This is Love…

From a talk given by Shaykh Habib Ali al-Jiffry last night (paraphrased).

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was on a journey with some of his companions and his wife ‘Aisha (ra). He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) noticed from Aisha’s face she was getting weary from the journey, so to be with her in private and comfort her he told the rest of the companions to go on ahead. Habib said this is the haya (humilty/shyness) Muslims should have, intimacy between husband and wife is not something to be shown in public view, other cultures have different levels of haya, this is the Muslim etiquette.

So the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) comforted ‘Aisha (ra) then asked if she wanted a race? She replied yes, and they raced. ‘Aisha (ra) narrates that she won. Sometime later, ‘Aisha (ra) says when she had put on a bit more weight, they raced again but this time Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) won. He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said this is for that time.

Habib Ali said by saying “this os for that time” the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is showing ‘Aisha (ra) that he remembers every little intimate moment they shared, no matter how long ago it was. These moments are special.

Another narration Habib told us, again narrated by ‘Asiah (ra) herself (paraphrased) -

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and ‘Aisha (ra) had a disagreement, ‘Aisha was angry with the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) so the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) suggetsed they call ‘Aisha’s father, Abu Bakr (ra), to mediate between them. So they went to Abu Bakr (ra) and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked ‘Aisha (ra) if she wanted to go first (Habib pointed out this in an example of the courtesy of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم), even in a disagreement he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had the utmost adab). ‘Aisha (ra) replied “No, you go first but speak the truth!” Abu Bakr (ra) was shocked at this, how dare she speak to the Messenger of God (صلى الله عليه وسلم) like that?! He raised his hands to hit her and ‘Aisha (ra) ran behind the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) for protection. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said to Abu Bakr (ra) “No Abu Bakr, we didn’t call you for this, we called you to arbitrate between us!”

‘Aisha (ra) knew despite being in an argument with the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), he is someone she can always turn to for mercy, he is a mercy to the whole world (صلى الله عليه وسلم).