MARRIAGE SECTION · 39 – EQUALITY BETWEEN WOMEN
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said, “Whoever has two wives and gives preference to one over the other, he will come on the Day of Resurrection with one side hanging down.” [132]
COMMENTARY:
Those who have two wives are obligated to observe justice between them in lodging and provision. However, they may inwardly favor one of them.
Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated:
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would visit the women by turns and judge between them. And he would say, “O Allah, my observance is according to what I possess; so do not reproach me for that which I cannot.” Abu Dawud said: It means (do not reproach me) for inclination towards someone. [133]
Hisham related from his father, who said: Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said to me, “O nephew of my sister, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) did not favor any one of us women over another in our turnings. Sometimes he would visit us all, approaching each woman without intimacy, until it was her turn to stay with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him).” By Allah, when Zama’s daughter Sawda grew old and feared separation from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him), she said, “O Messenger of Allah, I have given my turn to Aisha.” And the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) accepted her gift. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) would say, "Indeed, the Exalted Allah revealed verses concerning this matter and similar matters." Hisham related: The narrator, Urwa, said that he narrated from Aisha regarding the revelation of the verse: “If a woman fears disobedience or moral negligence from her husband…” (An-Nisa 4:128).
Mu’adh (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) used to ask permission of us when one of us was on watch, after this verse was revealed: “You may [either] grant them permission or turn away from them.” Mu’adh (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I asked Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): How did you respond to the Messenger of Allah's request for permission? Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “If it were up to me, I would not prefer anyone over myself, and I would refuse [permission].”
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) sent a message to his wives during his illness, and they all gathered. He said to them, “I am unable to go around among you in my rounds, so if you find it suitable, allow me to stay with Aisha.” They gave him permission.
When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, intended to go on a campaign, he would draw lots among his wives. Whoever’s name came out in the drawing, he would go on the campaign with her. He would divide the nights and days of all his wives except Sevda into shifts. As for Sevda, she had gifted her shift to Aisha. [136]