Sayyidah ‘Aa'ishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) – Part Two

Spontaneous Modesty

The Expedition of Banul Mustaliq occurred during the month of Sha’baan 5 A.H. Together with the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who accompanied Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) on this expedition, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) also took his respected wife, Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) along with him.

On the return journey, they had halted for the night at a place close to Madeenah Munawwarah. Prior to the time of departure, Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) went some distance away from the camp site to take care of her physical needs. However, when she returned, she realised that her necklace had fallen off and therefore went back in search of it. In the process of finding her necklace, she was delayed, and upon returning to the camp site, she found that the army had already departed.

Since Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was very light in weight at that time, the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who had lifted the hawdaj (a curtained carriage) and placed it on the camel’s back did not even realized that she was not inside.

Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) relates, “I proceeded to the place in which I had initially been, realising that they would soon discover that I was missing and return for me. I then covered myself with 

my shawl, and fell asleep.

“Safwaan bin Mu‘attal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was appointed by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), as per his own request, to follow behind the army. Hence, when the army would depart, he would remain in the camp, performing salaah. After some time, he would follow behind the army, recovering lost items, such as a waterskin or utensil, that any person in the army had left behind, so that he could return it to the owner.

“As Safwaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) proceeded, he came to the place where I was, noticed the figure of a person sleeping, and recognized me (as the shawl had fallen from my face, while I was asleep). Safwaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was able to recognize me as he had seen me in the era before the laws of hijaab (purdah) were revealed.

“As soon as he saw me, he loudly recited, ‘innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilaihi raaji‘oon’, causing me to awaken. On awakening, my spontaneous reaction was to cover my face and conceal it from him. By Allah! We did not speak anything to one another, nor did I hear any word from him besides his reciting of ‘innaa lillaah’.

“He then brought his camel to me, made it kneel, and then turned his face away, allowing me to climb onto the camel. He then led the camel, until we reached the army.”

(Saheeh Bukhaari #4750 and Fat-hul Baari)

Lessons:

1. Before she fell asleep, Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) covered herself, and as soon as she awoke, her spontaneous reaction was to cover her face as well. Hence, it is clear that the aspect of purdah was so deeply ingrained in Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) that it was her second nature. It is thus very clear that the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), despite the high level of their piety, purity of their hearts, and deep consciousness of Allah Ta‘ala, did not regard purdah and the covering of the face to be a trivial matter or something insignificant – rather they showed it utmost importance, as they knew that hayaa is directly linked to imaan.

2. When Sayyiduna Safwaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) discovered Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), he woke her by loudly reciting ‘innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji’oon’, in order to avoid any direct conversation. When a Sahaabi exercised this level of caution when interacting with his ‘mother’ in a situation of dire necessity, due to her being a non-mahram, what level of caution should we be exercising, in a time that abounds with lust and illicit behaviour. While this applies to physical meetings and verbal conversations, it equally applies to interacting via social networks or any other media.     

3. Sayyiduna Safwaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had to fulfil the necessary duty of transporting Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) back to the army, as he could not leave her alone in the wilderness. However, he did so with utmost hayaa. While she was climbing onto the camel, he turned away completely, and after she was mounted on the camel, he did not walk beside her, but walked in front, where he could not see her. In essence, both these Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), on this occasion, displayed the highest levels of hayaa and purdah, despite the difficult situation, thus setting the standard for the Ummah to follow.

A Letter to the Nile

During the khilaafah (rule) of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the Muslims conquered the land of Egypt. Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had appointed Sayyiduna ‘Amr bin ‘Aas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) as the governor over Egypt.

After the Muslims began to rule, when the month of Baoonah (the tenth month in the Coptic calendar) commenced, the people of Egypt approached Sayyiduna ‘Amr bin ‘Aas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and said, “O leader! The Nile has a special ritual that must be performed. Without performing this ritual, the river will not rise (and we will not be able to farm).” Sayyiduna ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) asked them, “What is this ritual?” The people answered, “When it is the twelfth night of this month, we go to a young, virgin girl. We then make her parents happy (by remunerating them greatly so they may consent us taking her away), after which we adorn her with the best of jewellery and dress her in the finest of garments. We then cast her into the Nile (as a human sacrifice).”

When Sayyiduna ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) heard this, he said, “This ritual cannot be carried out in Islam, as Islam has abrogated and cancelled all customs and rituals of jaahiliyyah (the pre-Islamic era).” The people thus desisted from performing this ritual. However, the remainder of Baoonah passed, as well as the next two months, without the water level of the Nile rising. Eventually, the people resolved to leave the area and move elsewhere.

When Sayyiduna ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saw that the situation had reached this point, he wrote a letter to Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), informing him of the predicament in Egypt. On receiving his letter and reading it, Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) sent him the following reply, “You have acted correctly (in refusing to carry out this custom), as Islam has cancelled all rituals and customs from jaahiliyyah.” Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) also wrote a small note, on a separate piece of paper, and included it within the letter. Regarding this note, he instructed Sayyiduna ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), “I have sent a note to you, included with your letter. Cast this note into the Nile.”

When Sayyiduna ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) received the letter, he took the note and saw that Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had written the following, “From the servant of Allah Ta‘ala, ‘Umar, Ameerul Mu-mineen, to the Nile of Egypt. If your flowing is of your own accord, then you may abstain from rising. However, if it is that Being, who is One and All-Powerful, that causes you to flow, then we ask Him Who is Alone and All-Powerful to make you flow.”

Sayyiduna ‘Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) cast the letter into the Nile one day before Holy Cross Day (a day celebrated by the Christians). At that time all the people had prepared to migrate elsewhere, as they could not live in the region and see to their needs without the water of the Nile. The following morning, when the people awoke, they found that Allah Ta‘ala had caused the level of the Nile to rise by almost seven meters in a single night!

In this manner, Allah Ta‘ala brought an end to that bad custom of human sacrifice for the Nile, and it has never again been practiced till this day.

(Taareekh Ibni ‘Asaakir vol. 44, pg. 337)

Lessons:

1. No matter what difficulty the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) faced, even if it was the difficulty of drought due to the Nile not flooding, they were NEVER prepared to compromise their Deen. They understood that Allah Ta‘ala alone is in control of everything, and His assistance can NEVER be gained through disobeying Him and turning away from Him. Hence, in our current situation, while abiding by the lockdown regulations, we should remain committed to Deen and be loyal to Allah Ta‘ala by being steadfast on the five daily salaah, abstaining from sins, etc.

2. Islam is a complete Deen. Hence, a Muslim will never adopt customs from other cultures, such as birthday parties, nor will he invent his own customs and rituals and try to make them part of Deen.

Sayyidah ‘Aa'ishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) – Part One

The Most Beloved of the Most Beloved

Allah Ta‘ala had blessed multiple women with the honour of becoming the Azwaaj Mutahharaat (pure and chaste wives of Rasulullah [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam]). However, from all the Azwaaj Mutahharaat, perhaps the one who is most well-known is Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha).

Not only was Sayyidah Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) the most beloved of the Azwaaj Mutahharaat to our most beloved Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), but among all his wives, she was blessed with many special virtues that were unique to her alone.

Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) once mentioned the following to the other Azwaaj Mutahharaat:

“I was favoured over you with ten special blessings – and I do not say this with pride (but rather to express gratitude to Allah Ta‘ala. These ten special blessings are that) I was the most beloved to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) from all his wives and my father was the most beloved to him (from all the Sahaabah [radhiyallahu ‘anhum]).

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) married me as a virgin, whereas he did not marry any other woman who was a virgin besides me. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) married me at the age of seven, and I went to live with him when I was nine.

(When I was falsely accused of zina,) my exoneration and the declaration of my innocence descended from the sky (as revelation to be recorded in the Qura'an Majeed).

When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was in his final illness, he asked his wives permission saying, ‘It is difficult for me to continue moving between your homes (giving each of you your due turn). Hence, allow me to remain with one of you.’ When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said that, Ummu Salamah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) said, ‘We understand what it is that you wish – you wish to stay at the home of ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha). We have given you permission to do so (as this is what pleases you).’

The final thing to be placed in the blessed mouth of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in the world was my saliva. A miswaak was brought to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and he asked me to chew it for him and soften it for him, which I did (and he then used the miswaak, due to which my saliva was in his blessed mouth when he departed from this world).

(Finally,) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) departed from this world while reclining on me, (with his blessed head) between my lap and my chest, and he was buried in my home.” (Siyaru Aa’laamin Nubalaa vol. 2, pg. 147)

Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was blessed with many other special virtues and bounties by Allah Ta‘ala. Nevertheless, from these great virtues, we can understand the high rank and status that Allah Ta‘ala had blessed her with.

Insha-Allah, in the following weeks, we will take glimpses into the blessed life of this outstanding personality so that she may serve as an inspiration to us all.

Concealed or Revealed?

It is necessary, among other conditions, for a woman’s clothing to cover her entire body and hair (with the exception of her hands till her wrists and feet) before non-mahram men. Furthermore, the clothing should neither be transparent, thus exposing the body, nor should it be tight-fitting, thus revealing the shape of the body and limbs.

Rasululah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) taught the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to take these aspects very seriously and practically taught them to dress with hayaa and concealment.

Sayyiduna Dihyah Kalbi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) narrates, “Rasulullah once received some Egyptian cloths as a gift. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then took one of the cloths and gave it to me saying, ‘Cut it in half. Make a kurta with one half, and give the other half to your wife so that she can wear it as a scarf.’ Then, as Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) turned to leave, he said, ‘Instruct your wife to place a cloth beneath the scarf so that her hair is not revealed (due to the thinness of the cloth).’” (Sunan Abi Dawood #4116)

Similarly, on one occasion, Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the respected sister of Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), entered the home wearing a thin garment. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) immediately turned away from her and corrected her, explaining to her that she should not wear such thin clothing as it was insufficient in concealing her body. (Sunan Abi Dawood #4104)

This lesson of hayaa in clothing, taught by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), was so deeply entrenched in the heart of Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) that she remained particular regarding hayaa in her dressing until the end of her life.

Hence, when she reached old age, her son, Munzir bin Zubair (rahimahullah), after returning from Iraq, sent her a cloth of very fine and superior quality as a gift. She had lost her sight, and so held the fabric in her hand, feeling it carefully. Then she said, “Return the cloth to him.” When the cloth was returned to Munzir (rahimahullah), he felt hurt (as his beloved mother had returned his gift) and said to her, “O my beloved mother! The cloth is not transparent (so it is fine for you to wear)!” Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) replied, “It may not be transparent, but it will still reveal the shape of the body (due to it being tight-fitting).” Understanding the reason for his mother’s disapproval, he thereafter bought her common garments. She happily accepted them saying, “It is these types of garments that you should give me to wear.” (Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 8, pg. 252)

If Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was extremely particular regarding hayaa and purdah, then her sister, Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the mother of the believers, was also very particular and strict in this regard. Hence, it is reported that on one occasion, the niece of Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), Hafsah bintu ‘Abdir Rahmaan (rahimahallah), entered the home of Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) wearing a scarf that was thin (and thus revealed the hair). On seeing this, Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) took the thin scarf, tore it, and gave Hafsah (rahimahallah) a thick scarf to wear. (Muwatta Maalik #3383)

Perhaps one of the most amazing and inspirational incidents in this regard is that of Sayyidah Ummu Khallaad (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma). Her son, Sayyiduna Kallaad (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was martyred during the battle against the Banu Quraizah tribe of the Jews, due to a woman throwing a rock on him from a hill. So Sayyidah Ummu Khallaad (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to enquire about her son’s status and reward in the Hereafter. However, despite the circumstance being one of grief and sorrow, she was not unmindful of her modesty, and thus concealed her face with the niqaab (purdah) before coming to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Noticing this, one Sahaabi was astonished at her not neglecting the covering of her face even in this emotional situation and remarked, “You have come to enquire about your son (who was martyred) yet you have still covered your face (in this tragic moment)?” She replied, “I may have lost my son, but I have not lost my modesty.” (Sunan Abi Dawood #2488 and Bazlul Majhood)

These are just a few incidents from the lives of the Sahaabiyaat (radhiyallahu ‘anhunna) which clearly highlight the importance they showed to hayaa and dressing correctly. We thus understand that this level of hayaa is the normal required level, expected of every Muslimah, and cannot be labeled as ‘extreme’ or ‘going overboard’, as this was the hayaa advocated by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).

Society today may “dress to kill”, but a Muslim should always “dress to conceal”.