The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 439
IX - Repeated Treachery of the Jews, Compilation and Sequence of the Holy Qur ’ā n, Marriage of Ḥaḍrat Zainab ra , the Great Calumny and Mischief of the Hypocrites 439 the sister of Zainab bint Jaḥash ra , and Miṣṭaḥ bin Uthāthah, have especially been recorded. 1 However, it is a testimony to her lofty character that Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah ra forgave them all, and did not harbour a grudge against them in her heart. As such, it is mentioned that after this occurrence, whenever Ḥassān bin Thābit would come to visit Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah ra , she would receive him graciously. On one occasion, when he presented himself before Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah ra , a Muslim named Masrūq, who was present as well, became astonished and said, “What! Do you grant Ḥassān the permission of audience?” Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah ra responded, “Let it be, the poor man has lost his sight, is this not misery enough? Then, I cannot forget that Ḥassān would compose verses in support of the Holy Prophet sa against his enemies. ” Hence, Ḥassān was granted permission, upon which he came in and sat down. He spoke a verse in praise of Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah ra : ِ وَتُصبِح ُ غَرْثی ٰ مِن ْ لُحُوْم ِ الْغَوَافِل ً حَصَان ٌ رَزَان ٌ مَا تُزَن ُّ بِرِیْبَة “She is a pure and chaste woman, who possesses wisdom and foresight, and her position is above and beyond doubt and uncertainty; she does not eat the flesh of upright and innocent women, i. e. , she does not slander them, nor does she speak ill of them in their absence. ” When Ḥaḍrat ‘Ā’ishah ra heard this couplet, she said, َ لٰكِن ْ اَنْت and in another narration the words َ لَسْت َ كَذَالِك have been related, meaning, “What about your own state, you did not prove to bear this quality, i. e. , you took part in leveling an accusation against me though I was innocent. ” 2 Let us witness the Arabic scholarship, or prejudice, of Mr. Muir, who translates the above-mentioned couplet in an absolutely incorrect manner, in contradiction to the rules of Arabic grammar, and asserts that Ḥassān ra praised the slender body of ‘Ā’ishah ra , who in turn taunted him on his large figure. 3 4 - 1 * Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Maghāzī, Bābu Ḥadīthil-Ifki, Ḥadīth No. 4141 2 * Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābut-Tafsīr, Tafsīru Sūratin-Nūr, Bābu Ya‘idhukumullāhu An Ta‘ūdū. . . . . , Ḥadīth No. 4755 3 The Life of Mahomet, By Sir William Muir, Chapter XVI (Guilt or Innocence of Ayesha), Hassân reconciles Ayesha by an ode in her praise, p. 315, footnote, Published by Smith, Elder & Co. London (1878) 4 A persian phrase which means, “One ought to weep at such a level of wisdom and understanding. ” [Publishers]