The wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) were with him in the mosque (while he was in I`tikaf) and then they departed and the Prophet (ﷺ) said to Safiya bint Huyai, "Don't hurry up, for I shall accompany you," (and her dwelling was in the house of Usama). The Prophet (ﷺ) went out and in the meantime two Ansari men met him and they looked at the Prophet (ﷺ) and passed by. The Prophet (ﷺ) said to them, "Come here. She is (my wife) Safiya bint Huyai." They replied, "Subhan Allah, (How dare we think of evil) O Allah's Apostle! (we never expect anything bad from you)." The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "Satan circulates in the human being as blood circulates in the body, and I was afraid lest Satan might insert an evil thought in your minds."
Retiring to a Mosque for Remembrance of Allah (I'tikaf)
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 2038
Contextual Background
This narration occurs during the Prophet's practice of I'tikaf (spiritual retreat) in the mosque during Ramadan. The Prophet's wives would visit him during his retreat, maintaining proper Islamic boundaries while showing familial care.
Scholarly Commentary on the Incident
The Prophet's accompanying Safiya demonstrates the permissibility of escorting one's mahram relatives, even during I'tikaf, provided the essential conditions of retreat are maintained.
When the two Ansari men passed by and glanced at the Prophet walking with a woman, the Prophet immediately clarified her identity. This teaches us the importance of removing doubts and preventing misconceptions before they take root in people's hearts.
Spiritual Significance of Satan's Circulation
The Prophet's profound statement "Satan circulates in the human being as blood circulates in the body" illustrates the constant nature of Satanic whispers. Even the Companions, known for their purity of heart, were not immune to potential evil suggestions.
This analogy emphasizes that Satan's influence is pervasive and continuous, requiring constant vigilance through remembrance of Allah and taking practical precautions against fitnah.
Legal and Ethical Lessons
The incident establishes the importance of transparency in actions that could be misinterpreted. The Prophet didn't wait for rumors to spread but proactively addressed potential misunderstandings.
It also shows the Prophet's concern for protecting both his honor and the spiritual state of his Companions, teaching leaders to safeguard their community from spiritual harm.
The Companions' immediate response "Subhan Allah" demonstrates the proper attitude of a Muslim when hearing something that could lead to suspicion - immediately rejecting evil thoughts about righteous people.