18.

The Book of Divorce

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كتاب الطلاق

ز. Umar bin al-Khattab (ru narrated that when Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) kept himself away from his wives, I entered the mosque, and found people striking the ground with pebbles and saying, Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) has divorced his wives, and that was before they were commanded to observe Hijab. 'Umar (رضي الله تعالى عنه) said to himself, I must find about this today. So, I went to Ummul Momineen A'isha (رضي الله تعالى عنها) and said (to her), daughter of Abu Bakr (رضي الله تعالى عنه), have you gone to the extent of giving trouble to Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)? Thereupon she said, Ibn Khattab (رضي الله تعالى عنه), you have nothing to do with me, and I have nothing to do with you. You should look to your own receptacle. Umar (رضي الله تعالى عنه) said, I visited Ummul Momineen Hafsa (رضي الله تعالى عنها) and said Hafsa (رضي الله تعالى عنها), the (news) has reached me that you cause Allah's Apostle ( صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) trouble. You know that Allah's Apostle ( صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) 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 Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)? She said, he is in the attic room. I went in and found Rabah (رضي الله تعالى عنه), the servant of Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), 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 Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) climbed (to the apartment) and came down. I cried, O Rabah (رضي الله تعالى عنه), seek permission for me from Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). Rabah (رضي الله تعالى عنه) cast a glance at the apartment and then looked toward me but said nothing. I again said, Rabah (رضي الله تعالى عنه), seek permission for me from Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). Rabah (رضي الله تعالى عنه) looked towards the apartment and then cast a glance at me but said nothing. I then raised my voice and said, O Rabah ( رضي الله تعالى عنه), seek permission for me from Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). I think that Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) is under the impression that I have come for the sake of Ummul Momineen Hafsa (رضي الله تعالى عنها). By Allah, if Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) 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 Apostle ( صلى هللا عليه و آلهسلم و), 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 storeroom of Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). 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 Prophet ﷺ), and he said, Ibn Khattab (رضي الله تعالى عنه), what wakes you weep? I said, Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), why should I not shed tears? This mat has left its marks on your sides and I do not see in your storeroom (except these few things). I have seen Caesar and Khosrow are leading their lives in plenty whereas you are Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), His chosen one, and that is your store! He said, Ibn Khattab ( رضي الله تعالى عنه), 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, Apostle of Allah (صلى هللا عليه و آله وسلم), what trouble do you feel from your wives, and if you have divorced them, verily Allah is with you, His angels, Jibreel, Mika'il (عليهما السالم), I and Abu Bakr (رضي الله تعالى عنه) 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 [ Perhaps, if he were to divorce you (all), his Lord would replace you with better wives who are submissive (to Allah), (and) faithful (to Him), devout, repentant, dedicated to worship and fasting, previously married or virgins.] (At-Tahrim - 5). And [If you both (wives) turn in repentance to Allah (it will be better) as your hearts have indeed so inclined (to oppose what the prophet ﷺ likes); but if you help one another against him (the Prophet ﷺ), then surely (know that) Allah is his Protector, Jibreel (عليه السالم), and the righteous believers, and furthermore, the angels too are his helpers.] (At-Tahrim - 4). And it was Ummul Momineen A'isha ( رضي الله تعالى عنها), the daughter of Abu Bakr (رضي الله تعالى عنه), and Ummul Momineen Hafsa ( رضي الله تعالى عنها) who had prevailed upon all the wives of Allah's Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) for (pressing them for more money). I said, Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), have you divorced them? He said, no. I said, Apostle of Allah ( صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), I entered the mosque and found the Muslims playing with pebbles (absorbed in thought) and saying, Allah's Apostle ( صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) has divorced his wives. Should I get down and inform there that you have not divorced them? He said, yes, if you wish. 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 tranquility upon it and he laughed and his teeth were the most charming (among the teeth) of all people. Then Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) climbed down, and I also climbed down and catching hold of the wood of the palm-tree and Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) came down (with such ease) as if he was walking on the ground, not touching anything with his hand (to get support). I said, Apostle of Allah ( صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), 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, Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) has not divorced his wives (and it was on this occasion that this) verse was revealed – [When a matter comes to them, be it of security or fear, they (the hypocrites) spread it (among Muslims), whereas if they returned it to the Apostle ( صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and to those in authority among them, then the ones who (can) draw correct conclusions from it would have known about it. And if not for the favor of Allah upon you (O' people) and His mercy, you would have followed Satan, except for a few.] (An-Nisa - 83). And it was I who understood this matter, and Allah revealed the verse pertaining to option (given to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) in regard to retaining or divorcing his wives).