<b>Bismillah</b>
Praise be Allah the All Hearing, Wise, Merciful Creator of all Creations, and prayer and peace be upon His final Messenger Mohamed Ibn Abdullah and all prophets and messengers.
Thinking to myself a couple of days ago, I kept reviewing in my mind many female models that have been mentioned in Quran specially for a given hard situation. As we are all aware, Quran is not a novel book just to read and spend time, but rather all the stories and situations contained within are for us human beings so that we can measure according and apply the same methodology as described in the given story.
The first one that came to my mind was Aesha and her situation that is why I will Insh a Allah start with her.
<b>Who is Aesah radiya Allah u a`nha and how was she brought up?</b>
Daughter of Abu Bakr, companion of the prophet salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam , one of the ten who are brought glad tidings to be admitted to Jannah.
In general, let us examine how Allah describes companions of the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam in Quran, Allah say:
“Rather, the Prophet and those who believe with him fought with their property and their lives for these are all good things, they are the successful ones and Allah has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow to dwell therein forever and that is the great success” [ (9): 88-89]
“And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun and Ansar and all those who followed them exactly (in faith). Allah is well pleased with them and they are pleased with Him and Allah has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow to dwell therein forever and that is the great success.” [soorah at-Tawbah (9): 100]
"(And there is also a share in this booty) for the poor emigrants, who were expelled from their homes and their property, seeking Bounties from Allah and to please Him. And helping Allah (i.e. helping His religion) and His Messenger (Muhammad). Such are indeed the truthful (to what they say);- And those who, before them, had homes (in Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrate to them, and have no jealousy in their breasts for that which they have been given (from the booty of Bani An-Nadir), and give them (emigrants) preference over themselves, even though they were in need of that. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be the successful." (Quran 59:8-9)
There are several other Ayahs that convey the same meaning, however, just for the sake of logical sequence and introduction; I will just keep those two.
How did the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam classify Abu Bakr?
Narrated Amr bin Al-Aas (radiallahu anhu): “The Prophet of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) deputed me to lead the army of Dat as-Salasil. I came to him and said: “Who is the most beloved person to you?' He said: “Aa'isha” I asked “Amongst men?” He said: “Her father (Abu Bakr)...” [saheeh Al-Bukharee v.5, no.14].
Abu Bakr's Kunia (nick name if I would say) was Assediq radiya Allah u a`nhu. This adjective means the excessively believing. He was the first, among men, to accept Islam, needless to mention how loving was he to the Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam, when the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam went into the Israa and Miraj trip (the night journey to Baytul Maqdes).Quraishis thought that they finally put their hands on a proof against the Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam. They went to Abu Bakr mocking and telling him the story. He replied if Mohamed says he went on this journey, then he is telling the truth. Then he went personally to verify the information from the Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam, and as soon as he heard it from him, he said I believe you, you tell nothing but truth. At this moment the Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam named him Assediqs (excessively believing the truth).
This is the man who brought up Aesha radiya Allah u a`naha till the age of 9 when she got married.
<b>How was she brought up?</b>
As the reader can see, she was brought up by the first man who embraced Islam, the man whom Allah nominated to accompany the Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam during his Hijra trip. Other members of the household had similar notable situations indicating how devoted they are to Islam. For example, her older sister was entrusted, among very a few number of people, who knew about the Hijra plan to Medina. She planned to offer food and a water container to the two travelers. But found nothing to tie the containers with, she decided to use her waistband. Her father suggested that she tears it into two. And she did. From this time on, the Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam who commended her action, called her Dhat enataqayn (One of two waistbands). This is the man who brought her up during her childhood; this is the household with which Aaesha grew. This is where she learnt her first steps, physical steps, as well as those towards Islam.
<b>Her marriage?</b>[/color]
But Allah, over and above, Willed a better future and higher position in terms of knowledge, manner,,,,only to name a few. She would learn, first hand, from the Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam who both raised her up further and taught her, even daily life details, that she carried on and became scholar of this Ummah. As it was previously mentioned, she got married to the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam at the age of 9.
Was this marriage just out of his own desire? Even in her marriage, she was also honored. In a hadeeth, narrated Aaesha may Allah be pleased with her, she said: The Messenger of Allah salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam said: I saw you in my sleep for three nights, the angle brought you wrapped in a silk piece of cloth, and he says: this is your woman, and I uncover your face to find you in it. I say: if this is from Allah may Allah Fulfill it (agreed up with consensus).
<b>The major trial?</b>
This same woman, with this type of background, faced a grave and serious accusation. She was accused of Zina (sexual intercourse outside of the wedlock). Who is accused? Aesha the wife of the Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam, so she is also accused of being an unfaithful wife, unfaithful to who, who is the husband? The final Messenger of Allah, the seal of the prophets Mohamed salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam. Daughter of Assediq was accused of unfaithfulness and Zina.
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How did this happen? How did this unjust befell her?
Coming back with the Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam and the Muslim army to Medina from Bani Al Mustaleq battle, the army was ordered to camp for rest. Aaesha had to respond to the call of nature, so she disembarked. Unexpectedly, the Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam ordered the army to continue the trip. They left. When Aaesha was coming back, she noticed that she lost her onyx necklace; she decided to retrace her steps looking for it. As soon as she did, she returned back only to find the camp has left. Her litter was veiled and no one noticed her absence. Patiently, she waited for them to realize her absence and come back to her. Alhamdulelah young companion called Safwan, radiya Allah u a`nahu had fallen behind the camp while taking a rest came back to the site, he recognized Aesha who was sleeping with her face uncovered but because he knew her before Allah Commanded wives of the Messenger radiya Allah u a`naha to fully conceal themselves. He quietly offered her his ride and escorted her back to the Messenger's location.
Hypocrites found this an incomparable opportunity to work towards destroying the coherent construction of Muslims. They started spreading gossips about Aaesha after seeing her arrive with Safwan radiya Allah u a`nahuma alone. The talk spread among Muslims who felt they encounter a serious situation. The Messenger as both a leader and husband was over burdened. Muslims were sure of her innocence but the hypocrites spared no effort to further ignite the situation. The Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam consulted his companions, Osama Ibn Zaid immediately told him, this is your family and I know nothing but good about her. Ali Ibn Abi Taleb, told him Allah Did not restrict you, there are other women, however, if you ask her slave girl, she will certainly tell you the truth. The Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam called in Barira may Allah be pleased with her and asked her, did you see any suspicious behaviour from Aaesha? She said I saw nothing about which I should close my eyes, only she is a young girl who sleeps after preparing the dough for her family, thus, chicken come and eat it.
<b> But how did she feel? How the victim felt about all of this? How did she handle it?
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Amidst all this, the young chaste well bred very loving wife fell ill for one month, however, she was unaware of the falsehood talk. She only observed a change in the Messenger's usual kind behaviour during her illness During her convalescence, she went out, at night, with Umm Mustah to respond to the call of nature. Umm Mustah tripped in her clothes, so she supplicated against her son. Aaesha blamed her for this. At this point, Umm Mustah informed her about the whole situation. In response, she asked for the Messenger's salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam permission to move to her parents home to verify the information.
But before we continue, take in consideration that Bani Al Mustaliq battle was on 6 H. and the marriage was on 2 H. In other words, she was among the prophet's household for four years and also she was about 13 years old. Only 13 years, a child still.
However, let us get back to the sequence of incidents and see how she handled the test. Hardest test for a Muslim chaste woman is to be accused in her chastity. She found out from her parents that the information is true. She cried and cried for two continuous nights and a day, never slept nor her tears dried. She almost felt dying of crying. The Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam came when she was in this condition. He pronounced Shahada (ash had u ana la ilaha ila Allah= I testify that there no Deity but Allah) and continued saying:" O Aaesha, I was informed about you of this and that, if you are innocent, Allah Shall prove your innocence, otherwise, if you committed a sin, ask for Allah's forgiveness and repent, when a devotee confesses his guilt and repents, Allah Shall Grant him repentance".
At this point, asking her parents to respond, her tears stopped. But they had nothing to say. So she said: Wallahi I found out that you already heard about this issue till you became confident about it deep inside you and believed it. In case I would tell you I m innocent – Allah Knows I m innocent – you will not believe me. And in case I confessed to you with an issue – and Allah Knows I m innocent of this issue – you will believe me. Wallahi I find no other example for me and you to follow except what Abi Yusuf said. He said: " So (for me) patience is most fitting. And it is Allah (Alone) Whose help can be sought against that which you assert."(Quran 12:18).
She turned and lied down. At this very moment, when she reached the peak of her distress, when she had no way out, when she was accused even in the eyes of her closest people, her parents those who raised her and know her quite well and her loving husband. The Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam received revelation. As soon as it was completed, the Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam was laughing and first word he uttered was: " O Aaesha, as for Allah, Allah Proved your innocence".
Her mother told her get up for him (she means the Messenger)? What was the young woman's reaction??? Aaesha, stressing clearing up the accusation and proving her innocence and trusting the love of the Messenger salla Allah a`lhyee wa sallam, said: Wallahi I will not get up to him and will not thank and praise no one but Allah.
" Verily! Those who brought forth the slander (against 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) the wife of the Prophet) are a group among you. Consider it not a bad thing for you. Nay, it is good for you. Unto every man among them will be paid that which he had earned of the sin, and as for him among them who had the greater share therein, his will be a great torment.* Why then, did not the believers, men and women, when you heard it (the slander) think good of their own people and say: "This (charge) is an obvious lie* Why did they not produce four witnesses? Since they (the slanderers) have not produced witnesses! Then with Allah they are the liars.?* Had it not been for the Grace of Allah and His Mercy unto you in this world and in the Hereafter, a great torment would have touched you for that whereof you had spoken.* When you were propagating it with your tongues, and uttering with your mouths that whereof you had no knowledge, you counted it a little thing, while with Allah it was very great.* And why did you not, when you heard it, say? "It is not right for us to speak of this. Glory be to You (O Allah) this is a great lie * Allah forbids you from it and warns you not to repeat the like of it forever, if you are believers* And Allah makes the Signs plain to you, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise* Verily, those who like that (the crime of) illegal sexual intercourse should be propagated among those who believe, they will have a painful torment in this world and in the Hereafter. And Allah knows and you know not* And had it not been for the Grace of Allah and His Mercy on you, (Allah would have hastened the punishment upon you). And that Allah is full of kindness, Most Merciful. ". (Quran 24:11-20)
This is how Allah the Merciful responded to this distressed, helpless, and young victim of slander. This is how Allah Responded to her wise, prudent position. Sobhan Allah.
<b>Lessons learnt:
</b>
1. She did not try to defend herself against this serious and unbearable test and accusation.
2. She knew that everyone including her own parents and husband almost believed it.
3. She preferred not to argue.
4. Very wisely she presented her case to them and patiently waited for Allah to settle the issue.
5. The output was immense. Allah Responded to her lifting up the distress and trial. Sobhan Allah.
Ahamdulelah who has Guided us for this and if it was not for Him we wouldnt have been guided.