Lesson from the story of ifk

By Melody

Bismillah

Al-Ifk marks a significant event in the life of the Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. So significant in fact that it even has its own name: The Slander (Al-Ifk). To slander means to spread false rumours about a person, and this is precisely what Aisha (ra), the wife of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, endured. The whole community was tested in this regard. For one whole month, rumours were being spread about Aisha (ra) like wildfire across the community, to the point that even the believers started to consider it. A month later however, Allah subhaanahu wa ta'aala revealed ten whole verses that declared Aisha's innocence, and not only that, but Aisha herself narrates a hadith in which she explains her experiences in detail. The hadith is very insightful and allows us, through her narrating in the first person, to put ourselves in her shoes and sympathise with what she had to go through[i].

So what really happened?

The hypocrites started a rumour that Aisha (ra) was unchaste. However, this allegation was completely false and it was started due to the occurrence of the following events:

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was going on a campaign outside of Medina, and wanted to take one of his wives with him. Lots were cast amongst his wives and Aisha (ra) was selected to go. It was a long journey, and so on their way back from the campaign, the group stopped for a rest. It is important to note that this event took place after the commandment of Hijab, thus, Aisha ra travelled in a small tent-like covering that was placed above her camel for protection and modesty, called a howdah.

Aisha ra was a slim and delicate woman, so the weight of the howdah made no significant difference with her being in or out of it. This became a problem when the rest of the group set off and, having lifted up her howdah on to her camel – not realising she was not in there – set off to go back to Medina without her. Aisha (ra) had no choice but to wait for them to come back, and whilst waiting she fell asleep. Meanwhile, Safwan bin Al-Mu`attal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwani had rested during the night behind the army. He set out just before daybreak and reached the place where Aisha (ra) was in the morning, where he saw the outline of a person sleeping. Aisha (ra) reports:

“By Allah, he did not speak a word to me and I did not hear him say anything except `Truly, to Allah we belong, and truly, to Him we shall return,' until he brought his camel and made it kneel so that I could ride upon it, then he set out leading the camel until we caught up with the army at Zuhr time.”

So this is what really happened. The hypocrites, after having seen them come back together, started to spread rumours that they had been unchaste.

Lessons
Relationship between Aisha (ra) and the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam

1. His kind treatment towards her
When Aisha (ra) came back, she was ill for a month. Meanwhile the rumours were being spread and she had no clue regarding it. Aisha (ra) narrates: 

“What upset me when I was ill was that I did not see the kindness I used to see on the part of the Messenger of Allah. When I was ill; he would just come in and say, 

«كَيْفَ تِيكُمْ؟» (How is that (lady)) 

That is what upset me.” 

The fact that Aisha (ra) noticed something as subtle as this; as the mere change in his choice of words when greeting her, not only indicated how close their relationship was, but also the degree of kindness that she was accustomed to receiving from the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was the leader of the Ummah, he had to deal with many other problems, and to be told something like this – something that could potentially inflict so much harm to the family – and for the only thing to change is the words he used to greet her is remarkable.

2. His response to her about the rumours

When the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam first approached Aisha (ra) concerning the rumours that were being spread about her, his response demonstrated a high level of selflessness. He said: 

Thereafter, O `A'ishah, I have been told such and such a thing about you, and if you are innocent, then Allah will reveal your innocence, but if you have committed a sin, then seek Allah's forgiveness and turn in repentance to Him, for when a servant confesses his sin and repents to Allah, He accepts his repentance.

Notice in his response how his advice is revolved completely around Aisha (ra) and about how best to deal with the situation. Notice also his response to the possibility of the rumours being true – “seek forgiveness from Allah”. He does not talk about himself at all. He does not talk about how this calamity could inflict harm on his reputation, he does not get abusive, he did not curse or and shout at her for being irresponsible and jump to the conclusion that it must be true. He is simply giving a pure response to the situation, but thinking only of her best interests. Try to imagine how any other man would react to such a situation. But for him to be calm even at the prospect of it being true – and giving her pure advice, is incredible. An insightful video with Dalia Mogahed as part of “Celebrate Mercy” can be watched here: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE1l9tmmixI ) to further elaborate this point.

Unity

The ten verses revealed proving Aisha’s innocence hold many deep meanings, implications and lessons that any society can take on board. One lesson that sticks out is the implication of unity. Notice how Allah subhaana wa ta’aala is addressing the believers in the following verses:

“Why, when you heard it, did not the believing men and believing women think good of one another and say, "This is an obvious falsehood"?” (Surat An-Noor : 12)

This verse is amazingly deep. If we observe the verse more carefully, we see that it is the believer’s thoughts that Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala is addressing here. In fact, He is addressing the root of the problem. The rumour would not have become as widespread as it did, if the believers, after having heard the rumour, not only ensured that they did not repeat it to anyone but for them to further stand up to Aisha (ra) and defend her. Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala says: 

“When you received it with your tongues and said with your mouths that of which you had no knowledge and thought it was insignificant while it was, in the sight of Allah, tremendous.” (Surat An-Noor :15)

And again:

And why, when you heard it, did you not say, "It is not for us to speak of this. Exalted are You, [O Allah]; this is a great slander"? (Surat An-Noor :16)

The verses above are so powerful that encapsulated in them are meanings of unity. If the believers would never accept for such a rumour to be spread about them, simply because they are believers and would never approach unchastity, how can they then, accept it from another believer? If they would never put it past them to even think of committing such a crime, how then can they believe it possible for the Mother of Believers to do so? Furthermore, the verse above (12:24) is so written in Arabic that the literal meaning is “why did you not think good of yourselves.” What is meant by yourselves and how it has been translated is “your own people”. Take a moment to really think about that because this is the way Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala wants us to view our Ummah: as one. We are all the same. If I would never accept for myself to commit a particular sin, then I should see my fellow believers as the same. If someone was to accuse them of this, I should intervene and defend the way I would defend myself and the way I would wish to be defended. The Qur’an is giving a practical solution to the problem at hand: if we can view our Ummah as exactly that, one, that I am no different to anyone else since my belief in God is what unites us, then simply knowing that one is a believer will help me empathise in their situation. Once we establish this mindset, the rest will naturally follow.

It truly is remarkable how the Qur’an enables us to see things in their proper perspective. Sometimes our judgements can be cloudy, but Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala with His Knowledge and Wisdom, is able to give us the correct, logical and rational outlook of the situation. We, whilst informing another of something we have heard, may not think of it as something big, but if we were to take a moment to reflect, and ask ourselves if we would be content with these words if the tables were turned, we would realise that perhaps it was not so small after all.

So, a practical lesson that can be applied from the above verses is, before informing another of something you have heard about an individual, put yourself in that individual’s shoes. If it will not produce any benefit, if it is not something they would appreciate, and if it is not something you would be happy about if someone said the same about you – it really is not worth it. If you can target the root of the problem, which is the thoughts and work on purifying those, the output too will be purified, inshaAllah. The Qur’an teaches us this, it is our remedy.

In summary, the practical lessons that can be learnt?
1. Purify your thoughts.
2. Watch your words.
3. Stand up to the truth

Allah’s name Al-Fattah

Allah’s name Al-Fattah has many meanings, one of which is: “The One who is the judge and revealer.” This can be applied to this situation since the rumour became so wide spread that many people started to believe it. Imagine what Aisha (ra) must have been going through! She mentions in her narration that when she found out what was being spread about her she was crying so much her parents thought her liver would burst.

Imagine being in her situation. Being completely innocent, only to find that such a rumour was being spread about you and for you to be entirely unaware. She knew that she was innocent and knew that Allah, the All Knowing, would prove her innocence. Never did she think, however, that Allah Almighty would reveal ten whole verses that would forever be recited concerning her case, because, she explains “I thought of myself as too insignificant for Allah to reveal anything concerning me”, SubhanAllah. How Aware and Sensitive Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala is towards her feelings, that to this day, generation after generation of Muslims recite the verses as confirmation of her innocence, to ensure that there is no doubt regarding this matter – and not only that but through these verses, and through Aisha’s experience we are learning important lessons of unity, thoughtfulness, humility and the importance of controlling the tongue. I think the story of Al-Ifk and how Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala revealed Aisha’s innocence is a beautiful manifestation of Allah Almighty’s name of Al-Fattah.

Summary

In summary, the lessons that can be learnt from the story of Al-Ifk are numerous and range from unity to trust in Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala to guarding the tongue. If we are innocent we should always have faith that truth will inevitably prevail, and if a rumour has been spread to us we should prevent, stand up and defend. I want you to take a moment to read the ten verses that were revealed and share below what other beneficial lessons stick out to you from this significant event in the life of the Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

11. Indeed, those who came with falsehood are a group among you. Do not think it bad for you; rather it is good for you. For every person among them is what [punishment] he has earned from the sin, and he who took upon himself the greater portion thereof - for him is a great punishment. 

12. Why, when you heard it, did not the believing men and believing women think good of one another and say, "This is an obvious falsehood"? 

13. Why did they [who slandered] not produce for it four witnesses? And when they do not produce the witnesses, then it is they, in the sight of Allah, who are the liars. 

14. And if it had not been for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy in this world and the Hereafter, you would have been touched for that [lie] in which you were involved by a great punishment. 

15. When you received it with your tongues and said with your mouths that of which you had no knowledge and thought it was insignificant while it was, in the sight of Allah , tremendous. 

16. And why, when you heard it, did you not say, "It is not for us to speak of this. Exalted are You, [O Allah ]; this is a great slander"? 

17. Allah warns you against returning to the likes of this [conduct], ever, if you should be believers. 

18. And Allah makes clear to you the verses, and Allah is Knowing and Wise. 

19. Indeed, those who like that immorality should be spread [or publicized] among those who have believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows and you do not know. 

20. And if it had not been for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy... and because Allah is Kind and Merciful. 

References:
[i] Full hadith can be accessed here: http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2441&Itemid=79

I'd love to know your gems from the above mentioned verses. Please post them in the comments section! :) 

Posted in: ayesha ra,hypocrisy,ifk,Melody,Prophet,rumours,slandering,Spirituality,Unity