The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 245
VII - Days of Struggle 245 Mu’minīn 1 and the Afḍalul-Muslimīn 2 , due to which her training was extremely outstanding and absolute, and was in complete accordance with the Islāmic traditions. For this reason, she was particularly suitable to become a model for the women. Due to these reasons, Ḥaḍrat ‘ Ā’ishah ra was the most suitable of all to become the wife of the Holy Prophet sa. It is due to these very reasons that Allāh the Exalted selected her for the Holy Prophet sa. Consequently, these qualities brought forth their fruits and we see that the community of Muḥammad sa acquired extraordinary benefit from the person of Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah sa. The portion of Aḥādīth which directly relate to the issues of women are, for the most part, based on the sayings and narrations of Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah ra. Not only this, she also possesses a great status in general religious matters as well. Hence, it is narrated: كَان َ الْاَكَابِر ُ مِن ْ صَحابَة ِ النَّبِی ِّ صَلّی اللّٰه ُ عَلَیْه ِ وَسَلَّم َ یَرْجِعُوْن َ اِلی ٰ قَوْلِھَا وَیَسْتَفْتُوْنَھَا Meaning, “Even the eminent companions of the Holy Prophet sa would turn to the sayings of Ḥaḍrat ‘ Ā’ishah ra , and would seek religious verdicts from her. ” 3 Therefore, the actual and long-term proposal of the Holy Prophet sa was for Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah ra , and she was most worthy of this lofty position. Now remains the marriage of Ḥaḍrat Saudah bint Zam‘ah ra. Hence, as we have alluded to above, that this was a sacrifice of the Holy Prophet sa. This marriage was governed by a unique principle of guardianship, which is conclusive evidence of the heart-felt love, affection and true mercy of the Holy Prophet sa , which he extended to his servants and their relatives. This is not limited to the marriage of Ḥaḍrat Saudah ra alone, and we shall see as we proceed further that following the demise of Ḥaḍrat Khadījah ra , with the exception of Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah’s ra marriage, which was intended in itself, the rest of the marriages of the Holy Prophet sa took place under special circumstances, certain requirements and particular wisdoms. Moreover, the 1 The First of the Believers (Publishers) 2 The Best of the Muslims (Publishers) 3 Zādul-Ma‘ād, Al-Ḥāfiẓ Ibni Qayyim Al-Jawzī ‘Abdur-Raḥmān bin ‘Alī bin Muḥammad, Volume 1, p. 26, Faṣlun Fī Azwājihī sa , Egypt