Friday Sermon
16 August 2024
Muhammadsa: The Great Exemplar
After reciting the tashahhud, ta‘awwuz, and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:
In the previous sermons, the Expedition of Banu Mustaliq was being discussed. Further details in relation to this are as follows that on the return from Banu Mustaliq, when the Holy Prophetsa passed by a place called Naqi’, they saw an abundance of grass and ponds. When the Holy Prophetsa enquired about the water, someone replied, “O Messengersa of Allah! During summer, the water decreases and the water in the ponds reduces.” The Holy Prophetsa instructed Hazrat Hatib bin Abi Balta’ahra to dig a well and to turn Naqi’ into a grazing field. Hazrat Bilal bin Harith Muznira was appointed to supervise this. He said, “O Messengersa of Allah! How big should I make this grazing field?” The Holy Prophetsa replied, “At dawn, position a person with a loud voice on the mount called Muqammal and make a grazing field for the horses and camels of the Muslims, which they will use for Jihad, to the point wherever his voice reaches.” This is how he measured the size of the area. Hazrat Bilalra said, “O Messengersa of Allah! What is your guidance in relation to the grazing animals of the general Muslims?” The Holy Prophetsa replied, “They will not enter these [grounds].” He says that I then said, “O Messengersa of Allah! What is your guidance in relation to the weak man, or woman, who only has a few sheep and goats, but is not able to take them elsewhere to graze?” The Holy Prophetsa said, “Permit them to graze!” (Subul al-Huda wa al-Rashad, Vol. 4, Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kotob al-Ilmiyah, pp. 352-353)
In other words, he only permitted the poor to enter these grazing fields and instructed the affluent to prepare their separate fields; only civic livestock would be permitted to graze there. This grazing field was maintained throughout the Khilafat of Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Umarra and Hazrat Uthmanra. However, due to the increase in the number of horses and camels, the location was later changed. (Dairah Ma’arif Sirat Muhammad Rasoolsa Allah, Vol. 7, Bazam-i-Iqbal, Lahore, pp. 282-282)
The Holy Prophetsa made great efforts to keep the Companions alert and fresh. From time to time, the Holy Prophetsa would organise such sporting competitions between them, which focused on courage, physicality, faith and striving [in the cause of Allah]. Such games would greatly elevate their determination, courage, fervour and valour. In short, sporting competitions would be organised. On the return from Banu Mustaliq, when the Holy Prophetsa reached Naqi’, he organised a horse and camel race on the same day between the Companions. The camel of the Holy Prophetsa, Qaswah, which was being ridden by Hazrat Bilal bin Rabahra, ran ahead of the other camels and his horse ran ahead of all the other horses. The Holy Prophetsa had two horses. One was called Lizaz and the other was called Zarib. That day, Zarib took part in the competition. Hazrat Abu Sa’eedra was riding the horse and it came first. (Subul al-Huda wa al-Rashad, Vol. 4, Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kotob al-Ilmiyah, p. 353; Sirat Encyclopaedia, Vol. 7, Riyadh: Darussalam, p. 197)
In the same place, we also find mention of the Holy Prophetsa racing Hazrat Aishara. In the book “Imta’ al-Asma’” it is recorded that during this expedition, i.e., the [return] journey from Banu Mustaliq, the Holy Prophetsa raced Hazrat Aishara. She folded in her clothes and the Holy Prophetsa also folded his garment and they raced. The Holy Prophetsa ran ahead of her and said, “This settles the score for when you outran me!”
The Holy Prophetsa referred to an incident of the past with this phrase. He once visited the house of Hazrat Abu Bakrra and saw something in the hand of Hazrat Aishara. He asked if he could see it, but she refused and ran from there. The Holy Prophetsa also ran towards her but was unable to catch her. These were the incidents that he would recall at home in order to maintain a pleasant atmosphere therein. He set an example for us in everything, and this is also an example for those who treat their wives very harshly.
Allamah Ibn Jawzi has relayed a narration of Hazrat Aishara. She states, “I once went on a journey with the Holy Prophetsa. At the time, I was young and of slim build. The Holy Prophetsa told the people to have a race, and so they all began to do so. The Holy Prophetsa then said to me, ‘Come, let us race. Let us take part in the race.’ We then raced and I won.” The first narration that was presented may well have been from another incident, and thus, such incidents of good treatment took place on a regular basis. She then says, “Then, quite some time passed, during which I gained weight. I once again went on a journey with the Holy Prophetsa. On this occasion as well, he told the people to race and they all did so. Thereafter, the Holy Prophetsa said to me, ‘Come and take part in the race.’ The race then took place and this time, he outran me. He was laughing at the time and said that this was to make up for the last race.’” (Al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, Vol. 2, Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kotob al-Ilmiyah, p. 393)
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has narrated this incident as follows:
“The Holy Prophetsa would also go on leisurely excursions with his wives. On one occasion, the Holy Prophetsa and Hazrat Aishara raced in front of the army. (They did not run in private but in front of the army.) The Holy Prophetsa lost, leaving Hazrat Aishara as the winner. When they raced on another occasion, the Holy Prophetsa won and Hazrat Aishara lost as she had gained some weight. Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa stated:
يَا عَائِشَة تِلْکَ بِتِلْکَ
‘O Aisha, this loss of yours makes up for the previous time.’ Hence, the Holy Prophetsa did not deem it inappropriate to go about with his wives, and that which Islam has permitted cannot be considered unbecoming.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 33, Friday Sermon 5 September 1952, pp. 269-270)
In olden times, and even today, there are some people who maintain a great distance with their wives [in public], and they are needlessly embarrassed and would walk ahead, with their wives behind, or walk at a distance. If there are still such people nowadays, then this is an example for them. This is the excellent treatment of women that Islam has taught, and the example of which the Holy Prophetsa set.
It is mentioned that the incident of the great calumny (ifk) took place during this journey. The details of this are as follows:
During the return from the expedition of Banu Mustaliq, another mischievous ordeal was stirred up by the hypocrites, which was the false accusation against the mother of the believers, Hazrat Aishara, also known as the Incident of Ifk (slander). First, there was the mention of the incident involving water, when Abdullah bin Ubayy tried to cause a dispute; this is another incident.
According to the narration in Sahih al-Bukhari, Hazrat Aishara, while narrating the details of the Incident of Ifk, says that:
“It was a custom of the Holy Prophetsa that when he intended to embark on a journey, he used to draw lots amongst his wives, then he would take along with him the one on whom the lot fell.” Hazrat Aishara states, “On one occasion, before a Ghazwah, he drew lots in the same manner and the lot fell on me. Thus, the Holy Prophetsa took me along. This was the time when injunctions on purdah [veil] had already been revealed. (It means that this incident took place after the command of veiling was revealed.) Hence, during this journey, I would sit in a litter, and it would be placed on the back of a camel. Wherever a halt was made, it would be placed on the ground. When the Holy Prophetsa setback after having finished from his Ghazwah, and we approached near the city of Medina, one night, the Holy Prophetsa ordered a departure. When I heard this announcement, I left to one side, away from the army.” She left to attend the call of nature.
She says, “When I returned to my camel, I found that my necklace had been lost.” It was made of the beads of Zafaar. Zafaar is a mountain or town near Sanaa in Yemen. Their beads were famous. She says they broke somewhere and had fallen. [She says], “I went back in search of it and was delayed a short while.” She says, “In the meantime, those who had been appointed to lift the litter I was travelling in and place it on the back of the camel arrived, and assuming that I was in the litter, lifted it and placed it on the camel, and marched on with the army.
“In that era, women were light in weight and did not put on much weight, as they used to eat only a little food, due to difficult times. The attendants, therefore, did not suspect that I was not already in the litter. Then, at the time, I was still a young girl. In any case, when I returned after finding my necklace, lo and behold, the army had left (meaning they had left, but she found the necklace after looking for it. And she says), so I returned to the area of their camp, but there was neither anyone to call out nor to answer. They had all departed, and I could not see anyone. I then set off from where I was (i.e., I went to the place where my tent was), thinking that when people realised that I had been left behind, they would surely return. Therefore, I sat on my spot and was soon overcome by sleep. Now, it so happened that Safwan bin Mu‘attal Sulami Dhakwanira was a Companion whose duty was to stay behind the army (so that fallen items, etc., could be safeguarded). When he arrived from behind the army and reached my resting place just before dawn, he found me sleeping there alone. Since he had already seen me prior to the revelation of injunctions relevant to purdah, he recognised me immediately, upon which he said:
اِنَّا لِلّٰہ
“[‘Surely, to Allah we belong…’]
“I was awakened by his voice, and upon seeing him, immediately veiled my face with my head cover. By God, we did not say a word, nor did I hear any words from him except those just mentioned. After this, he dismounted his camel and made it kneel close to me. Then he placed his foot upon its legs. I got up and went to the camel to mount it, and Safwan began to walk ahead, leading it by its halter, until the afternoon, in the scorching heat, we finally reached the place where the Muslim army had set up camp.”
Hazrat Aishara states, “The one destroyed was destroyed, and he who shouldered the greater part of the calumny was Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Sulool.”
Urwah relates, “I have heard that rumours used to be spread in his circles, and people would mention these rumours in his presence. He would verify these rumours and listen carefully while praying for details himself. This is why no one’s name was specifically mentioned as the spreaders of this rumour, except Hassan bin Thabit, Mistah bin Uthathah, Hamnah bint Jahsh, and perhaps some others whose names I don’t know.” The one narrating this incident has said, “However, it was a particular group of people who did this, as God Almighty has said. The one responsible for the majority of the calumny was Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Sulool.” Urwah explained that “Hazrat A’ishahra disliked anyone speaking ill of Hazrat Hassanra; she used to say, ‘He is the one who said that his father, his father’s father, and my honour is a shield protecting the honour of the Holy Prophetsa.’ He possessed very pure thinking and a relationship of great sincerity and devotion to the Holy Prophetsa, which is why she never tolerated hearing anything negative said about him.”
Hazrat Aishara goes on to explain, “For a month after we arrived in Medina, I remained sick.” She says, “Once we arrived and the caravan departed from there – meaning when they arrived in Medina – from that point onward, I fell ill. The people were occupied with talking about what the accuser had claimed, but I was completely unaware of this. I was sick at home and knew nothing of this. What made me truly anxious during this sickness was that I did not see the level of compassionate love from the Messengersa of Allah that I usually would. During this sickness, the Holy Prophetsa would approach me, greet me, ask how I was doing, and leave. That was it. There was no kind treatment beyond that, which caused me great agitation.
“I was not aware of the evil [rumours] until I started feeling somewhat better and began going outside with Umm Mistah to attend the call of nature in a designated area. We would not leave except during the hours of the night. This was before bathrooms were built in our own homes.” To attend the call of nature, women used to go outside at night. They did not have bathrooms in their homes at the time. She explains, “At that time, we followed the Arab custom. It was customary to go to the wilderness to answer the call of nature, as we were not comfortable with having a place in our own house for it.” Eventually, this became commonplace, and bathrooms started being built in people’s homes.
She says, “I went with Umm Mistah – and she was the daughter of Abu Ruhm bin Muttalib bin Abd Manaf. Her mother was the daughter of Sakhr bin Amir, the maternal aunt of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra, and her son’s name was Mistah bin Uthathah bin Ubadah bin Muttalib. As Umm Mistah and I were returning to our homes after completing our tasks, Umm Mistah got caught in her cloak, stumbled, and said, ‘Woe unto Mistah.’ I said to her, ‘What you’ve said is not good. Do you speak ill of one who partook in the Battle of Badr?’ She replied, ‘O innocent and naïve girl, have you not heard what he’s said?’ I asked her, ‘What has he said?’ So she related to me the rumours that the slanderers were spreading.” Hazrat Aishara relates, “After hearing this, I became even more unwell.”
In another narration, this incident of the women going to answer the call of nature is described in the following manner: Hazrat Aishara relates, “I went outside to answer the call of nature and Hazrat Umm Mistah was with me. She stumbled and blurted out, ‘May Mistah be ruined.’ I asked her, ‘Are you really cursing your own son?’ At this, Umm Mistah fell silent.”
She then stumbled for a second time and then said, “Curse be on Mistah!” I said to her, “You are cursing your own son?” She then stumbled for a third time and said, “May Mistah be ruined!” I then scolded her. Perhaps it was on her mind, and owing to being absent-minded, she was stumbling over. Nonetheless, she states, “When I scolded her, she said, ‘I do not curse him except for you.’ (I am only cursing him for your sake. He comes to mind and so I say it.) I asked her, ‘Why for my sake?’”
Hazrat Aishara states, “She then informed me about the entire incident. (She informed Hazrat Aishara about the matter.) I asked her, ‘Is this really what the people are saying?’ She said, ‘Yes, I swear by Allah.’ After this, I returned home. The purpose for which I left the house was vanquished and I did not need anything. When I returned home, the Holy Prophetsa came to me. He greeted me and said, ‘How are you feeling?’ I asked the Holy Prophetsa, ‘Do you permit me to go to my parents’ house?’ (She says) I wanted to ascertain the truthfulness of this news.”
Ibn Hisham has narrated that when Hazrat Aishara went to her parents’ house, she was unaware of the allegation and the incident with Umm Mistah took place after Hazrat Aishara went to her parents’ house. Nonetheless, both narrations can be found. She states, “The Holy Prophetsa granted me permission.”
In another narration, Hazrat Aishara states, “The Holy Prophetsa sent a helper with me. When I reached home, my mother, Umm Rumman, was downstairs whilst my father was on the upper floor reading the Qur’an.” This is a narration of Sahih al-Bukhari.
Hazrat Aishara states, “I said to my mother, ‘My dear mother, what are people saying?’” Her mother, replied, “O my daughter! Take no notice of it, 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.” Hazrat Aishara said, “Holy is Allah! Are people actually saying these things about me?”
In another narration, Hazrat Aishara states, “Hazrat Abu Bakrra heard my voice and he was on the upper floor reading the Quran. He came downstairs and said to my mother, ‘What is the matter with her?’ She said, ‘She has heard the news that is being spread about her.’ Upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakr’sra eyes began to fill with tears. He said, ‘My dear daughter! I tell you on oath that you should return to your house.’” And so Hazrat Aishara says that she returned home.
Hazrat Aishara says, “Then I began to weep all night. It was morning but my tears would not stop. I did not sleep all night. At dawn, I was still weeping.” Hazrat Aishara says, “When there was a delay in revelation being sent down, the Holy Prophetsa called Ali bin Abi Talibra and Usamah bin Zaidra to seek their counsel. He asked both of them about whether he should leave his wife. (i.e., to leave Hazrat Aishara) As for Usamah bin Zaidra, he advised the Holy Prophetsa that in a manner that absolved his wife from all such allegations and the Holy Prophetsa also knew about this. Hazrat Usamahra said, ‘She is your noble wife and we do not know anything but good from her.’ (We have only known goodness about her, so you should not think about leaving her.)”
According to one narration, Hazrat Usamah bin Zaidra said, “This is absolutely false and baseless.” As for Hazrat Alira, he said, “O Messengeras of Allah! Allah the Exalted has not put you in difficulty, and there are plenty of women other than Aishara. Nonetheless, enquire of the household maid; perhaps she knows something and may be able to tell the actual truth.” Hazrat Alira expressed his concern about the matter. The Holy Prophetsa called Barirah, who was the household maid and he asked her, “Have you ever seen anything in Aishara that may be considered suspicious?” Barirah responded, “I swear by the One Who has sent you with the truth, I have never seen anything evil about her, except that on account of her young age, she is a bit careless. It often happens that she leaves the dough exposed and falls asleep, while the goats come and consume it.” I.e., she falls asleep and is a bit careless, but other than that, she did not see any evil in her.
In another narration it is mentioned that one of the Companions of the Holy Prophetsa admonished the household maid and told her to tell the truth to the Holy Prophetsa and they thoroughly interrogated her regarding this matter. She responded, “Holy is Allah! By Allah, I know only as much as a goldsmith knows about pure gold. I have always found goodness in her.”
In another narration, it is mentioned that the Holy Prophetsa also enquired about Hazrat Aishara from Umm Aiman. She replied, “I keep my ears and eyes safeguarded. I have always thought good of A’ishah and found goodness in her.”
Hazrat Aishara relates, “The Holy Prophetsa also enquired about me from his noble wife Hazrat Zainab bint Jahshra. The Holy Prophetsa asked Hazrat Zainabra, ‘What do you know about what is being said, or what is your view on the matter?’ She submitted, ‘O Messengersa of Allah! I keep my ears and eyes protected in that my senses are intact, and I can see and hear very well. By Allah, I have no knowledge except for goodness. I have only witnessed goodness in her.’”
Hazrat Aishara relates, “This was despite the fact that from among all the wives of the Holy Prophetsa, Zainab was the only one who competed with me and acted as my rival. However, due to her virtue, Allah the Exalted saved her from this [i.e., taking part in this calumny.]”
Hazrat Aishara further narrates, “Her sister, Hamnah, would fight for them and perished along with others who also perished.” In other words, she did not have a good end.
Hazrat Aishara relates, “By Allah, the person regarding whom allegations were levelled, i.e., Safwan bin Mu’attal said, ‘Holy is Allah, by Allah in Whose hands is my life, I have never removed the cloth from a woman.’” I.e., he had never had a physical relationship with any woman.
Hazrat Aishara related, “Later he attained martyrdom in the way of Allah.” I.e. he was such a virtuous, pious individual that he attained the station of martyrdom.
Allamah ibn Ishaq states that Umm Ayyub, the wife of Hazrat Abu Ayyub Khalid bin Zaid Ansarira, said to him, “O Abu Ayyub! Have you heard what people are saying about Aisha?” Abu Ayyub replied, “I have indeed heard it and it is all a lie. O Umm Ayyub, would you commit such an act?” Umm Ayyub responded, “By God, I could never commit such an act.” Abu Ayyub stated, “Then Aisha is far superior and better than you. How could she then commit such an act?”
It is mentioned in Sahih al-Bukhari that on this occasion an individual from among the Ansar stated, “O Allah, Holy art Thou. It is not for us to mention this. O Allah, Holy art Thou, this is such a huge calumny.” This is also a narration from Bukhari.
The commentator of Bukhari, Allamah Ibn Hajar states that Hazrat Abu Ayyub Ansarira said this statement and Hazrat Ubayy bin Ka’b narrates that this was said by him to his wife, Hazrat Umm Tufailra. Hazrat Aishara relates that on the same day, the Holy Prophetsa stood up on the pulpit and expressed his displeasure for Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Sulool. The Holy Prophetsa stated, “O Muslims, I have been given great grief with respect to my family. Is there anyone from among you who can put an end to this? By God, I know nothing of my household except piety and goodness. Moreover, I also consider the man who has been mentioned, i.e., Safwan bin Mu’attal to be pious.” In other words, the Holy Prophetsa also testified in favour of the man as well. “He only comes to my family in my presence and he has accompanied me in all my journeys.”
Hazrat Aishara relates, “Upon this, Hazrat Sa’d bin Mua’dhra, who was from among the Bani Abd Ash’al, stood up. According to some, it was Hazrat Usaid bin Hudairra. He said, ‘O Messengersa of Allah! I shall protect you from this.’”
When the Holy Prophetsa expressed his grief and concern in front of the people, he stood up and stated that he would seek to protect the Holy Prophetsa from this false allegation and from the grief he was being given on account of his family. He said, “If he is from among the Aus, I will sever his head. And if he is from among our brethren, the Khazraj, even then we are ready to do as you command.”
Hazrat Aishara states, “An individual from among the Khazraj stood up, and the mother of Hassan, who was from one of the branches of this tribe, was his paternal sister. This individual was Sa’d bin Ubadahra and he was chief of the Khazraj tribe.”
Hazrat Aishara states, “He was a righteous man, but at the time he was overcome by indignation and in response to Sa’dra, he said to him, ‘By Allah, You have spoken a lie. You shall not kill him, nor do you possess the power to do so. If such a person had been from among your tribe, you would have been displeased at his killing.’ Hazrat Usaid bin Hudairra, who was the paternal cousin of Sa’dra, stood up and said to Sa’d bin Ubadahra, ‘You have spoken a lie. By Allah, we shall certainly kill him. You are a hypocrite, for you are arguing on behalf of the hypocrites.’”
Hazrat Aishara continues, “A dispute broke out among the companions over this matter. She narrates that the tribes of Aus and Khazraj became so agitated that they were ready to fight one another while the Holy Prophetsa was standing on the pulpit.” Hazrat Aishara [further] said, “The Holy Prophetsa continued to calm them down until they finally became silent, and then he too became silent.” Hazrat Aishara said, “I continued to cry throughout that entire day. My tears would not stop, and I could not sleep. My parents stayed by my side, and I cried for two nights and one day, with ceaseless tears, in a sleepless state, until I felt that my heart might burst from the sorrow. During this ordeal, my parents were sitting with me while I wept, and an Ansari woman sought permission to visit me. I granted permission, and the woman sat down and began to weep alongside me.” Hazrat Aishara continues, “Whilst we were in this state, the Holy Prophetsa came to visit me. He greeted us and then sat down.” Hazrat Aishara continues, “Ever since the rumour had been spread, the Holy Prophetsa had not sat with me.” In other words, ever since this incident transpired, he would greet her from a distance, enquire about her well-being, and then leave. Hazrat Aishara continues, “The Holy Prophetsa remained like this for a month and he did not receive divine relation regarding me.”
Hazrat Aishara continues, “The Holy Prophetsa recited the tashahhud after sitting down and then said, ‘O Aisha, I have heard this and that about you. If you are innocent, Allah will surely vindicate you. But if you have committed any wrongdoing, then seek forgiveness from Allah and repent to Him, for when a servant confesses and repents, Allah turns to them in mercy.’”
Hazrat Aishara narrates, “When the Prophetsa finished speaking, my tears stopped upon hearing this and I no longer felt even a single drop of them. I then addressed my father, Hazrat Abu Bakrra, ‘Respond to the Holy Prophetsa about what he has said about me on my behalf.’ My father replied, ‘By Allah, I do not know what to say to the Holy Prophetsa.’ (He did not understand what he should say.) I then asked my mother to respond to what the Holy Prophetsa had said, but her mother also said, ‘By Allah, I do not know what to say to the Holy Prophetsa.’ (She also gave the same response). Then, I myself said, ‘I was a young girl and did not know much of the Quran. By Allah, I know that what you have heard has settled in your hearts, and you now consider me to be indecent because you believe this [calumny] to be true. If I say that I am innocent and have committed no such thing, you will not believe me, and if I confess to something that Allah knows I undoubtedly did not do, you will believe it and remark that I was at fault and am repenting. So, by Allah, I find no example for myself in response to this except the father of Yusufas when he said:
فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيْلٌ وَاللّٰهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلٰى مَا تَصِفُوْنَ
“‘So now comely patience is good for me. And it is Allah alone Whose help is to be sought against what you assert.’ (Surah Yusuf, Ch.12: V.19)
“Having said this, I turned to my side and lay down on my bed. Allah knew that I was innocent, and He was about to absolve me of what I had been accused of. However, by Allah, I never imagined that He would reveal something about me that would be recited.
“I considered myself too unworthy for Allah the Almighty to specifically say something about me, but I hoped that the Holy Prophetsa might have a dream in which Allah the Almighty would prove my innocence.” She knew that Allah the Almighty would declare her innocence, but she had no idea that Allah the Almighty would reveal a Qur’anic verse in this regard. She says, “By Allah, before the Holy Prophetsa had left his seat and before any people of the household left, he received divine revelation and he was overtaken by a fervent state. Despite it being a cold day, sweat was dripping from the Holy Prophetsa like pearls because of the weight of the statement being revealed to him.”
According to Sirat Ibn Hisham, Hazrat Aishara said, “The Holy Prophetsa was covered with a blanket and a leather pillow was placed under his blessed head. When I saw this, I was not at all nervous, because I knew that I was innocent. (Hazrat Aishara says that she knew God was sending a revelation and she had nothing to worry about because she knew she was innocent. In the case of this revelation, she knew that Allah the Almighty would declare her innocence.) Allah the Almighty would never wrong me. As for my parents, by He in Whose hands is Aisha’s life, as the Holy Prophetsa was still receiving the revelation, I thought that my parents would become unconscious; they were both very afraid. They were worried lest God reveal a verse corroborating what the people had been saying (proving it to be true). Then, when the state of revelation came to an end, the Holy Prophetsa sat up and wiped the sweat from his forehead.”
Hazrat Aishara says, “When that state of the Holy Prophetsa was over, he was smiling, and the first words he said were, ‘O Aisha! God has affirmed your innocence!’” Hazrat Aishara says, “My mother said to me, ‘Get up and go to the Holy Prophetsa.’ I replied, ‘No. By Allah, I will not go to him, for I am thankful to Allah the Exalted alone.’” Hazrat Aishara states, “Allah revealed:
اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ جَآءُوْ بِالْاِفْكِ
“‘Verily, those who brought forth the lie…’
“(There a total of ten verses from Surah an-Nur [Chapter 24], verses 12-21).
“When Allah the Almighty declared my innocence in that revelation, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra, who would grant regular support to Mistah bin Uthathah due to his kinship and poverty, said, (Mistah was among those who levelled the allegation), ‘By Allah, I will not grant support to Mistah after his slander against Hazrat Aisha.’ Then Allah revealed:
وَ لَا يَاْتَلِ اُولُوا الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَ السَّعَةِ
“‘And let not those who possess wealth and plenty among you swear.’
“The entire verse was revealed up until, ‘And Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.’
“Upon this, after having said that he would no longer render his support, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra said, ‘Yes, by Allah, I would like Allah to cover my faults.’ and he went on giving Mistah the money he used to give him before. He also added, ‘By Allah, I will never stop supporting him.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Maghazi, Baab Hadith-ul-Ifk, Narration 4141, Kitab-ul-Tafsir Hadith 4750, 4757, Kitab-ul-I’tisam Bi-al-Kitab, Hadith 7370; Al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kotob al-Ilmiyah], pp. 675-677; Furhang-e-Sirat, Karachi: Zawar Academy, p. 183; Imta’-ul-Asma, Vol. 1, Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kotob al-Ilmiyah, p. 214; Huda Al-Sari Muqaddamah Fath Al-Bari Sharah Sahih Bukhari, Karachi: Qadeemi Kitab Khana, pp. 498-499)
These were the details of the Great Calumny. The rest will be mentioned in the future, insha-Allah.
Today, once again, I would like to remind you about prayers. Pray for the Ahmadis in Bangladesh; may Allah the Almighty swiftly improve their circumstances.
Also, pray for the Ahmadis in Pakistan; may Allah the Almighty swiftly improve their circumstances.
Pray for the oppressed in Palestine; may Allah the Almighty have mercy on them. May Allah the Almighty grant sense to the leaders of the Muslim world; may they fulfil the rights of their people and not perpetrate cruelties against them because it is due to their oppression that the enemies become emboldened to commit injustices against Muslims, knowing that Muslims themselves are not just to themselves, so how can they call for justice from them? May Allah the Almighty have mercy upon the Muslim ummah.
(Official Urdu transcript published in the Daily Al Fazl International, 6 September 2024, pp. 2-5. Translated by The Review of Religions.)
