(Sayyidah Zainab bintu Jahsh [radhiyallahu ‘anha] – Part Five)
After the nikaah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to Sayyidah Zainab bintu Jahsh (radhiyallahu ‘anha) had taken place in the heavens, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) gave a special waleemah feast. Sayyiduna Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the close attendant of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), relates that he had not witnessed Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) give a waleemah for any of his marriages as he had done on the occasion of his marriage to Sayyidah Zainab bintu Jahsh (radhiyallahu ‘anha).”
From his side, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) slaughtered a sheep and fed the people meat and bread. Furthermore, Sayyidah Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the mother of Sayyiduna Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), prepared hais (a dish prepared from dates, cheese and ghee) and sent it for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
When Sayyiduna Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) brought it, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) told him to invite a few specific Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) as well as whoever else he finds. Sayyiduna Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was surprised at the amount of people he was asked to invite despite the small quantity of the food. However, fulfilling the instruction of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he invited those Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and others until he could not find anyone else to call.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then placed his blessed hand on the dish and read a few words. He then called the people in groups of ten and advised them to take the Name of Allah and partake of what was in front of them. Sayyiduna Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) personally witnessed the blessings in the food; the dish continued increasing as though it was a spring of water gushing forth. Everyone partook of the meal and the dish had still remained the same as he had brought it. Approximately 300 people ate to their fill.
Later on, when Sayyiduna Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) explained this astonishing occurrence to his mother, she responded, “Don’t be surprised. If Allah Ta‘ala wished for all the people of Madeenah Munawwarah to partake of it, they all would have eaten.”
After everyone had eaten, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instructed that the remaining food be taken away. Thereafter, some of those who attended the waleemah remained sitting, engaged in a conversation. Meanwhile, Sayyidah Zainab (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was sitting facing towards the wall (out of bashfulness). Although Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was hoping for them to leave, he felt it somewhat difficult to ask them to leave. Therefore, in order for them to get the message, he made as if he was getting up. However, they did not realize that they should get up as well, and thus remained seated. Upon seeing this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) stood up and left his home.
When these people saw Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) leave, most of them left the home as well. However, three people, who were very engrossed in their discussion, remained seated and continued speaking. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) proceeded to the house of Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) as well as the homes of his other wives. He greeted them and they made du‘aa for him and congratulated him (on his nikaah). In the interim, one of the three people left as well.
When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) returned, he found the two of them still seated. He thus left once again. This time, they realized and immediately got up and left the home. On this occasion, the following verse was revealed:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَدْخُلُوا بُيُوتَ النَّبِيِّ إِلَّا أَن يُؤْذَنَ لَكُمْ إِلَىٰ طَعَامٍ غَيْرَ نَاظِرِينَ إِنَاهُ وَلَٰكِنْ إِذَا دُعِيتُمْ فَادْخُلُوا فَإِذَا طَعِمْتُمْ فَانتَشِرُوا وَلَا مُسْتَأْنِسِينَ لِحَدِيثٍ ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ يُؤْذِي النَّبِيَّ فَيَسْتَحْيِي مِنكُمْ ۖ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَسْتَحْيِي مِنَ الْحَقِّ ۚ وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِن وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ لَكُمْ أَن تُؤْذُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَلَا أَن تَنكِحُوا أَزْوَاجَهُ مِن بَعْدِهِ أَبَدًا ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ عِندَ اللَّهِ عَظِيمًا
“O you who believe, do not enter the houses of the Nabi except when you are permitted for a meal and not (so early that you are) awaiting its preparation. But when you are invited then enter; and when you have eaten, disperse without remaining for conversation. This (conduct of yours) hurts the Nabi, but he feels shy of (telling) you (about it), but Allah is not shy of the truth. And when you ask anything from them (i.e. the blessed wives of the Nabi [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam]), ask them from behind a partition. That is better for the purity of your hearts and their hearts. It is not allowed for you that you hurt Allah’s Messenger, nor that you ever marry his wives after him. Indeed, it would be an enormity in the sight of Allah.” (Surah Ahzaab v53)
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thereafter returned home together with Sayyiduna Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). (Unaware that the verses of hijaab had just been revealed,) Sayyiduna Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) proceeded to enter the home. However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) lowered the curtain at the entrance (as the laws of hijaab were now applicable).”
(Saheeh Bukhaari #4791, #4793, #5163 & #5171, Saheeh Muslim #3503 & #3507, Musnad Ahmad #12023, Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 8, pg. 104 and Fat-hul Baari)
Lessons:
1. Consideration for others, be it their feelings, their time, their ease, etc. is an emphasised teaching of our beautiful Deen, and a means of maintaining a harmonious environment. Often, due to negligence, we inconvenience a person without even realizing, while that person finds it difficult to bring it to our attention and is thus greatly troubled.
2. The laws of hijaab were revealed in the best era and upon the most clean-hearted people. There could never have been a purer environment than that time; yet, they all adhered to this fundamental injunction. Therefore, even though Sayyiduna Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the personal attendant of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and would regularly visit his home, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not allow him to enter while his respected wife was present after this injunction had been revealed. How unfortunate it is nowadays that not only have people forsaken this vital injunction of Deen, but do not even consider it applicable using feeble excuses such as: “Our hearts are clean.” Allah forbid, this would mean that their hearts are cleaner than the hearts of the respected wives of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and his noble Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), which is obviously impossible.
Other parts may be accessed via the following links:
Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four Part Five Part Six