At
one point the Prophet’s wives made a joint request asking him to provide
them with a better standard of living. It was not an unreasonable request, since
it came after the Muslim state had enjoyed victories over its enemies and its
fortunes were getting much better. It was the sort of request any woman who had
lived through years of poverty with her husband would make when they enjoyed better
times. Yet the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not care for any material comfort.
He wanted his household to remain an example for all Muslims, in all generations.
Therefore, he did not look favourably at this request.
His closest companions, Abu Bakr and Umar,
were allowed into his home after they had heard of the problem. They were the
fathers of two of the Prophet’s wives.
They found the Prophet silent, looking distressed. Abu Bakr
sought to relax the somber atmosphere. He said: “Messenger
of God! If you could only see my wife when she asked me for more money to spend.
I pierced my finger into her neck.”
The Prophet smiled and said: “You see them all
around me asking for more money.” Abu Bakr went up to his daughter,
Ayesha, and Umar went up to his daughter, Hafsah,
piercing them in the neck. They said to them: “How
come you ask the Prophet to give you what he does not have?” Both
of them said: “We will never again ask the Prophet
for what he does not have.”
The Prophet was upset by the whole episode. He wanted his household to be totally
free of the material concerns of worldly life. He wanted his own family to aspire
only for what is with God. He, therefore, decided to stay away from all his
wives for a whole month. He then received revelations requiring him to give
his wife a choice.
When the month was over, he mentioned the choice to everyone of his wives,
starting with Ayesha. The choice is outlined in the following Qur’anic
verses: “Prophet! Say to your wives: ‘If you
desire the life of this world and its charms, I shall provide for you and release
you in a becoming manner; but if you desire God and His Messenger and the life
of the hereafter, know that God has readied great rewards for those of you who
do good.’” (33: 28-29)
Before he read them the two Qur’anic verses, the Prophet told each one
that she needed not make her choice straightaway. She should consult her parents
or her guardian. Every single one of them said to him: “I
need not consult anyone concerning my status with you. I certainly choose God
and His messenger, hoping for success in the life to come.” They
assured him that they desired nothing in preference to life with him.
It should be mentioned that as Ayesha made her choice, being the first asked,
she requested the Prophet not to make her choice known to any of his other wives,
should they ask him about her choice. She felt that if any of them was unsure,
she should not be helped by learning of Ayesha’s choice.
The Prophet, however, declined her request, telling her that his mission was
to teach people every good thing for them. Therefore, if any would ask him about
her choice, he was certain to inform them of it. They could then follow her
example, if they so wished. However, in the event, none needed that sort of
help.
They all recognized that their status as wives of the Prophet and mothers of
all believers was so precious that they would not change it for anything in
this world.
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A choice for the Prophet’s wives
