The Wicked Slander against the Mother of the Believers
By Editorial Staff
Today’s story is about one particular incident of ‘A’ishah’s life. It was actually a very severe trial for her and for our dear Prophet, Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace). It is important to know that the Mother of the Believers, ‘A’ishah (Allah be pleased with her) was the most beloved person by the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace).
The Beginning of the Story
On one occasion, the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace) went out on an expedition with the Companions.
He took his wife ‘A’ishah (Allah be pleased with her) with him. Upon returning to Madinah, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) decided to take camp and to rest because it was night. In the early morning, ‘A’ishah (Allah be pleased with her) went away to answer the call of nature. When she returned, she found that she had dropped her necklace. So, she went back to look for it. Next, when she returned, she found that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and the caravan had left.
‘A’ishah (Allah be pleased with her) remained in the same place they were camping the previous night. She thought that they would look for her in that place if they found out she was not with the caravan.
Coming after the caravan, the Companion, Safwan ibn Al-Mu’attal Al-Sulami, saw ‘A’ishah (Allah be pleased with her)from a distance. He gave her his camel.
In the following video, Shaikh Wasim Kempson talks about this story and the lessons to be taught from it.
The Quranic Verses Related to This Incident
Indeed, those who have come (to you) with the wicked slander (against the mother of the believers) are a band (of hypocrites) among you. Do not consider it evil for you. But, rather, it is good for you. Each one of them shall be charged with the sin he has earned. Moreover, whoever of them took upon himself the greater part of (spreading) it, for him there shall be a great torment (in the Hereafter). (Quran 24:11)
If only when you (first) heard it (uttered), the believing men and the believing women (among you) thought good of (the believers among) themselves, and said: This is clearly wicked slander! (Quran 24:12)
And if only they (who uttered the slander) had produced, (under obligation from you believers,) four witnesses (to attest) to it! But since they could not produce any witnesses, it is these, in the sight of God, who are (to have been adjudged as) the liars (in this matter). (Quran 24:13)
Yet were it not for the grace of God upon you, and His mercy in this world and in the Hereafter, a great torment would, most surely, have afflicted you for that (gossip) in which you have indulged, (Quran 24:14)
when you relayed (the wicked slander among one another) with your (own) tongues. Thus with your own mouths you uttered that of which you had no sure knowledge. Yet you think it a light thing, while before God it is enormous. (Quran 24:15)
And if only when you heard of it you said: It is not (lawful) for us to speak about this. Highly exalted are You! This is an enormous calumny. (Quran 24:16)
God admonishes you never to repeat the likes of this (sin), if you are truly believers. (Quran 24:17)
Thus does God make clear to you the (commandments in His revealed) verses. And God is all-knowing, all-wise. (Quran 24:18)
As for those who love to spread about obscenity among the believers, there shall be for them a most painful torment (in) this world and in the Hereafter. For God knows (every hidden intent), and you do not know. (Quran 24:19)
Then (what would become of you, O believers), were it not for the grace of God upon you, and His mercy, and (were it not) that God is, indeed, all-kind, mercy-giving! (Quran 24:20)