Sunan an-Nasa'i 2037

Yusuf ibn Sa‘id informed us, saying: Hajjaj narrated to us, from Ibn Jurayj, who said: ‘Abd Allah ibn Abi Mulaykah informed me that he heard Muhammad ibn Qays ibn Makhramah say: I heard ‘A’ishah relate: ‘Shall I tell you about what happened between me and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)?’ We said, ‘Yes.’ She said: ‘On the night he was with me, the Prophet turned over, placed his sandals by his feet, and spread the edge of his waist-wrapper on his bed. He remained only long enough to think that I had fallen asleep. Then he put on his sandals slowly, took his cloak slowly, opened the door slowly, and went out slowly. I put my shift over my head, veiled myself, wrapped my waist-wrapper around me, and followed him until he reached al-Baqi‘. He raised his hands three times and stood for a long time. Then he turned, and I turned; he quickened his pace, and I quickened mine; he jogged, and I jogged; then he hurried, and I hurried. I overtook him and went inside. I had barely lain down when he entered and said, ‘Why are you panting, with your chest rising, ‘A’ishah?’ She said, ‘Nothing.’ He said, ‘You must tell me, or the Subtle, the All-Aware will inform me.’ I said, ‘May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah,’ and told him what had happened. He said, ‘So you were the dark figure I saw in front of me?’ She said, ‘Yes.’ He gave me a painful poke in the chest, then said, ‘Did you think that Allah and His Messenger would treat you unjustly?’ I said, ‘Whatever people conceal, Allah knows.’ He said, ‘When you saw me, Gabriel came to me but did not enter upon me, for you had laid aside your clothes. He called to me discreetly, and I answered him discreetly, so you would not know. I thought you had fallen asleep and did not want to wake you. I feared you might feel lonely, so he instructed me to go to al-Baqi‘ and seek forgiveness for its inhabitants.’ I asked, ‘What should I say, O Messenger of Allah?’ He replied, ‘Say: Peace be upon the inhabitants of these dwellings among the believers and Muslims. May Allah have mercy on those of us who have gone ahead and those who come later. And, if Allah wills, we shall join you.’