The Treachery of Banu Quraidha The Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) used to cast lots, whenever he intended to go on an expedition, to decide who among his wives should accompany him. In the expedition of Banu al-Mustaliq the lot had fallen on ‘Aisha (radiallahu anhaa) and she had accordingly accompanied the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam). At one of the stopovers in their journey back to Madeenah, the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) spent a part of the night before he ordered to break the camp. ‘Aisha (radiallahu anhaa) for her part had gone to answer the call of nature, and when she came back she discovered that she had dropped her necklace. She went back to hopefully recover it, but by the time she returned the army had already left. Then the camel drivers in charge of ‘Aisha’s (radiallahu anhaa) transport saddled her couch thinking that she would be in it as usual. However, ‘Aisha (radiallahu anhaa) was small and very light, so none could notice if she was in the litter or not. When ‘Aisha (radiallahu anhaa) came back she found no trace of the army so she wrapped herself in her smock and laid down in the hope that as soon as they would discover the real situation, someone would come to fetch her. Safwan b. al-Mu’attal al-Salam (radiallahu anhu) had earlier followed behind the army for a purpose. He happened to pass by ‘Aisha (radiallahu anhaa) and stopped at her. He saw her. “Inna Lillah”, he called out, “The Prophet’s wife!” Then he brought his camel near her and turned back a few paces. After ‘Aisha (radiallahu anhaa) rode the dromedary, Safwan (radiallahu anhu) took hold of the camel’s halter and went ahead quickly in search of the army. Safwan (radiallahu anhu) overtook the army when it had again rested. Nobody noticed the incident, for such mishaps were not unusual in the caravans trekking the vast emptiness of the Arabian wilderness. To wayfaring Arabs, it was just a familiar misfortune and their code of honor, even in the days of pagan past, never tolerated the disgrace of their daughters. The Arabs, both pagans as well as after embracing Islam, were chivalrous enough to lay down their lives defending the honor of their women rather than to support any disgrace. A poet of pre-Islamic days expresses the Arab sentiment of chastity and virtuousness in a couplet, which depicts a lovely picture of Arab womanhood. “If my glance meets the looks of a neighbouring maiden, I cast my eyes low until her abode takes her in.” The companions held the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) in the same esteem and reverence as one has for one’s father while the wives of the Prophet (radiallahu anhum) all served as ‘Mothers of the Faithful’ to every Muslim. In fact, never had any people loved anyone so dearly than how the companions cherished the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam). Safwan b. al-Mu’attal was, as they say, a man of sterling qualities - noble, true-souled and God-fearing who had the reputation of being least interested in women. (To be continued In Sha Allah)
Posted on: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 05:06:12 +0000
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