"يَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ أَفَلا أُعَلِّمُكَ كَلِمَاتٍ يَنْفَعُكَ اللهُ بِهِنَّ، وَيَنْفَعُ بِهِنَ مَنْ عَلَّمْتَهُ، وَيُثَبِّتُ مَا تَعَلمْتَ فِى صَدرِكَ؟ (قَالَ: أَجَلْ يَا رَسُول الله! فَعَلِّمنِى. قَالَ: إِذَا كانَ لَيْلَةُ الجُمُعَة، فَإِن اسْتَطعتَ أَنْ تَقُومَ فِى ثُلُت اللَّيْلِ الآخِرِ فَإِنَّها سَاعَةٌ مَشْهُودَةٌ، وَالدُّعَاءُ فِيها مُسْتَجَاب، وَقَد قَالَ أَخِى يَعقُوبُ لِبَنِيهِ: {سَوْفَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ رَبِّي} (*) يَقُولُ: حَتَّى تَأتِى لَيْلَةُ الجُمُعَةِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِع فَقُم فِى وَسَطها، فَإنْ لَمْ تَستَطِع فَقُم فِى أوَّلِها فَصَلِّى أربَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ: تَقْرَأُ فِى الرَّكْعَةِ الأولَى (بِفَاتِحَةِ الكِتَابَ وسورة يس، وفى الركعة الثانية بفاتحة الكتاب وحم والدخان، وفى الركعة الثالثة بفاتحة الكتاب والم تَنْزِيلُ السَّجْدَةِ، وَفِى الرَّكْعَةِ الرابِعَةِ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكتَابِ، وَتَبَارَكَ الْمُفَصَّل) فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ مِن التَّشَهُّدِ فَاحمَد الله وَأَحسِنْ الثَّنَاءَ عَلَى اللهِ وَصَلِّ عَلَىَّ وَأَحسِنْ وَعَلَى سَائِرِ النَّبيِّينَ، وَاسْتَغْفرْ لِلمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالمُؤْمنَاتِ وَلإِخْوَانِكَ الَّذِينَ سَبَقُوكَ بِالإِيمَانِ، ثُمَّ قُلْ فِى آخِرِ ذَلِكَ: اللَّهُمَّ ارحَمْنِى بِتَركِ الْمَعَاصِى أَبَدًا مَا أَبْقَيْتَنِى وَارحَمَنِى أَنْ أَتَكَلَّفَ مَا لا يَعنِينِى، وَارزُقنِى حُسْنَ النَّظَر فِيمَا يُرضِيكَ عنِّى، اللَّهُمَّ بَدِيعَ السَّمَواتِ وَالأرْضِ ذَا الْجَلالِ وَالإكرَامِ وَالعِزَّةِ الَّتِى لا تُرَامُ، أَسْأَلُكَ يَا اللهُ! يَا رَحمَنُ! بجَلالكَ وَنُورِ وَجْهِكَ أَنْ تُلزِمَ قَلبِىَ حِفْظَ كِتَابِكَ كمَا عَلَّمتَنِى، وَارزُقْنِى أَنْ أَتْلُوهُ عَلَى النَّحوِ الَّذِى يُرضِيكَ عنِّى، اللَّهُمَّ بَدِيعَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأرضِ ذَا الْجَلالِ وَالإِكْرَامِ وَالعِزَّةِ الَّتِى لا تُرَامُ، أَسْأَلُكَ بِجَلالِ اللهِ يَا رَحمنُ بِجَلالِكَ، وَنُورِ وَجْهِكَ أن تُنَوِّرَ بِكِتَابِكَ بَصَرِى، وَأَنْ تُطلِقَ بِهِ لِسَانِى، وَأَنْ تُفَرِّجَ بِهِ عَنْ قَلْبِى، وَأَنْ تَشْرحَ بِهِ صَدرِى، وَأنْ (تَغْسِلَ) به بَدَنِى، فَإنَّهُ لا يُعِينُنِى عَلَى الحقِّ غَيْرُكَ، وَلا يُؤْتِيهِ إِلا أَنتَ، وَلا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ إِلا بِاللهِ الْعَلِىِّ العَظِيمَ، يَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ تَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ ثَلاثَ جُمَعٍ أَوْ خَمسًا أَوْ سَبْعًا بِإِذْن اللهِ تَعَالَى، وَالَّذِى بَعَثَنِى (بالحق) مَا أَخْطَأَ مُؤْمِنًا قَط، قَالَ ابن عباس: فواللهِ مَا لَبِثَ عَلىٌّ إِلا خَمسًا أَوْ سَبْعًا حَتَّى جَاءَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فِى ذَلِكَ الْمَجْلِسِ، فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ! إِنِّى كُنْتُ فِيمَا خَلا لا آخُذُ إِلا أَرْبَعَ آيَاتٍ وَنَحْوَهُنَّ، فَإِذَا قَرَأتُهُنَّ عَلَى نَفْسِى تَفَلَّتْنَ وَأَنَا أَتَعَلَّمُ الْيَوْمَ أَرْبِعِينَ آيَةَ وَنَحْوَهَا، فَإِذَا قَرَأتُهَا عَلَى نَفْسِى فَكَأنَّمَا كِتَابُ اللهِ بَيْنَ عَيْنَىَّ، وَلَقَدْ كُنْتُ أَسْمَعُ الْحَدِيثَ فَإِذَا رَدَدْتُهُ تَفَلَّتَ، وَأَنَا الْيَوْمَ أَسْمَعُ الأَحَادِيثَ، فَإِذَا تَحَدَّثْتُ بِهَا لَمْ أَخْرِمْ مِنْهَا حَرْفًا، فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ: (مُؤْمِنٌ وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ) ".  

that Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī entered upon ʿĀʾishah then ʿĀʾishah said to him: O Abū Saʿīd, tell me something you heard from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and I shall then tell you what I saw him do. Abū Saʿīd said: ˹Once˺ when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ went to ˹offer˺ the Subḥ Ṣalāh (the ritual prayer at dawn), he said: "O Allah fill my hearing with nūr (illumination), and my sight with nūr, and before me nūr, and behind me nūr, and on the right of me nūr, and on the left of me nūr, and above me nūr, and below me nūr, and magnify my nūr through Your Mercy." Then they both agreed.

ʿĀʾishah said: ˹Once˺ the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered upon me then he took of his two garments but then he did not finish since he stood up and wore them ˹again.˺ Then a strong sense of jealousy struck me where I assumed that he is going to go to some of my co-wives. So I left following him and found him at the Baqīʿ, Baqīʿ al-Gharqad (name of a graveyard), seeking forgiveness for the believing men and women, and the martyrs. Then I said: By my father and mother, you are in need of your Lord and I am in need of this world. Then I left and entered my apartment and I out was out of breath.

Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ caught up with me and said, "What this ˹heavy˺ breathing, O ʿĀʾishah?" I said: By my father and mother, you came to me and took of your two garments then you didn't finish since you stood up and wore them ˹again.˺ and then a strong sense of jealousy struck me and I assumed that you will go to one of my co-wives, and ˹I felt this way˺ until I saw you at Baqīʿ doing what you were doing.

He said, "O ʿĀʾishah, were you afraid that you that Allah and His Messenger would wrong you? As a matter of fact, Jibrīl (Gabriel), may peace be upon him, came to me and said that tonight is the night of the middle of ˹the month of˺ Shaʿbān. ˹This night˺ there are those who are freed from the Hellfire as many as the number of hairs on the sheep of the ˹tribe of˺ Banū Kalb . ˹However,˺ Allah does not look at (1) the one who associate partners with Him, nor at (2) a hateful person, nor at (3) the one who severs ties of kinship, nor at (4) an ˹ostentatious˺ person with long clothing, nor at (5) the one who disowns his parents, nor at (6) the one who is addicted to alcohol."

He (the narrator) said: Then he took off his two garments and said to me, "O ʿĀʾishah, do you allow me to stand up tonight ˹for the night Ṣalāh˺?" I said: Yes, by my father and mother. The he stood ˹the night˺ and did sajdah (prostrated) for a very long time until I thought that he has passed away. So I touched him and put my hands on the bottom of his feet and then he moved and I was happy.

I heard him say during his sajdah: "I seek refuge through Your Grace from Your punishment, and I seek refuge through Your Pleasure from Your Displeasure, and I seek refuge through You from ˹Your wrath˺, Mighty and Sublime is Your Essence, I cannot enumerate Your Praises as You have assigned Praised for Yourself."

Then when it was morning, I mentioned these ˹phrases˺ to him then he said, "O ʿĀʾishah, did you learn them?" I said: Yes. Then he said, "Learn them and teach them, for Jibrīl, may peace be upon him, taught these to me and ordered me that I repeat them in my sajdahs.  

أنَّ أبا سَعِيدٍ الخُدْرِيَّ دَخَلَ عَلى عائِشَةَ، فَقالَتْ لَهُ عائِشَةُ: يا أبا سَعِيدٍ حَدِّثْنِي بِشَيْءٍ سَمِعْتَهُ مِن رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ، وأُحَدِّثُكَ بِما رَأيْتُهُ يَصْنَعُ، قالَ أبُو سَعِيدٍ: كانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ إذا خَرَجَ إلى صَلاةِ الصُّبْحِ، قالَ: «اللهُمَّ امْلَأْ سَمْعِي نُورًا، وبَصَرِي نُورًا، ومِن بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ نُورًا، ومِن خَلْفِي نُورًا، وعَنْ يَمِينِي نُورًا، وعَنْ شِمالِي نُورًا، ومِن فَوْقِي نُورًا، ومِن تَحْتِي نُورًا، وعَظِّمْ لِيَ النُّورَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ». وفِي رِوايَةِ مُحَمَّدٍ: «وأعْظِمْ لِي نُورًا» ثُمَّ اتَّفَقا۔

قالَتْ عائِشَةُ: دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَوَضَعَ عَنْهُ ثَوْبَيْهِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَسْتَتِمَّ أنْ قامَ فَلَبِسَهُما۔ فَأخَذَتْنِي غَيْرَةٌ شَدِيدَةٌ ظَنَنْتُ أنَّهُ يَأْتِي بَعْضَ صُوَيْحِباتِي۔ فَخَرَجْتُ أتْبَعَهُ فَأدْرَكْتُهُ بِالبَقِيعِ بَقِيعِ الغَرْقَدِ يَسْتَغْفِرُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ والمُؤْمِناتِ والشُّهَداءِ، فَقُلْتُ: بِأبِي وأُمِّي أنْتَ فِي حاجَةِ رَبِّكَ، وأنا فِي حاجَةِ الدُّنْيا فانْصَرَفْتُ، فَدَخَلْتُ حُجْرَتِي ولِي نَفَسٌ عالٍ۔

ولَحِقَنِي رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ، فَقالَ: «ما هَذا النَّفَسُ يا عائِشَةُ؟»، فَقُلْتُ: بِأبِي وأُمِّي أتَيْتَنِي فَوَضَعْتَ عَنْكَ ثَوْبَيْكَ ثُمَّ لَمْ تَسْتَتِمَّ أنْ قُمْتَ فَلَبِسْتَهُما فَأخَذَتْنِي غَيْرَةٌ شَدِيدَةٌ، ظَنَنْتُ أنَّكَ تَأْتِي بَعْضَ صُوَيْحِباتِي حَتّى رَأيْتُكَ بِالبَقِيعِ تَصْنَعُ ما تَصْنَعُ۔

قالَ: «يا عائِشَةُ أكُنْتِ تَخافِينَ أنْ يَحِيفَ اللهُ عَلَيْكِ ورَسُولُهُ، بَلْ أتانِي جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ، فَقالَ: هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةُ لَيْلَةُ النِّصْفِ مِن شَعْبانَ ولِلَّهِ فِيها عُتَقاءُ مِنَ النّارِ بِعَدَدِ شُعُورِ غَنَمِ كَلْبٍ، لا يَنْظُرُ اللهُ فِيها (١) إلى مُشْرِكٍ، (٢) ولا إلى مُشاحِنٍ، (٣) ولا إلى قاطِعِ رَحِمٍ، (٤) ولا إلى مُسْبِلٍ، (٥) ولا إلى عاقٍّ لِوالِدَيْهِ، (٦) ولا إلى مُدْمِنِ خَمْرٍ»

قالَ: ثُمَّ وضْعَ عَنْهُ ثَوْبَيْهِ، فَقالَ لِي: «يا عائِشَةُ تَأْذَنِينَ لِي فِي قِيامِ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ؟»، فَقُلْتُ: نَعَمْ بِأبِي وأُمِّي، فَقامَ فَسَجَدَ لَيْلًا طَوِيلًا حَتّى ظَنَنْتُ أنَّهُ قُبِضَ فَقُمْتُ ألْتَمِسْهُ، ووَضَعْتُ يَدِي عَلى باطِنِ قَدَمَيْهِ فَتَحَرَّكَ فَفَرِحْتُ۔

وسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ فِي سُجُودِهِ: «أعُوذُ بِعَفْوِكَ مِن عِقابِكَ، وأعُوذُ بِرِضاكَ مِن سَخَطِكَ، وأعُوذُ بِكَ مِنكَ، جَلَّ وجْهُكَ، لا أُحْصِي ثَناءً عَلَيْكَ أنْتَ كَما أثْنَيْتَ عَلى نَفْسِكَ»

فَلَمّا أصْبَحَ ذَكَرْتُهُنَّ لَهُ فَقالَ: «يا عائِشَةُ تَعَلَّمْتِهُنَّ؟»، فَقُلْتُ: نَعَمْ، فَقالَ: «تَعَلَّمِيهِنَّ وعَلِّمِيهِنَّ، فَإنَّ جِبْرِيلَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ عَلَّمَنِيهِنَّ وأمَرَنِي أنْ أُرَدِّدَهُنَّ فِي السُّجُودِ»،  

أَقْبَل رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِى عَامِرٍ شَيْخٌ كَبِيرٌ يَتَوَكَّأُ عَلَى عَصَاهُ حَتَّى مَثَلَ بَيْنَ يَدَىْ رَسُول الله ﷺ ، فَقَالَ: يَا مُحَمَّدُ، إِنَّكَ تَفُوهُ بِأَمْرٍ عَظِيمٍ: تَزْعُمُ أَنَّكَ رَسُولُ الله أُرْسِلْتَ إِلَى النَّاسِ كَمَا أُرْسِلَ مُوسَى بْنُ عِمْرَانَ، وَعِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ، وَالنَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ، وَإِنَّمَا أَنْتَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْعَرَبِ، فَمَا لَكَ وَالنُّبُوَّة؟ وَلَكِن (لِكُلِّ) قَوْلِ حَقِيقَةٌ، وَلِكُل بَدْءِ شَأنٌ، فَحَدِّثْنِى بِحَقِيقَةِ قَوْلِكَ وَبَدْءِ شَأنِكَ، وَكَانَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ حَليمًا لاَ يَجْهَلُ، فَقَالَ لَهُ: يَا أَخَا بَنِى عَامِرٍ، إِنَّ للأَمْرِ الَّذِى سَأَلْتَنِى عَنْهُ قِصَصًا وَنَبأً، فَاجْلِسْ أُنْبِئْكَ بحَقيقَةِ قَوْلِى وَبَدْءِ شَأنِى، فَجَلَسَ العَامِرِىُّ بَيْنَ يَدَىْ رَسُول الله ﷺ ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله ﷺ : إِنَّ وَالِدِى لَمَّا بَنَى بِأُمِّى حَمَلَتْ، فَرَأَتْ فَيمَا يَرَىْ النَّائِمُ أَنَّ نُورًا خَرَجَ مِنْ جَوْفِهَا، فَجَعَلَتْ تُتْبِعُهُ بَصَرَهَا حَتَّى مَلأَ مَا بَيْنَ السَّموَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ نُورًا، فَقَصَّتْ ذَلِكَ عَلَى حَكِيمٍ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا، فَقَالَ لَهَا: والله لَئِنْ صَدَقَتْ رُؤْيَاكِ لَيَخْرُجَنَّ مِنْ بَطْنِكَ غُلاَمٌ يَعْلُو ذكْرُهُ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ، وَكَانَ هَذَا الْحَىُّ مِنْ بَنِى سَعْدِ بْنِ هَوَازِنَ يَنْتَابُونَ نِسَاءَ أَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ فَيَحْضُنُونَ أَوْلاَدَهُمْ وَينْتَفِعُونَ بخَيْرِهِمْ، وَإِنَّ أُمِّى وَلَدَتْنِى فِى العَامِ الَّذِى قَدمُوا فيهِ وَهَلَكَ وَالِدِى، فَكُنْتُ يَتِيمًا فِى حِجْرِ عَمِّى أَبِى طَالِبِ، فَأَقْبَلَ النِّسْوَانُ يَتَدَافَعْنَنِى وَيَقُلْنَ: ضَرْعٌ صَغِير لاَ أَبَا لَهُ فَمَا عَسَيْنَا أَنْ نَنْتَفِعَ بِهِ مِنْ خَيْرٍ، وَكَانْ فِيهنَ امْرَأَةٌ يُقَالُ لَهَا: أُمُّ كبشة ابْنَةُ الْحَارِثِ، فَقَالَتْ: وَالله لاَ أَنْصَرِفُ عَامِى هَذَا خَائِبَةً أَبَدًا، فَأَخَذَتنِى وَأَلْقَتْنِى عَلَى صَدْرِهَا فَدِرَّ لَبَنُهَا فَحَضَنَتْنِى، فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ ذَلِكَ عَمِّى أَبَا طَالِب أَقْطَعَهَا إِبِلًا وَمُقَطَّعَاتٍ مِنَ الثِّيَاب، وَلَمْ يَبْقَ عَمُّ مِنْ عُمُومَتِى إِلَّا أَقْطَعَهَا وَكسَاهَا، فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ ذَلِكَ النِّسْوَانَ، أَقْبَلْنَ إِلَيْهَا، يَقُلْنَ. أَمَا وَالله يَا أُمَّ كبْشَةَ لَوْ عَلِمْنَا بَرَكَةَ هَذَا يَكُونُ هَكَذَا؟ مَا سَبقْتينَا إِلَيْه، ثُمَّ تَرَعْرَعْتُ وَكَبِرْتُ، وَقَدْ بُغَّضَتْ إِلَىَّ أَصْنَامُ قُرَيْشٍ وَالْعَرَبِ، فَلاَ أَقْرَبُهَا وَلاَ آتِيهَا حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ بَعْدَ زَمَنٍ خَرَجْتُ بَيْنَ أَتْرَابٍ لِى مِنَ الْعَرَبِ نَتَقَاذَفُ بِالأَجِلَةِ يَعْنِى البَعْرَ فِإِذَا بثَلاثَةِ نَفَرٍ مُقْبِلِينَ الأَنْهارُ، ذَلِكَ جَزَاءُ مَنْ تَزَكَّى. قَالَ: يَا مُحَمَّدُ، فَإِلَى المُسْمِعَاتِ أَسْمَعُ. قَالَ: جَوْف اللَّيْلِ الدَامِسِ إِذَا هَدَأَتِ العُيُونُ فَإِنَّ الله حَىٌّ قَيُومٌ يَقُولُ: هَلْ مِنْ تَائِبٍ فَأَتوُبُ عَلَيْهِ؟ هَلْ مِنْ مُسْتَغْفِرٍ فَأَغْفِرُ لَهُ ذَنْبَهُ؟ هَلْ مِنْ سَائِلٍ فَأُعطِيهُ سُؤْلَهُ؟ فَوَثَبَ العَامِرِىُّ فَقالَ. أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِله إِلَّا الله وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ الله  

ʿUmar used to admit me (into his house) along with the old men who had fought in the Badr battle. Some of them said (to ʿUmar), "Why do you allow this young man to enter with us, while we have sons of his own age? " ʿUmar said, "You know what person he is." One day ʿUmar called them and called me along with them, I had thought he called me on that day to show them something about me (i.e. my knowledge). ʿUmar asked them, "What do you say about (the Sura): "When comes the help of Allah and the Conquest (of Mecca) And you see mankind entering the Religion of Allah (i.e. Islam) in crowds. 'So celebrate the Praises Of your Lord and ask for His forgiveness, Truly, He is the One Who accepts repentance and forgives." (110.1-3) Some of them replied, "We are ordered to praise Allah and repent to Him if we are helped and granted victory." Some said, "We do not know." Others kept quiet. ʿUmar then said to me, "Do you say similarly?" I said, "No." ʿUmar said "What do you say then?" I said, "This Verse indicates the approaching of the death of Messenger of Allah ﷺ of which Allah informed him. When comes the help of Allah and the Conquest, i.e. the Conquest of Mecca, that will be the sign of your Prophet's) approaching death, so testify the uniqueness of your Lord (i.e. Allah) and praise Him and repent to Him as He is ready to forgive." On that, ʿUmar said, "I do not know about it anything other than what you know."  

كَانَ عُمَرُ يُدْخِلُنِي مَعَ أَشْيَاخِ بَدْرٍ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِمَ تُدْخِلُ هَذَا الْفَتَى مَعَنَا وَلَنَا أَبْنَاءٌ مِثْلُهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ مِمَّنْ قَدْ عَلِمْتُمْ قَالَ فَدَعَاهُمْ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ وَدَعَانِي مَعَهُمْ قَالَ وَمَا رُئِيتُهُ دَعَانِي يَوْمَئِذٍ إِلاَّ لِيُرِيَهُمْ مِنِّي فَقَالَ مَا تَقُولُونَ {إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ * وَرَأَيْتَ النَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ} حَتَّى خَتَمَ السُّورَةَ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ أُمِرْنَا أَنْ نَحْمَدَ اللَّهَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرَهُ إِذَا نُصِرْنَا وَفُتِحَ عَلَيْنَا وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لاَ نَدْرِي أَوْ لَمْ يَقُلْ بَعْضُهُمْ شَيْئًا فَقَالَ لِي يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ أَكَذَاكَ تَقُولُ قُلْتُ لاَ قَالَ فَمَا تَقُولُ قُلْتُ هُوَ أَجَلُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَعْلَمَهُ اللَّهُ لَهُ {إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ} فَتْحُ مَكَّةَ فَذَاكَ عَلاَمَةُ أَجَلِكَ {فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّابًا} قَالَ عُمَرُ مَا أَعْلَمُ مِنْهَا إِلاَّ مَا تَعْلَمُ  

ʿUmar used to make me sit with the elderly men who had fought in the Battle of Badr. Some of them felt it (did not like that) and said to ʿUmar "Why do you bring in this boy to sit with us while we have sons like him?" ʿUmar replied, "Because of what you know of his position (i.e. his religious knowledge.)" One day ʿUmar called me and made me sit in the gathering of those people; and I think that he called me just to show them. (my religious knowledge). ʿUmar then asked them (in my presence). "What do you say about the interpretation of the Statement of Allah: 'When comes Help of Allah (to you O, Muhammad against your enemies) and the conquest (of Mecca).' (110.1) Some of them said, "We are ordered to praise Allah and ask for His forgiveness when Allah's Help and the conquest (of Mecca) comes to us." Some others kept quiet and did not say anything. On that, ʿUmar asked me, "Do you say the same, O Ibn ʿAbbas?" I replied, "No." He said, 'What do you say then?" I replied, "That is the sign of the death of Messenger of Allah ﷺ which Allah informed him of. Allah said:-- '(O Muhammad) When comes the Help of Allah (to you against your enemies) and the conquest (of Mecca) (which is the sign of your death). You should celebrate the praises of your Lord and ask for His Forgiveness, and He is the One Who accepts the repentance and forgives.' (110.3) On that ʿUmar said, "I do not know anything about it other than what you have said."  

كَانَ عُمَرُ يُدْخِلُنِي مَعَ أَشْيَاخِ بَدْرٍ فَكَأَنَّ بَعْضَهُمْ وَجَدَ فِي نَفْسِهِ فَقَالَ لِمَ تُدْخِلُ هَذَا مَعَنَا وَلَنَا أَبْنَاءٌ مِثْلُهُ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ إِنَّهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ عَلِمْتُمْ فَدَعَا ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ فَأَدْخَلَهُ مَعَهُمْ فَمَا رُئِيتُ أَنَّهُ دَعَانِي يَوْمَئِذٍ إِلاَّ لِيُرِيَهُمْ قَالَ مَا تَقُولُونَ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى {إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ} فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ أُمِرْنَا نَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ إِذَا نُصِرْنَا وَفُتِحَ عَلَيْنَا وَسَكَتَ بَعْضُهُمْ فَلَمْ يَقُلْ شَيْئًا فَقَالَ لِي أَكَذَاكَ تَقُولُ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ فَقُلْتُ لاَ قَالَ فَمَا تَقُولُ قُلْتُ هُوَ أَجَلُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَعْلَمَهُ لَهُ قَالَ {إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ} وَذَلِكَ عَلاَمَةُ أَجَلِكَ {فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّابًا} فَقَالَ عُمَرُ مَا أَعْلَمُ مِنْهَا إِلاَّ مَا تَقُولُ  

[Machine] Umar ibn al-Khattab used to give permission to the people of Badr to go out and give permission to me to go with them. Some of them said, "He allows this young man to go with us. Who among our sons is like him?" Umar said, "Indeed, he is one of those whom you have already known." He granted them permission one day, and he granted me permission with them. He then asked them about this Surah when its verses were revealed: "When the victory of Allah has come and the conquest. And you see the people entering into the religion of Allah in multitudes" (Quran 110:1-2). They said, "Allah ordered His Prophetﷺ that whenever this Surah is revealed upon him, he should seek forgiveness from Allah and repent to Him." Umar said, "What do you say, O Ibn Abbas?" I said, "It is not as you have said. Rather, Allah informed His Prophetﷺ about the coming of his own death, and He said: 'So exalt [Allah] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance'" (Quran 110:3). Umar said to them, "How do you blame me for what you see?"  

كَانَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ يَأْذَنُ لِأَهْلِ بَدْرٍ وَيَأْذَنُ لِي مَعَهُمْ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ يَأْذَنُ لِهَذَا الْفَتَى مَعَنَا وَمِنْ أَبْنَائِنَا مَنْ هُوَ مِثْلُهُ؟ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ إِنَّهُ مِمَّنْ قَدْ عَلِمْتُمْ قَالَ فَأَذِنَ لَهُمْ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ وَأَذِنَ لِي مَعَهُمْ فَسَأَلَهُمْ عَنْ هَذِهِ السُّورَةِ إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللهِ وَالْفَتْحُ فَقَالُوا أَمَرَ اللهُ نَبِيَّهُ ﷺ إِذَا فُتِحَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرَهُ وَيَتُوبَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لِي مَا تَقُولُ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ؟ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَيْسَتْ كَذَلِكَ وَلَكِنَّهُ أَخْبَرَ نَبِيَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الصَّلاةُوَالسَّلامُ بِحُضُورِ أَجَلِهِ فَقَالَ {إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللهِ وَالْفَتْحُ} [النصر 1] فَتْحُ مَكَّةَ {وَرَأَيْتَ النَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ فِي دِينِ اللهِ أَفْوَاجًا} [النصر 2] فَذَلِكَ عَلامَةُ مَوْتِكَ {فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّابًا} [النصر 3] فَقَالَ لَهُمْ كَيْفَ تَلُومُونِي عَلَى مَا تَرَوْنَ  

[Machine] Umar used to ask me with the companions of the Prophet ﷺ , so Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf said to him, "Do you ask him, while we have children like him?" So Umar said, "From what I know, he said," So he asked them about when the victory of Allah and the conquest will come. Some of them said, "Allah has commanded us to praise Him and seek His forgiveness." And some of them said, "We do not know." So Umar said to me, "O Ibn Abbas, what do you say?" So I said, "He is the most knowledgeable of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ ." And he recited the Surah until its end, "Indeed, He is the Accepting of repentance." [Al-Nasr: 3] So Umar said, "By Allah, I do not know except what you know."  

كَانَ عُمَرُ يَسْأَلُنِي مَعَ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ أَتَسْأَلُهُ وَلَنَا بَنُونَ مِثْلُهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ إِنَّهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ عَلِمْتُمْ قَالَ فَسَأَلَهُمْ عَنْ إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَمَرَنَا اللَّهُ أَنْ نَحْمَدَهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرَهُ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَا نَدْرِي فَقَالَ لِي يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ مَا تَقُولُ؟ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ «هُوَ أَجَلُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ» وَقَرَأَ السُّورَةَ إِلَى آخِرِهَا {إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّابًا} [النصر 3] قَالَ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ «وَاللَّهِ مَا أَعْلَمُ مِنْهَا إِلَّا مَا تَعْلَمُ»  

ʿUmar used to admit me (into his house) along with the old men who had fought in the Badr battle. Some of them said (to ʿUmar), "Why do you allow this young man to enter with us, while we have sons of his own age? " ʿUmar said, "You know what person he is." One day ʿUmar called them and called me along with them, I had thought he called me on that day to show them something about me (i.e. my knowledge). ʿUmar asked them, "What do you say about (the Sura): "When comes the help of Allah and the Conquest (of Mecca) And you see mankind entering the Religion of Allah (i.e. Islam) in crowds. 'So celebrate the Praises Of your Lord and ask for His forgiveness, Truly, He is the One Who accepts repentance and forgives." (110.1-3) Some of them replied, "We are ordered to praise Allah and repent to Him if we are helped and granted victory." Some said, "We do not know." Others kept quiet. ʿUmar then said to me, "Do you say similarly?" I said, "No." ʿUmar said "What do you say then?" I said, "This Verse indicates the approaching of the death of Messenger of Allah ﷺ of which Allah informed him. When comes the help of Allah and the Conquest, i.e. the Conquest of Mecca, that will be the sign of your Prophet's) approaching death, so testify the uniqueness of your Lord (i.e. Allah) and praise Him and repent to Him as He is ready to forgive." On that, ʿUmar said, "I do not know about it anything other than what you know." (Using translation from Bukhārī 4294)  

كَانَ عُمَرُ يُدْخِلُنِي مَعَ أَشْيَاخِ بَدْرٍ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِمَ تُدْخِلُ هَذَا الْفَتَى مَعَنَا وَلَنَا أَبْنَاءُ مِثْلُهُ؟ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ مِمَّنْ قَدْ عَلِمْتُمْ قَالَ فَدَعَاهُمْ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ وَدَعَانِي وَمَا رَأَيْتُهُ دَعَانِي يَوْمَئِذٍ إِلَّا لِيُرِيَهُمْ مِنِّي فَقَالَ مَا تَقُولُونَ {إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللهِ وَالْفَتْحُ وَرَأَيْتَ النَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ فِي دِينِ اللهِ أَفْوَاجًا} حَتَّى خَتَمَ السُّورَةَ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَمَرَنَا أَنْ نَحْمَدَ اللهَ وَنَسْتَغْفِرَهُ إِذَا نُصِرْنَا وَفُتِحَ عَلَيْنَا وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَا نَدْرِي وَلَمْ يَقُلْ بَعْضُهُمْ شَيْئًا فَقَالَ لِي يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ كَذَلِكَ تَقُولُ؟ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَمَا تَقُولُ؟ قُلْتُ هُوَ أَجَلُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ عَلَّمَهُ اللهُ إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللهِ وَالْفَتْحُ فَتْحُ مَكَّةَ فَذَاكَ عَلَامَةُ أَجَلِكَ فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّابًا فَقَالَ عُمَرُ مَا أَعْلَمُ مِنْهَا إِلَّا مَا تَعْلَمُ  

كَانَ عُمَرُ يُدْخِلُنِى مَعَ أَشْياخِ بَدْرٍ، فَقَالَ لَهُ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ، لِمَ يَدْخُلُ هَذَا الفَتَى مَعَنَا وَلَنَا أَبْنَاءٌ مِثْلُهُ؟ فَقَالَ: إِنَّهُ مِمَّنْ قَدْ عَلِمْتُمْ، فَدَعَاهُمْ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ وَدَعَانِى مَعَهُمْ، وَمَا رَأَيْتُهُ دَعَانِى يَوْمَئِذٍ إِلَّا لِيُريَهُمْ مِنِّى، فَقَالَ: مَا تَقولُونَ فِى قَوْلِهِ: {إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْر الله وَالْفَتْحُ} إِلَى آخر السورة؟ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: أَمَرَنَا الله أَن نَحْمَدهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرَهُ إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ الله وَفَتَحَ عَلَيْنَا، قَالَ: فَمَا تَقُولُ؟ قُلتُ: أَجَلُ رَسُولِ الله ﷺ أعْلَمَهُ الله: {إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ (1) وَرَأَيْتَ النَّاسَ} وَالفَتْحُ فتح مَكَّةَ، فَذَاكَ عَلَامَةُ أَجَلِكَ، فَسبِّحْ بَحِمْدِ ربِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّابًا، فَقَالَ عُمَرُ: مَا أعْلَمُ مِنْهَا إِلَّا مَا تَعْلَمُ  

A lady committed theft during the lifetime of Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the Ghazwa of Al-Fath, ((i.e. Conquest of Mecca). Her folk went to Usama bin Zaid to intercede for her (with the Prophet). When Usama interceded for her with Messenger of Allah ﷺ, the color of the face of Messenger of Allah ﷺ changed and he said, "Do you intercede with me in a matter involving one of the legal punishments prescribed by Allah?" Usama said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Ask Allah's Forgiveness for me." So in the afternoon, Allah's Apostle got up and addressed the people. He praised Allah as He deserved and then said, "Amma ba'du ! The nations prior to you were destroyed because if a noble amongst them stole, they used to excuse him, and if a poor person amongst them stole, they would apply (Allah's) Legal Punishment to him. By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut her hand." Then Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave his order in the case of that woman and her hand was cut off. Afterwards her repentance proved sincere and she got married. ʿAisha said, "That lady used to visit me and I used to convey her demands to Messenger of Allah ﷺ."  

أَنَّ امْرَأَةً سَرَقَتْ فِي عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي غَزْوَةِ الْفَتْحِ فَفَزِعَ قَوْمُهَا إِلَى أُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ يَسْتَشْفِعُونَهُ قَالَ عُرْوَةُ فَلَمَّا كَلَّمَهُ أُسَامَةُ فِيهَا تَلَوَّنَ وَجْهُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ أَتُكَلِّمُنِي فِي حَدٍّ مِنْ حُدُودِ اللَّهِ قَالَ أُسَامَةُ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ الْعَشِيُّ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ خَطِيبًا فَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللَّهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّمَا أَهْلَكَ النَّاسَ قَبْلَكُمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الشَّرِيفُ تَرَكُوهُ وَإِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمِ الضَّعِيفُ أَقَامُوا عَلَيْهِ الْحَدَّ وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ لَوْ أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ سَرَقَتْ لَقَطَعْتُ يَدَهَا ثُمَّ أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِتِلْكَ الْمَرْأَةِ فَقُطِعَتْ يَدُهَا فَحَسُنَتْ تَوْبَتُهَا بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ وَتَزَوَّجَتْ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَكَانَتْ تَأْتِي بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأَرْفَعُ حَاجَتَهَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ  

Who would speak to Messenger of Allah ﷺ about her? They (again) said: Who can dare do this but Usama b. Zaid, the loved one of Messenger of Allah ﷺ? She was brought to Messenger of Allah ﷺ and Usama b. Zaid spoke about her to him (interceded on her behalf). The color of the face of Messenger of Allah ﷺ changed, and he said: Do you intercede in one of the prescribed punishments of Allah? He (Usama) said: 'Messenger of Allah, seek forgiveness for me.' When it was dusk. Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood up and gave an address. He (first) glorified Allah as He deserves, and then said: Now to our topic. This (injustice) destroyed those before you that when any one of (high) rank committed theft among them, they spared him, and when any weak one among them committed theft, they inflicted the prescribed punishment upon him. By Him in Whose Hand is my life, even if Fatima daughter of Muhammad were to commit theft, I would have cut off her hand. He (the Holy Prophet) then commanded about that woman who had committed theft, and her hand was cut off. ʿA'isha (further) said: Hers was a good repentance, and she later on married and used to come to me after that, and I conveyed her needs (and problems) to Messenger of Allah ﷺ.  

أَنَّ قُرَيْشًا أَهَمَّهُمْ شَأْنُ الْمَرْأَةِ الَّتِي سَرَقَتْ فِي عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِي غَزْوَةِ الْفَتْحِ فَقَالُوا مَنْ يُكَلِّمُ فِيهَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالُوا وَمَنْ يَجْتَرِئُ عَلَيْهِ إِلاَّ أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ حِبُّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأُتِيَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَكَلَّمَهُ فِيهَا أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ فَتَلَوَّنَ وَجْهُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ أَتَشْفَعُ فِي حَدٍّ مِنْ حُدُودِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أُسَامَةُ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ الْعَشِيُّ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَاخْتَطَبَ فَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللَّهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّمَا أَهْلَكَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الشَّرِيفُ تَرَكُوهُ وَإِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الضَّعِيفُ أَقَامُوا عَلَيْهِ الْحَدَّ وَإِنِّي وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَوْ أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ سَرَقَتْ لَقَطَعْتُ يَدَهَا ثُمَّ أَمَرَ بِتِلْكَ الْمَرْأَةِ الَّتِي سَرَقَتْ فَقُطِعَتْ يَدُهَا قَالَ يُونُسُ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ قَالَ عُرْوَةُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَحَسُنَتْ تَوْبَتُهَا بَعْدُ وَتَزَوَّجَتْ وَكَانَتْ تَأْتِينِي بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأَرْفَعُ حَاجَتَهَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ  

"A woman borrowed some jewelry, saying that other people whose names were known but hers was not then she sold it and kept the money. She was brought to the Messenger of Allah, and her people went to Usamah bin Zaid, who spoke to the Messenger of Allah concerning her. The face of ht Messenger of Allah changed color while he was speaking to him. Then the Messenger of Allah said to him: 'Are you interceding with me concerning one of ht Hadd punishments decreed by Allah?' Usamah said: 'Pray for forgiveness for me, O Messenger of Allah! Then the Messenger of Allah stood up that evening, he praised and glorified Allah, the mighty and sublime, as he deserves, then he said: 'The people who came before you were destroyed because, whenever a noble person among them stole, they let him go. But if a low-class person stole, they would carry out the punishment on him. By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, if Fatimah bint Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.' Then he cut off that woman."  

اسْتَعَارَتِ امْرَأَةٌ عَلَى أَلْسِنَةِ أُنَاسٍ يُعْرَفُونَ وَهِيَ لاَ تُعْرَفُ حُلِيًّا فَبَاعَتْهُ وَأَخَذَتْ ثَمَنَهُ فَأُتِيَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَسَعَى أَهْلُهَا إِلَى أُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ فَكَلَّمَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِيهَا فَتَلَوَّنَ وَجْهُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ يُكَلِّمُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَتَشْفَعُ إِلَىَّ فِي حَدٍّ مِنْ حُدُودِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ أُسَامَةُ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَشِيَّتَئِذٍ فَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللَّهِ ﷻ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّمَا هَلَكَ النَّاسُ قَبْلَكُمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا سَرَقَ الشَّرِيفُ فِيهِمْ تَرَكُوهُ وَإِذَا سَرَقَ الضَّعِيفُ فِيهِمْ أَقَامُوا عَلَيْهِ الْحَدَّ وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ لَوْ أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ سَرَقَتْ لَقَطَعْتُ يَدَهَا ثُمَّ قَطَعَ تِلْكَ الْمَرْأَةَ  

a woman stole at the time of the Messenger of Allah, during the Conquest, and she was brought to the Messenger of Allah. Usamah bin Zaid spoke to him concerning her. But when he spoke to him, the face of the Messenger of Allah changed color, and the Messenger of Allah said: "Are you interceding concerning one of the Hadd punishment decreed by Allah?" Isa,aj said to him: "O Messenger of Allah ask Allah to forgive me!" When evening came, the Messenger of Allah stood up and praised and glorified Allah, the mighty and sublime, as He deserves, then he said: "The people who came before you were destroyed because whenever a noble person among them stole, they would let him go. But if one who was weak stole, they would carry out the Hadd punishment on him." Then he said: "By the One in whose hand is my soul, if Fatimah bint Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand."  

أَنَّ امْرَأَةً سَرَقَتْ فِي عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي غَزْوَةِ الْفَتْحِ فَأُتِيَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَكَلَّمَهُ فِيهَا أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ فَلَمَّا كَلَّمَهُ تَلَوَّنَ وَجْهُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَتَشْفَعُ فِي حَدٍّ مِنْ حُدُودِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أُسَامَةُ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ الْعَشِيُّ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللَّهِ ﷻ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ إِنَّمَا هَلَكَ النَّاسُ قَبْلَكُمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الشَّرِيفُ تَرَكُوهُ وَإِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الضَّعِيفُ أَقَامُوا عَلَيْهِ الْحَدَّ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَوْ أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ سَرَقَتْ قَطَعْتُ يَدَهَا  

"Urwah bin Az-Zubair told me that a woman stole at the time of the Messenger of Allah, during the Conquest. Her people went to Uswamah bin Zaid, to ask him to intercede." 'Urwah said: "When Usamah spoke to him concerning her, the face of the Messenger of Allah changed color and he said: 'Are you speaking to me concerning one of the Hadd punishments of Allah?" Usamah said: 'Pray to Allah for forgiveness for me, O Messenger of Allah.' When evening came, the Messenger of Allah stood up to deliver a speech. He praised Allah as He deserves, then he said: 'The people who came before you were destroyed because, whenever a noble person among them stole, they would carry out the Hadd punishment on him. By the One in whose hand is my soul, if Fatimah bint Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.' Then the Messenger of Allah ordered that the hand of that woman be cut off. After that she repented sincerely, and 'Aishah said: 'She used to come to me after that, and I would convey her needs to the Messenger of Allah."'  

أَنَّ امْرَأَةً سَرَقَتْ فِي عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي غَزْوَةِ الْفَتْحِ مُرْسَلٌ فَفَزِعَ قَوْمُهَا إِلَى أُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ يَسْتَشْفِعُونَهُ قَالَ عُرْوَةُ فَلَمَّا كَلَّمَهُ أُسَامَةُ فِيهَا تَلَوَّنَ وَجْهُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ أَتُكَلِّمُنِي فِي حَدٍّ مِنْ حُدُودِ اللَّهِ قَالَ أُسَامَةُ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ الْعَشِيُّ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ خَطِيبًا فَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللَّهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّمَا هَلَكَ النَّاسُ قَبْلَكُمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الشَّرِيفُ تَرَكُوهُ وَإِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الضَّعِيفُ أَقَامُوا عَلَيْهِ الْحَدَّ وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ لَوْ أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ سَرَقَتْ لَقَطَعْتُ يَدَهَا ثُمَّ أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِيَدِ تِلْكَ الْمَرْأَةِ فَقُطِعَتْ فَحَسُنَتْ تَوْبَتُهَا بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ ؓ وَكَانَتْ تَأْتِينِي بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأَرْفَعُ حَاجَتَهَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ  

"A woman borrowed some jewelry, saying that other people whose names were known but hers was not then she sold it and kept the money. She was brought to the Messenger of Allah, and her people went to Usamah bin Zaid, who spoke to the Messenger of Allah concerning her. The face of ht Messenger of Allah changed color while he was speaking to him. Then the Messenger of Allah said to him: 'Are you interceding with me concerning one of ht Hadd punishments decreed by Allah?' Usamah said: 'Pray for forgiveness for me, O Messenger of Allah! Then the Messenger of Allah stood up that evening, he praised and glorified Allah, the mighty and sublime, as he deserves, then he said: 'The people who came before you were destroyed because, whenever a noble person among them stole, they let him go. But if a low-class person stole, they would carry out the punishment on him. By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, if Fatimah bint Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.' Then he cut off that woman." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 4898)  

اسْتَعَارَتِ امْرَأَةٌ عَلَى أَلْسِنَةِ أُنَاسٍ يُعْرَفُونَ وَهِيَ لَا تُعْرَفُ حُلِيًّا فَبَاعَتْهُ وَأَخَذَتْ ثَمَنَهُ فَأُتِيَ بِهَا النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَسَعَى أَهْلُهَا إِلَى أُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ فَكَلَّمَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ فِيهَا فَتَلَوَّنَ وَجْهُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ يُكَلِّمُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «أَتَشْفَعُ فِي حَدٍّ مِنْ حُدُودِ اللهِ؟» فَقَالَ أُسَامَةُ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ ثُمَّ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ عَشِيَّةَ إِذٍ فَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّمَا هَلَكَ النَّاسُ قَبْلَكُمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا سَرَقَ الشَّرِيفُ فِيهِمْ تَرَكُوهُ وَإِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الضَّعِيفُ أَقَامُوا عَلَيْهِ الْحَدَّ وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ لَوْ أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ سَرَقَتْ لَقَطَعْتُ يَدَهَا» ثُمَّ قَطَعَ تِلْكَ الْمَرْأَةَ تَابَعَهُ اللَّيْثُ عَلَى قَوْلِهِ سَرَقَتْ  

a woman stole at the time of the Messenger of Allah, during the Conquest, and she was brought to the Messenger of Allah. Usamah bin Zaid spoke to him concerning her. But when he spoke to him, the face of the Messenger of Allah changed color, and the Messenger of Allah said: "Are you interceding concerning one of the Hadd punishment decreed by Allah?" Isa,aj said to him: "O Messenger of Allah ask Allah to forgive me!" When evening came, the Messenger of Allah stood up and praised and glorified Allah, the mighty and sublime, as He deserves, then he said: "The people who came before you were destroyed because whenever a noble person among them stole, they would let him go. But if one who was weak stole, they would carry out the Hadd punishment on him." Then he said: "By the One in whose hand is my soul, if Fatimah bint Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 4902)  

أَنَّ امْرَأَةً سَرَقَتْ فِي عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فِي غَزْوَةِ الْفَتْحِ فَأُتِيَ بِهَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَكَلَّمَهُ فِيهَا أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ فَلَمَّا كَلَّمَهُ تَلَوَّنَ وَجْهُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ «أَتَشْفَعُ فِي حَدٍّ مِنْ حُدُودِ اللهِ؟» فَقَالَ لَهُ أُسَامَةُ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ الْعَشِيُّ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّمَا أَهْلَكَ النَّاسَ قَبْلَكُمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الشَّرِيفُ تَرَكُوهُ وَإِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الضَّعِيفُ أَقَامُوا فِيهِ الْحَدَّ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَوْ أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ سَرَقَتْ قَطَعْتُ يَدَهَا»  

A lady committed theft during the lifetime of Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the Ghazwa of Al-Fath, ((i.e. Conquest of Mecca). Her folk went to Usama bin Zaid to intercede for her (with the Prophet). When Usama interceded for her with Messenger of Allah ﷺ, the color of the face of Messenger of Allah ﷺ changed and he said, "Do you intercede with me in a matter involving one of the legal punishments prescribed by Allah?" Usama said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Ask Allah's Forgiveness for me." So in the afternoon, Allah's Apostle got up and addressed the people. He praised Allah as He deserved and then said, "Amma ba'du ! The nations prior to you were destroyed because if a noble amongst them stole, they used to excuse him, and if a poor person amongst them stole, they would apply (Allah's) Legal Punishment to him. By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut her hand." Then Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave his order in the case of that woman and her hand was cut off. Afterwards her repentance proved sincere and she got married. ʿAisha said, "That lady used to visit me and I used to convey her demands to Messenger of Allah ﷺ." (Using translation from Bukhārī 4304)  

أَنَّ امْرَأَةً سَرَقَتْ فِي عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فِي غَزْوَةِ الْفَتْحِ مُرْسَلٌ فَفَزِعَ قَوْمُهَا إِلَى أُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ يَسْتَشْفِعُونَ بِهِ قَالَ عُرْوَةُ فَلَمَّا كَلَّمَهُ أُسَامَةُ فِيهَا تَلَوَّنَ وَجْهُ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ «تُكَلِّمُنِي فِي حَدٍّ مِنْ حُدُودِ اللهِ؟» قَالَ أُسَامَةُ اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ الْعَشِيُّ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ خَطِيبًا فَأَثْنَى عَلَى اللهِ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّمَا هَلَكَ الَّذِينَ قَبْلَكُمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الشَّرِيفُ تَرَكُوهُ وَإِذَا سَرَقَ فِيهِمُ الضَّعِيفُ أَقَامُوا عَلَيْهِ الْحَدَّ وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ لَوْ أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ سَرَقَتْ لَقَطَعْتُ يَدَهَا» ثُمَّ أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ بِتِلْكَ الْمَرْأَةِ فَقُطِعَتْ فَحَسُنَتْ تَوْبَتُهَا بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَكَانَتْ تَأْتِي بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأَرْفَعُ حَاجَتَهَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ  

that Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed them (i.e. his companions) of the death of Negus, the king of Ethiopia, on the very day on which the latter died, and said, "Ask Allah's Forgiveness for your brother"  

أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ؓ أَخْبَرَهُمَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ نَعَى لَهُمُ النَّجَاشِيَّ صَاحِبَ الْحَبَشَةِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ وَقَالَ اسْتَغْفِرُوا لأَخِيكُمْ  

Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed about the news of the death of An-Najash (King of Ethiopia) on the day he expired. He said, "Ask Allah's forgiveness for your brother. " Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet ﷺ made them align in rows at the Musalla and said four Takbir.  

نَعَى لَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ النَّجَاشِيَّ صَاحِبَ الْحَبَشَةِ يَوْمَ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ فَقَالَ اسْتَغْفِرُوا لأَخِيكُمْ وَعَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي سَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ؓ قَالَ إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ صَفَّ بِهِمْ بِالْمُصَلَّى فَكَبَّرَ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعًا  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave us the news of the death of Negus, the ruler of Abyssinia, on the day when he died, and he said (to us): Beg pardon for your brother. Ibn Shihab said that Sa'id b. Musayyib had told that Abu Huraira had narrated to him that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ drew them up in a row in a place of prayer, and offered prayer and recited four takbirs for him.  

نَعَى لَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ النَّجَاشِيَ صَاحِبَ الْحَبَشَةِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ فَقَالَ اسْتَغْفِرُوا لأَخِيكُمْ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ وَحَدَّثَنِي سَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ صَفَّ بِهِمْ بِالْمُصَلَّى فَصَلَّى فَكَبَّرَ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعَ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ  

Said that the Messenger of Allah announced the death of An-Najashi, the ruler of Ethiopia, to them on the day that he died, and said "Pray for forgiveness for your brother."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ نَعَى لَهُمُ النَّجَاشِيَّ صَاحِبَ الْحَبَشَةِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ فَقَالَ اسْتَغْفِرُوا لأَخِيكُمْ  

the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had told them of the death of an-Najāshī, the ruler of Ethiopia, on the day that he died, and he said: "Pray for forgiveness for your brother."  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ نَعَى لَهُمُ النَّجَاشِيَّ صَاحِبَ الْحَبَشَةِ الْيَوْمَ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ وَقَالَ اسْتَغْفِرُوا لأَخِيكُمْ  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Indeed, your brother An-Najashi has passed away, so seek forgiveness for him".  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ «إِنَّ أَخَاكُمُ النَّجَاشِيَّ مَاتَ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوا لَهُ»  

the Messenger of Allah had told them of the death of An-Najashi, the ruler of Ethiopia, on the day that he died, and he said: "Pray for forgiveness for your brother." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 1879)  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ نَعَى لَهُمُ النَّجَاشِيَّ صَاحِبَ الْحَبَشَةِ الْيَوْمَ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ وَقَالَ «اسْتَغْفِرُوا لِأَخِيكُمُ»  

the Messenger of Allah had told them of the death of An-Najashi, the ruler of Ethiopia, on the day that he died, and he said: "Pray for forgiveness for your brother." (Using translation from Nasāʾī 1879)  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ نَعَى لَهُمُ النَّجَاشِيَّ صَاحِبَ الْحَبَشَةِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ وَقَالَ «اسْتَغْفِرُوا لِأَخِيكُمُ»  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave us the news of the death of Negus, the ruler of Abyssinia, on the day when he died, and he said (to us): Beg pardon for your brother. Ibn Shihab said that Sa'id b. Musayyib had told that Abu Huraira had narrated to him that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ drew them up in a row in a place of prayer, and offered prayer and recited four takbirs for him. (Using translation from Muslim 951b)   

نَعَى لَنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ النَّجَاشِيَّ صَاحِبَ الْحَبَشَةِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ فَقَالَ اسْتَغْفِرُوا لِأَخِيكُمْ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ وَحَدَّثَنِي سَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيِّبِ أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهَ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ صَفَّ بِهِمْ بِالْمُصَلَّى وَكَبَّرَ أَرْبَعَ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ  

[Machine] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ announced to them the death of Najashi, the king of Abyssinia, on the day he died. He said, "Pray for your brother." Ibn Shihab narrated that Ibn Al-Musayyib informed him that Abu Huraira told him that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ described them in the prayer hall, then he prayed for him and repeated the takbeer four times.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ نَعَى لَهُمُ النَّجَاشِيَّ صَاحِبَ الْحَبَشَةِ فِي الْيَوْمِ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ فَقَالَ اسْتَغْفِرُوا لِأَخِيكُمْ قَالَ وَقَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ الْمُسَيِّبِ أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ صَفَّهُمْ فِي الْمُصَلَّى فَصَلَّى عَلَيْهِ وَكَبَّرَ أَرْبَعًا  

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  

" 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 أَنْ أَسْأَلَ 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  

"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  

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  

[Machine] "I came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the early days of his prophethood in Makkah. He was at that time in a state of concealment. I asked him, 'Who are you?' He replied, 'I am a prophet.' I asked, 'What is a prophet?' He said, 'I am the Messenger of Allah.' I asked, 'Did Allah send you?' He replied, 'Yes.' I asked, 'With what did He send you?' He said, 'To worship Allah alone and to break idols and false religions, and to maintain family ties.' I said, 'Yes, indeed. What did He send you with?' I asked, 'Who follows you in this?' He said, 'Slave and free, meaning Abu Bakr and Bilal.' Umar used to say, 'I was a quarter or a fourth of Islam when I accepted Islam.' I said, 'Shall I follow you, O Messenger of Allah?' He said, 'No, but the truth will come to your people. When you hear that I have left, follow me.' So, I caught up with my people and I anticipated his news of departure and arrival until a group from Yathrib (Madina) came and I met them. I asked them about the news and they said, 'The Messenger of Allah has left Makkah for Madina.' I asked, 'Has he arrived there?' They replied, 'Yes.' I then proceeded until I reached him. I said, 'Do you recognize me, O Messenger of Allah?' He said, 'Yes, you are the man who came to me in Makkah.' I began to observe his seclusion and when he was alone, I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, teach me about what Allah has taught you and make it concise.' He said, 'Ask me about anything.' I said, 'During which part of the night should I perform the night prayer?' He replied, 'The last part of the night. And pray as much as you wish because the prayer is witnessed and recorded until you pray the dawn prayer. Then shorten your prayer until the sun rises and its rays are like the length of a spear or a pair of spears. Because at that time, the disbelievers prostrate to it. Then, pray as much as you wish, for the prayer is witnessed and recorded until the shadow of your spear becomes equal to its length. Then, shorten your prayer because Hellfire is kindled and its gates are opened. When the sun declines, pray as much as you wish, for the prayer is witnessed and recorded until you pray the afternoon prayer. Then, shorten your prayer until the sun sets, for it sets between the two horns of Satan and the disbelievers prostrate to it. When you perform ablution, wash your hands, for when you wash your hands, your sins leave from the sides of your arms. Then, when you wipe your head, your sins leave from the tips of your hair. And when you wash your feet, your sins leave from your feet. If you remain seated in your place, you will have a share of your ablution. If you stand up and remember your Lord and praise Him and perform two raka'ahs facing the Qiblah, with your heart, you will be free from your sins as on the day your mother gave birth to you.' I said, 'O Umar, I know what I am saying. You are saying something great.' He said, 'By Allah, my age has increased and my death is near, and I am not in need of lying. Even if I had heard it from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ only once or twice, I would have conveyed it. But I have heard it more than that. This is how Abu Salamah narrated it from him, from Abu Umamah, except for any possible error or addition. And Muslim has recorded some of these words from the hadith of Nadr ibn Muhammad al-Jurashi, from Ikrimah ibn Ammar, from Shaddad ibn Abdullah, from Abu Umamah.' Umar ibn Abbas said, 'And the hadith of Abbas ibn Salim is more comprehensive and complete than the hadith of Ikrimah ibn Ammar.'"  

أَتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي أَوَّلِ مَا بُعِثَ وَهُوَ بِمَكَّةَ وَهُوَ حِينَئِذٍ مُسْتَخْفٍ فَقُلْتُ مَا أَنْتَ؟ قَالَ «أَنَا نَبِيٌّ» قُلْتُ وَمَا نَبِيٌّ؟ قَالَ «رَسُولُ اللَّهِ» قُلْتُ آللَّهُ أَرْسَلَكَ؟ قَالَ «نَعَمْ» قُلْتُ بِمَا أَرْسَلَكَ؟ قَالَ «أَنْ تَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ وَتَكْسِرَ الْأَوْثَانَ وَالْأَدْيَانَ وَتُوصِلَ الْأَرْحَامَ» قُلْتُ نِعْمَ مَا أَرْسَلَكَ بِهِ قُلْتُ فَمَنْ يَتْبَعُكَ عَلَى هَذَا؟ قَالَ «عَبْدُ وَحُرٌّ» يَعْنِي أَبَا بَكْرٍ وَبِلَالًا فَكَانَ عَمْرٌو يَقُولُ لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُنِي وَأَنَا رُبْعُ أَوْ رَابِعُ الْإِسْلَامِ قَالَ فَأَسْلَمْتُ قُلْتُ أَتْبَعُكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ «لَا وَلَكِنِ الْحَقْ بِقَوْمِكَ فَإِذَا أُخْبِرْتَ أَنِّي قَدْ خَرَجْتُ فَاتْبَعْنِي» قَالَ فَلَحِقْتُ بِقَوْمِي وَجَعَلْتُ أَتَوَقَّعُ خَبَرَهُ وَخُرُوجَهُ حَتَّى أَقْبَلَتْ رُفْقَةٌ مِنْ يَثْرِبَ فَلَقِيتُهُمْ فَسَأَلْتُهُمْ عَنِ الْخَبَرِ فَقَالُوا قَدْ خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ مَكَّةَ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ فَقُلْتُ وَقَدْ أَتَاهَا؟ قَالُوا نَعَمْ قَالَ فَارْتَحَلْتُ حَتَّى أَتَيْتُهُ قُلْتُ أَتَعْرِفُنِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ «نَعَمْ أَنْتَ الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي أَتَانِي بِمَكَّةَ» فَجَعَلْتُ أَتَجَسَّسُ خَلْوَتَهُ فَلَمَّا خَلَا قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَلِّمْنِي مِمَّا عَلَّمَكَ اللَّهُ وَأَجْمِلْ قَالَ «فَسَلْ عَمَّ شِئْتَ» قُلْتُ أَيُّ اللَّيْلِ أَسْمَعُ؟ قَالَ «جَوْفُ اللَّيْلِ الْآخِرِ فَصَلِّ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ مَشْهُودَةٌ مَكْتُوبَةٌ حَتَّى تُصَلِّيَ الصُّبْحَ ثُمَّ أَقْصِرْ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ فَتُرْفَعَ قِيدَ رُمْحٍ أَوْ رُمْحَيْنِ فَإِنَّهَا تَطْلُعُ بَيْنَ قَرْنَيْ شَيْطَانٍ وَتُصَلِّي لَهَا الْكُفَّارُ ثُمَّ صَلِّ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ مَشْهُودَةٌ مَكْتُوبَةٌ حَتَّى يَعْدِلَ الرُّمْحُ ظِلَّهُ ثُمَّ أَقْصِرْ فَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ تُسْجَرُ وَتُفْتَحُ أَبْوَابُهَا فَإِذَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَصَلِّ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ مَشْهُودَةٌ مَكْتُوبَةٌ ثُمَّ صَلِّ حَتَّى تُصَلِّيَ الْعَصْرَ ثُمَّ أَقْصِرْ حَتَّى تَغْرُبَ الشَّمْسُ فَإِنَّهَا تَغْرُبُ بَيْنَ قَرْنَيْ شَيْطَانٍ وَتُصَلِّي لَهَا الْكُفَّارُ وَإِذَا تَوَضَّأْتَ فَاغْسِلْ يَدَيْكَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا غَسَلْتَ يَدَيْكَ خَرَجَتْ خَطَايَاكَ مِنْ ذِرَاعَيْكَ ثُمَّ إِذَا مَسَحْتَ بِرَأْسِكَ خَرَجَتْ خَطَايَاكَ مِنْ أَطْرَافِ شَعْرِكَ ثُمَّ إِذَا غَسَلْتَ رِجْلَيْكَ خَرَجَتْ خَطَايَاكَ مِنْ رِجْلَيْكَ فَإِنْ ثَبَتَّ فِي مَجْلِسِكَ كَانَ لَكَ حَظًّا مِنْ وُضُوئِكَ وَإِنْ قُمْتَ فَذَكَرْتَ رَبَّكَ وَحَمِدْتَهُ وَرَكْعَتَهُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مُقْبِلًا عَلَيْهِمَا بِقَلْبِكَ كُنْتَ مِنْ خَطَايَاكَ كَيَوْمِ وَلَدَتْكَ أُمُّكَ» قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا عَمْرُو اعْلَمْ مَا تَقُولُ فَإِنَّكَ تَقُولُ أَمْرًا عَظِيمًا فَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ كَبِرَتْ سِنِّي وَدَنَا أَجَلِي وَإِنِّي لِغَنِيٍّ عَنِ الْكَذِبِ وَلَوْ لَمْ أَسْمَعْهُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِلَّا مَرَّةً أَوْ مَرَّتَيْنِ مَا حَدَّثْتُهُ وَلَكِنْ قَدْ سَمِعْتُهُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ هَكَذَا حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو سَلَّامٍ عَنْهُ عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ إِلَّا أَنْ أُخْطِئَ شَيْئًا أَوْ أَزِيدَهُ فَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ «قَدْ خَرَّجَ مُسْلِمٌ بَعْضَ هَذِهِ الْأَلْفَاظِ مِنْ حَدِيثِ النَّضْرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْجُرَشِيِّ عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ شَدَّادِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ» قَالَ قَالَ عَمْرُو بْنُ عَبَسَةَ وَحَدِيثُ الْعَبَّاسِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ هَذَا أَشْفَى وَأَتَمَّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ عِكْرِمَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ  

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  

(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  

'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»  

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  

[Machine] The people have been talking about this matter and it has become widespread. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ spoke about it, giving a speech, and I don't know what he means by it. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered a group of his companions who were with a Nubian girl. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked her, "What do you know about Aisha?" She replied, "I don't know anything about her except that she sleeps and the sheep enter and eat her dough and mat." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "I do not ask you about this." She said, "Then what do you ask me about?" He said, "Take off your face veil." When she recognized him, she said, "Subhan Allah! I know nothing about Aisha except what a goldsmith knows about red copper." The Prophet ﷺ then left and praised and thanked Allah. He then said, "Inform the Muslims about the people who built my family! I have never known any evil about them, and they are from those with whom Allah is pleased. Whenever I conceal myself, they are with me, and I never enter my house without them being present." Sa'd bin Mu'adh said, "I think their necks should be struck," and a man from the Khazraj tribe said, "You are lying, by Allah! If they were from your tribe, you wouldn't order their killing." Hassaan bin Thaabit was from the Khazraj tribe, and he was present and witnessed the event in the mosque. He used to spread the news, with Misma' bin Uthathah and Hamnah bint Jahsh, among others. They used to discuss it in the presence of 'Abdullah bin Ubayy, who would listen and inform the Prophet about it. 'A'ishah said, "One night, I went out with Umm Mistah to relieve myself, and as we were walking, I stumbled. Umm Mistah said, 'May Mistah be doomed!' I told her, 'Subhan Allah! Who are you cursing? Mistah is a forerunner among the Emigrants, and he participated in the Battle of Badr.' After a while, I stumbled again, and Umm Mistah said the same thing, and I replied the same way. She swore that she would never mention that matter except about me." 'A'ishah continued, "I returned to my house and took a bath. Then, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered and said, 'What is the matter with you, O 'A'ishah?' I said, 'I have a slight ailment.' So, he allowed me to go to my parents, and I went there and told them about the matter. My mother said, 'Did you hear anything about this until now?' I said, 'By Allah, I have never heard anything about this until today.' Then, my mother praised and thanked Allah and said, 'Now, it is clear that whatever the righteous servant does, Allah will support him in what he describes.' I said to my father, 'Speak to the people!' My father said, 'With what should I speak?' I said, 'Speak, and Allah will support you.' So, he praised and thanked Allah, and I said, 'As for you, by Allah, if I said either that I am guilty or that I am innocent, I would indeed be guilty. But Allah knows that I am innocent, so there is no sin on me if people say what they say.' Then, I asked my father to speak again, and he did, praising and thanking Allah. Then, he said, 'After this, if a man mentions it, he is lying.' No one questioned me in this case except Sa'd bin Mu'adh when he said, 'I think their necks should be struck.' A man from the Khazraj said, 'You are lying! If they were from your tribe, you wouldn't order their killing.'  

لَقَدْ تَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ بِهَذَا الْأَمْرِ وَشَاعَ وَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللهِ فِيهِ خَطِيبًا وَمَا أَشْعُرُ بِهِ فَدَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فِي نَفَرٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ عَلَى جَارِيَةٍ لِي نُوبِيَّةٍ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ «مَا تَعْلَمِينَ مِنْ عَائِشَةَ؟» فَقَالَتْ مَا أَعْلَمُ عَلَيْهَا عَيْبًا غَيْرَ أَنَّهَا تَنَامُ فَتَدْخُلُ الشَّاةُ فَتَأْكُلُ خَمِيرَتَهَا وَحَصِيرَهَا فَقَالَ «لَسْتُ عَنْ هَذَا أَسْأَلُكِ» قَالَتْ فَعَمَّهْ فَلَمَّا فَطِنَتْ قَالَتْ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَمَا أَعْلَمُ مِنْ عَائِشَةَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَعْلَمُ الصَّائِغُ مِنَ التِّبْرِ الْأَحْمَرِ فَخَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَشِيرُوا عَلَيَّ مَعْشَرَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فِي قَوْمٍ أَبَنُوا أَهْلِي مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ سُوءٍ قَطُّ وَأَبَنُوهُمْ بِمَنْ وَاللهِ مَا عَلِمْتُ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ سُوءٍ قَطُّ وَلَا تَغَيَّبْتُ قَطُّ إِلَّا وَهُوَ مَعِي وَلَا دَخَلَ بَيْتِي قَطُّ إِلَّا وَأَنَا شَاهِدٌ» فَقَالَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ أَرَى أَنْ يُضْرَبَ أَعْنَاقَهُمْ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ كَذَبْتَ وَاللهِ أَمَا وَاللهِ لَوْ كَانُوا مِنْ رَهْطِكَ مَا أَمَرْتَ بِقَتْلِهِمْ وَكَانَ حَسَّانُ مِنَ الْخَزْرَجِ حَتَّى كَانَ بَيْنَ الْأَوْسِ وَالْخَزْرَجِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ كَوْنٌ وَكَانَ مِمَّنْ يَذِيعُهُ حَسَّانُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ وَمِسْطَحُ بْنُ أُثَاثَةَ وَحَمْنَةُ بِنْتُ جَحْشٍ فِي آخَرِينَ وَكَانَ يَتَحَدَّثُ بِهِ عِنْدَ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ أُبَيٍّ فَيَسْمَعُهُ فَيَسْتَوْشِيهِ وَيَذِيعُهُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَخَرَجْتُ ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ مَعَ أُمِّ مِسْطَحٍ لِحَاجَتِي فَبَيْنَمَا نَمْشِي إِذْ عَثَرَتْ فَقَالَتْ تَعِسَ مِسْطَحٌ فَقُلْتُ سُبْحَانَ اللهِ عَلَى منَ تَسُبِّينَ ابْنَكِ مِسْطَحًا وَهُوَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَقَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا؟ ثُمَّ مَشَتْ سَاعَةً فَعَثَرَتْ فَقَالَتْ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَتْ وَاللهِ مَا أَسُبُّهُ إِلَّا فِيكِ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ وَمَا شَأْنِي؟ فَأَخْبَرَتْنِي بِالْأَمْرِ فَذَهَبْتُ حَاجَتِي فَرَجَعْتُ فَحُمِمْتُ فَدَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ فَقَالَ «مَا شَأْنُكِ يَا عَائِشَةُ؟» قُلْتُ حُمَمَةٌ فَائْذَنْ لِي فَآتِي أَبَوَيَّ فَأَذِنَ لِي فَذَهَبْتُ فَإِذَا أُمِّي أَسْفَلُ وَأَبِي فَوْقَ الْبَيْتِ يُصَلِّي فَقَالَتْ أُمِّي مَا شَأْنُكِ يَا عَائِشَةُ؟ فَقُلْتُ أَخْبَرَتْنِي أُمُّ مِسْطَحٍ بِكَذَا وَكَذَا فَقَالَتْ أَمَا سَمِعْتِ بِهِ إِلَّا الْآنَ؟ فَبَكَيْتُ وَبَكَتْ وَسَمِعَ أَبِي الْبُكَاءَ فَقَالَ مَا شَأْنُ ابْنَتِي؟ فَقَالَتْ أُمِّي سَمِعَتْ بِذَلِكَ الْأَمْرِ الْآنَ فَقَالَ أَيْ بُنَيَّةُ ارْجِعِي إِلَى بَيْتِكِ حَتَّى نَغْدُوَ عَلَيْكِ غَدًا فَجَاءَ مِنَ الْغَدِ وَعِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَلَمْ يَمْنَعِ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ مَكَانَهَا أَنْ يُكَلِّمَ فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ «أَمَّا بَعْدُ يَا عَائِشَةُ فَإِنْ كُنْتِ أَسَأْتِ وَأَخْطَأْتِ فَاسْتَغْفِرِي اللهَ وَتُوبِي» فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي تَكَلَّمْ فَقَالَ بِمَ أَتَكَلَّمُ؟ قُلْتُ لِأُمِّي تَكَلَّمِي قَالَتْ بِمَ أَتَكَلَّمُ؟ فَحَمِدْتُ اللهَ وَأَثْنَيْتُ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَوَاللهِ لَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَكُمْ قَدْ فَعَلْتُ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا فَعَلْتُ لَتَقُولُنَّ قَدْ أَقَرَّتْ وَمَا فَعَلْتُ وَلَئِنْ قُلْتُ لَمْ أَفْعَلْ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا فَعَلْتُ لَتَقُولُنَّ كَذَبَتْ وَلَا أَجِدُ لِي وَلَكُمْ مَثَلًا إِلَّا مَا قَالَ الْعَبْدُ الصَّالِحُ {فَصَبَرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ}  

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