Safiya, the wife of the Prophet (ﷺ) told me that she went to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) to visit him in the mosque while he was in I`tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. She had a talk with him for a while, then she got up in order to return home. The Prophet (ﷺ) accompanied her. When they reached the gate of the mosque, opposite the door of Um-Salama, two Ansari men were passing by and they greeted Allah's Apostle . He told them: Do not run away! And said, "She is (my wife) Safiya bint Huyai." Both of them said, "Subhan Allah, (How dare we think of any evil) O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!" And they felt it. The Prophet said (to them), "Satan reaches everywhere in the human body as blood reaches in it, (everywhere in one's body). 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 2035
The Excellence of I'tikaf
I'tikaf is a spiritual retreat in the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan, seeking Laylat al-Qadr and drawing closer to Allah through worship and remembrance.
The Prophet's Companionship with His Wives
The Prophet (ﷺ) maintained proper relations with his wives even during I'tikaf, demonstrating that spiritual devotion doesn't require complete isolation from family.
The Wisdom Behind Clarification
The Prophet (ﷺ) proactively clarified that Safiya was his wife to prevent any potential misunderstanding, teaching us the importance of removing doubts before they arise.
The Nature of Satan's Influence
Satan's whispers can penetrate human hearts as blood circulates through the body. The Prophet's precaution shows the necessity of guarding against evil thoughts.
The Piety of the Companions
The Ansari men's immediate response "Subhan Allah" and their feeling of distress upon being suspected shows their high level of taqwa and reverence for the Prophet.
Practical Lessons in Purification
This incident teaches the importance of protecting one's heart from suspicious thoughts and maintaining transparency in interactions to preserve communal harmony.