"Allah sent Revelation to the Prophet when I was with him, so I got up and closed the door between him and I. When it was taken off him, he said to me: 'O 'Aishah, Jibril sends greetings of Salam to you.'"
The Book of the Kind Treatment of Women - Sunan an-Nasa'i 3952
"Allah sent Revelation to the Prophet when I was with him, so I got up and closed the door between him and I. When it was taken off him, he said to me: 'O 'Aishah, Jibril sends greetings of Salam to you.'"
Commentary on the Narration
This noble hadith from the Mother of the Believers 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) demonstrates the profound spiritual station she occupied. When revelation descended upon the Prophet (peace be upon him), she displayed perfect etiquette by withdrawing and closing the door, recognizing the sacred nature of divine communication.
The angel Jibril's specific greeting to 'Aishah indicates her elevated status among the Prophet's wives and the entire ummah. This was not merely a personal honor but a divine affirmation of her purity and righteousness. Scholars note that such direct celestial greetings to companions are rare in Islamic tradition, highlighting 'Aishah's unique spiritual rank.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
This narration establishes the permissibility of women being present during revelation, provided they maintain proper decorum. It also demonstrates the Prophet's loving manner of sharing spiritual experiences with his family.
The hadith serves as evidence for the authenticity of 'Aishah's narrations and her reliability as a transmitter of Islamic knowledge. Her meticulous observation of prophetic moments made her one of the foremost authorities on the Prophet's private life and teachings.
Ethical Lessons
Muslims learn from this the importance of showing respect during moments of worship and divine connection. 'Aishah's immediate action to provide privacy exemplifies the Islamic etiquette of honoring spiritual occasions.
The Prophet's sharing of Jibril's greeting teaches husbands to include their wives in spiritual blessings and to maintain open communication about religious experiences, fostering shared spiritual growth within the family.