The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 246
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 246 dream of the Holy Prophet sa also expresses the same concept, in which only the picture of Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah ra was shown to him, and the following words were said, “Now this is your wife in this world and in the hereafter. ” It is for this reason that the Holy Prophet sa especially loved Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah ra. Therefore, there is a narration that on one occasion someone asked the Holy Prophet sa , ِ اَی ُّ النَّاس ِ اَحَب ُّ اِلَیْك meaning “O Messenger of Allāh! From among the people, whom do you love most?” The Holy Prophet sa responded, “‘Ā’ishah. ” He asked, “O Messenger of Allāh! Who is it from among the men?” The Holy Prophet sa responded, اَب ُوھَا “The father of ‘Ā’ishah. ” 1 The marriage of Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah ra and Ḥaḍrat Saudah ra took place in Shawwāl 10 Nabawī. According to general narrations, Ḥaḍrat Saudah’s ra marriage ceremony took place a few days prior to the marriage of Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah ra. At that time, the Holy Prophet sa was fifty years of age. Brief Note on Polygamy In allusion to the marriage of Ḥaḍrat ‘ Ā’ishah ra and Ḥaḍrat Saudah ra , the issue of polygamy must have rattled the hearts of our non-Muslim readers. God-Willing, an elaborate discussion on this issue shall be taken up in the second volume of this book. However, a brief note on this issue here shall be equally helpful. Hence, it should be understood that in their prejudice, opponents have raised allegations to many principles of Islām, but have never contemplated their reality with a cool heart, nor have they examined them in light of experience or observation. Among them, polygamy is also one issue, which is generally considered to be against nature. In this regard, first and foremost, it should be understood that ‘nature’ is no doubt a light, which Allāh the Exalted has instilled into every human being for the purpose of guidance. However, at times, this light, suppressed by conflicting elements, is weakened or exhausted, and in the following case, its verdict cannot be accepted, until it is purified of prejudice. Thus, regarding the concept of divorce, the Christian nature was weakened by the suppression of conflicting elements. Consequently, to this day, the precedent verdict has been that with the exception of a wife committing adultery, it is unlawful to seek divorce. Therefore, Christians made alterations to their laws accordingly. However, now, after being jostled by observation and experience, their sleeping nature has awakened to some extent. They are beginning to realize that, not only adultery, rather, other 1 Sunan At- Tirmidhī, Kitābul-Manāqib, Bābu Faḍli ‘Ā’ishah, Ḥadīth No. 3890