The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 17
I - Early Sources of Sīrat & Islāmic History 17 Meaning, “Those who partook in levelling an aspersion against Hadrat ‘Ā’ishah ra , the honourable wife of the Prophet of Allāh sa , were a party from among you, O Muslims! However, you should have thought well of the other. Why then did you not dismiss this allegation saying, Holy art Thou, O God, this is a grievous calumny. ” 1 These verses clearly allude to the principle of Dirāyat. Moreover, the companions of the Holy Prophet sa have been reproached, that although a group of Muslims were apparently responsible for accusing Ḥaḍrat ‘ Ā’ishah ra , the Muslims were well aware of her nature and knew that she was the wife of the Prophet of God who remained in his company day and night. Thus, upon hearing this accusation, the Muslims should have categorically rejected it at first glance as merely a false accusation and slander. Moreover, these verses indicate that a narration should not be accepted merely on the basis that its narrators apparently seem to be good people; instead all the aspects of an instance should be analysed on the basis of God-given wisdom. If the other elements of an instance throw a narration into obscurity or doubt, it should not be accepted. In conformity to this Qur’ānic principle, it is also emphasised in Ḥadīth that one should not believe in a verbal narration merely on the basis of hearsay. Rather, one must investigate the validity of statements from every vantage point. Therefore, the Holy Prophet sa states: َ كَفٰی بَالْمَرْء ِ كَذِبًا اَن ْ یُّحَدِّث َ بِكُل ِّ مَا سَمِع “A reason sufficient to determine an individual’s dishonesty is that he begins forwarding the narrations he hears without investigation. ” 2 This Ḥadīth reveals the importance of investigating the validity of narrations as well; however, the essential objective is investigation by means of Dirāyat. It is evident from the words َ بِكُل ِّ مَا سَمِع that the acceptance of a narration should not be simply based on hearsay. Instead, the matter must be analysed from the opposite viewpoint in order to conclude whether the relayed report can 1 An-Nūr (24:12,13,17) 2 Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (Muqaddamatul-Mu’allif), Bābun-Nahyi ‘anil-Ḥadīthi bikulli mā Sami‘a, Ḥadīth No. 7