‘Subhan Allah! Did the people really talk about that?' The second part of the story of Ifk – the slander against Ayesha – narrated by Ayesha herself in a Hadith recorded by Al-Bukhari (6/60, no. 274). The first was published on Friday, April 16. After this we arrived at Madina and I became ill for one month. The people were spreading the forged statements of the people of the Ifk, but I was not aware of anything thereof. What aroused my doubt while I was sick, was that I was no longer receiving from Allah's Messenger the same kindness as I used to receive when I fell sick. Allah's Messenger would enter upon me, say a greeting and add, “How is that (lady)?” and then depart. This aroused my suspicion but I was not aware of the propagated evil till I recovered from my ailment. I went out with Umm Mistah (Ayesha's great aunt and the Prophet's first cousin) to answer the call of nature towards Al-Manasi, the place where we used to relieve ourselves, and used not to go out for this purpose except from night to night. That was before we had lavatories close to our houses. This habit of ours was similar to the habit of the old Arabs (in the deserts or in the tents) concerning the evacuation of the bowels. We considered it troublesome and harmful to take lavatories in the houses. [...] When we had finished our affair, Umm Mistah and I came back towards my house. Umm Mistah stumbled over her robe whereupon she said, “Let Mistah be ruined!” I said to her, “What a bad word you have said! Do you abuse a man who has taken part in the Battle of Badr?” She said, “O you there! Didn't you hear what he has said?” I said, “And what did he say?” She then told me the statement of the people of the Ifk (forged statement) which added to my ailment. Benefits: • Ayesha's innocence (may Allah be pleased with her). All the time people were slandering about her and she completely unaware of what was going on. • The Prophet (peace be upon him) was hurt and genuinely affected by what people were speaking about his beloved wife. This could be felt in his attitude. • The Prophet's manners. Despite the atmosphere, the Prophet (peace be upon him) continued to visit, greet and look after his family. He was noble and beautifully mannered no matter what. • Ayesha's defense of Mistah. And her mentioning that he took part in the Battle of Badr shows the status of those who took part in that battle. It also shows that good people too do fall into sins and mistakes. When I returned home, Allah's Messenger came to me, and after greeting, he said, “How is that (lady)?” I said, “Will you allow me to go to my parents?” At that time I intended to be sure of the news through them. Allah's Messenger allowed me and I went to my parents and asked my mother, “O my mother! What are the people talking about?” My mother said, “O my daughter! Take it easy, for by Allah, there is no charming lady who is loved by her husband who has other wives as well, but that those wives would find fault with her.” I said, “Subhan Allah! Did the people really talk about that?” Benefits: • Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) waited till she sought permission from her husband to leave to her parents. The husband in turn should be gentle and not prevent her without a valid reason from visiting her relatives. • Importance of verifying information. Though Umm Mistah was a trustworthy person, Ayesha verified from her mother if the news was true. That night I kept on weeping the whole night till the morning. My tears never stopped, nor did I sleep, and morning broke while I was still weeping, Allah's Messenger called Ali Bin Abu Talib and Usama Bin Zaid when the Divine Inspiration delayed, in order to consult them as to the idea of divorcing his wife. Usama Bin Zaid told Allah's Messenger of what he knew about the innocence of his wife and of his affection he kept for her. He said, “O Allah's Messenger! She is your wife, and we do not know anything about her except good.” Ali Bin Abu Talib said, “O Allah's Messenger! Allah does not impose restrictions on you; and there are plenty of women other than her. If you however, ask (her) slave girl, she will tell you the truth.” So Allah's Messenger called for Barira and said, “O Barira! Did you ever see anything which might have aroused your suspicion (as regards Ayesha)? Barira said, “By Allah Who has sent you with the truth, I have never seen anything regarding Ayesha which I would blame her for except that she is a girl of immature age who sometimes sleeps and leaves the dough of her family unprotected so that the domestic goats come and eat it.” So Allah's Messenger got up (and addressed) the people and asked for somebody who would take revenge on Abdullah Bin Ubai Bin Salul then. Benefits: • Consulting trustworthy people for advice and turning to witnesses are permissible. • The honor Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with him) held in the eyes of Prophet's family. Her slave Barira hinted to how innocent she was which was sufficient a testimony for the Prophet (peace be upon him) to stand up and seek revenge against the hypocrite Abdullah Bin Salul. Allah's Messenger, while on the pulpit, said, “O Muslims! Who will help me against a man who has hurt me by slandering my family? By Allah, I know nothing except good about my family, and people have blamed a man of whom I know nothing except good, and he never used to visit my family except with me.”
