Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "(The Prophet) Abraham migrated with his wife Sarah till he reached a town where there was a king or a tyrant who sent a message, to Abraham, ordering him to send Sarah to him. So when Abraham had sent Sarah, the tyrant got up, intending to do evil with her, but she got up and performed ablution and prayed and said, 'O Allah ! If I have believed in You and in Your Apostle, then do not empower this oppressor over me.' So he (the king) had an epileptic fit and started moving his legs violently. "
Hadith Text & Context
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 6950 recounts the trial of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his wife Sarah when confronted by a tyrannical ruler who sought to harm Sarah's honor through coercion.
Scholarly Commentary
The scholars explain that this incident demonstrates Allah's protection of the righteous when faced with coercion and oppression. Sarah's immediate turning to Allah through ablution and prayer exemplifies the proper response to imminent danger.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Fath al-Bari notes that the king's epileptic fit was a divine punishment preventing the oppression, showing that Allah protects the chastity of believing women who place their trust in Him.
Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this hadith establishes the principle that statements or actions made under genuine coercion may be excused, as Sarah was forced to appear before the tyrant against her will.
Legal & Spiritual Implications
This narration forms the basis for the Islamic legal principle that acts committed under compulsion are pardonable when the heart remains firm in faith.
The incident teaches believers to maintain spiritual vigilance through prayer and remembrance of Allah during times of trial and coercion.
Scholars derive from this that Allah's protection extends to those who sincerely rely upon Him, even in seemingly hopeless situations.