Sahih Muslim

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، وَعَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، - قَالَ ابْنُ رَافِعٍ - حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنِ ابْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، وَأَبِي، سَلَمَةَ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ الْوَلَدُ لِلْفِرَاشِ وَلِلْعَاهِرِ الْحَجَرُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

The child is to be attributed to one on whose bed he is born, and for a fornicator there is stoning.

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported:

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رُمْحٍ، قَالاَ أَخْبَرَنَا اللَّيْثُ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ، سَعِيدٍ حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ مَسْرُورًا تَبْرُقُ أَسَارِيرُ وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ أَلَمْ تَرَىْ أَنَّ مُجَزِّزًا نَظَرَ آنِفًا إِلَى زَيْدِ بْنِ حَارِثَةَ وَأُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ فَقَالَ إِنَّ بَعْضَ هَذِهِ الأَقْدَامِ لَمِنْ بَعْضٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) visited me looking pleased as if his face was glistening and said: Did you see that Mujazziz cast a glance at Zaid b. Haritha and Usama b. Zaid, and (then) said: Some (of the features) of their feet are found in the others?

'Abd al-Malik b. Abu Bakr b. Abd al-Rahman b. al-Harith b. Hisham reported on the authority of his father from Umm Salama (Allah be pleased with her) that when Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) married Umm Salama, he stayed with her for three nights, and said:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، وَيَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ - قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ، بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ هِشَامٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَمَّا تَزَوَّجَ أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ أَقَامَ عِنْدَهَا ثَلاَثًا وَقَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ بِكِ عَلَى أَهْلِكِ هَوَانٌ إِنْ شِئْتِ سَبَّعْتُ لَكِ وَإِنْ سَبَّعْتُ لَكِ سَبَّعْتُ لِنِسَائِي ‏"‏ ‏.

There is no lack of estimation on the part of your husband for you. If you wish I can stay with you for a week, but in case I stay with you for a week, then I shall have to stay for a week with all my wives.

Anas b. Malik reported:

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، عَنْ خَالِدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ، مَالِكٍ قَالَ إِذَا تَزَوَّجَ الْبِكْرَ عَلَى الثَّيِّبِ أَقَامَ عِنْدَهَا سَبْعًا وَإِذَا تَزَوَّجَ الثَّيِّبَ عَلَى الْبِكْرِ أَقَامَ عِنْدَهَا ثَلاَثًا ‏.‏ قَالَ خَالِدٌ وَلَوْ قُلْتُ إِنَّهُ رَفَعَهُ لَصَدَقْتُ وَلَكِنَّهُ قَالَ السُّنَّةُ كَذَلِكَ ‏.‏

When anyone who has already a wife marries virgin, he should stay with her for seven nights (and then turn to his other wife), but when anyone having a virgin with him (as his wife) marries a woman who has been previously married he should stay with her for three nights. Khalid (one of the narrators) said. If I were to say that it could be directly traced to the Prophet (ﷺ). I would have told the truth, but he (Hadrat Anas) said: Such is the tradition.

Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) had nine wives. So when he divided (his stay) with them, the turn of the first wife did not come but on the ninth (day). They (all the wives) used to gather every night in the house of one where he had to come (and stay that night). It was (the night when he had to stay) in the house of 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her), when Zainab came there. He (the Holy Prophet) stretched his hand towards her (Zainab), whereupon she ('A'isha) said:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا شَبَابَةُ بْنُ سَوَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ الْمُغِيرَةِ، عَنْ ثَابِتٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم تِسْعُ نِسْوَةٍ فَكَانَ إِذَا قَسَمَ بَيْنَهُنَّ لاَ يَنْتَهِي إِلَى الْمَرْأَةِ الأُولَى إِلاَّ فِي تِسْعٍ فَكُنَّ يَجْتَمِعْنَ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ فِي بَيْتِ الَّتِي يَأْتِيهَا فَكَانَ فِي بَيْتِ عَائِشَةَ فَجَاءَتْ زَيْنَبُ فَمَدَّ يَدَهُ إِلَيْهَا فَقَالَتْ هَذِهِ زَيْنَبُ ‏.‏ فَكَفَّ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَدَهُ ‏.‏ فَتَقَاوَلَتَا حَتَّى اسْتَخَبَتَا وَأُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَمَرَّ أَبُو بَكْرٍ عَلَى ذَلِكَ فَسَمِعَ أَصْوَاتَهُمَا فَقَالَ اخْرُجْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ وَاحْثُ فِي أَفْوَاهِهِنَّ التُّرَابَ ‏.‏ فَخَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ الآنَ يَقْضِي النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلاَتَهُ فَيَجِيءُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَيَفْعَلُ بِي وَيَفْعَلُ ‏.‏ فَلَمَّا قَضَى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلاَتَهُ أَتَاهَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ لَهَا قَوْلاً شَدِيدًا وَقَالَ أَتَصْنَعِينَ هَذَا.

It is Zainab. Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) withdrew his hand. There was an altercation between the two until their voices became loud (and it was at that time) when Iqama was pronounced for prayer. There happened to come Abu Bakr and he heard their voices and said: Messenger of Allah, (kindly) come for prayer, and throw dust in their mouths. So the Prophet (ﷺ) went out. 'A'isha said: When Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) would finish his prayer there would also come Abu Bakr and he would do as he does (on such occasions, i.e. reprimanding). When Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) had finished his prayer, there came to her Abu Bakr, and spoke to her ('A'isha) in stern words and said: Do you behave like this?

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported:

حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ مَا رَأَيْتُ امْرَأَةً أَحَبَّ إِلَىَّ أَنْ أَكُونَ فِي مِسْلاَخِهَا مِنْ سَوْدَةَ بِنْتِ زَمْعَةَ مِنِ امْرَأَةٍ فِيهَا حِدَّةٌ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا كَبِرَتْ جَعَلَتْ يَوْمَهَا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِعَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَدْ جَعَلْتُ يَوْمِي مِنْكَ لِعَائِشَةَ ‏.‏ فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْسِمُ لِعَائِشَةَ يَوْمَيْنِ يَوْمَهَا وَيَوْمَ سَوْدَةَ ‏.‏

Never did I find any woman more loving to me than Sauda bint Zam'a. I wished I could be exactly like her who was passionate. As she became old, she had made over her day (which she had to spend) with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) to 'A'isha. She said: I have made over my day with you to 'A'isha. So Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) allotted two days to 'A'isha, her own day (when it was her turn) and that of Sauda.

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ كُنْتُ أَغَارُ عَلَى اللاَّتِي وَهَبْنَ أَنْفُسَهُنَّ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَقُولُ وَتَهَبُ الْمَرْأَةُ نَفْسَهَا فَلَمَّا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ‏{‏ تُرْجِي مَنْ تَشَاءُ مِنْهُنَّ وَتُؤْوِي إِلَيْكَ مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَمَنِ ابْتَغَيْتَ مِمَّنْ عَزَلْتَ‏}‏ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَرَى رَبَّكَ إِلاَّ يُسَارِعُ لَكَ فِي هَوَاكَ.

I felt jealous of the women who offered themselves to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said: Then when Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, revealed this:" You may defer any one of them you wish, and take to yourself any you wish; and if you desire any you have set aside (no sin is chargeable to you)" (xxxiii. 51), I ('A'isha.) said: It seems to me that your Lord hastens to satisfy your desire.

'Ata related that when they were with Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) at the funeral of Maimuna In Sarif, Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) said:

حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ، بْنُ بَكْرٍ أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي عَطَاءٌ، قَالَ حَضَرْنَا مَعَ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ جَنَازَةَ مَيْمُونَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِسَرِفَ فَقَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ هَذِهِ زَوْجُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَإِذَا رَفَعْتُمْ نَعْشَهَا فَلاَ تُزَعْزِعُوا وَلاَ تُزَلْزِلُوا وَارْفُقُوا فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تِسْعٌ فَكَانَ يَقْسِمُ لِثَمَانٍ وَلاَ يَقْسِمُ لِوَاحِدَةٍ ‏.‏ قَالَ عَطَاءٌ الَّتِي لاَ يَقْسِمُ لَهَا صَفِيَّةُ بِنْتُ حُيَىِّ بْنِ أَخْطَبَ ‏.‏

This is the wife of Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) ; so when you lift her bier, do not shake her or disturb her, but be gentle, for Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had nine wives, with eight of whom he shared his time, but to one of them, he did not allot a share. 'Ati said: The one to whom he did not allot a share of time was Safiyya, daughter of Huyayy b. Akhtab.

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَعُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، بْنُ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، أَخْبَرَنِي سَعِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ تُنْكَحُ الْمَرْأَةُ لأَرْبَعٍ لِمَالِهَا وَلِحَسَبِهَا وَلِجَمَالِهَا وَلِدِينِهَا فَاظْفَرْ بِذَاتِ الدِّينِ تَرِبَتْ يَدَاكَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

A woman may be married for four reasons: for her property, her status. her beauty and her religion, so try to get one who is religious, may your hand be besmeared with dust.

وَحَدَّثَنِيهِ زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَعَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ يَعْقُوبَ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ أَخِي الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ ‏.‏ مِثْلَهُ سَوَاءً ‏.‏

A hadith like this is reported by another chain of narrators.

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) as saying:

وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ زَائِدَةَ، عَنْ مَيْسَرَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَإِذَا شَهِدَ أَمْرًا فَلْيَتَكَلَّمْ بِخَيْرٍ أَوْ لِيَسْكُتْ وَاسْتَوْصُوا بِالنِّسَاءِ فَإِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ خُلِقَتْ مِنْ ضِلَعٍ وَإِنَّ أَعْوَجَ شَىْءٍ فِي الضِّلَعِ أَعْلاَهُ إِنْ ذَهَبْتَ تُقِيمُهُ كَسَرْتَهُ وَإِنْ تَرَكْتَهُ لَمْ يَزَلْ أَعْوَجَ اسْتَوْصُوا بِالنِّسَاءِ خَيْرًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏

He who believes in Allah and the Hereafter, if he witnesses any matter he should talk in good terms about it or keep quiet. Act kindly towards woman, for woman is created from a rib, and the most crooked part of the rib is its top. If you attempt to straighten it, you will break it, and if you leave it, its crookedness will remain there. So act kindly towards women.

وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَاصِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْحَمِيدِ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عِمْرَانُ بْنُ أَبِي أَنَسٍ، عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِمِثْلِهِ ‏.‏

A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him).

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

حَدَّثَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ مَعْرُوفٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، أَنَّ أَبَا يُونُسَ، مَوْلَى أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ لَوْلاَ حَوَّاءُ لَمْ تَخُنْ أُنْثَى زَوْجَهَا الدَّهْرَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Had it not been for Eve, woman would have never acted unfaithfully towards her husband.

Ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported that he divorced his wife while she was menstruating during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). 'Umar b. Khattib (Allah be pleased with him) asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about it, whereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said:

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى التَّمِيمِيُّ، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّهُ طَلَّقَ امْرَأَتَهُ وَهْىَ حَائِضٌ فِي عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَسَأَلَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مُرْهُ فَلْيُرَاجِعْهَا ثُمَّ لْيَتْرُكْهَا حَتَّى تَطْهُرَ ثُمَّ تَحِيضَ ثُمَّ تَطْهُرَ ثُمَّ إِنْ شَاءَ أَمْسَكَ بَعْدُ وَإِنْ شَاءَ طَلَّقَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَمَسَّ فَتِلْكَ الْعِدَّةُ الَّتِي أَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنْ يُطَلَّقَ لَهَا النِّسَاءُ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Command him ('Abdullah b. 'Umar) to take her back (and keep her) and pronounce divorce when she is purified and she again enters the period of menstruation and she is again purified (after passing the period of menses), and then if he so desires he may keep her and if he desires divorce her (finally) before touching her (without having an intercourse with her), for that is the period of waiting ('ldda) which God, the Exalted and Glorious, has commanded for the divorce of women.

Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) reported that the (pronouncement) of three divorces during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and that of Abu Bakr and two years of the caliphate of Umar (Allah be pleased with him) (was treated) as one. But Umar b. Khattab (Allah be pleased with him) said:

حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لاِبْنِ رَافِعٍ - قَالَ إِسْحَاقُ أَخْبَرَنَا وَقَالَ ابْنُ رَافِعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ طَاوُسٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ كَانَ الطَّلاَقُ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَبِي بَكْرٍ وَسَنَتَيْنِ مِنْ خِلاَفَةِ عُمَرَ طَلاَقُ الثَّلاَثِ وَاحِدَةً فَقَالَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدِ اسْتَعْجَلُوا فِي أَمْرٍ قَدْ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ فِيهِ أَنَاةٌ فَلَوْ أَمْضَيْنَاهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ‏.‏ فَأَمْضَاهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ‏.‏

Verily the people have begun to hasten in the matter in which they are required to observe respite. So if we had imposed this upon them, and he imposed it upon them.

Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) reported about (declaring of one's woman) unlawful as an oath which must be atoned, and Ibn 'Abbas said:

وَحَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، - يَعْنِي الدَّسْتَوَائِيَّ - قَالَ كَتَبَ إِلَىَّ يَحْيَى بْنُ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ يَعْلَى بْنِ حَكِيمٍ عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ فِي الْحَرَامِ يَمِينٌ يُكَفِّرُهَا ‏.‏ وَقَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ ‏{‏ لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ‏}‏ ‏.‏

Verily, there is in the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) a model pattern for you.

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) narrated that Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) used to spend time with Zainab daughter of Jahsh and drank honey at her house. She ('A'isha further) said:

وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَجَّاجُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي عَطَاءٌ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ عُبَيْدَ بْنَ عُمَيْرٍ، يُخْبِرُ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ عَائِشَةَ، تُخْبِرُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَمْكُثُ عِنْدَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتِ جَحْشٍ فَيَشْرَبُ عِنْدَهَا عَسَلاً قَالَتْ فَتَوَاطَأْتُ أَنَا وَحَفْصَةُ أَنَّ أَيَّتَنَا مَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلْتَقُلْ إِنِّي أَجِدُ مِنْكَ رِيحَ مَغَافِيرَ أَكَلْتَ مَغَافِيرَ فَدَخَلَ عَلَى إِحْدَاهُمَا فَقَالَتْ ذَلِكَ لَهُ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ بَلْ شَرِبْتُ عَسَلاً عِنْدَ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتِ جَحْشٍ وَلَنْ أَعُودَ لَهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَنَزَلَ ‏{‏ لِمَ تُحَرِّمُ مَا أَحَلَّ اللَّهُ لَكَ‏}‏ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ ‏{‏ إِنْ تَتُوبَا‏}‏ لِعَائِشَةَ وَحَفْصَةَ ‏{‏ وَإِذْ أَسَرَّ النَّبِيُّ إِلَى بَعْضِ أَزْوَاجِهِ حَدِيثًا‏}‏ لِقَوْلِهِ ‏"‏ بَلْ شَرِبْتُ عَسَلاً ‏"‏ ‏.‏

I and Hafsa agreed that one whom Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) would visit first should say: I notice that you have an odour of the Maghafir (gum of mimosa). He (the Holy Prophet) visited one of them and she said to him like this, whereupon he said: I have taken honey in the house of Zainab bint Jabsh and I will never do it again. It was at this (that the following verse was revealed): 'Why do you hold to be forbidden what Allah has made lawful for you... (up to). If you both ('A'isha and Hafsa) turn to Allah" up to:" And when the Prophet confided an information to one of his wives" (lxvi. 3). This refers to his saying: But I have taken honey.

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported:

وَحَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الطَّاهِرِ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى التُّجِيبِيُّ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لَهُ - أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ لَمَّا أُمِرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِتَخْيِيرِ أَزْوَاجِهِ بَدَأَ بِي فَقَالَ ‏"‏ إِنِّي ذَاكِرٌ لَكِ أَمْرًا فَلاَ عَلَيْكِ أَنْ لاَ تَعْجَلِي حَتَّى تَسْتَأْمِرِي أَبَوَيْكِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَتْ قَدْ عَلِمَ أَنَّ أَبَوَىَّ لَمْ يَكُونَا لِيَأْمُرَانِي بِفِرَاقِهِ قَالَتْ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ قَالَ ‏{‏ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لأَزْوَاجِكَ إِنْ كُنْتُنَّ تُرِدْنَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا فَتَعَالَيْنَ أُمَتِّعْكُنَّ وَأُسَرِّحْكُنَّ سَرَاحًا جَمِيلاً * وَإِنْ كُنْتُنَّ تُرِدْنَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَالدَّارَ الآخِرَةَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلْمُحْسِنَاتِ مِنْكُنَّ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا‏}‏ قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ فِي أَىِّ هَذَا أَسْتَأْمِرُ أَبَوَىَّ فَإِنِّي أُرِيدُ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَالدَّارَ الآخِرَةَ ‏.‏ قَالَتْ ثُمَّ فَعَلَ أَزْوَاجُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِثْلَ مَا فَعَلْتُ ‏.‏

When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was commanded to give option to his wives, he started it from me saying: I am going to mention to you a matter which you should not (decide) in haste until you have consulted your parents. She said that he already knew that my parents would never allow me to seek separation from him She said: Then he said: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said: Prophet, say to thy wives: If you desire this world's life and its adornment, then come, I will give you a provision and allow you to depart a goodly departing; and if you desire Allah and His Messenger and the abode of the Hereafter, then Allah has prepared for the doers of good among you a great reward She is reported to have said: About what should I consult my parents, for I desire Allah and His Messenger and the abode of the Hereafter? She ('A'isha) said: Then all the wives of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) did as I had done.

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sought our permission when he had a (turn to spend) a day with (one of his wives) amongst us (whereas he wanted to visit his other wives too). It was after this that this verse was revealed:

حَدَّثَنَا سُرَيْجُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبَّادُ بْنُ عَبَّادٍ، عَنْ عَاصِمٍ، عَنْ مُعَاذَةَ الْعَدَوِيَّةِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَسْتَأْذِنُنَا إِذَا كَانَ فِي يَوْمِ الْمَرْأَةِ مِنَّا بَعْدَ مَا نَزَلَتْ ‏{‏ تُرْجِي مَنْ تَشَاءُ مِنْهُنَّ وَتُؤْوِي إِلَيْكَ مَنْ تَشَاءُ‏}‏ فَقَالَتْ لَهَا مُعَاذَةُ فَمَا كُنْتِ تَقُولِينَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا اسْتَأْذَنَكِ قَالَتْ كُنْتُ أَقُولُ إِنْ كَانَ ذَاكَ إِلَىَّ لَمْ أُوثِرْ أَحَدًا عَلَى نَفْسِي ‏.‏

" Thou mayest put off whom thou pleasest of them, and take for thee whom thou pleasest" (xxxiii. 5). Mu'adha said to her: What did you say to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) when he sought your permission? She said: I used to say: If it had the option in this I would not have (allowed anyone) to have precedence over me.

'A'isha reported:

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى التَّمِيمِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْثَرٌ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ أَبِي خَالِدٍ، عَنِ الشَّعْبِيِّ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، قَالَ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ قَدْ خَيَّرَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَمْ نَعُدَّهُ طَلاَقًا ‏.‏

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) gave us the option (to get divorce) but we did not deem it as divorce.

Jabir b. 'Abdullah (Allah be pleased with them) reported:

وَحَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا رَوْحُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا زَكَرِيَّاءُ بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ دَخَلَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ يَسْتَأْذِنُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَوَجَدَ النَّاسَ جُلُوسًا بِبَابِهِ لَمْ يُؤْذَنْ لأَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ - قَالَ - فَأُذِنَ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ فَدَخَلَ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عُمَرُ فَاسْتَأْذَنَ فَأُذِنَ لَهُ فَوَجَدَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم جَالِسًا حَوْلَهُ نِسَاؤُهُ وَاجِمًا سَاكِتًا - قَالَ - فَقَالَ لأَقُولَنَّ شَيْئًا أُضْحِكُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ رَأَيْتَ بِنْتَ خَارِجَةَ سَأَلَتْنِي النَّفَقَةَ فَقُمْتُ إِلَيْهَا فَوَجَأْتُ عُنُقَهَا ‏.‏ فَضَحِكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَقَالَ ‏"‏ هُنَّ حَوْلِي كَمَا تَرَى يَسْأَلْنَنِي النَّفَقَةَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقَامَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ يَجَأُ عُنُقَهَا فَقَامَ عُمَرُ إِلَى حَفْصَةَ يَجَأُ عُنُقَهَا كِلاَهُمَا يَقُولُ تَسْأَلْنَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَا لَيْسَ عِنْدَهُ ‏.‏ فَقُلْنَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ نَسْأَلُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم شَيْئًا أَبَدًا لَيْسَ عِنْدَهُ ثُمَّ اعْتَزَلَهُنَّ شَهْرًا أَوْ تِسْعًا وَعِشْرِينَ ثُمَّ نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ ‏{‏ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لأَزْوَاجِكَ‏}‏ حَتَّى بَلَغَ ‏{‏ لِلْمُحْسِنَاتِ مِنْكُنَّ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا‏}‏ قَالَ فَبَدَأَ بِعَائِشَةَ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ يَا عَائِشَةُ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَعْرِضَ عَلَيْكَ أَمْرًا أُحِبُّ أَنْ لاَ تَعْجَلِي فِيهِ حَتَّى تَسْتَشِيرِي أَبَوَيْكِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَتْ وَمَا هُوَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَتَلاَ عَلَيْهَا الآيَةَ قَالَتْ أَفِيكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَسْتَشِيرُ أَبَوَىَّ بَلْ أَخْتَارُ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَالدَّارَ الآخِرَةَ وَأَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ لاَ تُخْبِرَ امْرَأَةً مِنْ نِسَائِكَ بِالَّذِي قُلْتُ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ تَسْأَلُنِي امْرَأَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ إِلاَّ أَخْبَرْتُهَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَبْعَثْنِي مُعَنِّتًا وَلاَ مُتَعَنِّتًا وَلَكِنْ بَعَثَنِي مُعَلِّمًا مُيَسِّرًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) came and sought permission to see Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). He found people sitting at his door and none amongst them had been granted permission, but it was granted to Abu Bakr and he went in. Then came 'Umar and he sought permission and it was granted to him, and he found Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) sitting sad and silent with his wives around him. He (Hadrat 'Umar) said: I would say something which would make the Prophet (ﷺ) laugh, so he said: Messenger of Allah, I wish you had seen (the treatment meted out to) the daughter ofKhadija when you asked me some money, and I got up and slapped her on her neck. Allah's Messenger (mav peace be upon him) laughed and said: They are around me as you see, asking for extra money. Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) then got up went to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and slapped her on the neck, and 'Umar stood up before Hafsa and slapped her saying: You ask Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) which he does not possess. They said: By Allah, we do not ask Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) for anything he does not possess. Then he withdrew from them for a month or for twenty-nine days. Then this verse was revealed to him:" Prophet: Say to thy wives... for a mighty reward" (xxxiii. 28). He then went first to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and said: I want to propound something to you, 'A'isha, but wish no hasty reply before you consult your parents. She said: Messenger of Allah, what is that? He (the Holy Prophet) recited to her the verse, whereupon she said: Is it about you that I should consult my parents, Messenger of Allah? Nay, I choose Allah, His Messenger, and the Last Abode; but I ask you not to tell any of your wives what I have said He replied: Not one of them will ask me without my informing her. God did not send me to be harsh, or cause harm, but He has sent me to teach and make things easy.

'Umar b. al-Khattab (Allah be pleased with him) reported:

حَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ يُونُسَ الْحَنَفِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عِكْرِمَةُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ، عَنْ سِمَاكٍ أَبِي زُمَيْلٍ، حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبَّاسٍ، حَدَّثَنِي عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ، قَالَ لَمَّا اعْتَزَلَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نِسَاءَهُ - قَالَ - دَخَلْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا النَّاسُ يَنْكُتُونَ بِالْحَصَى وَيَقُولُونَ طَلَّقَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نِسَاءَهُ وَذَلِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُؤْمَرْنَ بِالْحِجَابِ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ فَقُلْتُ لأَعْلَمَنَّ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ قَالَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَائِشَةَ فَقُلْتُ يَا بِنْتَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ أَقَدْ بَلَغَ مِنْ شَأْنِكِ أَنْ تُؤْذِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَتْ مَا لِي وَمَا لَكَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ عَلَيْكَ بِعَيْبَتِكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ بِنْتِ عُمَرَ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا يَا حَفْصَةُ أَقَدْ بَلَغَ مِنْ شَأْنِكِ أَنْ تُؤْذِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لاَ يُحِبُّكِ ‏.‏ وَلَوْلاَ أَنَا لَطَلَّقَكِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏ فَبَكَتْ أَشَدَّ الْبُكَاءِ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا أَيْنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتْ هُوَ فِي خِزَانَتِهِ فِي الْمَشْرُبَةِ ‏.‏ فَدَخَلْتُ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِرَبَاحٍ غُلاَمِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَاعِدًا عَلَى أُسْكُفَّةِ الْمَشْرُبَةِ مُدَلٍّ رِجْلَيْهِ عَلَى نَقِيرٍ مِنْ خَشَبٍ وَهُوَ جِذْعٌ يَرْقَى عَلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَيَنْحَدِرُ فَنَادَيْتُ يَا رَبَاحُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِي عِنْدَكَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏ فَنَظَرَ رَبَاحٌ إِلَى الْغُرْفَةِ ثُمَّ نَظَرَ إِلَىَّ فَلَمْ يَقُلْ شَيْئًا ثُمَّ قُلْتُ يَا رَبَاحُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِي عِنْدَكَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏ فَنَظَرَ رَبَاحٌ إِلَى الْغُرْفَةِ ثُمَّ نَظَرَ إِلَىَّ فَلَمْ يَقُلْ شَيْئًا ثُمَّ رَفَعْتُ صَوْتِي فَقُلْتُ يَا رَبَاحُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِي عِنْدَكَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَإِنِّي أَظُنُّ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ظَنَّ أَنِّي جِئْتُ مِنْ أَجْلِ حَفْصَةَ وَاللَّهِ لَئِنْ أَمَرَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِضَرْبِ عُنُقِهَا لأَضْرِبَنَّ عُنُقَهَا ‏.‏ وَرَفَعْتُ صَوْتِي فَأَوْمَأَ إِلَىَّ أَنِ ارْقَهْ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ مُضْطَجِعٌ عَلَى حَصِيرٍ فَجَلَسْتُ فَأَدْنَى عَلَيْهِ إِزَارَهُ وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ غَيْرُهُ وَإِذَا الْحَصِيرُ قَدْ أَثَّرَ فِي جَنْبِهِ فَنَظَرْتُ بِبَصَرِي فِي خِزَانَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَإِذَا أَنَا بِقَبْضَةٍ مِنْ شَعِيرٍ نَحْوِ الصَّاعِ وَمِثْلِهَا قَرَظًا فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْغُرْفَةِ وَإِذَا أَفِيقٌ مُعَلَّقٌ - قَالَ - فَابْتَدَرَتْ عَيْنَاىَ قَالَ ‏"‏ مَا يُبْكِيكَ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ وَمَا لِي لاَ أَبْكِي وَهَذَا الْحَصِيرُ قَدْ أَثَّرَ فِي جَنْبِكَ وَهَذِهِ خِزَانَتُكَ لاَ أَرَى فِيهَا إِلاَّ مَا أَرَى وَذَاكَ قَيْصَرُ وَكِسْرَى فِي الثِّمَارِ وَالأَنْهَارِ وَأَنْتَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَصَفْوَتُهُ وَهَذِهِ خِزَانَتُكَ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ أَلاَ تَرْضَى أَنْ تَكُونَ لَنَا الآخِرَةُ وَلَهُمُ الدُّنْيَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ بَلَى - قَالَ - وَدَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ حِينَ دَخَلْتُ وَأَنَا أَرَى فِي وَجْهِهِ الْغَضَبَ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا يَشُقُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ شَأْنِ النِّسَاءِ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ طَلَّقْتَهُنَّ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَكَ وَمَلاَئِكَتَهُ وَجِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ وَأَنَا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ مَعَكَ وَقَلَّمَا تَكَلَّمْتُ وَأَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ بِكَلاَمٍ إِلاَّ رَجَوْتُ أَنْ يَكُونَ اللَّهُ يُصَدِّقُ قَوْلِي الَّذِي أَقُولُ وَنَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ آيَةُ التَّخْيِيرِ ‏{‏ عَسَى رَبُّهُ إِنْ طَلَّقَكُنَّ أَنْ يُبْدِلَهُ أَزْوَاجًا خَيْرًا مِنْكُنَّ‏}‏ ‏{‏ وَإِنْ تَظَاهَرَا عَلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ مَوْلاَهُ وَجِبْرِيلُ وَصَالِحُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمَلاَئِكَةُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ ظَهِيرٌ‏}‏ وَكَانَتْ عَائِشَةُ بِنْتُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَحَفْصَةُ تَظَاهَرَانِ عَلَى سَائِرِ نِسَاءِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَطَلَّقْتَهُنَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي دَخَلْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ وَالْمُسْلِمُونَ يَنْكُتُونَ بِالْحَصَى يَقُولُونَ طَلَّقَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نِسَاءَهُ أَفَأَنْزِلُ فَأُخْبِرَهُمْ أَنَّكَ لَمْ تُطَلِّقْهُنَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ نَعَمْ إِنْ شِئْتَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَلَمْ أَزَلْ أُحَدِّثُهُ حَتَّى تَحَسَّرَ الْغَضَبُ عَنْ وَجْهِهِ وَحَتَّى كَشَرَ فَضَحِكَ وَكَانَ مِنْ أَحْسَنِ النَّاسِ ثَغْرًا ثُمَّ نَزَلَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَنَزَلْتُ فَنَزَلْتُ أَتَشَبَّثُ بِالْجِذْعِ وَنَزَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَأَنَّمَا يَمْشِي عَلَى الأَرْضِ مَا يَمَسُّهُ بِيَدِهِ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّمَا كُنْتَ فِي الْغُرْفَةِ تِسْعَةً وَعِشْرِينَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّ الشَّهْرَ يَكُونُ تِسْعًا وَعِشْرِينَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فقُمْتُ عَلَى بَابِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَنَادَيْتُ بِأَعْلَى صَوْتِي لَمْ يُطَلِّقْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نِسَاءَهُ ‏.‏ وَنَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ ‏{‏ وَإِذَا جَاءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِنَ الأَمْنِ أَوِ الْخَوْفِ أَذَاعُوا بِهِ وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ وَإِلَى أُولِي الأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَنْبِطُونَهُ مِنْهُمْ‏}‏ فَكُنْتُ أَنَا اسْتَنْبَطْتُ ذَلِكَ الأَمْرَ وَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ آيَةَ التَّخْيِيرِ ‏.‏

When Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) kept himself away from his wives, I entered the mosque, and found people striking the ground with pebblesand saying: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) has divorced his wives, and that was before they were commanded to observe seclusion 'Umar said to himself: I must find this (actual position) today. So I went to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and said (to her): Daughter of Abu Bakr, have you gone to the extent of giving trouble to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)? Thereupon she said: Son of Khattab, you have nothing to do with me, and I have nothing to do with you. You should look to your own receptacle. He ('Umar) said: I visited Hafsa daughter of 'Umar, and said to her: Hafsa, the (news) has reached me that you cause Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) trouble. You know that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) does not love you, and had I not been (your father) he would have divorced you. (On hearing this) she wept bitterly. I said to her: Where is Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)? Shesaid: He is in the attic room. I went in and found Rabah, the servant of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), sitting on the thresholds of the window dangling his feet on the hollow wood of the date-palm with the help of which Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) climbed (to the apartment) and came down. I cried: 0 Rabah, seek permission for me from Allah's Messenger (way peace be upon him). Rabah cast a glance at the apartment and then looked toward me but said nothing. I again said: Rabah, seek permission for me from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). Rabah looked towards the apartment and then cast a glance at me, but said nothig. I then raised my voice and said: 0 Rabah, seek permission for me from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). I think that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) is under the impression that I have come for the sake of Hafsa. By Allah, if Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) would command me to strike her neck, I would certainly strike her neck. I raised my voice and he pointed me to climb up (and get into his apartment). I visited Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), and he was lying on a mat. I sat down and he drew up his lower garment over him and he had nothing (else) over him, and that the mat had left its marks on his sides. I looked with my eyes in the store room of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). I found only a handful of barley equal to one sa' and an equal quantity of the leaves of Mimosa Flava placed in the nook of the cell, and a semi-tanned leather bag hanging (in one side), and I was moved to tears (on seeing this extremely austere living of the Holy Piophet), and he said: Ibn Khattab, what wakes you weep? I said: Apostle of Allah, why should I not shed tears? This mat has left its marks on your sides and I do not see in your store room (except these few things) that I have seen; Ceasar and Closroes are leading their lives in plenty whereas you are Allah's Messenger. His chosen one, and that is your store! He said: Ibn Khattab, aren't you satisfied that for us (there should be the prosperity) of the Hereafter, and for them (there should be the prosperity of) this world? I said: Yes. And as I had entered I had seen the signs of anger on his face, and I therefore, said: Messenger of Allah, what trouble do you feel from your wives, and if youhave divorced them, verily Allah is with you, His angels, Gabriel, Mika'il, I and Abu Bakr and the believers are with you. And seldom I talked and (which I uttered on that day) I hoped that Allah would testify to my words that I uttered. And so the verse of option (Ayat al-Takhyir) was revealed. Maybe his Lord, if he divorce you, will give him in your place wives better than you..." (Ixv. 5). And if you back up one another against him, then surely Allah is his Patron, and Gabriel and the righteous believers, and the angels after that are the aidera (lvi. 4). And it was 'A'isha, daughter of Abu Bakr, and Hafsa who had prevailed upon all the wives of Allah's Prophet (way peace be upon him) for (pressing them for mote money). I said: Messenger of Allah, have you divorced them? He said: No. I said: Messenger of Allah, I entered the mosque and found the Muslims playing with pebbles (absorbed in thought) and saying: Allah's Messenger has divorced his wives. Should I get down and inform there that you have not divorced them? He said: Yes, if you so like. And I went on talking to him until I (found) the signs of anger disappeared on his face and (his seriousness was changed to a happy mood and as a result thereof) his face had the natural tranquillity upon it and he laughed and his teeth were the most charming (among the teeth) of all people. Then Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) climbed down and I also climbed down and catching hold of the wood of the palm-tree and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) came down (with such ease) as if he was walking on the ground, not touching anything with his hand (to get support). I said: Messenger of Allah, you remained in your apartment for twenty-nine days. He said: (At times) the month consists of twenty-nine days. I stood at the door of the mosque and I called out at the top of my voice: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) has not divorced his wives (and it was on this occasion that this) verse was revealed:" And if any matter pertaining to peace or alarm comes within their ken, they broadcast it; whereas, if they would refer it to the Apostle and those who have been entrusted with authority amongst them, those of them who are engaged in obtaining intelligence would indeed know (what to do with) it" (iv 83). And it was I who understood this matter, and Allah revealed the verse pertaining to option (given to the Prophet (may peace be upon him in regard to the retaining or divorcing of his wives).

Fatima bint Qais reported that Abu 'Amr b. Hafs divorced her absolutely when he was away from home, and he sent his agent to her with some barley. She was displeased with him and when he said:

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، مَوْلَى الأَسْوَدِ بْنِ سُفْيَانَ عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتِ قَيْسٍ، أَنَّ أَبَا عَمْرِو بْنَ حَفْصٍ، طَلَّقَهَا الْبَتَّةَ وَهُوَ غَائِبٌ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهَا وَكِيلُهُ بِشَعِيرٍ فَسَخِطَتْهُ فَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ مَا لَكِ عَلَيْنَا مِنْ شَىْءٍ ‏.‏ فَجَاءَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَتْ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ لَيْسَ لَكِ عَلَيْهِ نَفَقَةٌ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَأَمَرَهَا أَنْ تَعْتَدَّ فِي بَيْتِ أُمِّ شَرِيكٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ تِلْكَ امْرَأَةٌ يَغْشَاهَا أَصْحَابِي اعْتَدِّي عِنْدَ ابْنِ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ فَإِنَّهُ رَجُلٌ أَعْمَى تَضَعِينَ ثِيَابَكِ فَإِذَا حَلَلْتِ فَآذِنِينِي ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا حَلَلْتُ ذَكَرْتُ لَهُ أَنَّ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنَ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ وَأَبَا جَهْمٍ خَطَبَانِي ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ أَمَّا أَبُو جَهْمٍ فَلاَ يَضَعُ عَصَاهُ عَنْ عَاتَقِهِ وَأَمَّا مُعَاوِيَةُ فَصُعْلُوكٌ لاَ مَالَ لَهُ انْكِحِي أُسَامَةَ بْنَ زَيْدٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَكَرِهْتُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ انْكِحِي أُسَامَةَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَنَكَحْتُهُ فَجَعَلَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ خَيْرًا وَاغْتَبَطْتُ بِهِ ‏.‏

I swear by Allah that you have no claim on us. she went to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and mentioned that to him. He said: There is no maintenance due to you from him, and he commanded her to spend the 'Idda in the house of Umm Sharik, but then said: That is a woman whom my companions visit. So better spend this period in the house of Ibn Umm Maktum, for he is a blind man and you can put off your garments. And when the 'Idda is over, inform me. She said: When my period of 'Idda was over, I mentioned to him that Mu'awiya b. Abu Sufyan and Jahm had sent proposal of marriage to me, whereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: As for Abu Jahm, he does not put down his staff from his shoulder, and as for Mu'awiya, he is a poor man having no property; marry Usama b. Zaid. I objected to him, but he again said: Marry Usama; so I married him. Allah blessed there in and I was envied (by others).

Hisham reported on the authority of his father that Yahya b. Sa'id b. al-'As married the daughter of 'Abd al-Rahman b. al-Hakam, and he divorced her and he turned her out from his house. 'Urwa (Allah be -pleased with him) criticised this (action) of theirs (the members of the family of her in-laws). They said:

وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي قَالَ، تَزَوَّجَ يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْعَاصِ بِنْتَ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ فَطَلَّقَهَا فَأَخْرَجَهَا مِنْ عِنْدِهِ فَعَابَ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ عُرْوَةُ فَقَالُوا إِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ قَدْ خَرَجَتْ ‏.‏ قَالَ عُرْوَةُ فَأَتَيْتُ عَائِشَةَ فَأَخْبَرْتُهَا بِذَلِكَ فَقَالَتْ مَا لِفَاطِمَةَ بِنْتِ قَيْسٍ خَيْرٌ فِي أَنْ تَذْكُرَ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ ‏.‏

Verily, Fatima too went out (of her in-laws' house). 'Urwa said: I came to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and told her about it and she said: There is no good for Fatima bint Qais (Allah be pleased with her) in making mention of it.

Fatima bint Qais (Allah be pleased with her) reported that she said:

وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ غِيَاثٍ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ فَاطِمَةَ، بِنْتِ قَيْسٍ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ زَوْجِي طَلَّقَنِي ثَلاَثًا وَأَخَافُ أَنْ يُقْتَحَمَ عَلَىَّ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَأَمَرَهَا فَتَحَوَّلَتْ ‏.‏

Allah's Messenger, my husband has divorcee me with three pronouncements and I am afraid that I may be put to hardship, and so he commanded her and so she moved (to another house).