Indexed OCR Text

Mustaliq expedition was to take place, Rasulullaah p again drew lots as he
usually did. This time my name emerged as the one to accompany him.
Rasulullaah p therefore took me along. During those times women ate just
enough to sustain themselves. The flab on their bodies was therefore less and
they were lighter in weight. For this reason I would sit in my carriage when it was
loaded on my camel. The men who fastened the carriage to the camel for me
would lift the carriage from the bottom, lift me up and place the carriage on to
the camel. They would then secure it with ropes, take the camel by the head and
lead it along.
After the journey was done, Rasulullaah p left (for Madinah) and we were close
to Madinah when we set up came and spent part of the night there. When the
announcer announced that it was time to depart, everyone got ready to move.
Wearing a necklace of mine that was decorated with onyx from the Yemeni tribe
of Dhifaar, I went (out of the camp) to relieve myself. When I had completed, the
necklace had slipped from my neck without me knowing it. It was only after
returning to my carriage that I felt my neck and could not find it. The people had
already started leaving when I returned to the place I had been. There I looked
for it until I eventually found it. The men who usually tied my carriage had by
then already tied it to the camel. Thinking that I was inside, they did what they
always did and took the carriage away. Without even once suspecting (that I was
not inside), they picked up the carriage and loaded it on to the camel. They then
took the camel by the head and led it away. When I eventually returned to the
camp, there was not a soul in sight. Everyone had left. I then spread out my
shawl at the place where I had been and lay down. I knew that once my absence
was detected, people would return to where I was (to search for me).
By Allaah! I was still lying there when Safwaan bin Mu'attal Sulami t passed by.
He had fallen behind the expedition for some reason and had not spent the night
in the camp. Seeing my silhouette, he came closer until he stopped by me. He
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had seen me before we were instructed to don the Hijaab and when he saw that
it was I lying there, he exclaimed in astonishment, 'Innaa Lillaahi wa Innaa Ilayhi
Raaji'oon! The wife of Rasulullaah p!' I was properly wrapped up in my clothing
when he said, 'May Allaah have mercy on you. How did you get left behind?' I
did not speak a word to him. He brought his camel next to me and said, 'Mount
the camel and stay behind me.' I mounted the camel and he led it quickly along
by its head, in search of the rest. By Allaah! Neither did we catch up with the
others until the morning, nor did they notice my absence. The army had set up
camp and were resting when Safwaan t was seen leading me on the camel. It
was then that the slanderers said what they did (about me being an adulteress),
causing much tumult amongst the army. I swear by Allaah that I was then still in
the dark concerning what was happening.
After we had returned to Madinah, no news had still reached me (about the
slander) when I happened to fall terribly ill. In the meanwhile, the news had
reached Rasulullaah p and my parents, none of whom breathed a word to me.
All that I noticed was a lack in the affection that Rasulullaah p usually showed
towards me. Whereas he expressed tremendous love and affection towards me
whenever I fell ill, he did not do so this time. This greatly disappointed me. When
he came to me as my mother was nursing me, he asked, 'How are you feeling?'
That was all he said. I eventually grew upset with his apparent indifference and
asked, 'O Rasulullaah p! Permit me to move to my mother's place for she has
been nursing me all along. When Rasulullaah p indicated that it was not a
problem, I moved to my mother's. I was then still completely in the dark about
what had been happening until I had started to recover from my illness after
twenty odd days.
We Arabs were not accustomed to building toilets inside our houses like the
non-Arabs do. We disliked this and regarded it as something deplorable. We
used to go outside Madinah (to relieve ourselves) and every night we women
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would go there (together). I had gone out to relieve myself one day in the
company of Ummu Mistah who was the daughter of Abu Ruhm bin Abdul
Muttalib. By Allaah! We were still walking when she tripped over her shawl and
exclaimed, 'May Mistah be destroyed!' 'By Allaah!' I reproved, 'What a terrible
thing to say about a man from amongst the Muhaajireen who has participated in
the Battle of Badr!' She then asked, 'Has the news not yet reached you, O
daughter of Abu Bakr?' 'What news?' I enquired. She then informed me about
what the slanderers were saying. 'Has all this really been happening?' I asked in
disbelief. 'Yes,' she replied, 'I swear by Allaah that it certainly has.' By Allaah!
(After hearing all of this) I was unable to even relieve myself properly and
returned. I then wept continuously until I actually thought that my liver would
burst.
I said to my mother, 'May Allaah forgive you! The people have been saying what
they have said and you did not even mention a word to me!' my mother
responded by saying, 'Take it easy, dear daughter! When a beautiful woman has
a husband who loves her greatly and has co-wives as well, it does happen that
the wives and other people pick on her.'
Unknown to me, Rasulullaah p had already delivered a sermon to the people.
After praising Allaah, he said, 'O people! What is the matter with some of you
who cause me hurt with regards to my family by saying things that are not true?
I swear by Allaah that I see only good in my wives. They are also making
allegations about a man (Hadhrat Safwaan bin Mu'attal t) about whom I also
swear that I know only as a good man. He never enters any of my rooms without
me with him.' Most of the slander was publicised by (the Munaafiq) Abdullaah
bin Ubay bin Salool along with some men from the Khazraj tribe. Also involved
were Mistah t and Hamna bint Jahash Que alanda ). Hamna bint Jahash die alone, Was
involved because her sister Zaynab bint Jahash Que al gh, was a wife of Rasulullaah p
and from all the other wives of Rasulullaah p, she was the only one who was of
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any competition to me. Since Allaah protected Zaynab wie al den, because of her
piety, she had only good words to say (and did not slander me). On the other
hand, Hamna wie dil go, passed around plenty of slander to spite me for the sake of
her sister. In this manner, she defamed only herself.
After Rasulullaah p had delivered the sermon, Hadhrat Usayd bin Hudhayr t (of
the Aws tribe) said, 'O Rasulullaah p! Had the slanderers been from the Aws
tribe, we would have dealt with them on your behalf. However, if they are from
our brothers of the Khazraj tribe, we shall do as you command. By Allaah! They
ought to be executed!' It was then that Hadhrat Sa'd bin Ubaadah t stood up.
Although he was always regarded as a good man, he retorted by saying (to
Hadhrat Usayd t), 'By Allaah! You are lying! They shall not be executed! I swear
by Allaah that you say this only because you know that they are from the
Khazraj. You would never have said it had you known that they were from your
tribe!' Hadhrat Usayd bin Hudhayr t replied, 'By Allaah! It is you who are lying!
You must be a Munaafiq since you are defending the Munaafiqeen!' The
Sahabah w (belonging to the Aws and the Khazraj tribes) stood up to confront
each other until a fight almost erupted between the two tribes.
Rasulullaah p descended from the pulpit and came to me. After some time
revelation had stopped coming to him, he called for Ali bin Abi Taalib t and
Usaama bin Zaid t to consult with them about separating from his wife (myself).
Usaama t had only good to say and added, 'O Rasulullaah p! We only know your
family to be good. The news is a blatant lie.' On the other hand, Ali t only said, 'O
Rasulullaah p! Women are plenty and you are able to get others in their place.
Ask the slave girl (Bareerah ( al ) for she will give you the truth.' When
Rasulullaah p summoned Bareerah wie dil go), Ali t rapped her quite harshly and said,
'Be truthful to Rasulullaah p!' Bareerah wie dil go, said, 'By Allaah! I know of nothing
but good in Aa'isha. I can find no fault in her besides the fact that after I have
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kneaded the dough and instructed her to look after it, she falls asleep and along
comes the goat to eat it up.""
Continuing the story, Hadhrat Aa'isha Que algo, says further, "Rasulullaah p then
came to me when I was staying with my parents. A woman from the Ansaar was
with me at the time and she wept with me as I wept. Rasulullaah p sat down and
after praising Allaah, he said, 'O Aa'isha! The talk of people has already reached
your ears. Do fear Allaah. If you have come close to what the people are saying,
repent to Allaah for He accepts the repentance of His servants.' By Allaah! As
soon as Rasulullaah p said this, my tears immediately stopped and I could not
even feel them. I waited for my parents to reply to Rasulullaah p, but they said
nothing. By Allaah! I never regarded myself so distinguished that verses of the
Qur'aan should be revealed about me (to clear my name), which would be
recited (forever) and read in salaah. However, all I wished for was that
Rasulullaah p should see a dream in which Allaah would deny the allegations on
my behalf, for Allaah knew that I was innocent. (All that I expected was that)
Allaah would inform (Rasulullaah p) accordingly. In no way did I regard myself
worthy of having verses of the Qur'aan revealed about me.
Nevertheless, when I noticed that my parents were not going to say anything (in
my defence), I said to them, 'Are you two not going to reply to Rasulullaah p?'
'By Allaah!' they replied, 'We do not know what to say.' By Allaah! I do not know
of any family that had so much difficulty come upon them as had come to the
family of Abu Bakr t during that period. When my parents said nothing, tears
welled in my eyes and I burst out crying. I then snapped, 'By Allaah! I shall never
repent to Allaah for what they say I did! By Allaah! Should I admit to what they
say when Allaah knows well that I am innocent of it, I shall only be admitting to
something I have never done. On the other hand, if I deny it, they will never
believe me.' I then searched for the name of Ya'qoob v but could not remember
it. Nonetheless, I said that I would say exactly what the father of Yusuf u said:
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فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَى مَا تَصِفُونَ
However, I shall exercise patience without any complaint, and I shall seek Allaah's
assistance against what you have devised." {Surah Yusuf, verse 18}
Rasulullaah p was still sitting where he was when (revelation started descending
on him and) he started swooning as he did when revelation descended. A shawl
was placed over Rasulullaah p and a leather pillow was placed beneath his head.
By Allaah! When I saw this happen, I neither felt any fear nor was I worried in the
least because I knew that I was innocent and that Allaah would never be unjust
towards me. Not so for my parents. I swear by the Being Who controls the life of
Aa'isha that as long as the condition did not leave Rasulullaah p, I thought that
the two of them would die out of fear that Allaah would prove the slander of the
people to be true. Rasulullaah p sat up after the condition had passed and
although it was a cold day, beads of perspiration decorated his face like pearls.
As he wiped the perspiration from his face, he said, 'Good news, O Aa'isha!
Allaah has confirmed your innocence.' 'All praise be to Allaah!' I exclaimed. After
Rasulullaah p recited the verses of my innocence, my mother said to me, 'Stand
up and go to Rasulullaah p (to thank him).' I said, 'I swear by Allaah that I shall
not go to him and shall thank none but Allaah for it was Allaah Who confirmed
my innocence when none of you rejected the slander."
In the Words of the Qur' aan
The ten verses of the Qur'aan announcing the innocence of Hadhrat Aa'isha alguns
Wie were verses 11-21 of Surah Noor, in which Allaah states:
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(٪ ١٠) إِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ جَاءُوْ بِالْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِّنْكُمْ ٥* لَا تَحْسَبُوْهُ شَرًّا لَّكُمْ ٥﴿ بَلْ بُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ب* لِكُلِّ امْرِىٌّ مِّنْهُمْ
مَّا اكْتَسَبَ مِنَ الْإِثْمِ نَّ وَالَّذِى تَوَلَّى كِبْرَةً مِنْهُمْ لَمَّ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ (١١) لَوْ لَا إِذْ سَمِعْتُمُوْهُ ظَنَّ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ وَ
الْمُؤْمِنْتُ بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ خَيْرًا ◌ٌ، وَّ قَالُوا بَذَا اِفْكٌ مُّبِيْنٌ (١٢) لَوْ لَا جَاءُوْ عَلَيْهِ بِاَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَآءَ نَّ فَإِذْ لَمْ يَأْتُوْا
بِالشُّهَدَاءِ فَأُولَئِكَ عِنْدَ اللهِ بُمُ الْكَذِبُوْنَ (١٣) وَ لَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَتُهُ فِى الدُّنْيَا وَ الْأُخِرَةِ لَمَسَّكُمْ
فِى مَا أَفَضْتُمْ فِيْهِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿١٢٤) إِذْ تَلَقَّوْنَهَ بِالْسِنَتِكُمْ وَ تَقُوْلُوْنَ بِأَقْوَابِكُمْ مَّا لَيْسَ لَكُمْ بِ عِلْمٌ وَّ تَحْسَبُوْنَهْ
بَيًِّا *وَّ بُوَ عِنْدَ اللهِ عَظِيمٌ (١٥) وَلَوْلَا إِذْ سَمِعْتُمُوْهُ قُلْتُمْ مَّا يَكُوْنُ لَنَا أَنْ تَّتَكَلَّمَ بِهِذَا سُبْحَنَكَ بُذَا بُهْتَانٌ
عَظِيمٌ (١٢) يَعِظُكُمُ اللهُ أَنْ تَعُوْدُوْا لِمِثْلِمَ آَبَدًا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِيْنَ (١٧) وَ يُبَيِّنُ اللهُ لَكُمُ الْأَيْتِ * وَاللهُ عَلِيْمٌ
حَكِيمٌ (١٨) إِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ يُحِبُّوْنَ أَنْ تَشِيْعَ الْفَاحِشَةُ فِى الَّذِيْنَ أَمَنُوْا لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ◌ٌ فِى الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ * وَ اللهُ
يَعْلَمُ وَ أَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ (١٩) وَ لَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَتُهُ وَ أَنَّ اللّهَ رَءُوْفٌ رَّحِيمٌ (٪٢٠) يَأَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ
أُمَنُوْا لَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَتِ الشَّيْطِنِ * وَ مَنْ يَتَّبِعْ خُطُوَتِ الشَّيْطِنِ فَإِنَّمْ يَأمُرُ بِالْفَحْشَآءِ وَ الْمُنْكَرِ * وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ
اللهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَتُهَ مَا زَكِى مِنْكُمْ مِّنْ أَحَدٍ أَبَدًا ﴿ وَ لَكِنَّ اللّهَ يُزَكِّئْ مَنْ يَّشَاءُ * وَ اللهُ سَمِيْعٌ عَلِيمٌ (٢١)
TRANSLATION: (Referring to accusation of adultery that some Munaafiqeen directed at Aa'isha y,
the wife of Rasulullaah p, Allaah says,) It was indeed a (hypocritical) group from you that
brought (initiated) the slander (the accusation against Aa'isha y). Do not regard it (the
accusation) as a misfortune, for it was good for you (although the slander caused grief to the
Muslims and particularly to Aa'isha w, it was good for them because they earned tremendous rewards
by exercising patience and having a lesson taught to the entire Ummah). Every one of them (those
who actively accused her) will have his share of (punishment for) the sin (of slander) which he
earned. (However,) A terrible punishment shall be for the one who took the greatest part in
it (who was the leader of the Munaafiqeen, a person by the name of Abdullaah bin Ubay bin Salool).
(Instead of listening to the accusation, thereby giving courage to the slanderers) Why did the
Mu'mineen men and women not think favourably of themselves (of those who were accused)
when they heard about it, and say (about the accusation), "This is clear defamation!"? Why
have they (the accusers) not presented four witnesses (to testify that they had witnessed the act
of adultery) ? Since they have not presented four witnesses, then these people are surely
liars in Allaah's sight (because they had not proven anything according to the Shari'ah). If it were
not for Allaah's grace upon you (Muslims by granting you the ability to repent), and for His
mercy in this world and in the Aakhirah, a dreadful punishment (disaster) would have
afflicted you because of what (slander) you involved yourselves in when you gossiped
about the matter with your tongues and said such things with your mouths that you had
no knowledge of. You thought that the matter was trivial, whereas it was grave (a grave
sin) in Allaah's sight. (Although slandering any person is a major sin, the sin is especially worse
when the accused is a chaste wife of Rasulullaah p.) When you (Muslims) heard about it, why did
you not say, "It is not appropriate for us to discuss this (because we have no idea about
whether it is true or not). Allaah is Pure! (In fact,) This is an atrocious smear (which cannot be
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true because the characters of the people involved have always been pure) !" Allaah advises you
against repeating the same (behaviour) ever again if you really are Mu'mineen. And Allaah
clearly explains the Aayaat for you (so that you receive thorough guidance in all matters). Allaah
is All Knowing, The Wise (and knows what you do not know). There shall be an excruciating
punishment in this world and in the Aakhirah for those who love immorality (and who love
the news of immoral behaviour) to spread among the Mu'mineen. Allaah knows (the gravity of
every sin) and you do not know (you should therefore abstain from everything that Allaah forbids
without question). (You Muslims would have certainly suffered punishment) If it were not for
Allaah's grace (favour) on you (by inspiring you to seek forgiveness) and His mercy (by forgiving
you), and for the fact that Allaah is verily the Most Pardoning, the Most Merciful. O you
who have Imaan, do not follow the footsteps of Shaytaan (do not do what he wants you to
do). Whoever follows the footsteps of Shaytaan, then (such a person should remember that)
verily he (Shaytaan) commands (people to engage in) immoral (indecent) behaviour and evil. If
it were not for Allaah's grace on you and His mercy (by protecting you from evil and giving you
the ability to do good), none of you would ever be pure (from sin). However, Allaah purifies
whoever He wills (from sin and evil. No person can achieve purity by himself/herself). Allaah is All
Hearing (hears every person's repentance), All Knowing (knows the condition of every heart).
These verses amply clarify the fact that Hadhrat Aa'isha Que al gordo, was completely
innocent of the accusations levelled against her. The verses also reveal the
conniving of the Munaafiqeen and warns the Mumineen against supporting such
fallacious statements. After these verses were revealed, the persons involved in
spreading the slander were lashed 80 lashes each. Amongst the true Mumineen
Hadhrat Mistah bin Uthaatha t, Hadhrat Hassaan bin Thaabit t and Hadhrat
Hamna bint Jahash we also, were also lashed according to the prescribed penalty
because of the part they played in spreading the accusation. A narration from
Hadhrat Umar t reported in Tabraani states that Abdullaah bin Ubay received
double the penalty because he initiated the slander. Thereafter, the true
Mumineen repented, while the Munaafiqeen remained as they were.
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Lessons and Conclusions
The Temperament of a Muslim
Amongst the promoters of the slander were two of the Sahabah w who were
veterans of the Battle of Badr, namely Hadhrat Mistah bin Uthaatha t and
Hassaan bin Thaabit t. Hadhrat Aa'isha we ala, reports, ""(After the verses of my
innocence were revealed) My mother said to me, 'Stand up and go to
Rasulullaah p (to thank him).' I said, 'I swear by Allaah that I shall not go to him
and shall thank none but Allaah for it was Allaah Who confirmed my innocence.'
Allaah revealed ten verses beginning with:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاؤُوا بِالْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِّنكُمْ ...
It was indeed a (hypocritical) group from you that brought (initiated) the slander ... {Surah Noor,
verse 11}
(My father) Abu Bakr t used to support Mistah t because he was related to us
and because he was very poor. However, after the verses attesting to my
innocence were revealed, Abu Bakr t said, 'I swear by Allaah that I shall never
support him because of what he said about Aa'isha!' It was then that Allaah
revealed the verse:
وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُوْلُوا الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤْتُوا أُوْلِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلْيَعْفُوا
وَلْيَصْفَحُوا أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
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The high ranking and wealthy ones among you (like Abu Bakr t) should not take an oath not
to spend on their relatives, the poor and on those who migrate in Allaah's path. (Instead of
bearing a grudge against these people,) They should (rather) forgive and pardon. Do you not
like Allaah to forgive you? (Just as you would like Allaah to forgive you for your shortcomings, you
should also forgive the shortcomings of others. Be like) Allaah (Who) is Most Forgiving, Most
Merciful. {Surah Noor, verse 22}
(Upon revelation of this verse,) Abu Bakr t said, 'By Allaah! Of course I would like
Allaah to forgive me.' He then continued giving Mistah t the allowance he had
been giving him and said, 'I swear by Allaah that I shall never stop giving it to him
ever."
A narration from Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas t states that there were several
other Sahabah w who also vowed to stop assisting those involved in the slander.
However they all retracted their vows after this verse was revealed.
The Honour of a Muslim
The Qur'aan declares that it is a heinous crime to falsely accuse an innocent
person of committing adultery. People perpetrating this crime have been
labelled as the worst of sinners and are punished with 80 lashes. Allaah declares:
وَالَّذِيْنَ يَرْمُوْنَ الْمُحْصَنْتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَآتُوا بِأَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَاءَ فَاجْلِدُوْبُمْ ثَمْنِيْنَ جَلْدَةً وَّ لَا تَقْبَلُوْا لَهُمْ شَهَادَةً أَبَدًا نَ وَ
أُولَئِكَ بُمُ الْفُسِقُوْنَ ةٌ(٣)
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TRANSLATION: As for those who slander chaste women (accuse them of fornication or
adultery) without presenting four (reliable) witnesses (who had witnessed the act explicitly), you
should lash them (the accusers) eighty lashes and never accept their testimony (in a court
hearing) ever again. These people are sinners. 651
This injunction highlights the value that Allaah attaches to the honour of a
Muslim. Not only is the testimony of a single person sufficient to prove that
someone has committed adultery, but four reliable witnesses are required to
testify that they personally saw the act of penetration. If only one of them saw
the act first-hand and the others did not, they will all be lashed for slander.
Similarly, if all but one of them saw the act first-hand and the one did not, they
will all be lashed for slander. In addition to the 80 lashes that each one of them
will receive as a penalty, their testimony will not be permitted in future hearings.
Furthermore, they will be regarded as sinners in the sight of Allaah as well for
their carelessness.
These verses highlight the severity of spoiling the name of a Muslim. How tragic
is it that people nowadays soil the name of men and women merely by seeing
something doubtful in their behaviour. The honour of a single Muslim is held in
higher esteem than the honour of all the Kuffaar. Once, while looking at the
Kabah with respect, Hadhrat Umar t remarked, "O esteemed Kabah! I know well
how honourable you are, but the honour of a Muslim is held in higher esteem by
Allaah."
The Issue of Lisan
The literal meaning of the word Li'aan (ok) is 'to curse each other' and 'to
invoke the wrath of Allaah upon each other'. In terms of the Shari'ah, it refers to
651 Surah Noor, verse 4.
1230

specific oaths that a husband and a wife take. This happens when the husband
accuses his wife of adultery or denies fathering any of her children. She then
refutes his claim and demands that he summon four witnesses to attest to her
adultery. If he produces the four witnesses who had explicitly witnessed her
crime, then she will face the penalty for adultery and he will be absolved of
slander. However, should he fail to produce the witnesses, the couple will follow
the process of Li'aan. This means that he will declare four times that he is
truthful in his claim against her (the specific words he will use are quoted in the
verses of the Qur'aan). He will then declare for a fifth time that Allaah's curse
should befall him if he is lying.
The wife will then swear four times that he is lying about his claim and, on the
fifth occasion, she will invoke the wrath of Allaah upon herself if he is truthful.
The result of this procedure is that he will be absolved of the 80 lashes for
slander and she will be absolved of the death penalty for adultery. Of course, the
liar from the two will have to face the punishment of Allaah in the Aakhirah.
With the completion of the Li'aan, the couple will be separated, either by his
divorce, or by a separation order from the Islaamic court. It will then be unlawful
for them to marry each other for as long as they live. The children affected by
the accusation will assume the name of the mother and not the father. However,
such children will not be classified as illegitimate.
To properly understand the concept of Li'aan, it will be beneficial to state some
background details. Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas t reports that verse 4 of
Surah Noor made it necessary for a person to present four witnesses to prove
adultery. Failing to do this would result in him being lashed instead and his
testimony being rejected in Muslim courts of law.
1231

After this verse was revealed, people understood well that if a man saw a
strange woman committing adultery and could not find the four witnesses to
witness the act, he could easily live with the thought of having the crime pass
unpunished since he does not have any intimate ties with her. However, if she is
his wife, this would not be so easy. If he killed the perpetrator, he would be
liable to be punished for murder. If he went to look for four witnesses, the act
would be over by the time they arrived. If he ignored it and went on with his life,
life would become intolerable. If he simply divorced her, she would be
unpunished and continue her immoral ways, perhaps while living with someone
else.
It was with reference to this that one of the leaders of the Ansaar Hadhrat Sa'd
bin Ubaadah t said, "O Rasulullaah p! Have these verses (stating the penalty for
slander) been revealed just like that?" Surprised at this remark, Rasulullaah p
asked the Ansaar, "O people! Do you hear what your leader is saying?" "Do not
be offended by what he says," they assured Rasulullaah p, "He is saying that only
because he is a very covetous person." He Sa'd t then himself explained. He said,
"O Rasulullaah p! If I see this happening in my home, I will not go and look for
witnesses, but will immediately draw my sword and behead both of them." 652
It was not long thereafter that a man from the Ansaar by the name of Hadhrat
Uwaymir Ajlaani t came to Rasulullaah p and said, "O Rasulullaah p! If someone
finds another man with his wife and speaks about it, he will be penalised for
slander. If he kills her, he will be killed in retaliation and if he remains silent, he
652 Bukhaari and Muslim.
1232

will suffer immense resentment. What is he to do?" It was then that Rasulullaah
p made du'aa to Allaah to resolve the dilemma. 653
Not long thereafter, Hadhrat Hilaal bin Umayyah t returned home one evening
from his orchard to find his wife engaged in intimate relations with some man.
He also overheard their intimate talks with each other. He did nothing until the
following morning, when he approached Rasulullaah p and related the incident
to him. According to the directive of the Qur'aan, Rasulullaah p told him that he
needed to produce four witnesses to save himself from being lashed. The
Sahabah y present there were very uneasy with the situation, but Hadhrat Hilaal
t calmly replied, "O Rasulullaah p! I swear by the Being Who has sent you as a
Nabi that I am definitely telling you the truth as my eyes saw it and my ears
heard it. O Rasulullaah p! I am certain that Allaah will reveal something that will
save my back from the lash." This conversation had not yet terminated when
Hadhrat Jibra'eel v arrived with the revelation of the following verses:
وَالَّذِيْنَ يَرْمُوْنَ أَزْوَاجَهُمْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَّهُمْ شُهَدَآءُ إِلَّا أَنْفُسُهُمْ فَشَهَادَةُ أَحَدِيِمْ أَرْبَعُ شَهْدُتٍ بِاللّهِ ىّ ◌ِنَّهْ لَمِنَ الصُّدِقِيْنَ
(أ) وَالْخَامِسَةُ أَنَّ لَعْنَتَ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْكَذِبِينَ (٧) وَيَدْرَؤُا عَنْهَا الْعَذَابَ أَنْ تَشْهَدَ أَرْبَعَ شَهْدُتٍ
بِاللهِ ى إِنَّهَ لَمِنَ الْكَذِبِينَ {(٨) وَالْخَامِسَةَ أَنَّ غَضَبَ اللهِ عَلَيْهَا إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الصَّدِقِيْنَ (٩) وَلَوْ لَا فَضْلُ اللهِ
عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ وَ أَنَّ اللهَ تَوَّابٌ حَكِيمٌ (٪١٠)
TRANSLATION: Those who slander their wives (accuse their wives of adultery) and have only
themselves as witnesses (to the act of adultery and not the required four witnesses), then any of
them should bear testimony four times by Allaah that he is indeed from the truthful (He
should say four times, "I swear by Allaah that I am truthful in accusing her of adultery!"). On the
fifth occasion, he should invoke Allaah's curse on himself if he is from the liars (He should
then say once, "May Allaah's curse befall me if I am lying about her committing adultery."). (By doing
this, he will be exempted from the penalty for slander.) Punishment (for committing adultery, which
is stoning to death) will be averted from the wife if she bears testimony four times by Allaah
that he (her husband) is from the liars (She should say four times, "I swear by Allaah that he is
lying about my committing adultery!"). On the fifth occasion, she will invoke Allaah's wrath on
653
Abu Dawood, Nasa'ee.
1233

her if he (her husband) is from the truthful (She should say once, "May Allaah's wrath be on me if
he is truthful about my committing adultery."). (Man would experience great difficulty) If it were not
for Allaah's grace (favour) on you and His mercy (because of which His laws cater for your
needs), and for the fact that Allaah is verily the Most Clement, the Wise (because of which
His laws are most easy and applicable).
When Hadhrat Hilaal t and his wife appeared before Rasulullaah p to continue
with the procedure of Li'aan, Rasulullaah p addressed them, saying, "Understand
well that the punishment of the Aakhirah is much worse than the punishment of
this world." Hadhrat Hilaal t said, "O Rasulullaah p! I am confident that my
accusation is perfectly true." His wife then said, "O Rasulullaah p! I confidently
say that he is lying." Rasulullaah p then said, "Allaah knows well that one of you
is lying. Will one of you not fear Allaah, repent and make the truth known?"
Hadhrat Hilaal t said, "May my parents be sacrificed for you, O Rasulullaah p! I
have stated the absolute truth." Rasulullaah p then proceeded with the
procedure of Li'aan and Hadhrat Hilaal t was asked to repeat the words
prescribed in the verse, which are: "I swear by Allaah that I am truthful in accusing her of
adultery!" After stating this four times, he was about to proceed with stating " May
Allaah's curse befall me if I am lying about her committing adultery", when Rasulullaah p said,
"O Hilaal! Fear Allaah. The punishment of this world is far lighter than the
punishment of the Aakhirah! Allaah's punishment is much worse than any
punishment human can inflict. This fifth testimony shall be the last and the
decision will depend on it."
However, Hadhrat Hilaal t was certain that he would proceed and said, "O
Rasulullaah p! I am certain that Allaah will never punish me for this testimony!"
He then completed his statement.
1234

Hadhrat Hilaal t's wife then proceeded with her testimony and repeated four
times, "I swear by Allaah that he is lying about my committing adultery!" When she was about
to proclaim the fifth testimony, Rasulullaah p stopped her, saying, "Hold on! This
fifth testimony shall be the last. Allaah's punishment is much worse than any
punishment human can inflict." When she heard this, the woman hesitated for a
while and everyone thought that she would admit to her sin. However, she said,
"I shall never allow my tribe to be disgraced forever." She then proceeded with
the Li'aan and stated, "May Allaah's wrath be on me if he is truthful about my committing
adultery" .
Rasulullaah p then separated the couple and declared that the child to be born
shall have her name and not Hilaal t's. Rasulullaah p also forbade anyone from
slandering the woman or attaching any stigma to the child. Hadhrat Hilaal t was
absolved of providing maintenance for the duration of the Iddah (because it was
not a case of divorce) and she was free to remarry someone else if she wished
thereafter. 654
This was the first case of Li'aan in Islaam and the solution for this marital
dilemma. May Allaah save us all from it. Aameen.
654
Maz'hari, from Ahmad.
1235

The Banu Nadbeer
When Rasulullaah p arrived in Madinah, there were several Jewish tribes settled
there. Amongst these was the Banu Nadheer tribe, which was well known for
their wealth and strength. The Banu Nadheer were descendants of Hadhrat
Haaroon v and had originally been living in Shaam. However, they settled in
Madinah because their scripture the Torah described Madinah as the place
where the final Nabi p would emigrate to.
When he emigrated to Madinah, Rasulullaah p very diplomatically entered into a
peace treaty with the Jews, with the undertaking that neither party would attack
the other or assist an enemy against the other. Furthermore, they would also
assist each other in battle against invaders. The Banu Nadheer tribe, whose
settlement was located approximately two miles from Madinah, also signed this
agreement.
They managed to abide by the treaty until the Battle of Uhud in the year 3 A.H.,
but then started to scheme against the Muslims. Their leader Ka'b bin Ashraf
took a delegation of forty men to Makkah, where he entered into an agreement
with the Quraysh to wage a war with the Muslims. This agreement was ratified
when Ka'b, his forty men and Abu Sufyaan held the cloth of the Kabah to
solemnise their undertaking to assist each other in war against the Muslims.
As the party of Jews returned to Madinah, Hadhrat Jibra'eel v informed
Rasulullaah p about what had transpired. Rasulullaah p therefore issued an
execution order against Ka'b and it was Hadhrat Muhammad bin Maslamah t
1236

who killed him. The details of the execution are mentioned in detail in the books
of Ahadeeth. 655
Thereafter, the Banu Nadheer were guilty of several counts of treachery. One of
these counts occurred when Rasulullaah p approached the Banu Nadheer to
assist in paying the blood money the Muslims owed on account of the murder of
two Kuffaar by Hadhrat Amr bin Umayah Dhamri t. The Jews decided that they
would seat Rasulullaah p beside a particular wall as he waited for them to gather
their funds. A man by the name of Amr bin Jahaash would then drop a rock upon
Rasulullaah p to kill him.
Their plan was, however, foiled when Hadhrat Jibra'eel v instructed Rasulullaah
p to leave the place just before the scheme could be enacted. Rasulullaah p
proceeded straight to Madinah, from where he sent the Banu Nadheer the
ultimatum to leave Madinah within ten days on account of their treachery.
Anyone found still in Madinah after ten days would be executed.
As the Banu Nadheer prepared to leave, Abdullaah bin Ubay, who was the leader
of the Munaafiqeen, encouraged them to reject Rasulullaah p's order and to
remain in Madinah. He promised them that he would help them resist the
Muslims with his force of 2000 men. Taking courage from this offer, the Banu
Nadheer sent a message to Rasulullaah p, informing him that they did not intend
leaving. Rasulullaah p therefore appointed Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umm
Maktoom t as his deputy in Madinah and marched with the Sahabah w to the
settlement of the Banu Nadheer.
655
Bukhaari (Vol.2 Pg.576) and Abu Dawood (Vol.4 Pg.61).
1237

When the Muslims reached the Banu Nadheer, they barricaded their fortress,
intent not to budge. After a six day siege, they still refused to submit. Rasulullaah
p therefore commanded the Sahabah w to cut down all the plantations of the
Banu Nadheer, depriving them of their source of food and income. In their
desperation, the Banu Nadheer waited for the promised assistance from the
Munaafiqeen, but received none. They were eventually forced to surrender and
beg Rasulullaah p to allow them to go into exile.
Rasulullaah p spared their lives and permitted them to leave with as much as
they could carry with them, apart from their weapons and any other materials of
war. They therefore broke their homes down to carry with them whatever they
could. Some of them settled in Shaam, while others settled in Khaybar. This took
place in the year 4 A.H. During his term as Khalifah, Hadhrat Umar t had them
expelled from Khaybar and they all moved to Shaam. The Qur'aan makes
reference to both these exiles in Surah Hashar, which also speaks about the
other aspects of this incident.
In the Words of the Qur'aan
Allaah says in verses 1-17 of Surah Hashar:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمُنِ الرَّحِيمِ
سَبَّحَ لِلْهِ مَا فِى السَّمُوتِ وَ مَا فِى الْأَرْضِ ىَّ وَ بُوَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْحَكِيْمُ (١) بُوَ الَّذِى أَخْرَجَ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا مِنْ أَبْلِ
الْكِتُبِ مِنْ دِيَارِبِمْ لِأَوَّلِ الْحَشْرِ * مَا ظَنَتْتُمْ أَنْ يَّخْرُجُوْا وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ مَّانِعَتُهُمْ خُصُوْنُهُمْ مِّنَ اللهِ فَأَتُهُمُ اللهُ
مِنْ حَيْثُ لَمْ يَحْتَسِبُوْا * وَ قَذَفَ فِىْ قُلُوْبِهِمُ الرُّعْبَ يُخْرِبُوْنَ بُيُوْتَهُمْ بِأَيْدِيْهِمْ وَ آَيْدِى الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ * فَاعْتَبِرُوْا
يَأُولِى الْأَبْصَارِ (٢) وَ لَوْ لَا أَنْ كَتَبَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْجَلَاءَ لَعَذَّبَهُمْ فِى الدُّنْيَا * وَ لَهُمْ فِى الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابُ النَّارِ
(٣) ذُلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ شَاقُوا اللهَ وَ رَسُوْلَهُ نَّ وَ مَنْ يُّشَاقِّ اللهَ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ شَدِيْدُ الْعِقَابِ (٣) مَا قَطَعْتُمْ مِّنْ لَّيْنَةٍ أَوْ
تَرَكْتُمُوْبَا قَائِمَةَّ عَلَى أُصُوْلِهَا فَبِذْنِ اللهِ وَ لِيُخْزِىَ الْفُسِقِيْنَ (٥) وَ مَا آَفَاءَ اللهُ عَلَى رَسُوْلِمٍ مِنْهُمْ فَمَا أَوْ جَفْتُمْ
عَلَيْهِ مِنْ خَيْلٍ وَّ لَا رِكَابٍ وَّ لَكِنَّ اللهَ يُسَلِّطُ رُسُلَمَ عَلَى مَنْ يَّشَآءُ ﴿ وَ اللهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ (*) مَا آَفَآءَ
1238

اللهُ عَلَى رَسُوْلِم مِنْ أَبْلِ الْقُرَى فَلَّهِ وَ لِلرَّسُوْلِ وَ لِذِى الْقُرْبَى وَ الْيَتْمَى وَ الْمَسُكِيْنِ وَ ابْنِ السَّبِيْلِ ىٌّ كَىْ لَا
يَكُوْنَ دُوْلَةٌ بَيْنَ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ مِنْكُمْ ٥* وَمَا أَتُكُمُ الرَّسُوْلُ فَخُذُوْهُ * وَمَا نَهُكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوْا ◌َّ وَ اتَّقُوا اللهَ * إِنَّ
اللّهَ شَدِيْدُ الْعِقَابِ (٧) لِلْفُقَرَآءِ الْمُهْجِرِيْنَ الَّذِيْنَ أُخْرِجُوا مِنْ دِيَارِبِمْ وَأَمْوَالِهِمْ يَبْتَغُوْنَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللهِ وَ
رِضْوَانًا وَ يَنْصُرُوْنَ اللهَ وَ رَسُوْلَمْ * أُولَئِكَ بُمُ الصُّدِقُوْنَ وَ(٨) وَ الَّذِيْنَ تَبَوَّؤُا الدَّارَ وَ الْإِيْمَانَ مِنْ قَبْلِمْ
يُحِبُّوْنَ مَنْ بَاجَرَ اِلَيْهِمْ وَ لَا يَجِدُوْنَ فِىْ صُدُوْرِبِمْ حَاجَةً مِّمَّا أُوْتُوْا وَ يُؤْثِرُوْنَ عَلَىٍ أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ
خَصَاصَةٌ * وَ مَنْ يُّوْقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِمٍ فَأُولَئِكَ بُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ وَ(٩) وَالَّذِيْنَ جَاءُوْ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ يَقُوْلُوْنَ رَبَّنَا
اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَ لِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِيْنَ سَبَقُوْنَا بِالْإِيْمَانِ وَ لَا تَجْعَلْ فِيْ قُلُوْبِنَا غِلَّا لَلَّذِيْنَ أَمَنُوْا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوْفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
( ١٠) الَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِيْنَ نَافَقُوْا يَقُوْلُوْنَ لِإِخْوَانِمُ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا مِنْ أَبْلِ الْكِتُبِ لَئِنْ أُخْرِجْتُمْ لَنَخْرُ جَنَّ
مَعَكُمْ وَ لَا نُطِيْعُ فِيْكُمْ أَحَدًا أَبَدًا ◌ٌ وَّ إِنْ قُوْتِلْتُمْ لَنَنْصُرَنَّكُمْ * وَ اللهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكُذِبُوْنَ (١١) لَئِنْ أُخْرِجُوْا
لَا يَخْرُجُوْنَ مَعَهُمْ نَّ وَلَئِنْ قُوْتِلُوا لَا يَنْصُرُوْنَهُمْ وَّ وَلَئِنْ نَّصَرُوْبُمْ لَيُوَلُّنَّ الْأَدْبَارَ ى ثُمَّ لَا يُنْصَرُوْنَ (١٢)
لَ انْتُمْ أَشَدُّ رَبْبَةَّ فِىْ صُدُؤْرِبِمَ مِّنَ اللهِ - ذُلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَا يَفْقَهُوْنَ (١٣) لَا يُقَاتِلُوْنَكُمْ جَمِيْعًا إِلَّ فِئْ قُرَّى
مُّحَصَّنَةٍ أَوْ مِنْ وَّرَآءِ جُدُرٍ ٥* بَأْسُهُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ شَدِيدٌ ن تَحْسَبُهُمْ جَمِيْعًا وَّ قُلُوبُهُمْ شَتَّى ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا
يَعْقِلُوْنَ (١٣) كَمَثَّلِ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِمْ قَرِيْبًا ذَاقُوْا وَبَالَ أَمْرِبِمْ نَّ وَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ (١٥٣) كَمَثَّلِ الشَّيْطِنِ إِذْ قَالَ
لِلْإِنْسَانِ اكْفُرْ ◌َّ فَلَمَّا كَفَرَ قَالَ إِنِّيْ بَرِىءٌ مِّنْکَ إِنَّى آَخَافُ اللهَ رَبَّ الْعَلَمِيْنَ (١٢) فَكَانَ عَاقِبَتَهُمَا أَنَّهُمَا
فِى النَّارِ خَالِدَيْنِ فِيْهَا * وَ ذُلِكَ جَزْؤُا الظَّلِمِيْنَ (١٧)
TRANSLATION: In the name of Allaah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth glorifies Allaah (even though
many things appear inanimate to man). He is the Mighty, the Wise. It was He who
removed the Kuffaar from among the People of the Book (the Jewish Banu Nadheer tribe)
from their homes (in Madinah) for the first exile (when they attempted to assassinate
Rasulullaah p. After being banished from Madinah, they proceeded to live in Khaybar). You
(Muslims) never thought that they (the Jews) would emerge (from their fortresses to
surrender) and they thought that their fortresses would save them from Allaah, but
Allaah's grasp came to them from where they never expected (being well-equipped and
wealthy, the Jews did not expect that they will be defeated by the Muslims who were not as
wealthy or as well-equipped as they were). Allaah cast terror (for the Muslims) into their
hearts (the hearts of the Jews) and (when they prepared to leave Madinah,) they uprooted
(took down) their homes with their own hands (to take with them as much as they could
carry) and with the hands of the Mu'mineen (who assisted them to leave). So take heed,
O people with insight! (Keep in mind that those who oppose Allaah and Rasulullaah p are
humiliated even in this world.) If Allaah had not decreed the exile for them, He would
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