Virtues of the Mothers of the Believers - II

04/04/2018| IslamWeb

‘A’ishah bint Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with them both:

In the house of truthfulness and piety, ‘A’ishah bint Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with them both, was born. She grew in a home that was based on faith, for her mother was a Companion, her sister was Asmaa’, may Allah be pleased with her, the lady of the two girdles, was also a Companion, and her brother was also a Companion of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Her father was the Siddiq of this Ummah (the steadfast affirmer of truth of the Muslim Ummah).

She grew in the home of knowledge, for her father was the prominent scholar and genealogist of the Quraysh. She was endowed with extraordinary intelligence and a sharp memory. Ibn Kathir said, "Among all the nations, there was none like ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, in her sharp memory, knowledge, eloquence, and intelligence. She preceded all women in knowledge and wisdom as she was blessed with understanding Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), memorizing poetry, and all the sciences of Shari’ah (Islamic jurisprudence).”

Ath-Thahabi said, “She was the most knowledgeable among all women of this Ummah. I do not know a woman more knowledgeable than her in the Muslim Ummah, or even from among all the women of the world."

She surpassed all other women by her virtues and kind companionship. The Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "‘A’ishah 's excellence over other women is like that of Thareed (a delicious mixture of meat and bread) over other types of food." [Al-Bukhari]

The Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, loved her very much and he loved only what is good and beautiful. ‘Amr ibn Al-‘As, may Allah be pleased with him, asked the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, once: "Who is most beloved to you from among people?" He replied: "‘A’ishah." Then ‘Amr, may Allah be pleased with him, asked: "(Who is most beloved to you) from among men?" He replied: "Her father." [Al-Bukhari]

She was the only virgin woman from among the wives of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and the only wife in whose bed the Revelation (Jibril, may Allah exalt his mention) came to him. She was a chaste woman and sincere worshipper. She used to go out only during the night in order to screen herself from men. She said, "We used to go out only during the night." In doing so, she applied the verse in which Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as [was] the display of the former times of ignorance.} [Quran 33:33]

Commenting on this verse, Al-Qurtubi said, "The Shari’ah is full of proofs which oblige women to abide in their houses and not to frequently go out unless there is a necessity. When there is a necessity to go out, women are required to completely cover themselves."

Allah The Almighty puts to trial those whom He loves and one is given trials according to his level of faith. ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, was accused of adultery when she was twelve years old. She said, "I wept throughout the whole night until the morning. I did not get any sleep, nor did my tears cease until my parents thought that weeping would split my liver." The trial grew more and more severe until she said, "My tears dried up, so that I could no longer feel a single tear."

Ibn Kathir said, "Allah The Almighty got jealous for her sake." Therefore, He revealed her innocence in ten Quranic verses which will continue to be recited until the end of time. This endowed her with a sublime reputation and prestigious position and proved her chastity while she was still young. Allah The Almighty gave testimony that she is a pure and good woman and further promised her His Forgiveness and abundant Provision.

She continued to serve the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and nurse him during his sickness until he died on the night appointed for her, in her house and while he was leaning between her chin and chest.

• The woman of the wholesome heart, Sawdah bint Zam‘ah, may Allah be pleased with her, was the first wife of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, after the death of Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her. She remained his only wife for three years. She was revered and noble and endowed with a clear and pure heart. Caring for the feelings of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, she gave up the night that was appointed for her to ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, seeking the Satisfaction of her Lord.

• Hafsah, daughter of the Commander of the Believers, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with them both, was a devout worshipper who was steadfast in her prayers and fasting. She grew up in a house whose members supported Islam and worked hard to make the truth manifest. Seven people from her family attended the battle of Badr. Concerning her, ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said, "She was the only one to vie with me (with regard to her status from the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) from among the wives of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam."

• The benevolent, Zaynab bint Khuzaymah Al-Hilaliyyah, may Allah be pleased with her, was a generous giver and used to hasten in doing righteous and good deeds. She remained the wife of the Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, for two months and then died.

• Umm Habibah, Ramlah bint Abu Sufyan, may Allah be pleased with them, emigrated for the sake of Allah The Almighty seeking His reward. Unlike all the other wives of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, she was the closest in kinship relation to him, received the highest dowry, and was the farthest in distance from him when he concluded the marriage with her. He concluded the marriage with her when she was in Abyssinia fleeing to protect her religion. The King of Abyssinia paid her dowry on behalf of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and provided her with the necessary marital needs.

• Umm Salamah, Hind bint Abu Ummayyah, may Allah be pleased with her, was known as a patient and bashful believer, who was one of the early emigrants to Madeenah. When she wanted to migrate to Madeenah with her husband, Abu Salamah, may Allah be pleased with him, her people separated her and her husband and child. She said, "I used to go out every morning and sit in the valley of Makkah and cry until the evening. I kept doing this for about a year until they finally sympathized with me and returned my child to me."

She had firm and strong faith in Allah The Almighty. When her husband, Abu Salamah, may Allah be pleased with him, died, she followed the guidance of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and supplicated Allah The Almighty Who compensated her with the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
It was narrated that she said,

"I heard the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, saying: 'When a Muslim is afflicted with a affliction, then he says, 'We belong to Allah and to Him shall we return; O Allah, Support me through my affliction and Reward me for it and Give me something better in its stead,' Allah Will Give him something better in its stead.'

When Abu Salamah died, I said, 'Who is better than Abu Salamah from among the Muslims whose family was the first to emigrate to the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.' I then said those words and Allah blessed me with the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam." [Muslim]

So, when you are afflicted with an affliction, you have to use this supplication and Allah The Almighty will compensate you with something better.