سِلاَحَهُ وَطَعَامَهُ فَلْيَرُدُّوا عَلَيْنَا سِلاَحَنَا فَأَمَّا الطَّعَامُ فَلاَ حَاجَةَ لَنَا فِيهِ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ سَآمُرُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ بَنُو أُبَيْرِقٍ أَتَوْا رَجُلاً مِنْهُمْ يُقَالُ لَهُ أَسِيرُ بْنُ عُرْوَةَ فَكَلَّمُوهُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَاجْتَمَعَ فِي ذَلِكَ نَاسٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الدَّارِ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ قَتَادَةَ بْنَ النُّعْمَانِ وَعَمَّهُ عَمَدَا إِلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ مِنَّا أَهْلِ إِسْلاَمٍ وَصَلاَحٍ يَرْمُونَهُمْ بِالسَّرِقَةِ مِنْ غَيْرِ بَيِّنَةٍ وَلاَ ثَبْتٍ قَالَ قَتَادَةُ فَأَتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَكَلَّمْتُهُ فَقَالَ عَمَدْتَ إِلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ ذُكِرَ مِنْهُمْ إِسْلاَمٌ وَصَلاَحٌ تَرْمِيهِمْ بِالسَّرِقَةِ عَلَى غَيْرِ ثَبْتٍ وَلاَ بَيِّنَةٍ قَالَ فَرَجَعْتُ وَلَوَدِدْتُ أَنِّي خَرَجْتُ مِنْ بَعْضِ مَالِي وَلَمْ أُكَلِّمْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي ذَلِكَ فَأَتَانِي عَمِّي رِفَاعَةُ فَقَالَ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي مَا صَنَعْتَ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ بِمَا قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ فَلَمْ يَلْبَثْ أَنْ نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ ( إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ لِتَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِمَا أَرَاكَ اللَّهُ وَلاَ تَكُنْ لِلْخَائِنِينَ خَصِيمًا ) بَنِي أُبَيْرِقٍ ( وَاسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ ) أَىْ مِمَّا قُلْتَ لِقَتَادَةَ ( إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا * وَلاَ تُجَادِلْ عَنِ الَّذِينَ يَخْتَانُونَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ مَنْ كَانَ خَوَّانًا أَثِيمًا * يَسْتَخْفُونَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَلاَ يَسْتَخْفُونَ مِنَ اللَّهِ ) إِلَى قَوْلِهِ ( غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا ) أَىْ لَوِ اسْتَغْفَرُوا اللَّهَ لَغَفَرَ لَهُمْ ( وَمَنْ يَكْسِبْ إِثْمًا فَإِنَّمَا يَكْسِبُهُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ ) إِلَى قَوْلِهِ ( إِثْمًا مُبِينًا ) قَوْلُهُمْ لِلَبِيدٍ وَلَوْلاَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَتُهُ ) إِلَى قَوْلِهِ ( فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا ) فَلَمَّا نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ أُتِيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِالسِّلاَحِ فَرَدَّهُ إِلَى رِفَاعَةَ فَقَالَ قَتَادَةُ لَمَّا أَتَيْتُ عَمِّي بِالسِّلاَحِ وَكَانَ شَيْخًا قَدْ عَسِيَ أَوْ عَشِيَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَكُنْتُ أُرَى إِسْلاَمَهُ مَدْخُولاً فَلَمَّا أَتَيْتُهُ بِالسِّلاَحِ قَالَ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي هُوَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَعَرَفْتُ أَنَّ إِسْلاَمَهُ كَانَ صَحِيحًا فَلَمَّا نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ لَحِقَ بَشِيرٌ بِالْمُشْرِكِينَ فَنَزَلَ عَلَى سُلاَفَةَ بِنْتِ سَعْدِ ابْنِ سُمَيَّةَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ ( وَمَنْ يُشَاقِقِ الرَّسُولَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْهُدَى وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِ مَا تَوَلَّى وَنُصْلِهِ جَهَنَّمَ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيرًا * إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ وَمَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلاَلاً بَعِيدًا ) فَلَمَّا نَزَلَ عَلَى سُلاَفَةَ رَمَاهَا حَسَّانُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ بِأَبْيَاتٍ مِنْ شِعْرِهِ فَأَخَذَتْ رَحْلَهُ فَوَضَعَتْهُ عَلَى رَأْسِهَا ثُمَّ خَرَجَتْ بِهِ فَرَمَتْ بِهِ فِي الأَبْطَحِ ثُمَّ قَالَتْ أَهْدَيْتَ لِي شِعْرَ حَسَّانَ مَا كُنْتَ تَأْتِينِي بِخَيْرٍ  

I was eager to ask 'Umar about the two wives of the Prophet ﷺ concerning whom Allah said, “If you two (wives of the Prophet ﷺ turn in repentance to Allah, (it will be better for you), your hearts are indeed so inclined (to oppose what the Prophet ﷺ likes)” [at-Tahreem 66:4], until 'Umar went for Hajj and I went with him. When we were partway there, 'Umar turned aside and I turned aside with him, bringing the jug. He relieved himself, then he came to me and I poured water onto his hands, and he did wudoo’. I said: “O Ameer al -Mu'mineen, who are the two wives of the Prophet ﷺ of whom Allah said: ‘If you two (wives of the Prophet ﷺ) turn in repentance to Allah, (it will be better for you), your hearts are indeed so inclined (to oppose what the Prophet ﷺ likes)’?” [at-Tahreem 66:4] 'Umar said, “How strange of you, O Ibn 'Abbas”, (az-Zuhri said: By Allah, he did not like the question, but he did not conceal anything.) He said, “They were Hafsah and 'A'ishah.” Then he started to narrate the hadeeth and said: We people of Quraish were a people who dominated women, but when we came to Madinah we found a people who were dominated by their women, and our women started to learn from their women. My house was among Banu Umayyah bin Zaid in al-'Awali. One day I got angry with my wife, and she argued with me. I did not like her to argue with me, but she said: Do you not like me to argue with you? By Allah, the wives of the Prophet ﷺ argue with him, and one of them will forsake him all day until night comes, I went and entered upon Hafsah, and I said: Do you argue with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ? She said: Yes. I said: Does one of you forsake him all day until night comes? She said: Yes. I said: Any one of you who does that is doomed and lost. Does any one of you feel assured that Allah will not be angry with her because of the anger of His Messenger ﷺ, for then she will be doomed? Do not argue with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and do not ask him for anything. Ask me for whatever you want. And do not be misled by the fact that your neighbour is more beautiful than you and more beloved to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ than you – referring to 'A'ishah. And ‘Umar said: I had a neighbour among the Ansar. We used to take turns to go down to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He would go down one day and I would go down the next. He would bring me the news of the Revelation and other things, and I would do likewise. We were saying that Ghassan were shoeing their horses to attack us. My friend went down, then he came to me at night and knocked on my door, then he called out to me. I went out to him and he said: Something terrible has happened! I said: What? Have Ghassan come? He said: No, it is more terrible than that and worse. The Prophet ﷺ has divorced his wives! I said: Hafsah is doomed and lost! I thought that this would happen. Then when I had prayed Fajr, I got dressed, then I went down and entered upon Hafsah, who was weeping. I said: Has the Messenger of Allah ﷺdivorced you? She said: I do not know. He has secluded himself in this loft. I went to a black slave of his and said: Ask for permission for ‘Umar to enter. He went in, then he came out to me and said: I mentioned you to him but he did not say anything, I went away and came to the minbar, where I sat down. By it was a group of people, some of whom were weeping. I sat for a little while, then I could not bear it any longer, so I went to the slave and said: Ask for permission for ‘Umar to enter. He went in, then he came out to me and said: I mentioned you to him but he did not say anything. I turned to leave, then the slave called me and said: Go in, he has given you permission. So I went in and greeted the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with salam. He was resting on a reed mat that had left marks on his side. I said: O Messenger of Allah, have you divorced your wives? He looked up at me and said, “No.” I said: Allah Akbar! if you had seen us, O Messenger of Allah, we Quraish were a people who dominated women, but when we came to Madinah we found a people who were dominated by their women, and our women started to learn from their women. I got angry with my wife one day, and she started to argue with me. I did not like her to argue with me, but she said: Do you not like me to argue with you? By Allah, the wives of the Prophet ﷺ argue with him, and one of them will forsake him all day until night comes. I said: Any one of them who does that is doomed and lost. Does one of them feel assured that Allah will not be angry with her because of the anger of His Messenger ﷺ,then she will be doomed? The Messenger of Allah ﷺ smiled. I said: O Messenger of Allah, I entered upon Hafsah and I said: Do not be misled by the fact that your neighbour (i.e. ‘Aa'ishah) is more beautiful than you and more beloved to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ than you. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ smiled again. I said: O Messenger of Allah, may I speak to you freely? He said: “Yes.” So I sat down and looked around the room, and by Allah, I did not see anything in it to please the eye except three hides. I said: Pray to Allah, O Messenger of Allah, to make life prosperous for your ummah, for He has made life prosperous for the Persians and Romans, but they do not worship Allah, may He be glorified and exalted. He sat up straight and said: “Are you doubting. O son of al-Khattab? They are people whose good things have been hastened for them in this world.” I said: Pray for forgiveness for me, O Messenger of Allah. He had sworn that he would not enter upon them for a month, because he was so annoyed with them until Allah rebuked him.  

لَمْ أَزَلْ حَرِيصًا عَلَى أَنْ أَسْأَلَ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ عَنِ الْمَرْأَتَيْنِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ اللَّتَيْنِ قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى {إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا} [التحريم 4] حَتَّى حَجَّ عُمَرُ وَحَجَجْتُ مَعَهُ فَلَمَّا كُنَّا بِبَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ عَدَلَ عُمَرُ وَعَدَلْتُ مَعَهُ بِالْإِدَاوَةِ فَتَبَرَّزَ ثُمَّ أَتَانِي فَسَكَبْتُ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ فَتَوَضَّأَ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَنِ الْمَرْأَتَانِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ اللَّتَانِ قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى {إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا} ؟ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ وَاعَجَبًا لَكَ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ! قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ كَرِهَ وَاللهِ مَا سَأَلَهُ عَنْهُ وَلَمْ يَكْتُمْهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ هِيَ حَفْصَةُ وَعَائِشَةُ قَالَ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ يَسُوقُ الْحَدِيثَ قَالَ كُنَّا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ قَوْمًا نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ وَجَدْنَا قَوْمًا تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ فَطَفِقَ نِسَاؤُنَا يَتَعَلَّمْنَ مِنْ نِسَائِهِمْ قَالَ وَكَانَ مَنْزِلِي فِي بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ بِالْعَوَالِي قَالَ فَتَغَضَّبْتُ يَوْمًا عَلَى امْرَأَتِي فَإِذَا هِيَ تُرَاجِعُنِي فَأَنْكَرْتُ أَنْ تُرَاجِعَنِي فَقَالَتْ مَا تُنْكِرُ أَنْ أُرَاجِعَكَ فَوَاللهِ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لَيُرَاجِعْنَهُ وَتَهْجُرُهُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ قَالَ فَانْطَلَقْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَقُلْتُ أَتُرَاجِعِينَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ؟ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَتَهْجُرُهُ إِحْدَاكُنَّ الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ؟ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ قَدْ خَابَ مَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ مِنْكُنَّ وَخَسِرَ أَفَتَأْمَنُ إِحْدَاكُنَّ أَنْ يَغْضَبَ اللهُ عَلَيْهَا لِغَضَبِ رَسُولِهِفَإِذَا هِيَ قَدْ هَلَكَتْ؟ لَا تُرَاجِعِي رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ وَلَا تَسْأَلِيهِ شَيْئًا وَسَلِينِي مَا بَدَا لَكِ وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكِ أَنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ هِيَ أَوْسَمَ وَأَحَبَّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْكِ يُرِيدُ عَائِشَةَ قَالَ وَكَانَ لِي جَارٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَكُنَّا نَتَنَاوَبُ النُّزُولَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَيَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا وَأَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا فَيَأْتِينِي بِخَبَرِ الْوَحْيِ وَغَيْرِهِ وَآتِيهِ بِمِثْلِ ذَلِكَ قَالَ وَكُنَّا نَتَحَدَّثُ أَنَّ غَسَّانَ تُنْعِلُ الْخَيْلَ لِتَغْزُوَنَا فَنَزَلَ صَاحِبِي يَوْمًا ثُمَّ أَتَانِي عِشَاءً فَضَرَبَ بَابِي ثُمَّ نَادَانِي فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ حَدَثَ أَمْرٌ عَظِيمٌ فقُلْتُوَمَاذَا أَجَاءَتْ غَسَّانُ؟ قَالَ لَا بَلْ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَأَطْوَلُ طَلَّقَ الرَّسُولُ نِسَاءَهُ فَقُلْتُ قَدْ خَابَتْ حَفْصَةُ وَخَسِرَتْ قَدْ كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ هَذَا كَائِنًاحَتَّى إِذَا صَلَّيْتُ الصُّبْحَ شَدَدْتُ عَلَيَّ ثِيَابِي ثُمَّ نَزَلْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ وَهِيَ تَبْكِي فَقُلْتُ أَطَلَّقَكُنَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ؟ فَقَالَتْ لَا أَدْرِي هُوَ هَذَا مُعْتَزِلٌ فِي هَذِهِ الْمَشْرُبَةِ فَأَتَيْتُ غُلَامًا لَهُ أَسْوَدَ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ الْغُلَامُ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ قَدْ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ فَانْطَلَقْتُ حَتَّى أَتَيْتُ الْمِنْبَرَ فَإِذَا عِنْدَهُ رَهْطٌ جُلُوسٌ يَبْكِي بَعْضُهُمْ فَجَلَسْتُ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَأَتَيْتُ الْغُلَامَ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ قَدْ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ فَخَرَجْتُ فَجَلَسْتُ إِلَى الْمِنْبَرِ ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَأَتَيْتُ الْغُلَامَ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ قَدْ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ فَوَلَّيْتُ مُدْبِرًا فَإِذَا الْغُلَامُ يَدْعُونِي فَقَالَ ادْخُلْ فَقَدْ أَذِنَ لَكَ فَدَخَلْتُ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَىرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَإِذَا هُوَ مُتَّكِئٌ عَلَى رَمْلِ حَصِيرٍ وحَدَّثَنَاهُ يَعْقُوبُ فِي حَدِيثِ صَالِحٍ قَالَ رُمَالِ حَصِيرٍ قَدْ أَثَّرَ فِي جَنْبِهِ فَقُلْتُ أَطَلَّقْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ نِسَاءَكَ؟ فَرَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ إِلَيَّ وَقَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ رَأَيْتَنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ وَكُنَّا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ قَوْمًا نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ وَجَدْنَا قَوْمًا تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ فَطَفِقَ نِسَاؤُنَا يَتَعَلَّمْنَ مِنْ نِسَائِهِمْ فَتَغَضَّبْتُ عَلَى امْرَأَتِي يَوْمًا فَإِذَا هِيَ تُرَاجِعُنِي فَأَنْكَرْتُ أَنْ تُرَاجِعَنِي فَقَالَتْ مَا تُنْكِرُ أَنْ أُرَاجِعَكَ؟ فَوَاللهِ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ لَيُرَاجِعْنَهُ وَتَهْجُرُهُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ فَقُلْتُ قَدْ خَابَ مَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُنَّ وَخَسِرَ أَفَتَأْمَنُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ أَنْ يَغْضَبَ اللهُ عَلَيْهَا لِغَضَبِ رَسُولِهِ فَإِذَا هِيَ قَدْ هَلَكَتْ؟ فَتَبَسَّمَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَقُلْتُ لَا يَغُرُّكِ أَنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ هِيَ أَوْسَمَ وَأَحَبَّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْكِ فَتَبَسَّمَ أُخْرَى فَقُلْتُ أَسْتَأْنِسُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ؟ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَجَلَسْتُ فَرَفَعْتُ رَأْسِي فِي الْبَيْتِ فَوَاللهِ مَا رَأَيْتُ فِيهِ شَيْئًا يَرُدُّ الْبَصَرَ إِلَّا أَهَبَةً ثَلَاثَةً فَقُلْتُ ادْعُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَنْ يُوَسِّعَ عَلَى أُمَّتِكَ فَقَدْ وُسِّعَ عَلَى فَارِسَ وَالرُّومِ وَهُمْ لَا يَعْبُدُونَ اللهَ فَاسْتَوَى جَالِسًا ثُمَّ قَالَ أَفِي شَكٍّ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ؟ أُولَئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَيِّبَاتُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللهِوَكَانَ أَقْسَمَ أَنْ لَا يَدْخُلَ عَلَيْهِنَّ شَهْرًا مِنْ شِدَّةِ مَوْجِدَتِهِ عَلَيْهِنَّ حَتَّى عَاتَبَهُ اللهُ ﷻ  

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  

'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)  

حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الْإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا فَبَرَّأَهَا اللهُ ﷻ وَكُلُّهُمْ حَدَّثَنِي بِطَائِفَةٍ مِنْ حَدِيثِهَا وَبَعْضُهُمْ كَانَ أَوْعَى 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 سَفَرًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ نِسَائِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَعَهُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَأَقْرَعَ بَيْنَنَا فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَزَاهَافَخَرَجَ فِيهَا سَهْمِي فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَذَلِكَ بَعْدَمَا أُنْزِلَ الْحِجَابُ فَأَنَا أُحْمَلُ فِي هَوْدَجِي وَأَنْزِلُ فِيهِ مَسِيرَنَا حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْ غَزْوِهِ 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 مِنْ جَزْعِ أَظْفَارٍ قَدْ انْقَطَعَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَالْتَمَسْتُ عِقْدِي فَاحْتَبَسَنِي ابْتِغَاؤُهُ وَأَقْبَلَ الرَّهْطُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يَرْحَلُونَ بِي فَحَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنِّي فِيهِ قَالَتْ وَكَانَتِ النِّسَاءُ إِذْ ذَاكَ خِفَافًا لَمْ يُهَبِّلْهُنَّ وَلَمْ يَغْشَهُنَّ اللَّحْمُ إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلْنَ الْعُلْقَةَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ فَلَمْ يَسْتَنْكِرِ الْقَوْمُ ثِقَلَ الْهَوْدَجِ حِينَ رَحَلُوهُ وَرَفَعُوهُ وَكُنْتُ جَارِيَةًحَدِيثَةَ 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 فَيَرْجِعُوا إِلَيَّ فَبَيْنَمَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي فَنِمْتُ وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ قَدْ عَرَّسَ وَرَاءَ الْجَيْشِ فَأَدْلَجَ فَأَصْبَحَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ فَأَتَانِي فَعَرَفَنِي حِينَ رَآنِي وَقَدْ كَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ أَنْ يُضْرَبَ عَلَيَّ الْحِجَابُ فَاسْتَيْقَظْتُ بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ عَرَفَنِي فَخَمَّرْتُ وَجْهِي بِجِلْبَابِي فَوَاللهِ مَا كَلَّمَنِي كَلِمَةً وَلَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حَتَّى أَنَاخَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَوَطِئَ عَلَى يَدِهَا فَرَكِبْتُهَا فَانْطَلَقَ يَقُودُ بِي الرَّاحِلَةَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا الْجَيْشَ بَعْدَمَا نَزَلُوا مُوغِرِينَ فِي نَحْرِ الظَّهِيرَةِ فَهَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ فِي شَأْنِي وَكَانَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّى كِبْرَهُ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ أُبَيِّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ فَقَدِمْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ حِينَ قَدِمْنَا شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ وَلَمْ أَشْعُرْبِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَهُوَ يَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لَا أَعْرِفُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَى مِنْهُ حِينَ أَشْتَكِي إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَيُسَلِّمُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟ فَذَاكَ يَرِيبُنِي وَلَا أَشْعُرُ بِالشَّرِّ حَتَّى خَرَجْتُ بَعْدَمَا نَقِهْتُ وَخَرَجَتْ 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 التَّنَزُّهِ وَكُنَّا نَتَأَذَّى بِالْكُنُفِ أَنْ نَتَّخِذَهَا عِنْدَ بُيُوتِنَا وَانْطَلَقْتُ 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 وَأَقْبَلْتُ 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 قَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا قَالَتْ أَيْ هَنْتَاهُ أَوَلَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ وَمَاذَا قَالَ؟ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا إِلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي فَدَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ قَالَ كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟ قُلْتُ أَتَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ آتِيَ أَبَوَيَّ؟ قَالَتْ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَتَيَقَّنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا فَأَذِنَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَجِئْتُ أَبَوَيَّ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي يَا أُمَّتَاهْ مَا يَتَحَدَّثُ النَّاسُ؟ فَقَالَتْأَيْ بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَيْكِ فَوَاللهِ لَقَلَّمَا كَانَتْ امْرَأَةٌ قَطُّ وَضِيئَةً عِنْدَ رَجُلٍ يُحِبُّهَا وَلَهَا ضَرَائِرُ إِلَّا كَثَّرْنَ عَلَيْهَا قَالَتْ قُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ أَوَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا؟ قَالَتْ فَبَكَيْتُ تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ حَتَّى أَصْبَحْتُ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ ثُمَّ أَصْبَحْتُ أَبْكِي وَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ حِينَ اسْتَلْبَثَ الْوَحْيُ يَسْتَشِيرُهُمَا فِي فِرَاقِ أَهْلِهِ قَالَتْ فَأَمَّا أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ فَأَشَارَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ بِالَّذِي يَعْلَمُ مِنْ بَرَاءَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَبِالَّذِي 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 ﷻ عَلَيْكَ وَالنِّسَاءُ سِوَاهَا كَثِيرٌ وَإِنْ تَسْأَلِ الْجَارِيَةَ تَصْدُقْكَ قَالَتْ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بَرِيرَةَ قَالَ أَيْ بَرِيرَةُ هَلْ رَأَيْتِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ يَرِيبُكِ مِنْ عَائِشَةَ؟ قَالَتْ 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 فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ فَقَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذِرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي أَذَاهُ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِي فَوَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَلَقَدْ ذَكَرُوارَجُلًا مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا خَيْرًا وَمَا كَانَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِي إِلَّا مَعِي فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ فَقَالَ أَعْذِرُكَ مِنْهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ؟ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْأَوْسِ ضَرَبْنَا عُنُقَهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِنَا مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ أَمَرْتَنَا فَفَعَلْنَا أَمْرَكَ قَالَتْ فَقَامَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ وَهُوَ سَيِّدُ الْخَزْرَجِ وَكَانَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنْ اجْتَهَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ 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 وَسَكَتَ قَالَتْ وَبَكَيْتُ يَوْمِي ذَاكَ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ ثُمَّ بَكَيْتُ لَيْلَتِي الْمُقْبِلَةَ لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ وَأَبَوَايَ يَظُنَّانِ 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 لِي مَا قِيلَ وَقَدْ لَبِثَ شَهْرًا لَا يُوحَى إِلَيْهِفِي 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 ﷻ وَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَلْمَمْتِ بِذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللهَ ثُمَّ تُوبِي إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا اعْتَرَفَ بِذَنْبٍ ثُمَّ تَابَ تَابَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا قَضَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَقَالَتَهُ قَلَصَ دَمْعِي حَتَّى مَا أُحِسُّ مِنْهُ قَطْرَةً فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي أَجِبْ عَنِّي رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فِيمَا قَالَ فَقَالَ مَا أَدْرِي وَاللهِ مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ؟ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي أَجِيبِي عَنِّي رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ؟ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لَا أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ إِنِّي وَاللهِ قَدْ عَرَفْتُ أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ بِهَذَا حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ بِهِ وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللهُ ﷻ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَا تُصَدِّقُونِي بِذَلِكَ وَلَئِنْ اعْتَرَفْتُ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ وَاللهُ ﷻ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ تُصَدِّقُونِي وَإِنِّي وَاللهِ مَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا إِلَّا كَمَا قَالَ أَبُو يُوسُفَ {فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} [يوسف 18] قَالَتْ ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ فَاضْطَجَعْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي قَالَتْ وَأَنَا وَاللهِ حِينَئِذٍ أَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَأَنَّ اللهَ ﷻ مُبَرِّئِي بِبَرَاءَتِي وَلَكِنْوَاللهِ مَا كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ أَنْ يَنْزِلَ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيٌ يُتْلَى وَلَشَأْنِي كَانَ أَحْقَرَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ اللهُ ﷻ فِيَّ بِأَمْرٍ يُتْلَى وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي اللهُ ﷻ بِهَا قَالَتْ فَوَاللهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ مَجْلِسَهُ وَلَا خَرَجَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ أَحَدٌ حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ عِنْدَ الْوَحْيِ حَتَّى إِنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الشَّاتِي مِنْ ثِقَلِ الْقَوْلِ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا سُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلُ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا أَنْ قَالَ أَبْشِرِي يَا عَائِشَةُ أَمَّا اللهُ ﷻ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ فَقَالَتْ لِي أُمِّي قُومِي إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ وَاللهِ لَا أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلَا أَحْمَدُ إِلَّا اللهَ ﷻ هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ بَرَاءَتِي فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ} عَشْرَ آيَاتٍ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ هَذِهِ الْآيَاتِ بَرَاءَتِي قَالَتْ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ لِقَرَابَتِهِ مِنْهُ وَفَقْرِهِ وَاللهِ لَا أُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا بَعْدَ الَّذِي قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ} إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لَكُمْ} [النور 22] فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَاللهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ النَّفَقَةَالَّتِي كَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ لَا أَنْزِعُهَا مِنْهُ أَبَدًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ سَأَلَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ جَحْشٍ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ عَنْ أَمْرِي مَا عَلِمْتِ أَوْ مَا رَأَيْتِ أَوْ مَا بَلَغَكِ؟ قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَحْمِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي وَأَنَا مَا عَلِمْتُ إِلَّا خَيْرًا قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ وَهِيَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ تُسَامِينِي مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَعَصَمَهَا اللهُ ﷻ بِالْوَرَعِ وَطَفِقَتْ أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ بِنْتُ جَحْشٍ تُحَارِبُ لَهَا فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ فَهَذَا مَا انْتَهَى إِلَيْنَا مِنْ أَمْرِ هَؤُلَاءِ الرَّهْطِ  

أَمَّا بَعْدُ اعْقِلُوا وَالْعَقْلُ نِعْمَةٌ فَرُبَّ ذِي عَقْلٍ قَدْ شُغِلَ قَلْبُهُ بِالتَّعَمُّقِ فِيمَا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ ضَرَرٌ عَنِ الِانْتِفَاعِ بِمَا يَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ حَتَّى صَارَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ سَاهِيًا وَمِنْ فَضْلِ عَقْلِ الْمَرْءِ تَرْكُ النَّظَرِ فِيمَا لَا نَظَرَ فِيهِ حَتَّى لَا يَكُونَ فَضْلُ عَقْلِهِ وَبَالًا عَلَيْهِ فِي تَرْكِ مُنَافَسَةِ مَنْ هُوَ دُونَهُ فِي الْأَعْمَالِ الصَّالِحَةِ أَوْ رَجُلٍ شُغِلَ قَلْبُهُ بِبِدْعَةٍ قَلَّدَ فِيهَا دِينَهُ رِجَالًا دُونَ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَوِ اكْتَفَى بِرَأْيِهِ فِيمَا لَا يَرَى الْهُدَى إِلَّا فِيهَا وَلَا يَرَى الضَّلَالَةَ إِلَّا بِتَرْكِهَا يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ أَخَذَهَا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ وَهُوَ يَدْعُو إِلَى فِرَاقِ الْقُرْآنِ أَفَمَا كَانَ لِلْقُرْآنِ حَمَلَةٌ قَبْلَهُ وَقَبْلَ أَصْحَابِهِ يَعْمَلُونَ بِمُحْكَمِهِ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِمُتَشَابِهِهِ؟ وَكَانُوا مِنْهُ عَلَى مَنَارٍ لِوَضَحِ الطَّرِيقِ وَكَانَ الْقُرْآنُ إِمَامَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِمَامًا لِأَصْحَابِهِ وكانَ أَصْحَابُهُ أَئِمَّةً لِمَنْ بَعْدَهُمْ رِجَالٌ مَعْرُوفُونَ مَنْسُوبُونَ فِي الْبُلْدَانِ مُتَّفِقُونَ فِي الرَّدِّ عَلَى أَصْحَابِ الْأَهْوَاءِ مَعَ مَا كَانَ بَيْنَهُمْ مِنَ الِاخْتِلَافِ وَتَسَكَّعَ أَصْحَابُ الْأَهْوَاءِ بِرَأْيِهِمْ فِي سُبُلٍ مُخْتَلِفَةٍ جَائِرَةٍ عَنِ الْقَصْدِ مُفَارِقَةٍ لِلصِّرَاطِ الْمُسْتَقِيمِ فَتَوَّهَتْ بِهِمْ أَدِلَّاؤُهُمْ فِي مَهَامِهَ مُضِلَّةٍ فَأَمْعَنُوا فِيهَا مُتَعَسِّفِينَ فِي تِيهِهِمْ كُلَّمَا أَحْدَثَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ بِدْعَةً فِي ضَلَالَتِهِمْ انْتَقَلُوا مِنْهَا إِلَى غَيْرِهَا لِأَنَّهُمْ لَمْ يَطْلُبُوا أَثَرَ السَّابقينَ وَلَمْ يَقْتَدُوا بِالْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَقَدْ ذُكِرَ عَنْ عُمَرَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ لِزِيَادٍ هَلْ تَدْرِي مَا يَهْدِمُ الْإِسْلَامَ؟ زَلَّةُ عَالِمٍ وَجِدَالُ مُنَافِقٍ بِالْقُرْآنِ وَأَئِمَّةٌ مُضِلُّونَ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَمَا حَدَثَ فِي قُرَّائِكُمْ وَأَهْلِ مَسَاجِدِكُمْ مِنَ الْغِيبَةِ وَالنَّمِيمَةِ وَالْمَشْيِ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِوَجْهَيْنِ وَلِسَانَيْنِ وَقَدْ ذُكِرَ أَنَّ مَنْ كَانَ ذَا وَجْهَيْنِ فِي الدُّنْيَا كَانَ ذَا وَجْهَيْنِ فِي النَّارِ يَلْقَاكَ صَاحِبُ الْغِيبَةِ فَيَغْتَابُ عِنْدَكَ مَنْ يَرَى أَنَّكَ تُحِبُّ غِيبَتَهُ وَيُخَالِفُكَ إِلَى صَاحِبِكَ فَيَأْتِيهِ عَنْكَ بِمِثْلِهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ قَدْ أَصَابَ عِنْدَ كُلِّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْكُمَا حَاجَتَهُ وَخَفِيَ عَلَى كُلِّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْكُمَا مَا أُتِى بِهِ عِنْدَ صَاحِبِهِ حُضُورُهُ عِنْدَ مَنْ حَضَرَهُ حُضُورُ الْإِخْوَانِ وَغَيْبَتُهُ عَنْ مِنْ غَابَ عَنْهُ غَيْبَةُ الْأَعْدَاءِ مَنْ حَضَرَ مِنْهُمْ كَانَتْ لَهُ الْأَثَرَةُ وَمَنْ غَابَ مِنْهُمْ لَمْ تَكُنْ لَهُ حُرْمَةٌ يَفْتِنُ مَنْ حَضَرَهُ بِالتَّزْكِيَةِ وَيَغْتَابُ مَنْ غَابَ عَنْهُ بِالْغِيبَةِ فَيَا لَعِبَادَ اللَّهِ أَمَا فِي الْقَوْمِ مَنْ رَشِيدٍ وَلَا مُصْلِحٍ بِهِ يَقْمَعُ هَذَا عَنْ مَكِيدَتِهِ وَيَرُدُّهُ عَنْ عِرْضِ أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ؟ بَلْ عَرَفَ هَوَاهُمْ فِيمَا مَشَى بِهِ إِلَيْهِمْ فَاسْتَمْكَنَ مِنْهُمْ وَأَمْكَنُوهُ مِنْ حَاجَتِهِ فَأَكَلَ بِدِينِهِ مَعَ أَدْيَانِهِمْ فَاللَّهَ اللَّهَ ذُبُّوا عَنْ حُرَمِ أعْيانكمْ وَكُفُّوا أَلْسِنَتَكُمْ عَنْهُمْ إِلَّا مِنْ خَيْرٍ وَنَاصِحُوا اللَّهَ فِي أُمَّتِكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ حَمَلَةَ الْكِتَابِ وَالسُّنَّةِ فَإِنَّ الْكِتَابَ لَا يُنْطَقَ حَتَّى يَنْطِقُ بِهِ وَإِنَّ السُّنَّةَ لَا تَعْمَلُ حَتَّى يُعْمَلَ بِهَا فَمَتَى يَتَعَلَّمُ الْجَاهِلُ إِذَا سَكَتَ الْعَالِمُ فَلَمْ يُنْكِرْ مَا ظَهَرَ وَلَمْ يَأْمُرْ بِمَا تُرِكَ؟ وَقَدْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ فَإِنَّكُمْ فِي زَمَانٍ رَقَّ فِيهِ الْوَرَعُ وَقَلَّ فِيهِ الْخُشُوعُ وَحَمَلَ الْعِلْمَ مُفْسِدُوهُ فَأَحَبُّوا أَنْ يُعْرَفُوا بِحَمْلِهِ وَكَرِهُوا أَنْ يُعْرَفُوا بِإِضَاعَتِهِ فَنَطَقُوا فِيهِ بِالْهَوَى لَمَّا أَدْخَلُوا فِيهِ مِنَ الْخَطَإ وَحَرَّفُوا الْكَلِمَ عَمَّا تَرَكُوا مِنَ الْحَقِّ إِلَى مَا عَمِلُوا بِهِ مِنْ بَاطِلٍ فَذُنُوبُهُمْ ذُنُوبٌ لَا يُسْتَغْفَرُ مِنْهَا وَتَقْصِيرُهُمْ تَقْصِيرٌ لَا يُعْتَرَفُ بِهِ كَيْفَ يَهْتَدِي الْمُسْتَدِلُّ الْمُسْتَرْشِدُ إِذَا كَانَ الدَّلِيلُ حَائِرًا؟ أَحَبُّوا الدُّنْيَا وَكَرِهُوا مَنْزِلَةَ أَهْلِهَا فَشَارَكُوهُمْ فِي الْعَيْشِ وَزَايَلُوهُمْ بِالْقَوْلِ وَدَافَعُوا بِالْقَوْلِ عَنْ أَنْفُسَهُمْ أَنَّ يُنْسَبُوا إِلَى عَمَلِهِمْ فَلَمْ يَتَبَرَّءُوا مِمَّا انْتَفَوْا مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يَدْخُلُوا فِيمَا نَسَبُوا إِلَيْهِ أَنْفُسِهِمْ لِأَنَّ الْعَامِلَ بِالْحَقِّ مُتَكَلِّمٌ وَإِنْ سَكَتَ وَقَدْ ذُكِرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ إِنِّي لَسْتُ كُلَّ كَلَامِ الْحَكِيمِ أَتَقَبَّلُ وَلَكِنِّي أَنْظُرُ إِلَى هَمِّهِ وَهَوَاهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ هَمُّهُ وَهَوَاهُ لِي جَعَلْتُ صَمْتَهُ حَمْدًا وَوَقَارًا وَإِنْ لَمْ يَتَكَلَّمْ وَقَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى {مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا التَّوْرَاةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ الْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًا} [الجمعة 5] كتبا وَقَالَ {خُذُوا مَا آتَيْنَاكُمْ بِقُوَّةٍ} [البقرة 63] قَالَ الْعَمَلُ بِمَا فِيهِ وَلَا تَكْتَفُوا مِنَ السُّنَّةِ بِانْتِحَالِهَا بِالْقَوْلِ دُونَ الْعَمَلِ بِهَا فَإِنَّ انْتِحَالَ السُّنَّةِ دُونَ الْعَمَلِ بِهَا كَذِبٌ بِالْقَوْلِ مَعَ إِضَاعَةِ الْعَلِم وَلَا تَعِيبُوا بِالْبِدَعِ تَزَيُّنًا بِعَيْبِهَا فَإِنَّ فَسَادَ أَهْلِ الْبِدَعِ لَيْسَ بِزَائِدٍ فِي صَلَاحِكُمْ وَلَا تَعِيبُوهَا بَغْيًا عَلَى أَهْلِهَا فَإِنَّ الْبَغْيَ مِنْ فَسَادِ أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَلَيْسَ يَنْبَغِي لِلطَّبِيبِ أَنْ يُدَاوِيَ الْمَرْضَى بِمَا يُبَرِّئُهُمْ وَيُمْرِضُهُ فَإِنَّهُ إِذَا مَرِضَ اشْتَغَلَ بِمَرَضِهِ عَنْ مُدَاوَاتِهِمْ وَلَكِنْ يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يَلْتَمِسَ لِنَفْسِهِ الصِّحَّةَ لِيَقْوَى بِهِ عَلَى عِلَاجِ الْمَرْضَى فَلْيَكُنْ أَمْرُكُمْ فِيمَا تُنْكِرُونَ عَلَى إِخْوَانِكُمْ نَظَرًا مِنْكُمْ لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ وَنَصِيحَةً مِنْكُمْ لِرَبِّكُمْ وَشَفَقَةً مِنْكُمْ عَلَى إِخْوَانِكُمْ وَأَنْ تَكُونُوا مَعَ ذَلِكَ بِعُيُوبِ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَعْنَى مِنْكُمْ بِعُيُوبِ غَيْرِكُمْ وَأَنْ يَسْتَفْطِمَ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًا النَّصِيحَةَ وَأَنْ يَحْظَى عِنْدَكُمْ مَنْ بَذَلَهَا لَكُمْ وَقَبِلَهَا مِنْكُمْ وَقَدْ قَالَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ مَنْ أَهْدَى إِلَيَّ عُيُوبِي تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ تَقُولُوا فَيُحْتَمَلَ لَكُمْ وَإِنْ قِيلَ مِثْلُ الَّذِي قُلْتُمْ غَضِبْتُمْ تَجِدُونَ عَلَى النَّاسِ فِيمَا تُنْكِرُونَ مِنْ أُمُورِهِمْ وَتَأْتُونَ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ أفَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يؤخذَ عَلَيْكُمْ؟ اتَّهِمُوا رَأْيَكُمْ وَرَأْيَ أَهْلِ زَمَانِكُمْ وَتَثَبَّتُوا قَبْلَ أَنْ تَكَلَّمُوا وَتَعَلَّمُوا قَبْلَ أَنْ تَعْمَلُوا فَإِنَّهُ يَأْتِي زَمَانٌ يَشْتَبِهُ فِيهِ الْحَقُّ وَالْبَاطِلُ وَيَكُونُ الْمَعْرُوفُ فِيهِ مُنْكَرًا وَالْمُنْكَرُ فِيهِ مَعْرُوفًا فَكَمْ مِنْ مُقترِّبٍ إِلَى اللَّهِ بِمَا يُبَاعِدُهُ وَمُتَحَبِّبٍ إِلَيْهِ بِمَا يبغْضهُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى {أَفَمَنْ زُيِّنَ لَهُ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ فَرَآهُ حَسَنًا} [فاطر 8] الْآيَةَ فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالْوُقُوفِ عِنْدَ الشُّبُهَاتِ حَتَّى يَبْرُزَ لَكُمْ وَاضِحُ الْحَقِّ بِالْبَيِّنَةِ فَإِنَّ الدَّاخِلَ فِيما لَا يَعْلَمُ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ آثِمٌ وَمَنْ نَظَرَ لِلَّهِ نَظَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْقُرْآنِ فَأْتَمُّوا بِهِ وَأُمُّوا بِهِ وَعَلَيْكُمْ بِطَلَبِ أَثَرِ الْمَاضِينَ فِيهِ وَلَوْ أَنَّ الْأَحْبَارَ وَالرُّهْبَانَ لَمْ يَتَّقُوا زَوَالَ مَرَاتِبِهِمْ وَفَسَادَ مَنْزِلَتِهِمْ بِإِقَامَةِ الْكِتَابِ بِأَعْمَالِهِمْ وَتِبْيَانِهِ مَا حَرَّفُوهُ وَلَا كَتَمُوهُ وَلَكِنَّهُمْ لَمَّا خَالَفُوا الْكِتَابَ بِأعْمالهمْ الْتَمَسُوا أَنْ يَخْدَعُوا قَوْمَهُمْ عَمَّا صَنَعُوا مَخَافَةَ أَنْ يفْسدواَ مَنَازِلُهُمْ وَأَنْ يَتَبَيَّنَ لِلنَّاسِ فَسَادُهُمْ فَحَرَّفُوا الْكِتَابَ بِالتَّفْسِيرِ وَمَا لَمْ يَسْتَطِيعُوا تَحْرِيفَهُ كَتَمُوهُ فَسَكَتُوا عنْ صَنِيعِ أَنْفُسِهِمْ إِبْقَاءً عَلَى مَنَازِلِهِمْ وَسَكَتُوا عَمَّا صَنَعَ قَوْمُهُمْ مُصَانَعَةً لَهُمْ وَقَدْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُ بَلْ مَالَئُوا عَلَيْهِ وَرَفَّقُوا لَهُمْ فِيهِ  

I was eager to ask 'Umar about the two wives of the Prophet ﷺ concerning whom Allah said, “If you two (wives of the Prophet ﷺ turn in repentance to Allah, (it will be better for you), your hearts are indeed so inclined (to oppose what the Prophet ﷺ likes)” [at-Tahreem 66:4], until 'Umar went for Hajj and I went with him. When we were partway there, 'Umar turned aside and I turned aside with him, bringing the jug. He relieved himself, then he came to me and I poured water onto his hands, and he did wudoo’. I said: “O Ameer al -Mu'mineen, who are the two wives of the Prophet ﷺ of whom Allah said: ‘If you two (wives of the Prophet ﷺ) turn in repentance to Allah, (it will be better for you), your hearts are indeed so inclined (to oppose what the Prophet ﷺ likes)’?” [at-Tahreem 66:4] 'Umar said, “How strange of you, O Ibn 'Abbas”, (az-Zuhri said: By Allah, he did not like the question, but he did not conceal anything.) He said, “They were Hafsah and 'A'ishah.” Then he started to narrate the hadeeth and said: We people of Quraish were a people who dominated women, but when we came to Madinah we found a people who were dominated by their women, and our women started to learn from their women. My house was among Banu Umayyah bin Zaid in al-'Awali. One day I got angry with my wife, and she argued with me. I did not like her to argue with me, but she said: Do you not like me to argue with you? By Allah, the wives of the Prophet ﷺ argue with him, and one of them will forsake him all day until night comes, I went and entered upon Hafsah, and I said: Do you argue with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ? She said: Yes. I said: Does one of you forsake him all day until night comes? She said: Yes. I said: Any one of you who does that is doomed and lost. Does any one of you feel assured that Allah will not be angry with her because of the anger of His Messenger ﷺ, for then she will be doomed? Do not argue with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and do not ask him for anything. Ask me for whatever you want. And do not be misled by the fact that your neighbour is more beautiful than you and more beloved to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ than you – referring to 'A'ishah. And ‘Umar said: I had a neighbour among the Ansar. We used to take turns to go down to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He would go down one day and I would go down the next. He would bring me the news of the Revelation and other things, and I would do likewise. We were saying that Ghassan were shoeing their horses to attack us. My friend went down, then he came to me at night and knocked on my door, then he called out to me. I went out to him and he said: Something terrible has happened! I said: What? Have Ghassan come? He said: No, it is more terrible than that and worse. The Prophet ﷺ has divorced his wives! I said: Hafsah is doomed and lost! I thought that this would happen. Then when I had prayed Fajr, I got dressed, then I went down and entered upon Hafsah, who was weeping. I said: Has the Messenger of Allah ﷺdivorced you? She said: I do not know. He has secluded himself in this loft. I went to a black slave of his and said: Ask for permission for ‘Umar to enter. He went in, then he came out to me and said: I mentioned you to him but he did not say anything, I went away and came to the minbar, where I sat down. By it was a group of people, some of whom were weeping. I sat for a little while, then I could not bear it any longer, so I went to the slave and said: Ask for permission for ‘Umar to enter. He went in, then he came out to me and said: I mentioned you to him but he did not say anything. I turned to leave, then the slave called me and said: Go in, he has given you permission. So I went in and greeted the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with salam. He was resting on a reed mat that had left marks on his side. I said: O Messenger of Allah, have you divorced your wives? He looked up at me and said, “No.” I said: Allah Akbar! if you had seen us, O Messenger of Allah, we Quraish were a people who dominated women, but when we came to Madinah we found a people who were dominated by their women, and our women started to learn from their women. I got angry with my wife one day, and she started to argue with me. I did not like her to argue with me, but she said: Do you not like me to argue with you? By Allah, the wives of the Prophet ﷺ argue with him, and one of them will forsake him all day until night comes. I said: Any one of them who does that is doomed and lost. Does one of them feel assured that Allah will not be angry with her because of the anger of His Messenger ﷺ,then she will be doomed? The Messenger of Allah ﷺ smiled. I said: O Messenger of Allah, I entered upon Hafsah and I said: Do not be misled by the fact that your neighbour (i.e. ‘Aa'ishah) is more beautiful than you and more beloved to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ than you. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ smiled again. I said: O Messenger of Allah, may I speak to you freely? He said: “Yes.” So I sat down and looked around the room, and by Allah, I did not see anything in it to please the eye except three hides. I said: Pray to Allah, O Messenger of Allah, to make life prosperous for your ummah, for He has made life prosperous for the Persians and Romans, but they do not worship Allah, may He be glorified and exalted. He sat up straight and said: “Are you doubting. O son of al-Khattab? They are people whose good things have been hastened for them in this world.” I said: Pray for forgiveness for me, O Messenger of Allah. He had sworn that he would not enter upon them for a month, because he was so annoyed with them until Allah rebuked him. (Using translation from Aḥmad 222)  

لَمْ أَزَلْ حَرِيصًا أَنْ أَسْأَلَ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ عَنِ الْمَرْأَتَيْنِ اللَّتَيْنِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ اللَّهُ {إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا} حَتَّى حَجَّ عُمَرُ فَحَجَجْتُ مَعَهُ فَلَمَّا كَانَ فِي بَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ عَدَلَ لِيَتَوَضَّأُ وَعَدَلْتُ مَعَهُ بِالْإِدَاوَةِ فَتَبَرَّزَ ثُمَّ أَتَانِي فَسَكَبْتُ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ فَتَوَضَّأَ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَنِ الْمَرْأَتَانِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ اللَّتَانِ قَالَ اللَّهُ {إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللَّهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا} فَقَالَ عُمَرُ وَاعَجَبًا لَكَ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ هِيَ عَائِشَةُ وَحَفْصَةُ ثُمَّ أَنْشَأَ يَسُوقُ الْحَدِيثَ فَقَالَ كُنَّا مَعْشَرُ قُرَيْشٍ قَوْمًا نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ وَجَدْنَاهُمْ قَوْمًا تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ فَطَفِقَ نِسَاؤُنَا يَتَعَلَّمْنَ مِنْ نِسَائِهِمْ وَكَانَ مَنْزِلِي فِي بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ فِي الْعَوَالِي قَالَ فَتَغَضَّبْتُ يَوْمًا عَلَى امْرَأَتِي فَإِذَا هِيَ تُرَاجِعْنِي فَأَنْكَرْتُ أَنْ تُرَاجِعَنِي فَقَالَتْ مَا تُنْكِرُ أَنْ أُرَاجِعَكَ فَوَاللَّهِ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لَتُرَاجِعْنَهُ وَتَهْجُرُهُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ قَالَ فَانْطَلَقْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَقُلْتُ أَتُرَاجِعِينَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ وَتَهْجُرُهُ إِحْدَانَا الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ قَالَ قَدْ قُلْتِ قَدْ خَابَ مَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ مِنْكُنَّ وَخَسِرَ أَفَتَأْمَنُ إِحْدَاكُنَّ أَنْ يَغْضَبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا لِغَضَبِ رَسُولِهِ ﷺ فَإِذَا هِيَ قَدْ هَلَكَتْ لَا تُرَاجِعِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَلَا تَسْأَلِيهِ شَيْئًا وَسَلِينِي مَا بَدَا لَكِ وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكِ إِنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ هِيَ أَوْسَمُ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْكِ يُرِيدُ عَائِشَةَ قَالَ وَكَانَ لِي جَارٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَكُنَّا نَتَنَاوَبُ النُّزُولَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَيَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا وأَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا فَيَأْتِينِي بِخَبَرِ الْوَحْيِ وَغَيْرِهِ وَأَنْزِلُ فَآتِيهِ بِمِثْلِ ذَلِكَ وَكُنَّا نَتَحَدَّثُ أَنَّ غَسَّانَ تُنْعِلُ الْخَيْلَ لِتَغْزُوَنَا قَالَ فَنَزَلَ صَاحِبِي يَوْمًا ثُمَّ أَتَانِي فَضَرَبَ عَلَى بَابِي ثُمَّ نَادَانِي فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ حَدَثَ أَمْرٌ عَظِيمٌ فَقُلْتُ مَاذَا؟ أَجَاءَتْ غَسَّانُ؟ قَالَ بَلْ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَأَطْوَلُ طَلَّقَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ نِسَاءَهُ فَقُلْتُ خَابَتْ حَفْصَةُ وَخَسِرَتْ قَدْ كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ هَذَا كَائِنًا فَلَمَّا صَلَّيْتُ الصُّبْحَ شَدَدْتُ عَلَيَّ ثِيَابِي ثُمَّ نَزَلْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَإِذَا هِيَ تَبْكِي فَقُلْتُ أَطَلَّقَكُنَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَتْ لَا أَدْرِي هُوَ ذَا هُوَ مُعْتَزِلٌ فِي هَذِهِ الْمَشْرُبَةِ قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُ غُلَامًا لَهُ أَسْوَدَ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذَنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ الْغُلَامُ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَيَّ وَقَالَ قَدْ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَلَمْ يَقُلْ شَيْئًا فَانْطَلَقْتُ حَتَّى أَتَيْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا قَوْمٌ حَوْلَ الْمِنْبَرِ جُلُوسٌ يَبْكِي بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى بَعْضٍ قَالَ فَجَلَسْتُ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَأَتَيْتُ الْغُلَامَ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذَنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ قَدْ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَجَلَسْتُ إِلَى الْمِنْبَرِ ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَأَتَيْتُ الْغُلَامَ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذَنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ قَدْ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَسَكَتَ فَوَلَّيْتُ مُدْبِرًا فَإِذَا الْغُلَامُ يَدْعُونِي وَيَقُولُ ادْخُلْ فَقَدْ أَذِنَ لَكَ فَدَخَلْتُ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَإِذَا هُوَ مُتَّكِئٌ عَلَى رَمْلِ حَصِيرٍ قَدْ أَثَّرَ بِجَنْبِهِ فَقُلْتُ أَطَلَّقْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ نِسَاءَكَ؟ قَالَ فَرَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ إِلَيَّ وَقَالَ «لَا» فَقُلْتُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ رَأَيْتَنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَكُنَّا مَعْشَرُ قُرَيْشٍ قَوْمًا نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ وَجَدْنَا قَوْمًا تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ فَطَفِقَ نِسَاؤُنَا يَتَعَلَّمْنَ مِنْ نِسَائِهِمْ فَتَغَضَّبْتُ عَلَى امْرَأَتِي يَوْمًا فَإِذَا هِيَ تُرَاجِعَنِي فَأَنْكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالَتْ أَتُنْكِرُ أَنْ أُرَاجِعَكَ فَوَاللَّهِ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لَيُرَاجِعْنَهُ وَتَهْجُرُهُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ قَدْ خَابَ مَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُنَّ وَخَسِرَتْ أَتَأْمَنُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ أَنْ يَغْضَبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا لِغَضَبِ رَسُولِهِ ﷺ فَإِذَا هِيَ قَدْ هَلَكَتْ قَالَ فَتَبَسَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا لَا تُرَاجِعِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَلَا تَسْأَلِيهِ شَيْئًا وَسَلِينِي مَا بَدَا لَكَ وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكِ أَنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ هِيَ أَوْسَمُ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْكِ قَالَ فَتَبَسَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أُخْرَى فَقُلْتُ أَسْتَأْنِسُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ «نَعَمْ» فَجَلَسْتُ فَرَفَعْتُ رَأْسِي فِي الْبَيْتِ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا رَأَيْتُ فِيهِ شَيْئًا يَرُدُّ الْبَصَرَ إِلَّا أُهُبًا ثَلَاثَةً فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ادْعُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُوَسِّعَ عَلَى أُمَّتِكَ فَقَدْ وَسَّعَ اللَّهُ عَلَى فَارِسَ وَالرُّومِ وَهُمْ لَا يَعْبُدُونَهُ قَالَ فَاسْتَوَى جَالِسًا وَقَالَ «أَفِي شَكٍّ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ أُولَئِكَ قَوْمٌ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَيِّبَاتُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا» فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَكَانَ أَقْسَمَ لَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَيْهِنَّ شَهْرًا مِنْ شِدَّةِ مَوْجِدَتِهِ عَلَيْهِنَّ حَتَّى عَاتَبَهُ اللَّهُ  

«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»  

(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  

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  

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 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  

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  

(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  

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  

حِينَ قَالَ لَهَا أَهْلُ الْإِفْكِ مَا قَالُوا فَبَرَّأَهَا اللهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَكُلٌّ قد حَدَّثَنِي طَائِفَةً مِنْ حَدِيثِهَا وَبَعْضُهُمْ كَانَ أَوْعَى لِحَدِيثِهَا مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَأَحْسَنَ اقْتِصَاصًا وَبَعْضُهُمْ يُصَدِّقُ حَدِيثَ بَعْضٍ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ سَفَرًا أَقْرَعَ بَيْنَ نِسَائِهِ فَأَيَّتُهُنَّ خَرَجَ سَهْمُهَا خَرَجَ بِهَا مَعَهُ قَالَتْ 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 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 فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ 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 وَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَمَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنْزِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ فِيهِ دَاعٍ وَلَا مُجِيبٌ فَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ فِيهِ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَيَّ فَبَيْنَمَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ قَدْ عَرَّسَ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَدْلَجَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ فَأَتَانِي وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ نُزُولِ الْحِجَابِ فَمَا اسْتَيْقَظْتُ إِلَّا بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ رَآنِي فَوَاللهِ مَا كَلَّمَنِي وَلَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ ثُمَّ 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 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 فَاحْتَمَلُوا هَوْدَجِي فَرَحَلُوهُ عَلَى بَعِيرِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرْكَبُ 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 وَوَجَدْتُ عِقْدِي بَعْدَمَا اسْتَمَرَّ الْجَيْشُ فَجِئْتُ مَنْزِلَهُمْ وَلَيْسَ فِيهِ دَاعٍ وَلَا مُجِيبٌ فَيَمَّمْتُ مَنْزِلِي الَّذِي كُنْتُ فِيهِ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُمْ سَيَفْقِدُونِي فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَيَّ فَبَيْنَمَا أَنَا جَالِسَةٌ فِي مَنْزِلِي غَلَبَتْنِي عَيْنِي وَكَانَ صَفْوَانُ بْنُ الْمُعَطَّلِ السُّلَمِيُّ ثُمَّ الذَّكْوَانِيُّ قَدْ عَرَّسَ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْجَيْشِ فَأَدْلَجَ عِنْدَ مَنْزِلِي فَرَأَى سَوَادَ إِنْسَانٍ نَائِمٍ فَأَتَانِي وَكَانَ يَرَانِي قَبْلَ نُزُولِ الْحِجَابِ فَمَا اسْتَيْقَظْتُ إِلَّا بِاسْتِرْجَاعِهِ حِينَ رَآنِي فَوَاللهِ مَا كَلَّمَنِي وَلَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُ كَلِمَةً غَيْرَ اسْتِرْجَاعِهِ ثُمَّ 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 أُبَيِّ بْنِ سَلُولٍ فَقَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ فَاشْتَكَيْتُ بِهَا شَهْرًا وَالنَّاسُ يُفِيضُونَ فِي قَوْلِ أَصْحَابِ الْإِفْكِ لَا أَشْعُرُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَيَرِيبُنِي فِي وَجَعِي أَنِّي لَا أَرَى مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ اللُّطْفَ الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَرَاهُ مِنْهُ حِينَ أَمْرَضُ إِنَّمَا يَدْخُلُ عَلَيَّ فَيُسَلِّمُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» فَذَلِكَ يَرِيبُنِي وَلَا أَشْعُرُ حَتَّى نَقَهْتُ فَخَرَجْتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ بِنْتُ أَبِي رُهْمٍ قِبَلَ الْمَنَاصِعِ وَهِيَ مُتَبَرَّزُنَا لَا نَخْرُجُ إِلَّا مِنْ لَيْلٍ إِلَى لَيْلٍ وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُتَّخَذَ الْكُنُفُ قَرِيبًا مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا وَأَمْرُنَا أَمْرُ الْعَرَبِ الْأُوَلِ فِي التَّبَرُّزِ وَأَقْبَلَتُ أَنَا وَأُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ نَمْشِي فَعَثَرَتْ فِي مِرْطِهَا فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتِ أَتَسُبِّينَ رَجُلًا شَهِدَ بَدْرًا؟ فَقَالَتْ يَا هَنْتَاهُ أَلَمْ تَسْمَعِي مَا قَالَ؟ قُلْتُ وَمَاذَا قَالَ؟ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِقَوْلِ أَهْلِ الْإِفْكِ فَازْدَدْتُ مَرَضًا إِلَى مَرَضِي فَلَمَّا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى بَيْتِي دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ فَقَالَ «كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» قُلْتُ ائْذَنْ لِي إِلَى أَبَوَيَّ قُلْتُ وَأَنَا حِينَئِذٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْتَيْقِنَ الْخَبَرَ مِنْ قِبَلِهِمَا قَالَتْ فَأَتَيْتُ أَبَوَيَّ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي مَا تَحَدَّثَ بِهِ النَّاسُ؟ قَالَتْ يَا بُنَيَّةُ هَوِّنِي عَلَى نَفْسِكِ فَوَاللهِ لَقَلَّ مَا كَانَتِ امْرَأَة 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 عَلَيْهِ بِالَّذِيِ يَعْرِفُ 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 عَلِمْتِ مِنْ عَائِشَةَ شَيْئًا يَرِيبُكِ؟» فَقَالَتْ بَرِيرَةُ لَا وَالَّذِي بَعَثَكَ بِالْحَقِّ مَا رَأَيْتُ عَلَيْهَا أَمْرًا أَغْمِصُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنَّهَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ تَنَامُ عَنِ الْعَجِينِ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَ الدَّاجِنُ فَتَأْكُلَهُ قَالَتْ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ مِنْ يَوْمِهِ فَاسْتَعْذَرَ مِنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أُبَيٍّ ابْنِ سَلُولَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَنْ يَعْذُرُنِي مِنْ رَجُلٍ 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 أَنَا أَعْذُرُكَ 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 قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ رَجُلًا صَالِحًا وَلَكِنْ أَجْهَلَتْهُ الْحَمِيَّةُ فَقَالَ 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 وَإِنَّكَ مُنَافِقٌ تُجَادِلُ عَنِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فَثَارَ الْحَيَّانِ الْأَوْسُ وَالْخَزْرَجُ حَتَّى هَمُّوا بِالْقِتَالِ وَرَسُولُ اللهِ يُخَفِّضُهُمْ حَتَّى سَكَتُوا وَسَكَتَ وَبَكَيْتُ يَوْمِي لَا يَرْقَأُ لِي دَمْعٌ وَلَا أَكْتَحِلُ بِنَوْمٍ حَتَّى ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّ الْبُكَاءَ فَالِقٌ كَبِدِي فَبَيْنَا أَنَا عَلَى ذَلِكَ إِذِ اسْتَأْذَنَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَأَذِنْتُ لَهَا فَجَلَسَتْ تَبْكِي مَعِي فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ فَجَلَسَ عِنْدِي وَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ عِنْدِي مُنْذُ قِيلَ مَا قِيلَ قَبْلَهَا وَقَدْ مَكَثَ شَهْرًا لَا يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فِي شَأْنِي فَتَشَهَّدَ 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 فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي أَجِبْ عَنِّي رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فِيمَا قَالَ قَالَ مَا أَدْرِي مَا أَقُولُ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ لِأُمِّي قَالَتْ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَقُلْتُ وَأَنَا جَارِيَةٌ حَدِيثَةُ السِّنِّ لَا أَقْرَأُ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ وَاللهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ سَمِعْتُمْ مَا تُحُدِّثَ بِهِ وَقَرَّ فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَصَدَّقْتُمْ وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ إِنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ أَنِّي بَرِيئَةٌ لَا تُصَدِّقُونِي بِذَلِكَ وَلَئِنِ اعْتَرَفْتُ لَكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ يَعْلَمُ اللهُ أَنِّي مِنْهُ بَرِيئَةٌ لَتُصَدِّقُنِّي وَاللهِ مَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا إِلَّا مَا قَالَ أَبُو يُوسُفَ إِذْ قَالَ {فَصَبَرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ} قَالَتْ ثُمَّ تَحَوَّلْتُ عَلَى فِرَاشِي وَأَنَا أَرْجُو أَنْ يُبَرِّئَنِيَ اللهُ بِبَرَاءَتِي وَلَكِنْ مَا طَمِعْتُ أَنْ يُنَزَّلَ فِي شَأْنِي وَحْيٌ يُتْلَى وَلَأَنَا كُنْتُ أَحْقَرَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ أَنْ يُنَزَّلَ فِيَّ قُرْآنٌ يُتْلَى وَلَكِنْ كُنْتُ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَرَى رَسُولُ اللهِ فِي النَّوْمِ رُؤْيَا يُبَرِّئُنِي اللهُ قَالَتْ فَوَاللهِ مَا رَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ مِنْ مَجْلِسِهِ وَلَا خَرَجَ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَخَذَهُ مَا كَانَ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنَ الْبُرَحَاءِ حَتَّى أَنَّهُ لَيَتَحَدَّرُ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الْجُمَانِ مِنَ الْعَرَقِ فِي يَوْمٍ شَاتٍ قَالَتْ فَسُرِّيَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ فَكَانَ أَوَّلَ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَ بِهَا أَنْ قَالَ «يَا عَائِشَةُ احْمَدِي اللهَ فَقَدْ بَرَّأَكِ اللهُ» فَقُلْتُ بِحَمْدِ اللهِ لَا بِحَمْدِكُمْ فَقَالَتْ لِي أُمِّي قَوْمِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ فَقُلْتُ لَا وَاللهِ لَا أَقُومُ إِلَيْهِ وَلَا أَحْمَدُ إِلَّا اللهَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ} الْآيَاتِ كُلَّهَا فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللهُ بَرَاءَتِي قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ وَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ وَاللهِ لَا أُنْفِقُ عَلَى مِسْطَحٍ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا بَعْدَمَا قَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ مَا قَالَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ {وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ} إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَةِ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ بَلَى إِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مِسْطَحٍ الَّذِي كَانَ يَجْرِي عَلَيْهِ قَالَتْ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ 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 مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَعَصَمَهَا بِالْوَرَعِ فَطَفِقَتْ أُخْتُهَا حَمْنَةُ بِنْتُ جَحْشٍ تُحَارِبُ عَنْهَا فَهَلَكَتْ فِيمَنْ هَلَكَ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ فَهَذَا مَا انْتَهَى إِلَيْنَا مِنْ حَدِيثِ هَؤُلَاءِ الرَّهْطِ  

(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  

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  

I was eager to ask 'Umar about the two wives of the Prophet ﷺ concerning whom Allah said, “If you two (wives of the Prophet ﷺ turn in repentance to Allah, (it will be better for you), your hearts are indeed so inclined (to oppose what the Prophet ﷺ likes)” [at-Tahreem 66:4], until 'Umar went for Hajj and I went with him. When we were partway there, 'Umar turned aside and I turned aside with him, bringing the jug. He relieved himself, then he came to me and I poured water onto his hands, and he did wudoo’. I said: “O Ameer al -Mu'mineen, who are the two wives of the Prophet ﷺ of whom Allah said: ‘If you two (wives of the Prophet ﷺ) turn in repentance to Allah, (it will be better for you), your hearts are indeed so inclined (to oppose what the Prophet ﷺ likes)’?” [at-Tahreem 66:4] 'Umar said, “How strange of you, O Ibn 'Abbas”, (az-Zuhri said: By Allah, he did not like the question, but he did not conceal anything.) He said, “They were Hafsah and 'A'ishah.” Then he started to narrate the hadeeth and said: We people of Quraish were a people who dominated women, but when we came to Madinah we found a people who were dominated by their women, and our women started to learn from their women. My house was among Banu Umayyah bin Zaid in al-'Awali. One day I got angry with my wife, and she argued with me. I did not like her to argue with me, but she said: Do you not like me to argue with you? By Allah, the wives of the Prophet ﷺ argue with him, and one of them will forsake him all day until night comes, I went and entered upon Hafsah, and I said: Do you argue with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ? She said: Yes. I said: Does one of you forsake him all day until night comes? She said: Yes. I said: Any one of you who does that is doomed and lost. Does any one of you feel assured that Allah will not be angry with her because of the anger of His Messenger ﷺ, for then she will be doomed? Do not argue with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and do not ask him for anything. Ask me for whatever you want. And do not be misled by the fact that your neighbour is more beautiful than you and more beloved to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ than you – referring to 'A'ishah. And ‘Umar said: I had a neighbour among the Ansar. We used to take turns to go down to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He would go down one day and I would go down the next. He would bring me the news of the Revelation and other things, and I would do likewise. We were saying that Ghassan were shoeing their horses to attack us. My friend went down, then he came to me at night and knocked on my door, then he called out to me. I went out to him and he said: Something terrible has happened! I said: What? Have Ghassan come? He said: No, it is more terrible than that and worse. The Prophet ﷺ has divorced his wives! I said: Hafsah is doomed and lost! I thought that this would happen. Then when I had prayed Fajr, I got dressed, then I went down and entered upon Hafsah, who was weeping. I said: Has the Messenger of Allah ﷺdivorced you? She said: I do not know. He has secluded himself in this loft. I went to a black slave of his and said: Ask for permission for ‘Umar to enter. He went in, then he came out to me and said: I mentioned you to him but he did not say anything, I went away and came to the minbar, where I sat down. By it was a group of people, some of whom were weeping. I sat for a little while, then I could not bear it any longer, so I went to the slave and said: Ask for permission for ‘Umar to enter. He went in, then he came out to me and said: I mentioned you to him but he did not say anything. I turned to leave, then the slave called me and said: Go in, he has given you permission. So I went in and greeted the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with salam. He was resting on a reed mat that had left marks on his side. I said: O Messenger of Allah, have you divorced your wives? He looked up at me and said, “No.” I said: Allah Akbar! if you had seen us, O Messenger of Allah, we Quraish were a people who dominated women, but when we came to Madinah we found a people who were dominated by their women, and our women started to learn from their women. I got angry with my wife one day, and she started to argue with me. I did not like her to argue with me, but she said: Do you not like me to argue with you? By Allah, the wives of the Prophet ﷺ argue with him, and one of them will forsake him all day until night comes. I said: Any one of them who does that is doomed and lost. Does one of them feel assured that Allah will not be angry with her because of the anger of His Messenger ﷺ,then she will be doomed? The Messenger of Allah ﷺ smiled. I said: O Messenger of Allah, I entered upon Hafsah and I said: Do not be misled by the fact that your neighbour (i.e. ‘Aa'ishah) is more beautiful than you and more beloved to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ than you. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ smiled again. I said: O Messenger of Allah, may I speak to you freely? He said: “Yes.” So I sat down and looked around the room, and by Allah, I did not see anything in it to please the eye except three hides. I said: Pray to Allah, O Messenger of Allah, to make life prosperous for your ummah, for He has made life prosperous for the Persians and Romans, but they do not worship Allah, may He be glorified and exalted. He sat up straight and said: “Are you doubting. O son of al-Khattab? They are people whose good things have been hastened for them in this world.” I said: Pray for forgiveness for me, O Messenger of Allah. He had sworn that he would not enter upon them for a month, because he was so annoyed with them until Allah rebuked him. (Using translation from Aḥmad 222)  

«لَمْ أَزَلْ حَرِيصًا أَسْأَلُ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ عَنِ الْمَرْأَتَيْنِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ اللَّتَيْنِ» قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى {إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا} [التحريم 4] فَحَجَّ عُمَرُ وَحَجَجْتُ مَعَهُ فَلَمَّا كُنَّا بِبَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ عَدَلَ عُمَرُ وَعَدَلْتُ مَعَهُ بِالْإِدَاوَةِ فَتَبَرَّزَ ثُمَّ أَتَانِي فَسَكَبْتُ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ فَتَوَضَّأَ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَنِ الْمَرْأَتَانِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ اللَّتَانِ قَالَ اللهُ لَهُمَا {إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا} [التحريم 4] قَالَ عُمَرُ وَاعَجَبًا لَكَ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ عَائِشَةُ وَحَفْصَةُ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ يَسُوقُ الْحَدِيثَ قَالَ «كُنَّا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ قَوْمًا نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ وَجَدْنَا قَوْمًا تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ فَطَفِقَ نِسَاؤُنَا يَتَعَلَّمْنَ مِنْ نِسَائِهِمْ» وَكَانَ مَنْزِلِي فِي بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ بِالْعَوَالِي فَغَضِبْتُ يَوْمًا عَلَى امْرَأَتِي فَإِذَا هِيَ تُرَاجِعُنِي فَأَنْكَرْتُ أَنْ تُرَاجِعَنِي فَقَالَتْ «مَا تُنْكِرُ أَنْ أُرَاجِعَكَ فَوَاللهِ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لَيُرَاجِعْنَهُ وَتَهْجُرُهُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ فَانْطَلَقْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ» فَقُلْتُ أَتُرَاجِعِينَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ «نَعَمْ» قُلْتُ وَتَهْجُرُهُ إِحْدَاكُنَّ الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ قَالَتْ «نَعَمْ» قُلْتُ لَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ مِنْكُنَّ وَخَسِرَ أَفَتَأْمَنُ إِحْدَاكُنَّ أَنْ يَغْضَبَ اللهُ عَلَيْهَا لِغَضَبِ رَسُولِهِ ﷺ فَإِذَا هِيَ قَدْ هَلَكَتْ؟ لَا تُرَاجِعِي رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ وَلَا تَسْأَلِيهِ وَسَلِينِي مَا بَدَا لَكِ [258] وَلَا يَغْرُرْكِ أَنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ هِيَ أَوْسَمُ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْكِ يُرِيدُ عَائِشَةَ فَكَانَ لِي جَارٌ مِنِ الْأَنْصَارِ وَكُنَّا نَتَنَاوَبُ النُّزُولَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَأَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا وَيَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا فَيَأْتِينِي بِخَبَرِ الْوَحْيِ وَغَيْرِهِ وَآتِيهِ بِمِثْلِ ذَلِكَ وَكُنَّا نَتَحَدَّثُ أَنَّ غَسَّانَ تُنْعِلُ الْخَيْلَ لِتَغْزُوَنَا فَنَزَلَ صَاحِبِي يَوْمًا ثُمَّ أَتَانِي عِشَاءً فَضَرَبَ بَابِي ثُمَّ نَادَى فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ «حَدَثَ أَمْرٌ» قُلْتُ مَا حَدَثَ؟ جَاءَتْ غَسَّانُ؟ قَالَ «لَا بَلْ هُوَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ طَلَّقَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ نِسَاءَهُ» فَقُلْتُ لَقَدْ خَابَتْ حَفْصَةُ إِذًا وَخَسِرَتْ قَدْ كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ هَذَا كَائِنًا حَتَّى إِذَا صَلَّيْتُ الصُّبْحَ شَدَدْتُ عَلَيَّ ثِيَابِي ثُمَّ نَزَلْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ وَهِيَ تَبْكِي فَقُلْتُ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ كَلِمَةً مَعْنَاهَا أَطَلَّقَكُنَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ «لَا أَدْرِي هَذَا هُوَ مُعْتَزِلٌ فِي هَذِهِ الْمَشْرُبَةِ فَنَادَيْتُ غُلَامًا لَهُ أَسْوَدَ» فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ الْغُلَامُ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ «قَدْ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ فَانْطَلَقْتُ حَتَّى أَتَيْتُ الْمِنْبَرَ فَجَلَسْتُ فَإِذَا عِنْدَهُ رَهْطٌ جُلُوسٌ يَبْكِي بَعْضُهُمْ فَجَلَسْتُ قَلِيلًا فَغَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَأَتَيْتُ الْغُلَامَ» فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ الْغُلَامُ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَيَّ قَالَ قَدْ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ فَجَلَسْتُ إِلَى الْمِنْبَرِ ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَى الْغُلَامِ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأَذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ قَدَ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ فَوَلَّيْتُ مُدْبِرًا فَإِذَا الْغُلَامُ يَدْعُونِي فَقَالَ ادْخُلْ فَقَدْ أَذِنَ لَكَ فَدَخَلْتُ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَإِذَا هُوَ مُتَّكِئٌ عَلَى حَصِيرٍ قَدْ أَثَّرَ فِي جَنْبِهِ فَقُلْتُ أَطَلَّقْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ نِسَاءَكَ؟ فَرَفَعَ إِلَيَّ رَأْسَهُ قَالَ «لَا» [259] قُلْتُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ رَأَيْتَنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ وَكُنَّا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ قَوْمًا نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ وَجَدْنَا قَوْمًا تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ فَطَفِقَ نِسَاؤُنَا يَتَعَلَّمْنَ مِنْ نِسَائِهِمْ فَغَضِبْتُ يَوْمًا عَلَى امْرَأَتِي فَطَفِقَتْ تُرَاجِعُنِي فَأَنْكَرْتُ أَنْ تُرَاجِعَنِي فَقَالَتْ مَا تُنْكِرُ أَنْ أُرَاجِعَكَ فَوَاللهِ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لَيُرَاجِعْنَهُ وَتَهْجُرُهُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ يَوْمًا إِلَى اللَّيْلِ فَقُلْتُ لَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكِ مِنْهُنَّ وَخَسِرَ أَتَأْمَنُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ أَنْ يَغْضَبَ اللهُ عَلَيْهَا لِغَضَبِ رَسُولِهِ ﷺ؟ فَإِذَا هِيَ قَدْ هَلَكَتْ فَتَبَسَّمَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَقُلْتُ لَا يَغْرُرْكِ أَنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ هِيَ أَوْسَمَ مِنْكِ وَأَحَبَّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْكِ فَتَبَسَّمَ أُخْرَى فَقُلْتُ أَسْتَأْنِسُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ «نَعَمْ» فَجَلَسْتُ فَرَفَعْتُ رَأْسِي فِي الْبَيْتِ فَوَاللهِ مَا رَأَيْتُ شَيْئًا يَرُدُّ الْبَصَرَ إِلَّا أُهُبًا ثَلَاثَةً فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ ادْعُ اللهَ يُوَسِّعْ عَلَى أُمَّتِكَ فَقَدْ وَسَّعَ اللهُ عَلَى فَارِسَ وَالرُّومِ وَهُمْ لَا يَعْبُدُونَ اللهَ فَاسْتَوَى جَالِسًا وَقَالَ «أَوَفِي شَكٍّ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ؟ أُولَئِكَ قَوْمٌ قَدْ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَيِّبَاتُهُمْ فِي حَيَاتِهِمُ الدُّنْيَا» فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ قَالَ وَكَانَ أَقْسَمَ أَلَّا يَدْخُلَ عَلَيْهِنَّ شَهْرًا مِنْ شِدَّةِ مَوْجِدَتِهِ عَلَيْهِنَّ حِينَ عَاتَبَهُ اللهُ  

[Machine] I heard Ka'b ibn Malik narrating his story when he lagged behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ during the Battle of Tabuk. He said, "While I was sitting in a state as Allah described us, my soul and the earth became narrow on me due to its vastness. I then heard someone screaming on top of a mountain with the loudest voice, 'O Ka'b ibn Malik, rejoice!' I prostrated out of gratitude and knew that relief had come and that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had announced the forgiveness of Allah upon us when he performed the Fajr prayer. The people rushed to give me the good news, and my companion went ahead to give me the glad tidings. A man came running towards me on a horse that belonged to him, and it had traveled for a moment from Aslam to inform me. He reached me on top of the mountain, and his voice arrived before the horse. When the man whose voice I had heard came to me, he conveyed the good news to me. I took off my garment and gave it to him as a sign of gladness, for, by Allah, I did not possess any other garment that day. I then wore two garments and went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ . People came to congratulate me in groups until I entered the mosque. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was sitting with his Companions, and Talhah ibn Ubaydullah stood up until he reached me and congratulated me. By Allah, no man from the Muhajirun except him had stood up to congratulate me. I will never forget his deed for Talhah. When I greeted the Messenger of Allah ﷺ while his face was radiant with joy, he said, 'Rejoice in the good news of a day that has passed by you which has not appeared since your mother gave birth to you.' I asked him, 'Is it from you, O Messenger of Allah, or from Allah?' He replied, 'No, rather it is from Allah.' Whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was excessively overjoyed, his face would radiate like a piece of the moon. We recognized it from him. When I sat before him, I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, verily, my repentance includes giving away in charity my wealth to Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, and to you, O Messenger of Allah.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, 'Hold on to some of your wealth, as it will be better for you.' I said, 'Then I will keep my share of the arrow that I own in Khaybar.' I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, surely Allah, the Most High, saved me through my truthfulness, and part of my repentance is that I will not speak anything but the truth as long as I live.' By Allah, no one from the Muslims has been put to the test by Allah in speaking the truth since I said that to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ . I would rather that Allah keeps me safe from it as long as I live.' Then Allah (ﷻ) revealed the verses: 'Indeed, Allah has forgiven the Prophet and the Muhajirin and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of difficulty' (Quran 9:117) till Allah's saying: 'And [He also forgave] the three who were left behind' (Quran 9:118). The person whom Allah mentioned as being left behind was not one of those who stayed behind from the battle; instead, it was in reference to those who presented excuses and sought the Messenger of Allah's ﷺ permission. Allah delayed the matter until a decision was made regarding them. Therefore, Allah mentioned them: 'And upon the three who were left behind' (Quran 9:118)."  

سَمِعْتُ كَعْبَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ يُحَدِّثُ حَدِيثَهُ حِينَ تَخَلَّفَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فِي غَزْوَةِ تَبُوكَ قَالَ فَبَيْنَمَا أَنَا جَالِسٌ عَلَى الْحَالِ الَّتِي ذَكَرَ اللهُ مِنَّا قَدْ ضَاقَتْ عَلَيَّ نَفْسِي وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيَّ الْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ سَمِعْتُ صَارِخًا أَوْفَى عَلَى أَعْلَى جَبَلٍ بِأَعْلَى صَوْتٍ يَا كَعْبُ بْنَ مَالِكٍ أَبْشِرْ قَالَ فَخَرَرْتُ سَاجِدًا وَعَرَفْتُ أَنْ قَدْ جَاءَ فَرَجٌ وَآذَنَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بِتَوْبَةِ اللهِ عَلَيْنَا حِينَ صَلَّى صَلَاةَ الْفَجْرِ فَدَهَمَ النَّاسُ يُبَشِّرُونَا وَذَهَبَ قِبَلَ صَاحِبِيَّ مُبَشِّرُونَ وَرَكَضَ رَجُلٌ إِلَيَّ فَرَسًا وَسَعَى سَاعٍ مِنْ أَسْلَمَ فَأَوْفَى عَلَى جَبَلٍ فَكَانَ الصَّوْتُ أَسْرَعَ مِنَ الْفَرَسِ فَلَمَّا جَاءَنِي الَّذِي سَمِعْتُ صَوْتَهُ بَشَّرَنِي نَزَعْتُ ثَوْبَيَّ فَكَسَوْتُهُ إِيَّاهُمَا بِشَارَةً وَاللهِ مَا أَمْلِكُ غَيْرَهُمَا وَاسْتَعَرْتُ ثَوْبَيْنِ فَلَبِسْتُهُمَا وَانْطَلَقْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَتَلَقَّانِي النَّاسُ فَوْجًا فَوْجًا يُهَنِّئُونِي بِالتَّوْبَةِ يَقُولُونَ لِتَهْنِئْكَ تَوْبَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْكَ قَالَ كَعْبٌ حَتَّى دَخَلْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا بِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ جَالِسًا حَوْلَهُ النَّاسُ فَقَامَ إِلَيَّ طَلْحَةُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللهِ يُهَرْوِلُ حَتَّى صَافَحَنِي وَهَنَّأَنِي وَوَاللهِ مَا قَامَ إِلَيَّ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ غَيْرُهُ وَلَا أَنْسَاهَا لِطَلْحَةَ [122] قَالَ كَعْبٌ فَلَمَّا سَلَّمْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ وَهُوَ يَبْرُقُ وَجْهُهُ مِنَ السُّرُورِ «أَبْشِرْ بِخَيْرِ يَوْمٍ مَرَّ عَلَيْكَ مُنْذُ وَلَدَتْكَ أُمُّكَ» فَقُلْتُ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَوْ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللهِ؟ قَالَ «لَا بَلْ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللهِ» وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِذَا سُرَّ اسْتَنَارَ وَجْهُهُ كَأَنَّهُ قِطْعَةُ قَمَرٍ وَكُنَّا نَعْرِفُ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ فَلَمَّا جَلَسْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّ مِنْ تَوْبَتِي أَنْ أَنْخَلِعَ مِنْ مَالِي صَدَقَةً إِلَى اللهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى وَإِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ بَعْضَ مَالِكَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ» قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أُمْسِكُ سَهْمِي الَّذِي بِخَيْبَرَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّ اللهَ تَعَالَى إِنَّمَا أَنْجَانِي بِالصِّدْقِ وَإِنَّ مِنْ تَوْبَتِي أَلَّا أُحَدِّثَ إِلَّا صِدْقًا مَا بَقِيتُ فَوَاللهِ مَا أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَبْلَاهُ اللهُ فِي صِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ مُنْذُ ذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ أَحْسَنَ مِمَّا أَبْلَانِي وَمَا تَعْلَمُونَ مُنْذُ ذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ كَذِبًا وَإِنِّي لَأَرْجُو أَنْ يَحْفَظَنِي اللهُ فِيمَا بَقِيَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ ﷻ {لَقَدْ تَابَ اللهُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنْصَارِ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ فِي سَاعَةِ الْعُسْرَةِ} [التوبة 117] تَلَا إِلَى {الصَّادِقِينَ} [التوبة 119] فَوَاللهِ مَا أَنْعَمَ اللهُ عَلَيَّ مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ قَطُّ بَعْدَ أَنْ هَدَانِي لِلْإِسْلَامِ بِأَعْظَمَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ صِدْقِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ يَوْمَئِذٍ أَلَّا أَكُونَ كَذَبْتُهُ فَأَهْلِكَ كَمَا هَلَكَ الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوهُ حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ الْوَحْيُ بِشَرِّ مَا قَالَ لِأَحَدٍ {سَيَحْلِفُونَ بِاللهِ لَكُمْ إِذَا انْقَلَبْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ لِتُعْرِضُوا عَنْهُمْ} [التوبة 95] إِلَى {الْفَاسِقِينَ} [التوبة 96] قَالَ كَعْبٌ وَكُنَّا تَخَلَّفْنَا أَيُّهَا الثَّلَاثَةُ عَنْ أَمْرِ أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ قَبِلَ مِنْهُمْ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ حِينَ حَلَفُوا لَهُ فَبَايَعَهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمْ وَأَرْجَأَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَمْرَنَا حَتَّى قَضَى اللهُ فِيهِ فَلِذَلِكَ قَالَ اللهُ ﷻ {وَعَلَى الثَّلَاثَةِ الَّذِينَ خُلِّفُوا} [التوبة 118] وَلَيْسَ الَّذِي ذَكَرَ اللهُ تَخَلُّفَنَا عَنِ الْغَزْوِ وَإِنَّمَا هُوَ تَخْلِيفُهُ إِيَّانَا وَإِرْجَاؤُهُ أَمْرُنَا عَمَّنْ حَلَفَ لَهُ وَاعْتَذَرَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَبِلَ مِنْهُ مُخْتَصَرٌ  

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  

I was eager to ask 'Umar about the two wives of the Prophet ﷺ concerning whom Allah said, “If you two (wives of the Prophet ﷺ turn in repentance to Allah, (it will be better for you), your hearts are indeed so inclined (to oppose what the Prophet ﷺ likes)” [at-Tahreem 66:4], until 'Umar went for Hajj and I went with him. When we were partway there, 'Umar turned aside and I turned aside with him, bringing the jug. He relieved himself, then he came to me and I poured water onto his hands, and he did wudoo’. I said: “O Ameer al -Mu'mineen, who are the two wives of the Prophet ﷺ of whom Allah said: ‘If you two (wives of the Prophet ﷺ) turn in repentance to Allah, (it will be better for you), your hearts are indeed so inclined (to oppose what the Prophet ﷺ likes)’?” [at-Tahreem 66:4] 'Umar said, “How strange of you, O Ibn 'Abbas”, (az-Zuhri said: By Allah, he did not like the question, but he did not conceal anything.) He said, “They were Hafsah and 'A'ishah.” Then he started to narrate the hadeeth and said: We people of Quraish were a people who dominated women, but when we came to Madinah we found a people who were dominated by their women, and our women started to learn from their women. My house was among Banu Umayyah bin Zaid in al-'Awali. One day I got angry with my wife, and she argued with me. I did not like her to argue with me, but she said: Do you not like me to argue with you? By Allah, the wives of the Prophet ﷺ argue with him, and one of them will forsake him all day until night comes, I went and entered upon Hafsah, and I said: Do you argue with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ? She said: Yes. I said: Does one of you forsake him all day until night comes? She said: Yes. I said: Any one of you who does that is doomed and lost. Does any one of you feel assured that Allah will not be angry with her because of the anger of His Messenger ﷺ, for then she will be doomed? Do not argue with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and do not ask him for anything. Ask me for whatever you want. And do not be misled by the fact that your neighbour is more beautiful than you and more beloved to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ than you – referring to 'A'ishah. And ‘Umar said: I had a neighbour among the Ansar. We used to take turns to go down to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He would go down one day and I would go down the next. He would bring me the news of the Revelation and other things, and I would do likewise. We were saying that Ghassan were shoeing their horses to attack us. My friend went down, then he came to me at night and knocked on my door, then he called out to me. I went out to him and he said: Something terrible has happened! I said: What? Have Ghassan come? He said: No, it is more terrible than that and worse. The Prophet ﷺ has divorced his wives! I said: Hafsah is doomed and lost! I thought that this would happen. Then when I had prayed Fajr, I got dressed, then I went down and entered upon Hafsah, who was weeping. I said: Has the Messenger of Allah ﷺdivorced you? She said: I do not know. He has secluded himself in this loft. I went to a black slave of his and said: Ask for permission for ‘Umar to enter. He went in, then he came out to me and said: I mentioned you to him but he did not say anything, I went away and came to the minbar, where I sat down. By it was a group of people, some of whom were weeping. I sat for a little while, then I could not bear it any longer, so I went to the slave and said: Ask for permission for ‘Umar to enter. He went in, then he came out to me and said: I mentioned you to him but he did not say anything. I turned to leave, then the slave called me and said: Go in, he has given you permission. So I went in and greeted the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with salam. He was resting on a reed mat that had left marks on his side. I said: O Messenger of Allah, have you divorced your wives? He looked up at me and said, “No.” I said: Allah Akbar! if you had seen us, O Messenger of Allah, we Quraish were a people who dominated women, but when we came to Madinah we found a people who were dominated by their women, and our women started to learn from their women. I got angry with my wife one day, and she started to argue with me. I did not like her to argue with me, but she said: Do you not like me to argue with you? By Allah, the wives of the Prophet ﷺ argue with him, and one of them will forsake him all day until night comes. I said: Any one of them who does that is doomed and lost. Does one of them feel assured that Allah will not be angry with her because of the anger of His Messenger ﷺ,then she will be doomed? The Messenger of Allah ﷺ smiled. I said: O Messenger of Allah, I entered upon Hafsah and I said: Do not be misled by the fact that your neighbour (i.e. ‘Aa'ishah) is more beautiful than you and more beloved to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ than you. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ smiled again. I said: O Messenger of Allah, may I speak to you freely? He said: “Yes.” So I sat down and looked around the room, and by Allah, I did not see anything in it to please the eye except three hides. I said: Pray to Allah, O Messenger of Allah, to make life prosperous for your ummah, for He has made life prosperous for the Persians and Romans, but they do not worship Allah, may He be glorified and exalted. He sat up straight and said: “Are you doubting. O son of al-Khattab? They are people whose good things have been hastened for them in this world.” I said: Pray for forgiveness for me, O Messenger of Allah. He had sworn that he would not enter upon them for a month, because he was so annoyed with them until Allah rebuked him. (Using translation from Aḥmad 222)   

لَمْ أَزَلْ حَرِيصًا أَنْ أَسْأَلَ عُمَرَ ؓ عَنِ الْمَرْأَتَيْنِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ اللَّتَيْنِ قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى {إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا} [التحريم 4] حَتَّى حَجَّ عُمَرُ ؓ وَحَجَجْتُ مَعَهُ فَلَمَّا كَانَ بِبَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ عَدَلَ عُمَرُ ؓ لِحَاجَتِهِ وَعَدَلْتُ مَعَهُ بِالْإِدَاوَةِ فَتَبَرَّزَ ثُمَّ أَتَى فَسَكَبْتُ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ فَتَوَضَّأَ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَنِ الْمَرْأَتَانِ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ اللَّتَانِ قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى {إِنْ تَتُوبَا إِلَى اللهِ فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا} [التحريم 4]؟ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ ؓ وَاعَجَبًا لَكَ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ رَحِمَهُ اللهُ تَعَالَى كَرِهَ وَاللهِ مَا سَأَلَهُ عَنْهُ وَلَمْ يَكْتُمْهُ قَالَ هِيَ حَفْصَةُ وَعَائِشَةُ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ يَسُوقُ الْحَدِيثَ فَقَالَ كُنَّا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ قَوْمًا نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ وَجَدْنَا قَوْمًا تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ فَطَفِقَ نِسَاؤُنَا يَتَعَلَّمْنَ مِنْ نِسَائِهِمْ قَالَ وَكَانَ مَنْزِلِي فِي بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ بِالْعَوَالِي فَتَغَضَّبْتُ يَوْمًا عَلَى امْرَأَتِي فَإِذَا هِيَ تُرَاجِعُنِي فَأَنْكَرْتُ أَنْ تُرَاجِعَنِي فَقَالَتْ مَا تُنْكِرُ أَنْ أُرَاجِعَكَ فَوَاللهِ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ يُرَاجِعْنَهُ وَتَهْجُرُهُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ قَالَ فَانْطَلَقْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَقُلْتُ أَتُرَاجِعِينَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ؟ فَقَالَتْ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَتَهْجُرُهُ إِحْدَاكُنَّ الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ؟ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ قَدْ خَابَ مَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ مِنْكُنَّ وَخَسِرَ أَفَتَأْمَنُ إِحْدَاكُنَّ أَنْ يَغْضَبَ اللهُ عَلَيْهَا لِغَضَبِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَإِذَا هِيَ قَدْ هَلَكَتْ؟ لَا تُرَاجِعِي رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ وَلَا تَسْأَلِيهِ شَيْئًا وَسَلِينِي مَا بَدَا لَكِ وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكِ إِنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ هِيَ أَوْسَمُ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْكِ يُرِيدُ عَائِشَةَ قَالَ وَكَانَ لِي جَارٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَكُنَّا نَتَنَاوَبُ النُّزُولَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَيَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا وَأَنْزِلُ يَوْمًا فَيَأْتِينِي بِخَبَرِ الْوَحْيِ وَغَيْرِهِ وَآتِيهِ بِمِثْلِ ذَلِكَ قَالَ وَكُنَّا نَتَحَدَّثُ أَنَّ غَسَّانَ تَنَعَّلَ الْخَيْلَ لِغَزْوِنَا فَنَزَلَ صَاحِبِي يَوْمًا ثُمَّ أَتَانِي عِشَاءً فَضَرَبَ بَابِي ثُمَّ نَادَانِي فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ حَدَثَ أَمْرٌ عَظِيمٌ قَالَ قُلْتُ مَاذَا أَجَاءَتْ غَسَّانُ؟ قَالَ بَلْ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَأَطْوَلُ طَلَّقَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ نِسَاءَهُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ قَدْ خَابَتْ وَخَسِرَتْ قَدْ كُنْتُ أَظُنُّ هَذَا كَائِنًا حَتَّى إِذَا صَلَّيْتُ الصُّبْحَ شَدَدْتُ عَلَيَّ ثِيَابِي ثُمَّ نَزَلْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ وَهِيَ تَبْكِي فَقُلْتُ أَطَلَّقَكُنَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ؟ قَالَتْ لَا أَدْرِي هُوَ هَذَا مُعْتَزِلًا فِي هَذِهِ الْمَشْرُبَةِ فَأَتَيْتُ غُلَامًا لَهُ أَسْوَدُ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ الْغُلَامُ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلِيَّ فَقَالَ قَدْ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ فَانْطَلَقْتُ حَتَّى أَتَيْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا قَوْمٌ حَوْلَ الْمِنْبَرِ جُلُوسٌ يَبْكِي بَعْضُهُمْ فَجَلَسْتُ قَلِيلًا حَتَّى غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَأَتَيْتُ الْغُلَامَ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلِيَّ فَقَالَ قَدْ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ فَخَرَجْتُ فَجَلَسْتُ إِلَى الْمِنْبَرِ ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَجِدُ فَأَتَيْتُ الْغُلَامَ فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِعُمَرَ فَدَخَلَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلِيَّ فَقَالَ قَدْ ذَكَرْتُكَ لَهُ فَصَمَتَ قَالَ فَوَلَّيْتُ مُدْبِرًا فَإِذَا الْغُلَامُ يَدْعُونِي فَقَالَ ادْخُلْ قَدْ أَذِنَ لَكَ فَدَخَلْتُ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَإِذَا هُوَ مُتَّكِئٌ عَلَى رِمَالِ حَصِيرٍ قَدْ أَثَّرَ فِي جَنْبِهِ فَقُلْتُ أَطَلَّقْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ نِسَاءَكَ؟ قَالَ فَرَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ إِلِيَّ وَقَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ رَأَيْتَنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ وَكُنَّا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ قَوْمًا نَغْلِبُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا الْمَدِينَةَ وَجَدْنَا قَوْمًا تَغْلِبُهُمْ نِسَاؤُهُمْ فَطَفِقَ نِسَاؤُنَا يَتَعَلَّمْنَ فَتَغَضَّبْتُ عَلَى امْرَأَتِي يَوْمًا وَإِذَا هِيَ تُرَاجِعُنِي يَعْنِي فَأَنْكَرْتُ فَقَالَتْ مَا تُنْكِرُ أَنْ أُرَاجِعَكَ فَوَاللهِ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لَيُرَاجِعْنَهُ وَتَهْجُرُهُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ فَقُلْتُ قَدْ خَابَ مَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُنَّ وَخَسِرَ أَفَتَأْمَنُ إِحْدَاهُنَّ أَنْ يَغْضَبَ اللهُ عَلَيْهَا لِغَضَبِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ؟ فَإِذَا هِيَ قَدْ هَلَكَتْ فَتَبَسَّمَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ يَعْنِي قَدْ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ فَقُلْتُ لَا يَغُرَّنَّكِ إِنْ كَانَتْ جَارَتُكِ هِيَ أَوْسَمُ مِنْكِ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ مِنْكِ فَتَبَسَّمَ أُخْرَى فَقُلْتُ اسْتَأْنِسْ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَجَلَسْتُ فَرَفَعْتُ رَأْسِي فِي الْبَيْتِ فَوَاللهِ مَا رَأَيْتُ فِيهِ شَيْئًا يَرُدُّ الْبَصَرَ إِلَّا أُهُبًا ثَلَاثَةً فَقُلْتُ ادْعُ اللهَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَنْ يُوَسِّعَ عَلَى أُمَّتِكَ فَقَدْ وَسَّعَ عَلَى فَارِسَ وَالرُّومِ وَهُمْ لَا يَعْبُدُونَ اللهَ فَاسْتَوَى جَالِسًا فَقَالَ أَفِي شَكٍّ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ؟ أُولَئِكَ قَوْمٌ قَدْ عُجِّلَتْ لَهُمْ طَيِّبَاتُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَقُلْتُ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ وَكَانَ أَقْسَمَ أَنْ لَا يَدْخُلَ عَلَيْهِنَّ شَهْرًا مِنْ شِدَّةِ مَوْجِدَتِهِ عَلَيْهِمْ حَتَّى عَاتَبَهُ اللهُ ﷻ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ فَأَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ؓ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا مَضَتْ تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ لَيْلَةً دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بَدَأَ بِي فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَقْسَمْتَ أَنْ لَا تَدْخُلَ عَلَيْنَا تَعْنِي شَهْرًا إِنَّكَ دَخَلْتَ عَلَيَّ مِنْ تِسْعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ أَعُدُّهُنَّ قَالَ إِنَّ الشَّهْرَ تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا عَائِشَةُ إِنِّي ذَاكِرٌ لَكِ أَمْرًا فَلَا عَلَيْكِ أَنْ لَا تَعْجَلِي فِيهِ حَتَّى تَسْتَأْمِرِي أَبَوَيْكِ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ عَلَيَّ {يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِي قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ إِنْ كُنْتُنَّ تُرِدْنَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا} [الأحزاب 28] الْآيَةَ قَالَتْ قَدْ عَلِمَ وَاللهِ أَنَّ أَبَوِيَّ لَمْ يَكُونَا يَأْمُرَانِي بِفِرَاقِهِ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ أَفِي هَذَا أَسْتَأْمِرُ أَبَوِيَّ فَإِنِّي أُرِيدُ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَالدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ قَالَ مَعْمَرٌ وَأَخْبَرَنِي أَيُّوبُ قَالَ فَقَالَتْ لَهُ عَائِشَةُ لَا تَقُلْ إِنِّي اخْتَرْتُكَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ مُبَلِّغًا وَلَمْ أُبْعَثْ مُتَعَنِّتًا  

لَمَّا كَانَ يَوْمُ الفَتْحِ أَسْلَمَتْ أُمُّ حَكِيمٍ بِنْتُ الحَارِثِ بْنِ هِشَامٍ امْرَأَةُ عِكْرِمَةَ بْنِ أَبِى جَهْل، ثُمَّ قَالَتْ أُمُّ حَكِيمٍ: يَا رَسُولَ الله! قَدْ هَرَب عِكْرِمَةُ مِنْكَ إِلَى اليَمَنِ، وَخَافَ أَنْ تَقْتُلَهُ فَأَمِّنْهُ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ : هُوَ آمِنٌ، فَخَرَجَتْ في طَلَبِه وَمَعَهَا غُلاَمٌ لَهَا رُومِىٌّ فَرَاوَدَهَا عَنْ نَفْسِهَا، فَجْعَلَتْ تُمنِّيهِ حَتَّى قَدِمَتْ بِهِ عَلَى حَيٍّ مِنْ عَكٍّ فَاسْتَعَانَتْهُمْ عَلَيْهِ فَأَوْثَقُوهُ رِبَاطًا وَأَدْرَكتْ عِكْرِمَةَ وَقَدِ انْتَهَى إِلَى سَاحِلٍ مِنْ سَوَاحِلِ تِهَامَةَ، فَرَكب البَحْرَ فَجَعَلَ نُوتِىُّ السَّفِينَةِ يَقُولُ لَهُ: أَخْلِصْ، قَالَ: أَىَّ شَىْءٍ أَقُولُ؟ قَالُوا: قُلْ: لاَ إِلَهَ إلَّا الله، قَالَ عِكْرِمَةُ: مَا هَرَبْتُ إلَّا مِنْ هَذَا، فَجَاءَتْهُ أُمُّ حَكِيمٍ عَلَى هَذَا مِنَ الأمْرِ فَجَعَلَتْ تلح إِلَيْهِ وَتَقُولُ: يَا بْنَ عَمِّ! جِئْتُكَ مِنْ عِنْدِ أَوْصَلِ النَّاسِ، وَأَبَرِّ النَّاسِ، وَخَيْرِ النَّاسِ، لاَ تُهْلِكْ نَفْسَكَ، فَوَقَفَ لَهَا حَتَّى أَدْرَكَتْهُ، فَقَالَتْ: إِنِّى قَدْ اسْتَأمَنْتُ لَكَ رَسُولَ الله ﷺ ، قَالَ: أَنْتِ فَعَلْتِ؟ قَالَتْ: نَعَمْ أَنَا كلَّمْتُهُ فَأَمَّنَكَ، فَرَجَعَ مَعَهَا، وَقَالَتْ: مَا لَقِيتُ مَنْ غُلاَمِكَ الرُّومِىِّ؟ ! وَخبَّرَتْهُ خَبَرَهُ فَقَتَلَهُ عِكْرِمَةُ، وَهُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَمْ يُسْلِمْ، فَلَمَّا دَنَا رَسُولُ الله ﷺ مِنْ مَكَّةَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ لأصْحَابِهِ: يَأتِيكُمْ عِكْرِمَةُ بْنُ أَبِى جَهْلٍ مُؤْمِنًا مُهَاجِرًا فَلاَ تَسُبُّوا أبَاهُ، فَإِنَّ سَبَّ الميِّت يُؤْذِى الحَىَّ، وَلاَ يَبْلُغُ الميِّتَ، وَقَالَ: وَجَعَلَ عِكْرِمَةُ يَطلُبُ امْرَأَتَهُ يُجَامِعُها فَتَأبَى عَلَيْهِ وَتَقُولُ: أَنْتَ كَافِرٌ وَأَنَا مُسْلِمَةٌ، فَيَقُولُ: إِنَّ أَمْرًا مَنَعَكِ مِنِّى لأمْرٌ كَبِيرٌ، فَلَمَّا رَأَى النَّبِىُّ ﷺ عِكْرِمَةَ وَثَبَ إِلَيْهِ وَمَا عَلَى النَّبِىِّ ﷺ ، رِدَاءٌ فَرَحًا بِعِكْرِمَةَ، ثُمَّ جَلَسَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ ، فَوَقَفَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَمَعَهُ زَوْجَتُهُ مُنْتَقِبَةً، فَقَالَ: يَا محمَّد! إِنَّ هَذِهِ اخْبَرَتْنِى أَنَّكَ أَمَّنْتَنِى، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ : صَدَقَتْ، فَأَنْتَ آمِنٌ، قَالَ عِكْرِمَةُ: فَإِلاَمَ تَدْعُو يَا مُحَمَّدُ؟ قَالَ: أَدْعُوكَ إِلَى أَنْ تَشْهَدَ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلَّا الله وَأنِّى رَسُولُ الله، وَأَنْ تُقِيمَ الصَّلاَةَ، وَتُوْتِىَ الزَّكَاةَ، وَتَفْعَلَ وَتَفَعَلَ حتَّى عَدَّ خِصَالَ الإِسْلاَمِ، فَقَالَ عِكْرِمَةُ: وَالله مَا دَعَوْتَ إلَّا إِلَى الحَقِّ وَأَمْرٍ حَسَنٍ جَمِيلٍ قَدْ كنتَ وَالله فِينَا قَبْلَ أنْ تَدْعُوَ إِلَى مَا دَعَوْتَ إِلَيْهِ وَأَنْتَ أَصْدَقُنَا حَدِيثًا، وَأَبَرُّنَا بِرًا، ثُمَّ قَالَ عِكْرِمَةُ: فَإِنِّى أَشْهَدُ ان لاَ إِلَهَ إلَّا الله، وَأَشْهَدُ أنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، فَسُرَّ بِذَلِكَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ ثمَّ قَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ الله! عَلِّمْنِى خَيْرَ شَىْءٍ أَقُولُهُ، فَقَالَ: تَقُولُ: أَشْهَدُ أَن لَّا إِلَهَ إلَّا الله وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، فَقَالَ عِكْرِمَةُ: ثُمَّ مَاذَا؟ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ تَقُولُ: أُشْهِدُ الله وَأُشْهِدُ مَنْ حَضَرَ أَنِّى مُسْلِمٌ مُهَاجِر مُجَاهِدٌ، فَقَالَ عِكْرِمَةُ ذَلِكَ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ : لاَ تَسْألنِى اليَوْمَ شَيْئًا أُعْطِيهِ أَحَدًا إلَّا أعْطَيْتُكهُ، قَالَ عِكْرِمَةُ: فَإِنِّى أَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَسْتَغْفِرَ لِى كُلَّ عَدَاوَةٍ عَادَيْتُكَهَا، أَوْ مسيرٍ أَوْ ضَعْتُ فِيهِ، أَوْ مَقَامٍ لَقِيتُكَ فِيهِ، أَوْ كَلاَمٍ قُلتُهُ في وَجْهِكَ، أَوْ أَنْتَ غَائِبٌ عَنْهُ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ : اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ كُلَّ عَدَاوَةٍ عَادَانِيهَا، وَكُلَّ مَسِيرٍ سَارَ فِيهِ إِلَى مَوْضِعٍ يُرِيدُ بِذَلِكَ المَسِيرِ إِطفَاءَ نُورِكَ، وَاغْفِرْ لَهُ مَا نَالَ مِنِّى مِنْ عِرْضٍ في وَجْهِى، أَوْ أَنَا غَائِبٌ عَنْهُ، فَقَالَ عِكْرِمَةُ: رَضِيتُ يَا رَسُولَ الله! ثُمَّ قَالَ عِكْرِمَةُ: أَمَا، وَالله يَا رَسُولَ الله! لاَ أَدَعُ نَفَقَةً كُنْتُ أَنْفَقْتُهَا في صَدٍّ عَنْ سَبِيلِ الله إلَّا أَنْفَقْتُ ضِعْفَهَا في سَبِيلِ الله، وَلاَ قِتَالًا كُنْتُ أُقَاتِلُ في صَدٍّ عَنْ سَبِيلِ الله إلَّا ابْتَلَيْتُ ضِعْفَهُ في سَبِيل الله، ثمَّ اجْتَهَدَ في القِتَالِ حتَّى قُتِلَ شَهِيدًا، فَرَدَّ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ امْرَأَتَهُ بِذَلِكَ النّكاحِ الأوَّلِ، قَالَ الوَاقِدِى عَنْ رِجَالِهِ: وَقَالَ سُهَيْلُ بْنُ عَمْرو يَوْمَ حُنَيْنٍ: لاَ يختبرهما مُحَمَّدٌ ﷺ وَأَصْحَابُهُ، قَالَ: يَقُولُ لَهُ عِكْرِمَةُ: إِنَّ هَذَا لَيْسَ يَقُولُ إِنَّمَا الأَمْرُ بِيَدِ الله وَلَيْسَ إِلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ﷺ مِنَ الأمْرِ شَىْءٌ إنه أُديِل عَلَيْهِ اليَوْمَ، فَإِنَّ لَهُ العَاقِبَةَ غَدًا، قَالَ: يَقُولُ سُهَيْلٌ: وَالله إِنَّ عَهْدَكَ بِخِلاَفِه لحَدِيثٌ، قَالَ: يَا أَبَا يَزِيدَ! إِنَّا كُنَّا وَالله نُوضِعُ في غيْرِ شَىْءٍ، وَعُقُولُنَا عُقُولُنَا تَعْبُدُ حَجَرًا لاَ يَضُرُّ وَلاَ يَنْفَعُ  

جَاءَتْ بَنُو تَمِيمٍ بِشَاعِرِهمْ وَخطِيبِهِمْ إِلَى النَّبِىِّ ﷺ فَنَادَوْهُ: يَامُحَمَّدُ! اخْرُجْ إِلَيْنَا فَإِنَّ مَدْحَنَا زَيْنٌ، وِإنَّ سَبَّنَا شَيْنٌ، فَسَمِعَهُمْ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ فَخَرَجَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ: إِنَّمَا ذَلِكُمُ الله - ﷻ - فَمَا تُرِيدونَ؟ قَالُوا: نَحْنُ نَاسٌ مِنْ تَمِيمٍ جِئْنَاكَ بشَاعِرِنَا وَخَطِيبِنَا لِنُشَاعِرَكَ وَلِنُفَاخِرَكَ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ : مَا بِالشِّعْرِ بُعِثْنَا، وَلاَ بِالْفَخَارِ أُمِرْنَا، وَلَكِنْ هَاتُوا، فَقَالَ الأَقْرَعُ بْنُ حَابِسٍ لِشَابٍّ مِنْ شَبَابِهِمْ: يَافُلاَنُ! قُمْ فَاذْكُرْ فَضْلَكَ وَفَضْلَ قَوْمِكَ، فَقَالَ: الْحَمْدُ لله الَّذِى جَعَلَنَا خَيْرَ خَلْقِهِ، وآتَانَا أَمْوالًا نَفْعَلُ فِيهَا مَا نَشَاءُ، فَنَحْنُ مِنْ خَيْرِ أَهْلِ الأرْضِ وَأَكْثَرِهِم عَدَدًا، وَأَكْثَرِهِمْ سِلاَحًا، فَمَنْ أَنْكَرَ عَلَيْنَا قَوْلَنَا فَلْيَأتِ بِقَوْلٍ هُوَ أَحْسَنُ مِنْ قَوْلِنَا، وَبِفعَالٍ هُوَ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ فِعَالنَا، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ لِثَابتِ بْنِ قَيْسِ بْنِ الشَّمَّاسِ الأَنْصَارِىِّ - وَكَانَ خَطِيبَ النَّبِىِّ ﷺ : قُمْ فَأَجِبْهُ، فَقَامَ ثَابِتٌ فَقَالَ: الْحَمْدُ لله أَحْمَدُهُ وَاسْتَعِينُهُ أُوْمِنُ بِهِ وَأَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْه، وَأَشْهَد أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ الله وَحَدهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، وَدَعَا الْمُهَاجِرِينَ منْ بَنِى (عَمِّهِ) تَمرٍ (*) أَحْسَنَ النَّاسِ وجُوهًا، وَأَعْظَمَ النَّاسِ أَحْلاَمًا فَأَجَابُوهُ، الْحَمْدُ لله الَّذِى جَعَلنَا أَنْصَارَهُ وَوُزَرَاءَ رَسُولِ الله ﷺ وَعِزّا لِدِينِهِ، فَنَحْنُ نُقَاتِلُ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَشْهَدُوا أَنْ لاَ إلَهَ إِلا الله، فَمَنْ قَالَهَا مَنَعَ مِنَّا مَالَهُ وَنَفْسَهُ، وَمَنْ أَبَاهَا قَاتَلْنَاهُ، وَكَانَ رَغْمُهُ فِى الله عَلَيْنَا هَيِّنًا، أَقُولُ قَوْلِى هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ الله لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ والْمُؤْمِنَاتِ. فَقَالَ الزِّبْرِقَانُ بْنُ بَدْرٍ لِرَجُلٍ مِنْهُمْ: يَا فُلاَنُ! قُمْ فَقُلْ أَبْيَاتًا وَاذْكُرْ فِيهَا فَضْلَكَ وَفَضْلَ قَوْمِكَ، فَقَالَ:

نَحْنُ الْكِرَامُ فَلاَ حَىٌّ يُعَادِلُنَا ... نَحْنُ الرُّؤُوسُ وَفِينَا يُقْسَمُ الرُّبُعُ

وَنُطِعِمُ النَّاسَ عِنْدَ المَحْلِ كُلَّهمُ ... مِنَ السَّدِيف (* *) إِذَا لَمْ يُؤْنِس القَزَعُ (* * *)

إِذَا أَبيْنَا فَلاَ يَأبَى لَنَا أَحَدٌ ... إِنَّا كَذَلِكَ عِنْدَ الْفَخْر نَرْتَفِعُ

فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ : عَلَيَّ بِحَسَّانِ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ، فَذَهَبَ إِلَيْهِ الرَّسُولُ، فَقَالَ: وَمَا يُرِيدُ مِنِّى رَسُولُ الله ﷺ ؟ وَإِنَّمَا كنتُ عِنْدَهُ آنِفًا؟ قَالَ: جَاءَتْ بَنُو تَميمٍ بِشَاعِرِهمْ وَخَطِيبِهمْ، فَتَكَلَّمَ خَطِيبُهُمْ، فَأَمَرَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ ثَابِتٍ بن قَيْسٍ فَأَجَابَهُ، وَتَكَلَّمَ شَاعِرُهُمْ، فَأَرْسَلَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ إِلَيْكَ لِتُجِيبَهُ، فَقَالَ حَسَّان: قَدْ آنَ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَبْعَثُوا إِلَىَّ هَذَا العودَ - وَالْعودُ: الْجَمَلُ الْكَبيرُ - فَلَمَّا أَنْ جَاءَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ يَا حَسَّانُ! قُمْ فَأَجبْهُ، فَقَالَ: يَارَسُولَ الله! مُرْهُ فَليُسْمِعْنِى مَا قَالَ، فَقَالَ: أَسْمِعْهُ مَا قُلتَ فَأَسْمَعَهُ، فَقَالَ حَسَّانُ:

نَصَرْنَا رَسُولَ الله وَالدِّينَ عَنْوَةً ... عَلَى رَغْم بَادٍ مِنْ مَعَد وَحَاضِرٍ

بِضْرب كَإِيزَاع (*) الْمَخَاضِ مُشَاشَهُ ... وَطَعْنٍ كَأَفْوَاهِ اللِّقَاحِ الصوَادِرِ

وَسَلْ أُحُدًا يَوْمَ اسْتَقَلّتْ شعَابُه ... بِضَرْبٍ لَنَا مِثْلَ اللُّيْوثِ الْخَوادِرِ

أَلَسْنَا نَخُوضُ الْمَوْتَ فِى حَوْمَةِ الوَغَى ... إِذَا طَابَ وَرْدُ الْمَوْتِ بَيْنَ الْعَسَاكِرِ

وَنَضْرِبُ هَامَ الدراعين وَنَنْتَمِى ... إِلَى حَسَبٍ مِنْ جِذْمِ غَسَّان قَاهِرِ

فَأحْيَاؤُنَا مِنْ خَيْرِ مَنْ وَطِئَ الْحَصَا ... وَأَمْوَاتُنَا مِنْ خَيْرِ أَهْلِ الْمَقَابِرِ

فَلَوْلاَ حَيَاءُ الله قُلْنَا تَكَرُّمًا ... عَلَى النَّاسِ بِالخيْفَينِ: (* *) هَلْ مِنْ مُنَافِرِ

فَقَامَ الأقْرعُ بْنُ حَابِسٍ فَقَالَ: إِنِّى وَالله يَا مُحَمَّدُ! لَقَدْ جِئْتُ لأَمْرٍ مَا جَاءَ لَهُ هَؤُلاَءِ، إِنِّى قَدْ قُلْتُ شِعْرًا فَاسْمعْهُ، قَالَ: هَاتِ، فَقَالَ:

أَتَيْنَاكَ كَيْمَا يَعْرِفُ النَّاسُ فَضْلَنَا ... إِذَا اخْتَلَفُوا عِنْد ادكّار الْمَكَارِمِ

وَإِنَّا رُؤُوسُ النَّاسِ مِنْ كُلِّ مَعْشَرٍ ... وَأَنْ لَيْسَ فِى أَرْضِ الْحِجَازِ كَدَارِم

وَإنَّ لَنَا الْمِرْبَاعَ (* * *) فِى كُلِّ غَارَةٍ ... تَكُونُ بِنَجْدٍ أَوْ بِأَرْضِ التَّهَائِم

فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ : يَاحَسَّانُ! فَأَجِبْهُ، فَقَامَ فَقَالَ:

بَنِى دَارِمٍ لاَ تَفْخَرُوا إِنَّ فَخْرَكُمْ ... يَعُودُ وَبَالًا بَعْدَ ذِكْرِ الْمَكَارِمِ

هَيَلْتُمْ عَلَيْنَا تَفْخَرُونَ وَأَنْتُمُ ... لَنَا خَوَلٌ مِنْ بَيْنِ طَيْرٍ (*) وَخادِمٍ

فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ : لَقَدْ كُنْتَ غَنِيّا أَخَا بَنِى دَارِمٍ أَنْ يُذْكَرَ مِنْكَ مَا قَدْ كنتَ تَرَى أَنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ نَسَوْهُ مِنْهُ، فَكَانَ قَوْلُ رَسُولِ الله ﷺ أَشَدَّ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ قَوْلِ حَسَّان، ثُمَّ رَجَعَ حَسَّانُ. إِلَى قَوْلِهِ:

وَأَفْضَلُ مَا نِلتُمْ مِنَ الْمَجْدِ وَالْعُلاَ ... رَدَافَتُنَا (* *) مِنْ بَعْدِ ذِكْرِ الْمَكارِمِ

فَإِنْ كنتُمُ جِئْتُمْ لِحَقْنِ دِمَائِكُمْ ... وَأمْوَالِكُم أَنْ تَقْسِمُوا فِى الْمَقَاسِم

فَلاَ تَجْعَلُوا لله نِدّا وَأَسْلِمُوا ... وَلاَ تَفْخَرُوا عِنْدَ النَّبِىِّ بِدَارِمِ

وإِلاَّ وَرَبِّ الْبَيْتِ مَالَتْ أَكُفُّنَا ... عَلَى رَأسِكُمْ بِالْمُرَهَفَاتِ (* * *) الَصَّوَارِمِ

فقَامَ الأقْرعُ بْنُ حَابِسٍ فَقَالَ: يَا هَؤُلاَءِ! مَا أَدْرِى مَا هَذَا الأَمْر، تَكَلَّمَ خَطيبُنَا فَكَانَ خَطيبُهُمْ أَرْفَعَ صَوْتًا وَأَحْسَنَ قَوْلًا، وَتَكَلَّمَ شَاعِرُنَا، فَكَانَ شَاعِرُهُمْ أَرْفَعَ صَوْتًا وَأَحْسَنَ قَوْلًا، ثُمَّ دَنَا إِلَى رَسُول الله ﷺ فَقَالَ: أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ لاَّ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ الله وَأَنَّكَ رَسُولُ الله، فَقَالَ النّبِىُّ ﷺ : لاَ يَضُرُّك مَا كانَ قَبْلَ هَذَا  

بَعَث رَسُولُ الله ﷺ جَيْش الأُمَراء وَقَالَ عَلَيْكُم زَيْد بن حَارثة، فَإِنْ أُصِيبَ زَيد، فَجَعْفَرُ بن أَبِى طَالِبِ، فإنْ أُصِيْبَ جَعْفَر، فَعَبْد الله بْنُ رَواحة، فَوَثَب جَعْفَرٌ فقال: بَأبى أَنْتَ وَأُمِّى يَا رَسُولَ الله مَا كُنْتُ أرهب أَنْ تَسْتَعْمِلَ عَلَىَّ زَيدًا قَالَ: امْضِ، فإنك لَا تَدْرِى أى ذَلكَ خَيْر، فلبثوا مَا شَاءَ الله تَعَالَى، ثُمَ إنَّ رَسُولَ الله ﷺ قَعدَ عَلَى المنبر، وأَمَر أَنْ يُنَادَى الصلاة جَامعة، فَقَالَ رسولُ الله ﷺ ثاب خبر، ثاب خبر، أَلَا أُخْبرُكُم عَن جَيْشِكُم هذَا الغازى، فانْطَلَقُوا، فَلقُوا الْعَدُوَّ، فأُصيبَ زيد شهيدًا فاسْتَغْفروا له، فاسْتَغْفَرَ له النَّاس، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ اللِّوَاءَ جَعْفَر بْن أَبى طَالِب، فَشَدَّ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ حَتَّى قُتِلَ شَهِيدًا، شَهِدَ لَهُ بِالشَّهَادَة، فاسْتَغْفَرَ لَه النَّاسُ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ اللوَاء عَبْدُ الله بن رَوَاحَة، فَثَبَّت قَدَميه حَتَّى قُتِلَ شَهِيدًا، شهِدَ لَهُ بالشَّهَادَة فاسْتَغْفروا له، فاسْتغْفر لَه النَّاس، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ اللوَاء خَالِدُ بن الَوِليد، وَلم يَكُن مِن الأمَرَاء، هُوَ أمَّر نَفْسَه، ثم رَفَعَ رسولُ الله ﷺ ، إِصْبَعَيْه فَقَالَ: اللَّهُمَّ إِن هَذَا سَيْفٌ من سيوفِكَ، فانتقمْ به، وَفى لَفْظ فائت بنصرهِ، فَسُمِّى خَالِد سَيْف الله، ثُمَّ قَالَ: انْفِروُا وَأمدُّوا إِخْوَانَكُمْ، وَلَا يَتَخلفَن أَحد منكُم، فَنَفَرَ النَّاسُ في حَر شَدِيدٍ مشاة وَركبانًا فَبينمَا هُم لَيَلة مسائلين (*) عَن الطريقِ، إِذْ نَعَسَ رسُولُ الله ﷺ ، حَتى مَالَ عَن الرحلِ، فأتيته فدعمته بيدى فلمَّا وجد مس يد رجل اعْتَدَلَ، فَقَالَ: مَن هَذا؟ فَقُلتُ: أَبُو قَتَادة، فَقَالَ في الثَّانِية او الثَّالثة، مَا أَرانِى إلا قَدْ شَقَقْتُ عَليكَ منذُ الليلةِ، قُلْتُ: كلا حتى يَذهَبَ كَرَاك، قَالَ: إِنِّى أَخافُ أَنْ يخذل الناسُ، قَالَ: كَلا بأبى أَنتَ وأمِّى، فابغنا مَكانَا خميرًا، فَعَدْلتُ عَن الطريقِ، فَإِذا أَنَا بِعقْدَة مِنْ شجر، فجئتُ فَقُلْتُ، يَا رسُولَ الله، هَذِه عقْدة من شَجَر قَد أصْبتُها، فعَدَل رسولُ الله ﷺ وَعَدَلَ مَعَهُ مَنْ يليهِ مِنْ أَهْل الطريقِ، فَنَزَلوا واستتروا بالعُقْدَة من الطريق فَمَا استيقظنا إلا بالشَّمْسِ طالِعَةً عَلَيْنَا، فَقُمْنَا ونحْنُ وهلين (* *) فَقَالَ رسولُ الله ﷺ رويدًا رويدًا، حَتَّى تعالت الشَّمْسُ ثُمَّ قَالَ: مَنْ كَانَ يُصَلِّى هَاتين الركعَتين قَبلَ صَلاة الغَدَاةِ، فُليُصَلهمَا فَصَلَاهُما مَن كَانَ يُصَلِّيهما ومَن كَانَ لَا يُصَلِّيهما ثَم أَمَرَ، فنودى بِالصَّلاةِ، ثُمَّ تَقدَّمَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ فَصَلَّى بِنَا، فَلَمَّا سَلَمَ، ثَم قالَ: إِنا نَحَمد الله تَعَالَى، إِنَّا لَمْ نَكُنْ في شَئٍ مِن أمر الدُّنْيا فَشَغَلَنَا عَن صَلَاتِنا، ولكنَّ أرْوَاحَنَا كَانَتْ بيد الله، أَرْسَلهَا إن شْاءَ. ألَا فَمَن أَدْرَكَته هِذه الصَّلاة مِن عَبْد صَالح، فليقض معها مِثْلَهَا قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ الله الَعطَشُ، قَالَ: لَا عَطَشَ يا أَبَا قَتَادَة، أَرنِى الميضأة، فَأتَيته بِها، فَجَعَلهَا في ضبنة، ثم التقم فمها، فالله تعالى أَعْلَمُ، أنفث فيها أَم لَا؟ ثُمَّ قَالَ: يَا أَبَا قَتَادَةَ، أرنى الغمر عَلَى الراحلة، فَأتَيتُه بِقَدح بَيْن القدحين، فَصبَّ فِيه، فَقال اسق الْقَومَ ونَادَى رَسُول الله ﷺ وَرَفَعَ صَوْتَهُ، أَلَا مَنْ أَتَاهُ إناؤه فليشربه، فأتَيتُ رجُلًا فَسقَيْته، ثُم رَجَعْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ الله ﷺ بِفَضلة القَدحِ، فَذَهَبْتُ، فَسَقَيْتُ الَّذى يَلَيه، ثُمَ سَقَيْتُ أَهْلَ تِلْكَ الْحَلَقَةِ، ثُمَ رَجَعْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ الله ﷺ بِفَضْلَة القَدح، فَسَقَيْتُ حَلَقَةً أُخْرَى، حَتَّى سَقَيْتُ سَبْعَةَ رفق وَجَعْلت أَتَطَاوَلُ أنظر هْل بَقى فِيهَا شَئٌ؟ فَصَبَّ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ في الْقَدحِ، فَقال لِى: اشْرَبْ، فَقُلتُ: بِأبِى أَنْتَ وَأُمَى، إنِّى لا أَجِدُ بِى كَثِيرَ عَطشٍ، قَال: إليكَ عنِّى، فَإِنِّى سَاقِى الْقَوْمَ منْذُ الْيَومِ، فَصَبَّ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ في الَقَدَح، فَشَربَ، ثُمَ صَبَّ في الَقَدَح فَشَرب، ثُمَّ رَكِبَ وَركبَنا، ثُمّ قَالَ: كَيْفَ تَرَى الْقَومَ صَنَعُوا حَتَّى حِين فَقَدُوا نَبيهُم وَأَرْهَقَتْهُمْ صَلاتُهُمْ؟ قُلنَا: الله وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَم، قَالَ أَلَيس فِيهم أَبُو بَكر وَعُمَر؟ إِنْ يُطيعُوهُما فَقدْ رَشَدُوا وَرَشَدَتْ أُمُّهُمْ وَإِنْ يعْصُونِى فَقَدْ غَوَوْا وغوت أمهم، قَالَهَا ثَلاثًا، ثُمَّ سَارَ وَسِرْنَا حَتّى إِذَا كُنَّا في بَحْرِ الظَّهيرَةِ، إِذْ أُنَاسٌ يَتبعونَ ظِلَالَ الشَّجَر فَأَتَيْنَاهُم، فَإِذَا أُنَاسٌ مِنَ المهاجِرِين، فيْهُم عُمر بْنُ الْخطَّابِ، فَقُلنَا لَهُم كَيْفَ صَنَعْتُم حِينَ فَقَدْتُم نبيكم وأرهقتكم صلاتكم؟ قَالُوا والله وَثَبَ عُمر فَقَالَ لأَبى بكرٍ: إِنَّ الله تعالى قال في كِتَابِه {إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُمْ مَيِّتُونَ}، وإِنِّى لَا أَدْرِى، لعَلَّ الله تَعَالى قَد توفى نبيَّكُم، فَقُمْ فَصَلِّ وانطلق إنى ناظر بَعْدَك وَمتلوم، فَإِنْ رأَيْت شَيْئًا، وإِلا لحقت بِك، وأقيمت الصلاة وانقطع الحديث  

We went out with the Prophet ﷺ : on a journey and the people suffered from lack of provisions. So ʿAbdullah bin Ubai said to his companions, "Don't spend on those who are with Messenger of Allah ﷺ, that they may disperse and go away from him." He also said, "If we return to Medina, surely, the more honorable will expel therefrom the meaner. So I went to the Prophet ﷺ and informed him of that. He sent for ʿAbdullah bin Ubai and asked him, but ʿAbdullah bin Ubai swore that he did not say so. The people said, "Zaid told a lie to 'Messenger of Allah ﷺ." What they said distressed me very much. Later Allah revealed the confirmation of my statement in his saying:-- '(When the hypocrites come to you.' (63.1) So the Prophet ﷺ called them that they might ask Allah to forgive them, but they turned their heads aside. (Concerning Allah's saying: 'Pieces of wood propped up,' Zaid said; They were the most handsome men.)  

خَرَجْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِي سَفَرٍ أَصَابَ النَّاسَ فِيهِ شِدَّةٌ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أُبَىٍّ لأَصْحَابِهِ لاَ تُنْفِقُوا عَلَى مَنْ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ حَتَّى يَنْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِهِ وَقَالَ لَئِنْ رَجَعْنَا إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الأَذَلَّ فَأَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَىٍّ فَسَأَلَهُ فَاجْتَهَدَ يَمِينَهُ مَا فَعَلَ قَالُوا كَذَبَ زَيْدٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَوَقَعَ فِي نَفْسِي مِمَّا قَالُوا شِدَّةٌ حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ ﷻ تَصْدِيقِي فِي {إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ} فَدَعَاهُمُ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ لِيَسْتَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ فَلَوَّوْا رُءُوسَهُمْ وَقَوْلُهُ {خُشُبٌ مُسَنَّدَةٌ} قَالَ كَانُوا رِجَالاً أَجْمَلَ شَىْءٍ  

We set out on a journey along with Messenger of Allah ( ﷺ) in which we faced many hardships. 'Abdullah b. Ubayy said to his friends: Do not give what you have in your possession to those who are with Messenger of Allah ( ﷺ) until they desert him. Zubair said: That is the reciting of that person who recited as min haulahu (from around him) and the other reciting is man haulahia (who are around him). And in this case when we would return to Medina the honourable would drive out the meaner therefrom (lxiv. 8). I came to Allah's Apostle ( ﷺ) and informed him about that and he sent someone to 'Abdullah b. Ubayy and he asked him whether he had said that or not. He took an oath to the fact that he had not done that and told that it was Zaid who had stated a lie to Messenger of Allah ( ﷺ). Zaid said: I was much perturbed because of this until this verse was revealed attesting my truth:" When the hypocrites come" (lxiii. 1). Allah's Apostle ( ﷺ) then called them in order to seek forgiveness for them, but they turned away their heads as if they were hooks of wood fixed in the wall (lxiii. 4), and they were in fact apparently good-looking persons.  

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ زَيْدَ بْنَ أَرْقَمَ يَقُولُ خَرَجْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي سَفَرٍ أَصَابَ النَّاسَ فِيهِ شِدَّةٌ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أُبَىٍّ لأَصْحَابِهِ لاَ تُنْفِقُوا عَلَى مَنْ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى يَنْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِهِ قَالَ زُهَيْرٌ وَهِيَ قِرَاءَةُ مَنْ خَفَضَ حَوْلَهُ وَقَالَ لَئِنْ رَجَعْنَا إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الأَذَلَّ قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ بِذَلِكَ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَىٍّ فَسَأَلَهُ فَاجْتَهَدَ يَمِينَهُ مَا فَعَلَ فَقَالَ كَذَبَ زَيْدٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ فَوَقَعَ فِي نَفْسِي مِمَّا قَالُوهُ شِدَّةٌ حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَصْدِيقِي { إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ} قَالَ ثُمَّ دَعَاهُمُ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ لِيَسْتَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ قَالَ فَلَوَّوْا رُءُوسَهُمْ وَقَوْلُهُ { كَأَنَّهُمْ خُشُبٌ مُسَنَّدَةٌ} وَقَالَ كَانُوا رِجَالاً أَجْمَلَ شَىْءٍ