Needless to say, the successful raid against the Syrian caravan was a thorn in the side of the Koraysh. Some time before, the Koraysh had allied themselves with the tribe of Mutalik, a branch of the Khuzah whose territory lay along the coast of the Red Sea. The Koraysh now approached the Mutalik urging them to attack Medina with the hope that their kindred tribes would support them. However, the Koraysh had not realized that the other tribes inclined more to the Muslims than they did toward themselves and it wasn't long until the news reached Medina of the intended attack. The Mutalik were unaware of the fact that the Prophet (sa) knew anything about their plans so they took their time before even starting to prepare themselves for the encounter. Meanwhile, the Prophet (sa) decided not to wait for them to make the first move and ordered his forces to march to the Mutalik territory. The forthcoming encounter was not expected to be very dangerous so the Prophet (sa) allowed Ladies Ayesha and Umm Salama to accompany him. Eight days later he reached the Mutalik territory and, unknown to the Mutalik, struck camp near a watering hole. The element of surprise was a great advantage and it wasn't long until they were able to surround their settlement. Some of the Mutalik warriors took up arms and fought, ten were killed, however, there was very little resistance, and only one Muslim was martyred. The spoils of war were considerable, just under two hundred families were taken captive, and large herds of two thousand camels and five thousand sheep and goats confiscated. Amongst those that had ridden out with the Prophet (sa) were hypocrites. They were not ill−disposed to join him on account of the brevity of the march with the expectancy of reward for their minimal effort. However, they resented the fact that they would be obliged to share the spoils with the impoverished Muhajir who they considered to be intruders, and were of the opinion that all should belong the tribes of Aws and Khazraj. Two days after the encounter, a dispute over the ownership of a bucket erupted between two coastal tribesmen, one from the Ghifar and the other from the Juhaynah. Omar had hired the services of the tribesman from the Ghifar who wrongfully laid claim to the bucket and struck its owner, but, he shouted out to the Muhajir for help whilst the Juhaynah tribesman called upon his long−time allies from the Khazraj to support him. Both the Ansars and Muhajir came running, swords were drawn and had it not been for the quick intervention of the Prophet's closer companions, the matter might have got out of hand. In another part of the camp, Abdullah, Ubay's son, was sitting with some of his close friends as the disturbance broke out and asked one of them to go and find out about it. His companion returned and told him that the trouble had been initiated by Omar's man and this added further to his contempt. Abdullah, was a proud man and felt that the power of leadership should have fallen into his hands and resented the Prophet's presence among. Not long before, he had seen his Jewish allies, who betrayed the Prophet (sa) during the recent encounter at the Trench, punished and now this incident had occurred. He refused to take into account that the incident had been settled fairly and disregarded the established fact that the Prophet (sa) would never entertain injustice, no matter whether the complainers were Muslim or not. After having listened to his companion he became enraged and urged, "Spend nothing on those who follow the Messenger of Allah (sa) until they have dispersed!" Then exclaimed, "If we return to the City, the strong will expel the more humiliated!" Zayd, Arkam's son, a Khazraj youth, heard Abdullah and went straight to the Prophet (sa) to report the matter. The Prophet's displeasure was clear upon his face whereupon Omar expressed his opinion that Abdullah should be dealt with as a traitor, but the Prophet (sa) spoke gently and replied, "Omar, what would happen if it is said that Muhammad kills his companions?" An Ansar heard the boy's report and went to Abdullah to ask if the report was correct. Abdullah was shaken to learn that his intent had been reported and went directly to the Prophet (sa) and denied the matter on oath. A small crowd had gathered around the Prophet (sa), amongst whom were some people of the Khazraj who stood up for Abdullah and made Zayd look appear as a liar which upset him greatly. The situation was tense, so the Prophet (sa) in his wisdom temporarily dismissed the incident and unexpectedly gave orders to break camp. The timing was unusual as it was not his custom to march in the middle of the day when the heat was at its worst. Apart from a few short stops for prayer, the march continued until well past the mid−morning of the following day when the combination of both heat and tiredness compelled them to stop and they were too exhausted to continue their quarrel. During the march, the Prophet (sa) told Sa’ad, Ubadah's son, that he believed Zayd had spoken the truth, whereupon Sa’ad said, "O Messenger of Allah (sa), if you wish you can drive him out, for indeed he is the lower and the weaker, and you are the higher and mightier!" However, the Prophet (sa) did not respond and let it pass until he received a new Revelation, which was the short chapter called "The Hypocrites". In it Allah exonerates Zayd and quotes the words of Abdullah, Ubayy's son.
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful “When the hypocrites come to you they say: ‘We bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah.’ Allah knows that you (Prophet Muhammad) are indeed His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are truly liars! They have taken their oaths as a cover and barred others from the Path of Allah. Evil is what they have done. That is because they believed, then disbelieved, because of this a seal has been set upon their hearts so they are unable to understand. When you see them their bodies please you, but when they speak and you listen to their sayings, they are like propped−up timber. Every shout (they hear) they take it to be against them. They are the enemy − be wary of them. Allah kills them! How perverse they are! When it is said to them: ‘Come, the Messenger of Allah will ask forgiveness for you,’ they turn their heads in pride and you see them go away. It is equal for them whether you ask for their forgiveness or you do not ask for their forgiveness, Allah will not forgive them. Allah does not guide the evildoers. It is they that say: ‘Spend nothing on those who follow the Messenger of Allah until they disperse.’ Yet to Allah belong the treasuries of the heavens and the earth, but the hypocrites do not understand. They say: ‘If we return to the City, the strong will expel the humiliated.’ But the might belongs to Allah, and His Messenger and the believers, but the hypocrites do not know. Believers, do not let either your possessions or your children divert you from the Remembrance of Allah. Those who do that shall be the losers. So spend of that with which We have provided you before death comes upon any of you and he then says: ‘O my Lord, if only You would defer me to a near term, so that I could give in charity and be among the good−doers.’ But Allah will never defer any soul when its term comes. Allah is Aware of what you do.” Al-Quran Chapter 63
However, the Prophet (sa) did not recite this new chapter until after his return to Medina. Meanwhile, Zayd continued to ride on in misery dwelling upon the hurt that anyone could even think that he would lie to the Messenger of Allah (sa). The Prophet (sa) understood how very sad Zayd was feeling, so he rode up to him, and spoke in a gentle, comforting voice that no other could hear saying, "Your ear heard the truth; Allah has confirmed it." Zayd’s misery vanished, he was so very happy, but knew he must not say a word about it until after Prophet Muhammad (sa) had made known the truth. Abdullah's son knew that his father had lied, he also knew that Omar had asked the Prophet (sa) to deal with him as a traitor and was afraid of his tribes reaction should it be carried out. With this in mind he went to the Prophet (sa) and told him that he knew of Omar's opinion and asked that if it was proven to be true, that he be permitted to be his father's executioner. He told the Prophet (sa) that if anyone else were to do it, that every time he saw that person he would want to kill him and thereby be responsible for killing a believer for the sake of an unbeliever and enter Hell. But the Prophet (sa) told him that this was not his intention to harm him and said: "Let us deal with him gently and make the best of his company while he is with us." When they reached Medina, the Prophet (sa) called for the hypocrites so that he might ask for their forgiveness but they turned away in arrogance; and the Prophet (sa) recited the newly revealed chapter that exposed them.
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful “When the hypocrites come to you they say: ‘We bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah.’ Allah knows that you (Prophet Muhammad) are indeed His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are truly liars! They have taken their oaths as a cover and barred others from the Path of Allah. Evil is what they have done. That is because they believed, then disbelieved, because of this a seal has been set upon their hearts so they are unable to understand. When you see them their bodies please you, but when they speak and you listen to their sayings, they are like propped−up timber. Every shout (they hear) they take it to be against them. They are the enemy − be wary of them. Allah kills them! How perverse they are! When it is said to them: ‘Come, the Messenger of Allah will ask forgiveness for you,’ they turn their heads in pride and you see them go away. It is equal for them whether you ask for their forgiveness or you do not ask for their forgiveness, Allah will not forgive them. Allah does not guide the evildoers. It is they that say: ‘Spend nothing on those who follow the Messenger of Allah until they disperse.’ Yet to Allah belong the treasuries of the heavens and the earth, but the hypocrites do not understand. They say: ‘If we return to the City, the strong will expel the humiliated.’ But the might belongs to Allah, and His Messenger and the believers, but the hypocrites do not know. Believers, do not let either your possessions or your children divert you from the Remembrance of Allah. Those who do that shall be the losers. So spend of that with which We have provided you before death comes upon any of you and he then says: ‘O my Lord, if only You would defer me to a near term, so that I could give in charity and be among the good−doers.’ But Allah will never defer any soul when its term comes. Allah is Aware of what you do.” Al-Quran Chapter 63
However, the Prophet (sa) did not recite this new chapter until after his return to Medina. Meanwhile, Zayd continued to ride on in misery dwelling upon the hurt that anyone could even think that he would lie to the Messenger of Allah (sa). The Prophet (sa) understood how very sad Zayd was feeling, so he rode up to him, and spoke in a gentle, comforting voice that no other could hear saying, "Your ear heard the truth; Allah has confirmed it." Zayd’s misery vanished, he was so very happy, but knew he must not say a word about it until after Prophet Muhammad (sa) had made known the truth. Abdullah's son knew that his father had lied, he also knew that Omar had asked the Prophet (sa) to deal with him as a traitor and was afraid of his tribes reaction should it be carried out. With this in mind he went to the Prophet (sa) and told him that he knew of Omar's opinion and asked that if it was proven to be true, that he be permitted to be his father's executioner. He told the Prophet (sa) that if anyone else were to do it, that every time he saw that person he would want to kill him and thereby be responsible for killing a believer for the sake of an unbeliever and enter Hell. But the Prophet (sa) told him that this was not his intention to harm him and said: "Let us deal with him gently and make the best of his company while he is with us." When they reached Medina, the Prophet (sa) called for the hypocrites so that he might ask for their forgiveness but they turned away in arrogance; and the Prophet (sa) recited the newly revealed chapter that exposed them.
THE NECKLACE OF LADY AYESHA
At sunset, a few days after the forced march, the Prophet (sa) called for his men to halt to offer the evening prayer. Lady Ayesha's camel was made to kneel and as she dismounted the weakened clasp of the onyx necklace her mother had given her on her wedding day came undone and her necklace fell off. She did not notice it was missing for sometime but when she did she became very sad. The sun had set and it was impossible to find it even though she tried very hard. It had been the Prophet's intention not to stay long at the halt as there was no water for miles around and there was very little water left in their water−skins, but knowing how upset Lady Ayesha was he gave the order that they would remain there that night. News of the loss of Lady Ayesha's necklace circulated amongst the companions and on account of the lack of water there was much concern about their ability to offer the dawn prayer the following morning. They wondered if they would have to delay saying the prayer for it would be necessary for everyone to renew their ablution. That night, Allah in His Mercy sent a new Revelation that spoke of an alternate way in which one might make ablution when water was unavailable:
“If you are ill or on a journey, or if any of you come from the toilet or you have touched (had intercourse with) women, and you cannot find water, so touch pure dust and wipe your faces and your hands. Allah is the Pardoner, the Forgiver." Al-Quran 4:43
The Prophet (sa) recited the new verse to his followers and demonstrated how to make the dry kind of ablution, tayamun, with pure, unpolluted dust and the Muslims rejoiced at not having to delay the Dawn prayer. After having heard this Revelation, Usayd went to Abu Bakr telling him that it was not the first blessing they had received on his account. It was daybreak, the prayer had been offered and there was still no sign of the necklace. It was time to move and as Lady Ayesha's camel got up, there, lying underneath it lay her necklace.
At sunset, a few days after the forced march, the Prophet (sa) called for his men to halt to offer the evening prayer. Lady Ayesha's camel was made to kneel and as she dismounted the weakened clasp of the onyx necklace her mother had given her on her wedding day came undone and her necklace fell off. She did not notice it was missing for sometime but when she did she became very sad. The sun had set and it was impossible to find it even though she tried very hard. It had been the Prophet's intention not to stay long at the halt as there was no water for miles around and there was very little water left in their water−skins, but knowing how upset Lady Ayesha was he gave the order that they would remain there that night. News of the loss of Lady Ayesha's necklace circulated amongst the companions and on account of the lack of water there was much concern about their ability to offer the dawn prayer the following morning. They wondered if they would have to delay saying the prayer for it would be necessary for everyone to renew their ablution. That night, Allah in His Mercy sent a new Revelation that spoke of an alternate way in which one might make ablution when water was unavailable:
“If you are ill or on a journey, or if any of you come from the toilet or you have touched (had intercourse with) women, and you cannot find water, so touch pure dust and wipe your faces and your hands. Allah is the Pardoner, the Forgiver." Al-Quran 4:43
The Prophet (sa) recited the new verse to his followers and demonstrated how to make the dry kind of ablution, tayamun, with pure, unpolluted dust and the Muslims rejoiced at not having to delay the Dawn prayer. After having heard this Revelation, Usayd went to Abu Bakr telling him that it was not the first blessing they had received on his account. It was daybreak, the prayer had been offered and there was still no sign of the necklace. It was time to move and as Lady Ayesha's camel got up, there, lying underneath it lay her necklace.
THE RACE
As they journeyed back to Medina they came across a valley in which it was decided to camp and the two tents of the Prophet (sa) were erected some distance away from the others. Lady Ayesha, who was young and full of energy, invited the Prophet (sa) to race with her as he had done in Mecca before the migration, and so they raced with one another. This time the Prophet (sa) won the race whereupon he said, "This is for the other race, the one in which you were the winner." Later, Lady Ayesha explained that one day, when she was little, the Prophet (sa) went to visit her father and saw she had something in her hand. He asked her to bring it to him, but in her playfulness she would not and had run away from him whereupon the Prophet (sa) pretended to run after her, but let her get away.
As they journeyed back to Medina they came across a valley in which it was decided to camp and the two tents of the Prophet (sa) were erected some distance away from the others. Lady Ayesha, who was young and full of energy, invited the Prophet (sa) to race with her as he had done in Mecca before the migration, and so they raced with one another. This time the Prophet (sa) won the race whereupon he said, "This is for the other race, the one in which you were the winner." Later, Lady Ayesha explained that one day, when she was little, the Prophet (sa) went to visit her father and saw she had something in her hand. He asked her to bring it to him, but in her playfulness she would not and had run away from him whereupon the Prophet (sa) pretended to run after her, but let her get away.
THE LAST STAGE OF THE JOURNEY
Medina was but a few stops away when the order to halt was given. Once more, during their rest period, the clasp of Lady Ayesha's necklace came undone and slipped from her without notice. The time had come to resume the march, but just before she mounted her howdah she felt the need to answer the call of nature and slipped away far from everyone's sight. When she returned, Lady Umm Salamah and herself seated themselves inside their individual howdahs and drew the curtains around them as they waited for them to be lifted up on to the back of their camels. To her great alarm, as Lady Ayesha was making herself comfortable she realized her necklace had slipped yet again and so she left her howdah to go and look for it. Everyone was busy with their own affairs and nobody noticed her leave the howdah. Whilst she searched for the necklace the howdahs were mounted onto the camels, and no one realized that she was not inside, and the order to march was given. Lady Ayesha found her necklace but when she returned everyone had left. She didn't know what to do for the best so she thought if she remained where her howdah had been, then, sooner or later, someone would be sure to notice she wasn't with them and realize that she had been left behind at the last halt, and as she waited she was overcome by tiredness and fell sound asleep. Safwan, Muattal’s son had been designated to trail behind the army. His duties were to be on the look out for any possible threat from the rear and to retrieve any item that may have either been left behind or dropped as the army marched on ahead. The hours passed by and as Safwan drew near to the last camp he noticed a figure asleep in the sand and decided to investigate. When he reached the camp he dismounted from his camel and went over to the sleeper. Lady Ayesha was not wearing her veil so he was able to recognize her as he had seen her before the Prophet's wives were obliged to wear the veil. As soon as he realized who the sleeping person was he exclaimed, "Indeed we are for Allah, and to Him we return. It is the wife of the Messenger of Allah !" Until that moment Lady Ayesha had remained asleep, but upon hearing his voice she woke up and quickly drew the veil over her face. She was relieved to see him and Safwan offered her his camel and walked on foot as he led the camel on to the next halt. At the next halt, the howdahs had been lifted from the camels and set down upon the sand. When Lady Ayesha did not come out of her howdah it was presumed she must have fallen asleep, and no one thought anymore about it. It was almost time to resume the march, when to everyone's astonishment Safwan entered the camp leading Lady Ayesha riding on his camel. Neither the Prophet (sa) nor the companions thought anymore about the incident, they were glad that she was safe and sound, but the tongues of the hypocrites, ever searching for a way to harm the holy family, started to concoct slanderous lies about Lady Ayesha and Safwan.
Medina was but a few stops away when the order to halt was given. Once more, during their rest period, the clasp of Lady Ayesha's necklace came undone and slipped from her without notice. The time had come to resume the march, but just before she mounted her howdah she felt the need to answer the call of nature and slipped away far from everyone's sight. When she returned, Lady Umm Salamah and herself seated themselves inside their individual howdahs and drew the curtains around them as they waited for them to be lifted up on to the back of their camels. To her great alarm, as Lady Ayesha was making herself comfortable she realized her necklace had slipped yet again and so she left her howdah to go and look for it. Everyone was busy with their own affairs and nobody noticed her leave the howdah. Whilst she searched for the necklace the howdahs were mounted onto the camels, and no one realized that she was not inside, and the order to march was given. Lady Ayesha found her necklace but when she returned everyone had left. She didn't know what to do for the best so she thought if she remained where her howdah had been, then, sooner or later, someone would be sure to notice she wasn't with them and realize that she had been left behind at the last halt, and as she waited she was overcome by tiredness and fell sound asleep. Safwan, Muattal’s son had been designated to trail behind the army. His duties were to be on the look out for any possible threat from the rear and to retrieve any item that may have either been left behind or dropped as the army marched on ahead. The hours passed by and as Safwan drew near to the last camp he noticed a figure asleep in the sand and decided to investigate. When he reached the camp he dismounted from his camel and went over to the sleeper. Lady Ayesha was not wearing her veil so he was able to recognize her as he had seen her before the Prophet's wives were obliged to wear the veil. As soon as he realized who the sleeping person was he exclaimed, "Indeed we are for Allah, and to Him we return. It is the wife of the Messenger of Allah !" Until that moment Lady Ayesha had remained asleep, but upon hearing his voice she woke up and quickly drew the veil over her face. She was relieved to see him and Safwan offered her his camel and walked on foot as he led the camel on to the next halt. At the next halt, the howdahs had been lifted from the camels and set down upon the sand. When Lady Ayesha did not come out of her howdah it was presumed she must have fallen asleep, and no one thought anymore about it. It was almost time to resume the march, when to everyone's astonishment Safwan entered the camp leading Lady Ayesha riding on his camel. Neither the Prophet (sa) nor the companions thought anymore about the incident, they were glad that she was safe and sound, but the tongues of the hypocrites, ever searching for a way to harm the holy family, started to concoct slanderous lies about Lady Ayesha and Safwan.
THE DIVISION OF THE SPOILS OF WAR
Upon their return to Medina the spoils of war were distributed evenly amongst those that had taken part in the campaign. Among those taken captive was Juwayriyah, the daughter of Harith, chief of the Mutalik. Juwayriyah had been given to an Ansar who decided to ask a high ransom for her release on account of her father’s rank. Juwayriyah was troubled by the price so she went to the Prophet (sa), who was staying in the apartment of Lady Ayesha that day, to request him to intervene on her behalf. Meanwhile, Juwayriyah's father learned of his daughter's position and set off with his sons for Medina with a fine herd of camels to ransom her. However, when he reached the valley of Atik his love of two extremely fine camels prompted him to keep them and not to offer them as part of the ransom, so he hid them with the intent of retrieval after he
Upon their return to Medina the spoils of war were distributed evenly amongst those that had taken part in the campaign. Among those taken captive was Juwayriyah, the daughter of Harith, chief of the Mutalik. Juwayriyah had been given to an Ansar who decided to ask a high ransom for her release on account of her father’s rank. Juwayriyah was troubled by the price so she went to the Prophet (sa), who was staying in the apartment of Lady Ayesha that day, to request him to intervene on her behalf. Meanwhile, Juwayriyah's father learned of his daughter's position and set off with his sons for Medina with a fine herd of camels to ransom her. However, when he reached the valley of Atik his love of two extremely fine camels prompted him to keep them and not to offer them as part of the ransom, so he hid them with the intent of retrieval after he
had secured his daughter's release. When Harith reached Medina he went to the Prophet (sa) and offered the camels, but much to his astonishment and that of his sons, the Prophet (sa) inquired, "Where are the other camels?" Then he proceeded to tell Harith the exact place where they were hidden in the valley of Atik. Harith and his sons were completely overcome, for no one except the three knew what they had done nor yet where they had hidden the camels. Harith and his sons exclaimed, "I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah!" The two camels were fetched and given to the Prophet (sa) and Juwayriyah was returned to her father, and like her father, she too embraced Islam. Tribal ties had been strengthened enormously through the bonds of the Prophet's marriages and the Prophet (sa) offered to marry Juwayriyah. Juwayriyah accepted and an apartment was added to those of her co−wives. When the Ansars and Muhajirs learned that the Prophet (sa) was going to take Lady Juwayriyah to be his wife they released all the unransomed captives, of whom there were approximately one hundred families, and Lady Ayesha was heard to say, "I know of no woman, who was a greater blessing to her tribe than her."
THE VICIOUS LIE
Soon after their return, Lady Ayesha was taken ill and during this time the slanderous lies the hypocrites concocted started to circulate throughout the City. The majority of Muslims refused to accept or even listen to them, however, there were a few including Lady Ayesha's own cousin, Mistah, who believed and helped to spread the rumor. Despite the fact that everyone in Medina knew about the rumors, Lady Ayesha remained completely unaware, and when her illness worsened she asked the Prophet's permission to return to her mother so that she might look after her and the Prophet (sa) agreed. Twenty days after she had gone to stay with her mother, her illness abated. One evening, shortly thereafter, as she was walking with her paternal aunt, Mistah's mother, her aunt's foot became entangled in her gown and caused her to stumble, whereupon she surprised Lady Ayesha with her exclamation, "May Mistah stumble!" Lady Ayesha exclaimed, "Allah! That is not a good thing to say about a Muhajir who fought at Badr!" Then it dawned upon her aunt that Lady Ayesha knew nothing of the rumors and asked, "Haven't you heard what is being said?" Lady Ayesha was puzzled and replied that she had no idea what she referred too whereupon her aunt broke the news of the vicious lies the hypocrites and her son were spreading about her. Lady Ayesha could not believe her ears and exclaimed, "Can this be so!" and with deep regret her aunt swore by Allah that it was. Lady Ayesha burst into tears and returned home sobbing so much that later on she said that she feared her liver would split. When she reached home she went straight to her mother saying, "May Allah forgive you, people talk, yet you did not tell me anything of it!" Her mother did her best to comfort her but it did nothing to alleviate the great sorrow and hurt she felt as she lay awake all night sobbing her young, innocent heart out. Prophet Muhammad (sa) knew Lady Ayesha to be innocent of the charges but had to wait for a Revelation to be sent down that would exonerate her before everyone. In the meantime he approached his wives and asked their opinion of her so as to confound the whisperings of satan. Without exception all praised Lady Ayesha saying that they only knew good things about her. The following morning when the Prophet (sa) was in the Mosque he climbed the pulpit, praised Allah then said, "O people, what do you say of men who seek to hurt me with regard to my family by spreading untruths about them? By Allah, I know nothing but good about my household, and nothing but good about the man they mention who has never entered a house of mine except that I was with him." As soon as the words had left the Prophet's mouth, Usayd jumped up and said, "O Messenger of Allah (sa), if they are from the Aws, we will deal with them; but if they are from our Khazraj brothers then command us −− they should be killed!" Amongst the chief perpetrators other than Mistah, and ibn Ubayy, was Hamnah, and Hassan, Thabit's son from the Khazraj. When Sa’ad, heard Usayd's words he exclaimed, "You will not kill them, nor can you. You would not have spoken like this if they had been your people! A heated argument broke out as Usayd said, "We will kill them, and you are a hypocrite to take their side! The Prophet (sa) intervened and quieted them down and they left the Mosque in peace. A well intentioned person thought Lady Ayesha would be comforted when she learned of the kind words her co−wives had said about her when the Prophet (sa) inquired about her. However, it caused her greater distress as she began to wonder whether he had asked them because he distrusted her. Had she also been told about the events in the Mosque she would have realized otherwise but she remained unaware. Lady Ayesha wept continuously for two days and nights during which time one of the ladies from the Ansar came to visit her and she too sat and wept with her. A while later, the Prophet (sa) came to visit her and sat down and said, "I bear witness that there is no god except Allah," then he explained the situation to her saying compassionately, "O Ayesha, I have heard such and such a thing concerning you. Allah will surely declare the innocence of the innocent. Should it be that you have done something that is wrong, then repent to Allah, for Allah is the Receiver of repentance." When Lady Ayesha heard these words she stopped crying and asked her father to speak on her behalf, but he said, "I do not know how to reply." She asked her mother to do the same, but like her husband she did not know how to reply. Lady Ayesha, who was still extremely distressed, replied with the best reply against the slanderers and quoted the words Prophet Jacob had uttered when Joseph's brothers claimed that a wolf had devoured him:
Soon after their return, Lady Ayesha was taken ill and during this time the slanderous lies the hypocrites concocted started to circulate throughout the City. The majority of Muslims refused to accept or even listen to them, however, there were a few including Lady Ayesha's own cousin, Mistah, who believed and helped to spread the rumor. Despite the fact that everyone in Medina knew about the rumors, Lady Ayesha remained completely unaware, and when her illness worsened she asked the Prophet's permission to return to her mother so that she might look after her and the Prophet (sa) agreed. Twenty days after she had gone to stay with her mother, her illness abated. One evening, shortly thereafter, as she was walking with her paternal aunt, Mistah's mother, her aunt's foot became entangled in her gown and caused her to stumble, whereupon she surprised Lady Ayesha with her exclamation, "May Mistah stumble!" Lady Ayesha exclaimed, "Allah! That is not a good thing to say about a Muhajir who fought at Badr!" Then it dawned upon her aunt that Lady Ayesha knew nothing of the rumors and asked, "Haven't you heard what is being said?" Lady Ayesha was puzzled and replied that she had no idea what she referred too whereupon her aunt broke the news of the vicious lies the hypocrites and her son were spreading about her. Lady Ayesha could not believe her ears and exclaimed, "Can this be so!" and with deep regret her aunt swore by Allah that it was. Lady Ayesha burst into tears and returned home sobbing so much that later on she said that she feared her liver would split. When she reached home she went straight to her mother saying, "May Allah forgive you, people talk, yet you did not tell me anything of it!" Her mother did her best to comfort her but it did nothing to alleviate the great sorrow and hurt she felt as she lay awake all night sobbing her young, innocent heart out. Prophet Muhammad (sa) knew Lady Ayesha to be innocent of the charges but had to wait for a Revelation to be sent down that would exonerate her before everyone. In the meantime he approached his wives and asked their opinion of her so as to confound the whisperings of satan. Without exception all praised Lady Ayesha saying that they only knew good things about her. The following morning when the Prophet (sa) was in the Mosque he climbed the pulpit, praised Allah then said, "O people, what do you say of men who seek to hurt me with regard to my family by spreading untruths about them? By Allah, I know nothing but good about my household, and nothing but good about the man they mention who has never entered a house of mine except that I was with him." As soon as the words had left the Prophet's mouth, Usayd jumped up and said, "O Messenger of Allah (sa), if they are from the Aws, we will deal with them; but if they are from our Khazraj brothers then command us −− they should be killed!" Amongst the chief perpetrators other than Mistah, and ibn Ubayy, was Hamnah, and Hassan, Thabit's son from the Khazraj. When Sa’ad, heard Usayd's words he exclaimed, "You will not kill them, nor can you. You would not have spoken like this if they had been your people! A heated argument broke out as Usayd said, "We will kill them, and you are a hypocrite to take their side! The Prophet (sa) intervened and quieted them down and they left the Mosque in peace. A well intentioned person thought Lady Ayesha would be comforted when she learned of the kind words her co−wives had said about her when the Prophet (sa) inquired about her. However, it caused her greater distress as she began to wonder whether he had asked them because he distrusted her. Had she also been told about the events in the Mosque she would have realized otherwise but she remained unaware. Lady Ayesha wept continuously for two days and nights during which time one of the ladies from the Ansar came to visit her and she too sat and wept with her. A while later, the Prophet (sa) came to visit her and sat down and said, "I bear witness that there is no god except Allah," then he explained the situation to her saying compassionately, "O Ayesha, I have heard such and such a thing concerning you. Allah will surely declare the innocence of the innocent. Should it be that you have done something that is wrong, then repent to Allah, for Allah is the Receiver of repentance." When Lady Ayesha heard these words she stopped crying and asked her father to speak on her behalf, but he said, "I do not know how to reply." She asked her mother to do the same, but like her husband she did not know how to reply. Lady Ayesha, who was still extremely distressed, replied with the best reply against the slanderers and quoted the words Prophet Jacob had uttered when Joseph's brothers claimed that a wolf had devoured him:
" ... 'But come sweet patience! The help of Allah is always there to seek against that which (some of) you describe.’” Al-Quran 12:18
then she went and laid down upon her couch, hoping all the while that Allah would clarify the matter. Such was her humility that she did not expect to be worthy of a Revelation being sent down proclaiming her innocence, but she hoped that the Prophet (sa) would see a vision that would exonerate her. Not long after Lady Ayesha had laid down Allah sent Gabriel with a Revelation of exoneration to the Prophet (sa) whereupon he called to her with great happiness, "O Ayesha, praise Allah, for He has announced your innocence."
"... those who came with slander were a number of you. Do not regard it evil for you, rather it is good for you. Every person of them shall have the sin that he has earned charged to him. As for he who took upon himself the greater part there is a mightier punishment." Al-Quran 24:11
The Revelation spoke not only of Lady Ayesha's innocence but the punishment of those who slander innocent women. The verses Allah sent down regarding the punishment of slanderers reads:
"Those who accuse chaste women and cannot produce four witnesses, you shall lash them with eighty lashes. And never accept their testimony, for they are evildoers, except those among them that afterwards repent and mend their ways. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." Al-Quran 24:4−5
And so in compliance with the Word of Allah, those that admitted taking part in the slander were punished. As for the hypocrites, they did not admit their part, so the Prophet (sa) left them alone committing their affair to Allah. Prior to the slandering, Abu Bakr it had been his custom to give his nephew, Mistah, who was poor, an allowance. Now that Mistah’s mischief had been revealed he swore by Allah never to give him anything again on account of the harm he had caused. But, unknown to him at that time, Allah had sent down another verse that instructs:
"Do not let those of you who possess bounty and plenty swear not to give kinsmen and the poor and those who emigrate in the Way of Allah. Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not yearn that Allah forgives you? And Allah is the Forgiver, the Most Merciful." Al-Quran 24:22
When this verse was recited to Abu Bakr he exclaimed, "Indeed, I yearn that Allah forgives me," and went to Mistah to give him his allowance saying, "I swear that I will never again withhold it from him!"
then she went and laid down upon her couch, hoping all the while that Allah would clarify the matter. Such was her humility that she did not expect to be worthy of a Revelation being sent down proclaiming her innocence, but she hoped that the Prophet (sa) would see a vision that would exonerate her. Not long after Lady Ayesha had laid down Allah sent Gabriel with a Revelation of exoneration to the Prophet (sa) whereupon he called to her with great happiness, "O Ayesha, praise Allah, for He has announced your innocence."
"... those who came with slander were a number of you. Do not regard it evil for you, rather it is good for you. Every person of them shall have the sin that he has earned charged to him. As for he who took upon himself the greater part there is a mightier punishment." Al-Quran 24:11
The Revelation spoke not only of Lady Ayesha's innocence but the punishment of those who slander innocent women. The verses Allah sent down regarding the punishment of slanderers reads:
"Those who accuse chaste women and cannot produce four witnesses, you shall lash them with eighty lashes. And never accept their testimony, for they are evildoers, except those among them that afterwards repent and mend their ways. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." Al-Quran 24:4−5
And so in compliance with the Word of Allah, those that admitted taking part in the slander were punished. As for the hypocrites, they did not admit their part, so the Prophet (sa) left them alone committing their affair to Allah. Prior to the slandering, Abu Bakr it had been his custom to give his nephew, Mistah, who was poor, an allowance. Now that Mistah’s mischief had been revealed he swore by Allah never to give him anything again on account of the harm he had caused. But, unknown to him at that time, Allah had sent down another verse that instructs:
"Do not let those of you who possess bounty and plenty swear not to give kinsmen and the poor and those who emigrate in the Way of Allah. Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not yearn that Allah forgives you? And Allah is the Forgiver, the Most Merciful." Al-Quran 24:22
When this verse was recited to Abu Bakr he exclaimed, "Indeed, I yearn that Allah forgives me," and went to Mistah to give him his allowance saying, "I swear that I will never again withhold it from him!"
THE DEATH OF UBAYD ALLAH, SON OF JAHSH
A month or so before Ramadan, news reached Medina that Ubayd Allah, the son of Jahsh had died. Before Ubayd Allah's conversion he had been a Christian but when he and his wife Umm Habibah, Abu Sufyan's daughter converted to Islam, they had been among those that migrated to Abyssinia to escape persecution. However, much to Umm Habibah's deep distress her husband reverted to Christianity and died as such.
A month or so before Ramadan, news reached Medina that Ubayd Allah, the son of Jahsh had died. Before Ubayd Allah's conversion he had been a Christian but when he and his wife Umm Habibah, Abu Sufyan's daughter converted to Islam, they had been among those that migrated to Abyssinia to escape persecution. However, much to Umm Habibah's deep distress her husband reverted to Christianity and died as such.
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