CHAPTER 2: WIVES – PART 10
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, explained creed-related mistakes people commit:
‘Aa’ishah narrated: “When the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, became ill, some of his wives (who were next to him) talked about a church which they had seen in Ethiopia and it was called Mariya. Umm Salamah and Umm Habeebah had been to Ethiopia, and both of them narrated its (the church’s) beauty and the pictures it contained. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, raised his head and said: “Those are the people who, whenever a pious man dies amongst them, make a place of worship at his grave and then they make those pictures in it. Those are the worst creatures in the Sight of Allah.””(Reported by Al-Bukhari (427) and Muslim (528).) Despite his illness, he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not let such an important issue pass without highlighting the mistake these people had committed. Rather he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, warned his wives and guided them to the path which would save them.
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would not allow any evil to be committed in his house:
Protecting one’s household from evil is one of the greatest obligations upon the head of the household. It is included in the saying of Allah (which means): «O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones.» [Quran: 66: 6]
‘Aa’ishah narrated: “The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, entered upon me while there was a curtain with pictures (of animals) in my room. His face became red with anger, and then he took hold of the curtain and tore it into pieces and said: “Such people as paint [or depict] these pictures will receive the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection.””(Reported by Al-Bukhari (6109).)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would condemn ill behaviour on their part:
‘Aa’ishah narrated: “I imitated a person before him (to mock them). He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “I do not like that I imitate anyone even if I should get such and such.””(Reported by Abu Dawood (4875) and At-Tirmidhi (2502).)
Al-’Atheem Abaadi (a scholar) said: “The term, “I do not like that I imitate anyone” means, it would not please me to imitate a person’s words, way of talking, or actions as a way of disgracing them. The term, “even if I should get such and such” means, even if I were to be given a huge amount of worldly possessions (or gains).” (‘Awn Al-Ma’bood (151/13).)
Al-Mubaarakpoori said: “An-Nawawi said: ‘Imitating others is a form of
backbiting, which is prohibited. This would be something like walking with a
limp and while bowing one’s head and other similar issues that are related to
one’s appearance.’” (Tuhfat Al-Ahwathi (176/7).)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, warned his wives against minor sins:
‘Aa’ishah narrated: “The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “O ‘Aa’ishah, beware of insignificant [minor] sins, for there is an angel assigned by Allah to record it.””(Reported by Ibn Maajah (4243).)
As-Sindi said: “The term, “beware of insignificant [minor] sins” refers to sins that people deem as insignificant and thus commit them without giving heed to them. The term, “there is an angel assigned by Allah to record it” means that these sins are (though insignificant in the sight of man) yet they are great in the sight of Allah since He allocated an angel specially to record them.” (The explanation of As-Sindi on the book of Ibn Maajah (59/8).)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, trained them to ask if a matter was unclear:
Abu Mulaykah (a Follower belonging to the generation succeeding the Companions) said that ‘Aa’ishah never heard something which she did not fully understand but she asked the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in order to make sure she understood it properly. Once, the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “He who is held to account will be punished.” At this ‘Aa’ishah asked, ‘Does Allah The Almighty not Say (what means): «Then as for he who is given his record in his right hand. He will be judged with an easy account» [Quran: 84:8]?’ He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, replied: “This refers to merely presenting the records of deeds [without holding him to account]. However, the one who gets questioned regarding his deeds will be destroyed.”” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (103) and Muslim (2876).)
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, had great protective zeal for his wives:
‘Aa’ishah narrated:
“An effeminate male used to visit some of the wives of the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and they would consider him the same as an eunuch or a male attendants having no physical desire (i.e. an abnormal condition in which a man is devoid of sexual feeling, which is mentioned in the Quran). One day the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, entered while this male was in one his wives’ residence and he (the effeminate male) was describing a woman to her (the Prophet’s wife) and how well-endowed she was. Upon hearing this, the Messenger of Allah,
sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “This man is aware of how to describe women [as a man who has desire for them]. He is not allowed in your residences [any more].” So his wives forbade him from visiting them after that.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (4324) and Muslim (2181).)
Ibn Hajar said: “The reason why the wives of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, allowed this man to visit them is because he was an effeminate male (as mentioned in the narration) and they firmly believed that he has no desire for women, and that his visit is permissible. However, when the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, heard his description of women, he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, decided that he could have desire for women and thus prevented him from visiting them again. Moreover, the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, feared that this man would go around describing women to others. This narration is evidence that women who fear that a person could go and describe them to others should prevent him from seeing them (unveiled), and it also proves that one should distance oneself from matters that are uncertain.”(Fat-h Al-Baari (336/9).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, had great protective zeal for his wives (as every Muslim should), unlike those who have stripped themselves of their religion and all virtuous traditions, who try to weaken the sense of protectiveness within the Muslim community.
He, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, never thought ill of them and would give them the benefit of doubt:
Anas narrated that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would not enter upon his wives at night whenever he returned from a journey. He would only enter upon them at early morning or around sunset. (Reported by Al-Bukhari (1800) and Muslim (1928).)
As a matter of fact, the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, forbade men from entering upon their wives at night (when returning from a journey). Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah (a Companion) narrated: “The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, forbade that a man should enter upon his family at night, doubt them, sneak in on them (to see if they are doing something wrong behind his back) or searching for their mistakes.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (1801) and Muslim (715).)
It is disliked for one who has been travelling for a long period to enter upon his wife suddenly at night. However, one whose journey is short and is expected to return at night, then there is no problem in him entering upon her at night.
Ibn Hajar said: “This narration encourages compassion and love between the spouses. Despite the fact that both spouses know each other very well and none of their shortcomings are concealed, yet Allah commanded that one should not enter upon the wife suddenly at night lest he sees something about her which would be off putting .” (Fat-h Al-Baari (341/9).)
Informing the wife before entering and not doing so suddenly or at a time when he is not expected would give the wife a chance to adorn herself for her husband and be ready to receive him. Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah narrated that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “If one of you should happen to return [from a trip] at night, then let him not enter upon his wife at night in order to give a chance for the one who needs to clean herself to do so and the one whose hair is messy to comb it.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (5246) and Muslim (715).)
Ibn Hajar said: “A man who leaves in the morning to work or other needs is not asked to warn or inform his wife about his return since she expects him back at night, unlike the one who has been gone for a long period, the latter is addressed by the narration. This is because his wife (the one who was gone for long) feels safe from him returning, and thus would not be ready to receive him, like being untidy or unadorned which could cause a feeling of resentment and disaffection towards one another.” (Fat-h Al-Baari (340/9).)
When a man informs his wife before departure about the time of his return, then she would be expecting him on that day and time. This is another situation in which a man is not addressed with this narration.
By Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid
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